TUIKARAMEA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Saturday, January 9.

I arrived here to-day, after waiting at Ngaruawahia from Wednesday afternoon, until this morning for the ' Avon.' As she came along she bumped twice on snags in the river, before getting to Whata Whata — the water having sunk slightly since her last trip. One of the shocks was somewhat severe, causing her to lean over considerably, and one oftlie passengers by her had a narrow escape of being pitched into the water from the sudden bump, which almost tumbled him off the top^ of the iron casing on the bulwark on the port side. After discharging stores and baggage at Whata Whata, she came on to Tuikaramea, and completed her discharge. She will be employed on Monday carrying up a detachment of the 50th from some station down the river. The 12th, <10th, and 65th Regiments stationed at Ngarugwahia, were to march at an early hour this morning for Whata Whata, leaving the 70th stationed at the former place. They had not, however, arrived at Whata Whata when the steamer went alongside the landing there, and discharged the stores which she had brought up from !Ngaruawahia. It is supposed the troops will remain at Whata Whata for a few days, until a forward movement is again decided upon. Other troops are expected shortly from JN garuawahia ; to come up the Horatiu, and to take up a position on another side of the enemy's new encampment. Then, with the Raglan force in the rear, and the troops at this camp taking the head and front of the position, the enemy will shortly be almost surrounded. There are fears, however, entertained that before this consummation &o devoutly to be wished, the Maoris will again enact their performance of Meremere, and by hastening off on the eve of the attack, once more have the pleasure of carrying out the old axiom of living to fight another day. However this may be, I believe

I may stale confidently that in the course of another week or ten days (unless something adverse should arise), the test will be applied. I have mentioned in previous letters that the road from the camp to the 50th camp has been traversed by several individuals, and there does not appear to have been much danger entertained of a surprise, either by natives in ambush or a marauding party. The numbers of the Ngatmaniopotos now engaged in the rebellion, after the secession of the greater part of the Waikatos, I now find is estimated at about 1,000 ; and having five stockades to erects properly fortify, carry out extensive rifle pits, and throw up redoubts, will fully occupy the entire force, without afibrding them leisure to harass the pickets afc this or other camps. Two hundred natives to each redoubt would swallow up all their available men, and doubtless many will be told off to do the picket duties, to prevent an unexpected attack by our forces. The construction of the road from this camp to Baglan is being carried on energetically by the soldiers of the 50th, and on this side also. About one hundred men were told off to-day for engineering fatigue duty. Only about four miles of the road now require completion. The Eight Eev. Bishop of New Zealand arrived in camp this evening ; he was expected up a few days ago. We shall, doubtless, have Divine Service conducted by his Lordship, to-morrow (Sunday).

AUCKLAND ANNUAL KEG-ATTA. We hare had our annual sports on the land, and foremost amongst them ■were the Jockey Club Races, which surpassed those of the former year, as it did that of its predecessor. This ii the legitimate course of colonial progression, and in which Auckland has manifested no disposition to be distanced — either by its sister provinces and fellow colonists, or by its " Big Brothers" over the water in Australia. Having thus disported on " land," our citizens, on the 29th instant, intend to go afloat and try their skill on the waters of the beautiful Waitemata estuary. The Kegatta is appointed for the 29th January, being the the 24th anniversary of Auckland, and a day which may yet rival in fame the 4th July of the once "United" but now, unhappily, wildly and cruelly distracted " States" of America. His evcelleney the Governor is the Patron ; his honor the Superintendent is the Vice-Patron. The President and Vice-President have yet to be nominated, and rumour points to both as being filled by the right men in the right places, although their consent must be first graciously asked and obtained. A committee has been appointed, containing "good men and true" as regards their knowledge of the domain of Neptune, and the administration of the affairs of his Marine Majesty. The name of umpire, an all-important personage in the sport, has not boon a 9 yet divulged, but we doubt not that he will be one who is an fait at this delicate work. The ' Claud Hamilton,' one of our favourite, powerful, nnd faithful intercolonial screw steamers, is marked off for the flag-ship. Thus sustained, we do not think (wind and weather permitting) that there is any chance of this .Regatta being put down as a failure. On the ' contrary, there is every hope, if the elements j are propitious, that it will prove a great success, and we predict tins from the fact of the great resources that Auckland now possesses, as compared with any former years, in imnislermg to the essential elements of such a spectacle. We will have two, if not three, not inconsiderable vessel of war in our homestead. In addition, there will be several large vessels already arrived and on their way from London. We all know how much our Jioyal Nary blue jackets with their trim little crafts contribute to an aquatic display Then we know'that our firstclass mercantile ships can turn out boats " beauteous in their mould," and with skilful hands to work the '"blades;" although these last named tars w ould be none the worse of a little previous training, to get their arms into proper play, as they are apt to get a little rusty after a long voyage, when their boats have been for three or four months hanging steadily on the '• davits," or reclining listlessly on the skids, and the long and jolly boats, mayhap, a receptacle for pujs or sheep. Further, we have our ovrn local aquatic force, including the watermen, whose vocation it is to row " so steadily and so merrily ," and we do not think that they can of late much complain of having been long "in a want of a fare." The programme, so far as yet arranged, includes fifteen races. These consist of five races under sail, viz . — One by yachts under five tons, and, we presume, with or without waterways ; a second, by trading vessels of from 8 to 20 tons, which , may be expected to make good play in a fair but not over stiff breeze ; a third, by licensed cargo boats, for a silver cup, presented by Shaw, Saville, and Co., of London, and ', other prizes ; a fourth, by trading vessels of a larger description, the limit being from 20 to ♦15 tons, and which would show their points to advantage in a fresh breeze. The last sailing race is by yachts of 5 tons and upwards, of which we hope several will offer, and that they will show how they can "walk the waters " The rowing matches embrace every variety of craft, from the fine sea whale boat pulled by five oars and the boats of her Majesty's ships, to the dingy pulled by boys under 16 years, and the punts which will bring out the skill of 1 our scullers. In a spectacle of this nature the ' .sailing matches will be especially interesting to ' nautical men. But as these contests are ■ necessarily of some duration, and a long part 1 of the course di stant from the view of the great mass of spectators on shore, they do not possess in the popular eye that attraction or excite1 menfc which attend the rowing matches ; in 1 these last, like as in the Derby or St. Leger, the strugnfgle is within close view of the many, and beheld with eager interest from the start ' to the cheering wind-up. But in the interval between the ofl'set and the return of the sailing • matches, it will be busily filled up by the animating emulation of the rowers in the various matches t It Mill also be an important consideration, and as to which, of course, the Committee know better than we profess to do, to have second and sometimes third prizes. This proviso keeps the " team " well up. If the i strain is in vain as to the first prize, the spolia ovima, then there ij still the hope of taking i the second or even the third — whether this last • be of intrinsic value, or simply the negative < satiifaction of saving the stakes.

Melanesia!? Mission — The collection made at St. .Paul's Church on Sunday last, in nid of the MeUnesian Mission, realised £34 lla. 9d. Bishop Patterson, when addiessing the congregation in the evening, laid before them what had been done and was proposed to be done to fmther the objects in view. He »dihessed the congregation at some length, and advocated the cause with gieat earnestness, expressing the hope that not only the alms, but the prayeis, of his hearers might be given to aid the good work. Citt Board. — The usual weekly meeting of the City Board will take place this afternoon. Owing to various causes, but principally to the fact that the City Board Loan Bill was going thiough the Provincial Council, no meeting of tha Board took place last week. For the same cause the gieater part of the business to day will probably be postponed. Amongst the business that will be pioceeded with is the question of sending an address to the Governors of the Australian Colonies, protesting against their interference with legard to the seat of government. PKOviNCiAt Council. — The pre«ent session of the Piovincial Council appears to be drawing near its close. The business foi to-day is the adoption of the first repoit of the Privatr Grievance Committee j the thiul reading of the City Board Loan Act, 1863, Amendment Bill, which will probably not pass without another debate and division ; the consideration in committee of the Estimates, and the Pannrore Bridge Bill ; an adjourned debate on the question of at once laying down a Tramway from the Mauku to the "Waikato River ; and the consideration of a menage relative to the representation of Marsden. The whole of the necessary huiiness might ba concluded early n«k wt»k, , '

THE JOCKEY CLUB BACES. ' Youb correspondent " Dan " admits tha£ Garrotter was always a fine foal, but adds, " not finer than many •by the same horse." His owner, and all who went to see him, could nbt be brought to think otherwise. His backer, for great superiority over the rest, pointed to the day of trial for proof of his favourable opinion and better judgment. The trial hits been made, and Garotter has proved his superiority, by his gameness and speed, over hi» half-brother Maori Chief, who ran with him. Maori Chief was always regarded as the pick of tho " Pacifies." At the cattle show he obtained 1 the two-year-old prize awarded by that society. As there exhibited, under his two-year-old form, unless bigness constituted perfection, he scarcely possessed a single quality to shadow forth a future racer of any particular merit. His performances (and further bear in mind, he ought to have gained some advantage over Garotter through being older, though weighted accordingly, and through having raced before) have proved the correctness of the opinion then formed of him, and noted down at the time. At the same " show, " Collinson sent a two - year - old colt, h. b., carrying far better points, but failed to gam honours, through not being thoroughbred. It is questionable whether the rule is not damaging to all concerned. Immediately after he was sent South, and fetched a capital price. It is to be regretted that "Dan," with his acquaint-, ance of the subject, did not jot down the whereabouts at present of some of the young Pacifies. With far less pretensions now than Garotter, they would be valuable in maintaining the reputation which the Jockey Club races have acquired elsewhere already, as Ladybird's merits are well known, and most deservedly, too. Mr. Redwood's (junior) experience and admirable riding will also be thoroughly understood and calculated upon, when Garotter races again, and most probably will ere long at £Tel- ! son, whither he goes on the next trip of the ( Phoebe.' Bj-the-bye, in February last, before leaving for Eugland, Mr. Fairburn sent to auction a yearling Pacific, and out of a mare very favourably spoken of. His purchaser having obtained him. for about £5, it is to be hoped that he has been allowed oats, with the other good stable fare, ad libitum, and that his debut, when made, will be successful. With clue regard to the ordinary rules of breeding, if racing be the object, with such blood as Pacific, success can hardly fail to follow ; recollecting that his sire was Flatcatcher, the winner of the two thousand guinea stakes, and although beaten by Surplice for the Derby, the following May, the Messrs. Tattersalls lost no time, and at no trifling figure, in securing him for their stud, at Hillesdon, near London, where he was greatly admired. " Dan" mentions, with others, the imported mara Barbary, as being lost to the province. Prom the high, figure she was knocked down at at auction, a very favourable opinion was formed of her in general. Neither swayed by the long price she fetched, nor by the long pedigree she brought with her, but simply judging her by her points (but mark, some blood must not be thus treated), I had no hesitation in stating that she would be beaten by Deception, whenever they met. They did meet, and the race is of too recent occurrence and too notorious, to require farther comment. Certainly on that occasion, the Auckland public had an opportunity of witnessing the high perfection training brings blood stock to the post. The appearance Barbary cut, was ample reward for the trouble, and expense of going to see tho races on that occasion. Had it not been for the praiseworthy exertions used by the Joekcj Club, during the last few months, Auckland racing would indeed have been at a very low ebb. Could nothing be done towards selecting a permanent course to meet the wants of the present day, with some regard to the wants that will be created by other towns springing up ? Scarcely a subject presents itself chat it does not bring the deepest regret, that the Drury railway has been so long delayed. A railway to Drury, would bring a course somewhere m that neighbourhood, and of easy access to Auckland, and wiehout much trouble surely a suitable spot might be selected, and purchased there cheaply. By and bye *it might be more difficult, as land in that direction is rapidlj rising. H.

CORONER'S INQUEST. An mquest was held at the Wynyard Hotel, yesterday morning, before Dr. T, M, Philson, Coroner, and a juvy of which Mr. William Dempsey was foreman, on the body of Martin Cousins, a soldier of the 18th Regt. who died at Somerville's corner on Saturday night. . The first witness called was Police-constable Owen Murphy, who deposed : About quarterpast four o'clock on Sunday, Jan. 10th inst., an the morning, I found deceased lying on the footpath at the corner of Queen and Shortlandstreets, and on examining into his state, I found that he was dead. The body was not quite cold, and seemed as if it had been dead about three-quarters of an hour. It lay on its face with the left hand placed under the forehead. I did not see any blood on the body nor on the ground. There were no wounds or injuries about the head. The clothing showed that deceased belonged to the 18th Regt. I found a forage cap lying near the body. I immediately sent to the Albert Barracks for an escort, who came down and removed the body to the hospital in the barracks. I was accompanied by constable Wallace of the Auckland police. Police-constable Richard Harnett deposed : I was in Queen-street on the night of Saturday, January 9th, and about half -past one o'clock on Sunday morning I saw deceased lying drunk at the foot of West Queen-street. He was leaning against the William Denny Hotel. He was asleep, but I could nob rouse him. I loosened his collar, and left him in company with one of his comrades. Just before two o'clock I saw a military picket, consisting of a sergeant and three men, lift him up, and carry him out into the middle of Shortland-street. At this time I saw the sergeant and tjvo men go away to take up another soldier, while one man was left^to take care of deceased. [ afterwards saw this man go away with the intention of getting a drink of | water at the pump, but he 'never returned. If, j now began to rain, and with the assistance of another constable I removed deceased from the middle of the road to the side next Mr. Somerville's corner. At tiiis time deceased was snoring like a man in a state of drunkenness. I laid him on his back. As I went oa my beat I saw him at intervals nearly up to four o'clock, at which hour I went off duty. Deceased was then alive. There was a large number of drunken soldiers about the town that night, so much so that we did not know what to do with them. I was relieved by Constable Murphy. Cornelius Son'ell deposed : lam ward master of the General Hospital in Albert Barracks. On the morning of Sunday, January 10, about 5 o'clock, deceased was brought to the hospital by a fatigue party, dead. The features were I livid and swollen, and froth was issuing from the mouth. The neck was open and free. I did not perceive any marks of violence about .. the body. I think he had been dead about an hour. 1 did not know the man, but his uniform showed that he belonged to the 18fch Regt. From my experience in such cases, I should say that deceased died from apoplexy and suffocation. I reported the circumstance to the I medical officer on duty, who saw the body ( between 9 and 10 o'clock in the forenoon. ! James Hickey deposed :lam a sergeant of the 2nd Bat. 18fch Regt., recently arrived in Auckland by the ship 'Chariot of Fame.' I knew deceased. Ho belonged to my detachment. His age was about 26 years. He had been about three years in thje- regiment. I last < saw him alive on Saturday, about 3 o'clock ia > I the afternoon. He was at that time marching from the Queen-street Wharf to the Albert i Barracks. On Sunday moriaing, about 4 o'clock, I was sent for to remove hi» dead foody ftom

Queen-street to the General Hospital. I never Itnew deceased to be subject to fits. Ho "was addicted to liquor. The jury, without much hesitation, returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased, Martin Cousins, died of excessive drinking; vrith a rider attributing blame to the military for not attending to him when first brought under their notice by the police.