AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 178, 16 February 1860, Page 3

AUCKLAND

[From the New Zealander, 20th Jan,]

OtiEHDkGE Afe A Steam Poet; —This question is now definitively settled, and consequently is no longer a question for controversy. It has been settled, too, not by a small coasting steamer of the size of the “little Wonga Wonga,” but by one of the Inter-colonial ltoyal:’ MaU°Steam Company’s vessels—-the “ Airedale,” Captain Johns—steaming rigid up the Miuiakau as far as Ouehnnga, and coming to anchor abreast of the Onehunga Pier. Tim mail and passengers were landed within a-few 5 minutes of the steamer coming to anchor—i instead of the one having to be carted and the others having to trudge through the mud, all the wav from the White Bluff, round the cliffs, or over the beach. The inhabitants of Onehunga—and especially those whose patriotism and public spirit led thorn to subscribe their money and their labour to the const ruction of this very useful public.work, which we hope may be regarded as the first instalment of a viaduct bridging over the-Manakau, and bringing the fertile district of Mangere into closer proximity to //uekland —may well pride themselves on tills event. The “Airedale” ought, and no doubt will be, ever after this a welcome visitor to Onehunga, whos,e inhabitants, had their town been incorporated, should present “ tho freedom of the borough” to both Captain Johns and Captain Wing for thus establishing the fact, that sea-going !steamers of large tonnage can cone thus far iup the Manakau with i erfeet safety. To the owners of property in Onehunga the event we jare now noticing is one of' very great import-ance—-showing, as it does, that the site of their town Isas been most judiciously chosen, nor merely as u pleasant and healthful place of residence, but with a view to its becoming .a commercial port of a high class. We are not surprised to hear that a deputation of some of the promoters of the Onehunga Pier has waited upon the Superintendent to thank him for the? |interest which he and the Provincial Governoient have always evinced in the construction of this work, and for the aid rendered towards the accomplishment of this object. He sincerely congratulate tho people of Onehunga, and trust that not only the “ Airedale,’[bur other steamers, may find it not only possible, j but desirable, to drop anchor off or alongside the I'ier at Gedties’ Point.

Oue Old Fifty eichth. —It gives us very great pleasure to place the following highly honorable and complimentary paragraph in possession of our readers, by most of whom it will be appreciated as it deserves 2'his old and distinguished Corps (in which the late “ Illustrious Iron Duke ” once served for some years as Captain), now forming part of the Ist brigade, under the command of Major-General ‘Lord W m. Pauiet, C. 8., at. Aldershot, camp, had its half-yearly inspection by that General on the Bth instant. The general, after having seen the regiment march past in slow and quick time, and go through a variety of field manoeuvres and Angelo's bayonet exercise, expressed himself in the following manner: ' “ Officers, .Non-commissioned Officers, and Private.. —Soldiers of the 58th regiment; this is the'first opportunity I ever have had of seeing you together, except on divisional field days, although I have often heard of you, and. I am happy lo be able to state, that the soldierlike appearance,-cleanlim S3, and sieadiness undir arms, which, you this day have exhibited, reflect not only credit on the Corps, but do honour to the B.igade which I feel proud to command ; and that- to arrive ni such a state of perfection in so short a peii.-d, s'nee the retain of the Head Quarters from New Zealand in March. Lst (then much reduced in numbers),:the greatest attention and exertion must have been given towards the efficiency of the regiment by tho commanding-officer and the officers of the regiment., supported by the sergeant-major and drill sergeants; and if you continue to persevere in your present apparent desire to excel in the duties of your profession, you will not fail to be as smart and efficient a Corpß as any in her most gracious Majesty’* service. The General also expressed himself generally well pleased with the books and interior economy of the Corps. Colonel Bridge and Lieutenant ami Adjutant Bolton, were personally complimented by tho gallant General, both of whom are highly respected by officers and- men.” .

Our old and steady friend Hr. Thomson, it;, will be seen, has exchanged from the 58th. On dit, he goes to China. A work on New Zealand, from his able pen, was on the eve of publication. 58th Foot ---Surgeon-Major Henry Downes, M.D., from the Staff, to he £urg.-Major vice. Thomson, who exchanges. Surg.-Major Arthur Sanders Thomson, M.D., from the 58th Foot, to be Surg.-Major vice I)owiit’s, who exchanges.

| Cattle Markets. —-Mr. W. Hunter reports, thut the cattle sale held by him at Newmarket, on the 17tli iust-., was well supplied, with fat cattle and sheep, hut that the quantity of store stock brought fonvard was not mlarge as on the previous week, and was insuflicient to meet the demand. Fat cattle sold at. about former rates, bringing from £9 17s Od. to £l4 17s 6d. Hairy cows of good quality , 'were in demand; those sold brought from £lO 15s to £l4 17s 6d. Heifers sold from £5 5s to £B. Fat sheep realized a slight advance upon former rates, selling, at from t £1 Is to £1 9s. Small lambs, os 9d to Bs. Messrs. Cheesemau sold cattle at Newmarket on Tuesday last, the 17th inst. ; at fha., usual rates.

Mr. Alfred Buckland reports, that his sale on the 19th inst. was fairly supplied with fat cattle, which met with a good demand ; an advance of. 10s. per head was obtained over Thursday’s market; 33 beasts were disposed of. Store cattle none in the market. Fat sheep, principally weather hoggets, were in fair supply, and sold readily at an advance of 2s) per head, 126 were penned, and all sold : for the weathers from Ahuriri, there was but little competition ; only one pen was disposed of at 123 per head, the rest - were withdrawn. For the ewe hogs' advertised there was good inquiry, and the prices obtained were in advance of late markets; they realized in pens of 40 from 15s to 16s 6d each.