Domestic Intelligence.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 31, 15 April 1843, Page 3

Domestic Intelligence.

C 0 ST O l- LIVING in auck l a N I).

House Rent for a cottage of two rooing, from four to five shillings per week. Fire wood, ot good quality, fiom eight to nine shillings per tun. Board and Lodging for single men, from fourteen to sixteen "shillings per week. Wages ot mechanics and tradesmen, from thirty shillings to two pounds sterling per week.

Crossing the Creek.— ln Auckland there is but one small creek, dividing, about midway, the eastern from the wesiern portions of the town. Although the population, on the western side of the creek, is now very extensive and rapidjy increasing, there is But one bridge, across it, leading in a direct line from Shortlaud Crescent and Queen-street to Queen street west. The construction of this bridge is peculiar, from the precipitous extensive bank on the western side. T ue bridge, originally of light construction and fragile materials, was only calculated for foot passengers; and, having stood the wear and tear of twelve months, is now in so “ rickety” a condition, that passengers, (ot whom there are hundreds daily), who have any value for their limbs and lives, have to hold on by the rails, o walk carefully in the c litre, where there is a slight support to the decayed splj; stuff, used for fencing. We know not who is to blame for the extreme danger to fi,r Majesty’s lieges, thus incurred almost eveiy minute of the day, but we do hope that this nonce will cause a speedy remedy. There are, on other parts of the creek, occasionally a plank laid across, but the danger of crossing these, is still greater than venturing over the bridge; Except through private premises, by sufferance of the proprietors, there js no passage for drays or carts from the eastern to the western portions of the town. Surely this ought to be looked to.

Open Wells. —Several accidents having occurred from the negligence of parties w ho have sunk wells on their premises, leaving them open, and unfenced, it may abate the practice to state that in case ot loss of life, the law provides that the punishment to the owners or occupiers of such property would be penal. Public Nuisance. —Forseveraldays past, a bullock, which died after having been landed from one of the vessels in harbour, has been .suffered to lie close behind the erection formerly used as a Government store, in Short!and Crescent. Hie body is now in a most offensive stale, exposed to view in our principal street, and endangering health. What is Mr. Smith, the chief constable, about? Government Gazette. We have prepared a digest of announcements of public interest, in the last three Official Gazettes, which we shall give in our next. Favors Received. -To Capt. Mark Todd, of the “ Union,’' Captain Forbes Michie, of tli*-* “ Westminster■/’’and Capt. Bell, of the “ Hannah.” our thanks are due for their kiaduess in furnishing us with papers of late dates. Of these we will avail ourselves as opportunities occur, and shall have pleasure in reciprocating the kindness, of those gentlemen, by supplying them with the “ Chronicle,” and such other papers in our possession, as may be of use or interest. To Captain Michie we are indebted for the loan ot the Nautical Ahnanaci lor the present and the next years, from which we have made such calculations as will enable us to give, regularly, an l( Auckland I hie Fable,” which we this week commenced.

Daring Burglary Yesterday Evening. —We announce with pain and deep regret, that, yesterday evening, between the hours of'five and .eight o’clock, during her temporary absence, the house of Mrs. Morton, situate in Chancerystreet, was burglariously entered by the back-window, and a box containing from £.>o to £GO in money, several rings and trinkets, and many valuable private documents taken from upper story. Hie burglars had a so ransacked the entire premises. Should the box or documents be found, cast awav, we have no doubt they will be returned. Previous to the arrival of the “ Parkhiust Seedlings,” no such atrocious robbery had ever been committed in Auckland.' Unfortunately, this description of off< nee is now but too common, . dog was left on the pie noses, which the robbers had, by some means, preventer! fro in giving an alarm, as many people must have been passing at the time. —We say to our fel-Imv-t-iwnsmen, who have hitherto exposed their properly outside their dwellings in perfect sefety, to lock every tiring up • and look carefully to the security of their doors and windows. Queen Street , — \VG would draw the attention of the authorities to the wide and open drains in Queen street, near the residence of Dr, Davis. There is scarcely room for a cart to pass. The drains require to be arched over,

The W EATHER. —’Again we have had a week in which vegetation has luxuriated and “ flourished amazingly.” Genial rains in the night, followed by bright and sunshiny days (with occasional light showers), have given additional vigor, with rapid growth and maturity, to all the pioducts of the soil. After a summer so long, delightful, and health inspiring, we may, however, speedily expect a change; the little bird, which, from its habits and song, has acquired the name of the New Zee ilaad Robin—the harbinger of wiutor— r having made its appearance around our home-steads, with its sweet and cheerful notes. But a change from dry to humid weather cannot be called “ winter,” in this country ; where we have neither frost or snow; where the leaf never tails or turns to “ sere and yellow,” but all nature is dreseed in perpetual verdure.

The Game or Ten Pin.—We observe that the worthy proprietor of the “ Commercial Flotel” has followed the example of a biother “ Boniface,” in erecting a Ten pin-AMey, at tha rear of his premises, much more extensive than the one already established. It will be 80 feet long, and afford every necessary accommodation. T he front part of the erection has a second story, which is intended for a store. This game is a peculiar favorite with those good hearted and useful portion of our community, who are engaged at the sawing stations and in small coasting cruft, on the river ; and who may he almost termed amphibious, living as much aftott as on land ; numbers of whom resort to the “ Commercial.”

A uckland Dispensary. —Some time ago considerable sums were subscribed for the establishment of a Dispensary in Auckland ; several meetings were also held, and a Committeeiappointed. Having heard nothing of their proceedings for several weeks, aye induced to ask, “ what are these gentlemen about?” \Ve learn, however, that there is to be a meeting on Thursday next, when we hope there will be a full attendance of members. It is obvious that such an institution is more imperatively required than before, from the large influx of settlers, principally of the laboring class, and who, in case of sickness, would, in many instances, be unable to obtain profes ional assistance for themselves or families. Total Abstinence Society.— The Auckland Tee-totaKers, who,, some time ago, by their systematic course ot “ agita'ion,” almost entirely engrossed public attention, aie now reduced, by secessions of many principal members, to a very small number. The liberal contributions of the wealthy portion of our community have been expended in erecting the “skeleton” of a “ Hall,” which stands a monument of the folly of the ca ly managers of the Society. in the hey -day of iis prosperity, obligations were inclined, towards the liquidation of which these “ breakers of the pledge,” now refuse to contribute. It is however, to the credit of the ew remaining members, that these debts are in course of gradual liquidation ; but it is, at toe same rime, a s-candel to those who neglected in fulfil I Heir pledges. State of Shortland- Crescent.— We must urge upon the authorities the absolute necessity of a proper attention being paid toriie requiietnents and wishes of the inhabitants of Auckland generally, and of the owners anal occupiers of p o perty upon it in particular, to the present, anti more especially the “ prospective state oFShortlaud Crescent,- the “Strand” and “ Fleet stre it” of our young metro :pedis. To make U»« street available and safe for any description—from a bullock dray to a grg advantage was taken, by Gove:»ment, of the cheap labor afforded on t!i® arrival of i emigrants per

nV‘?o Ch r eS \ of Ar gy le >” and “Jane Gifford. In the upper part of the Crescent, abutting on Princes’-street, an excavation was made, and the soil carted to the lower part of it. The result was, that many valuable erections were either left as it were on a pedestal, perched many leet above the main thoroughfare ; whilst other stores, inns, and shops were rendered almost invisible, by the raising of the carriage way to nearly a level with then roots. At much expense and ingenuity these evils have been partially remedied. In some instances, by erecting another story to the house, and having an entrance by a platform from the road, as m the case of the “ Exchange Hotel ;” i„ others, by raising the buildings by means ot screw-jacks to the new level, of which w 0 may. instance the store of Messrs. illiamson and Grumpier, and that, ot Mr. jiveesiug. As regards iliat poition of the north side of the Crescent, yet unbuilt upon, an excellent example has been set by W. 8. Graham, Esq , who has caused to be icmoved the surplus soil of the entire frontage of his allotment, thus levelling it to the new line. If this plan was adopted on the adjoining allotments ot Mr. lod, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Tucker, that sale of the Crescent would be greatly improved, more especially as a number ot immigi ants, per the “ Westminster” and “ Union,” are engaged in widening and levelling the approaches to the Church and Barracks. Ihe upper part of the Crescent, on the south side would, however, still remain in a dangerous slate; —between the narrow foot path and the main road iheie is a regular pitfall. To add to the danger, deep square holes, intended for posts, have been dug, close to the brink of the precipice; in which, if a pedestrian should chance to set his foot —and nothing is more probable during the dark nights approaching—-he must be inevitably pitched over the bank, and will be lucky should lie escape with a less severe injury than a broken neirk. The projected fence should be completed immediately, or these holes filled up. Then again, before the commencement of the wet season, the street should he metalled. From the lecent excava ions, and the quantity of loose soil, it will speedily become almost impassible, either for man or hoise, unless this desideratum be instantly accomplished.

PRICES OF PROVISIONS, &c.,' RETAIL; fitetid, per 2!l>. loaf, 0 s. 0 d. Flour, per lOOIbs, * 7s l0 t t) f) Butcher's Meat , Pork, p.||,. ( 4d. to 0 0 5 Million* “ 7,1. too 0 a r ,. , „ , “ Bp. toO Z'is/i, per lb., from g farthings to 0 0 0 10 l / oultnj, |) couple, from 2s 61. to 0 Groceries, fyc., Tea (good), | b . 0 Coffee “ <4 o 3 G 4 1 0 8 Sugar 4 4 ,, p () 4 Soap ( Hawes’ ) G 1. to 0 0 7 Butter (potted) per ]b, q 2 G Pish p.lb, 3s G 1 0 4 0 Cheese (Colonial) 0 1 G ( Engl.) 6 1 toO 2 0 I oi k (salt), per lo., 0 0 4i Bacon, pot ib,, v sd. to 0 0 10 1 ickled salrno <( Engl.) 0 Tobacco, p. lb., 2s.°to o 0 2 0 a I egelalies,fyc. Potatoes, p. basket, weighing from 25 to 30 lbs., from 6d. to 0 1 0 Cabbages, per basket, from 6d. to 0 Brockoli, per basket, 1 0 from 6d. to 0 1 0 Cauliflowers, per head, 0 0 2 Melons, p.bask., Gd. to 0 1 0 Pumpkins, “ G 1. to 0 1 \ t 0 Maize (in cob) G 1. to 0 1 0 (For W holesole Price Current see fourth page.]