DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 41, 16 May 1844, Page 2

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

The ** Times.” Our contemporary is at his old tricks again ; truly he has a happy knack of detecting and exposing; errors ; it is said that the same flower will yield both honey and poison, but he appears to belong to that class of insects capable only of extracting the poison. We inform him once for all that the Editor of the “Chronicle” is not responsible for any typographical or other errors that occur in those articles that do not come under his surveillance, not being in the situation of our learned contemporary, “ sole Editor and Proprietor ” of the paper, but merely contracting to write the leading articles, and to render assistance generally when he can afford time ; and by no means undertaking to correct every article that is published in the “ Chronicle.” Our contemporary’s remaiks on the “ Chronicle” .are decidedly in bad laste, and cannot tend much to the edification of the public of Auckland. Why does he not attack the principles or sentiments we advocate, instead of carping at little things? He appears not to possess a spark of noble emulation in his composition, but seeks 10 build the reputation of his paper on the ruin of ours. “ Medica curate ipsum,” he had better look at home, his last paper is full of typographical errors, but that is not all, notwithstanding the supeiabundance of his latin effusions, he has violated the fiist

j rule, “veibura personage concordat, &c.” and its exceptions, observe—“but we hope we may rely upon* this report, that nothing’ more serious, &c. were the conse* quence,’f —“ if it does* not actually proceed, &c.” —again—ln his paper of May 7th, we have a specimen of his elegance of style aud diction ; speaking of the missionaries, he says, “ they had already weaned nearly all the numerous tribes of our intelligent aborigines, to a just appreciation of the advantages,” &c. What does he mean ? they were weaned (deprived) to a just appreciation ! People do not usually read newspapers to criticise the style and diction of the Editor, but for general information ; and we think it a great waste of space to uotice such bagatelles, but are compelled in self defence to recriminate; we will however, yield him the palm, we acknowledge that “ he is the man, aud wisdom will die with him.”

Xfs terpretors. —lii all intercourse between the Governor and natives, it i.s highly important that the true literal interpretation should be given. We are informed that the chief from the Thames, generally knoun by the name of HookNose, who paid a visit to Auckland about three weeks ago,? to obtain the consent of the Governor to his selling some land, had a great objection that Mr. Clarke should be employed as interpreter, alleging as his reason that he did not interpret correctly ; he accordingly sent for the native of Van Dieman's Land, who usually carries about the Auction bills with the bell, to interpret for him, and requested him to tell the Governor that he objected to Mr. Clarke because he did not interpret fairly; the native of Van Dieman’s Land did not tell the Governor this reason, because Mr, Clarke was present.

* Leading- Aiticle. f Article on Mative Feast.

.NaTiv b Feast. — r l his celebrated festival which ca used much anxieiy to some good folks whose fears were unrrasonably excited, ha? passed off in perfect order and good bunnour. With a view of estab* lishing confidence and creating a good feeling with the natives, his Excellency (he Governor resolved to attend-and visit the different tribes assembled, accordingly on Friday, notice was given that on the followiug day (Saturday) all public offices would be closed, and it was requested that those gentlemen who could make it convenient would attend at half past nine o’clock, and fall iu with the procession on the hill beyond Mechanic's Bayi The attendance of the inhabitants was at first rather thin, owing we suppose to the early hour fixed,- as it was a beautiful day. The Governor wore his naval uniform, and appeared in excellent health andspirits, he was attended by the Atto'ney General,, the Colonial Treasurer, and several other gentlemen onpiorseback. Colonel Hulme and the Officers of the 96th went on foot. When the procession arrived at Epsom, some chiefs came and signified that they should wait a little, as the natives were not quite prepared to receive them, after waiting about half an hour, they sent to say they were then ready, and the protession moved on; when they arrived in, the open space between the huts, the natives assembled in a large body, and greeted the Governor and Europeans with a hearty welcome, cheering, loudly, and waving green boughs, as an emblem of peaee. The feast was celebrated in „an open area of about half a mile in diameter, surrounded by temporary erections for sleeping accommodations for the natives,each tribe living separately. According to native custom the chiefs expect visitors to call round and see them, before they rise to speak to the Governor complied with this piece of etiquette, when mutual assurances of confidence and good will were exchanged. They appeared to wish very much to perform the war dance in a large body, and exhibit a sham fight; this was at first objected to by the Governor, as the Missionaries and Protectors were afraid of the excitemeut it would oau>e amongst them, so many tribes being present, son.e of whom in former years had in reality mingled in battle ,- the natives, however, fond of exhibiting their military prowess, were not to be dissuaded, accordingly they cleared an open space, threw off their upper garment-, and commenced. We observed that they kept excellent time, their movements being perfectly simultaneous, as though the whole mass were but one body; tbeir horrible grimaces, and contortions of feature, are perfectly inconceivable to an European who never witnessed it; talk of a jack-pudding grinning through a horse collar at a country fair, why, there is no comparison, but ive must however acknowledge that nature has favoured some of them with very wide mouths, peculiarly serviceable in these exhibitions, and their goggle eyes- appear to roll round at perfect ease. It is impossible in a written description, to give more than a faint idea of this horrid display of savage ferocity, the whole scene if exhibited at night by the light of surrounding fires wonld give a good idea of the infernal regions. His Excellency and many of the Europeans returned home at about 3 o’clock, after which a kind of scramble took place for the presents given by Te Whero Whero; and we believe with the exception of one native, who was accidently injured by a spear piercing him, nothing serious occurred to disturb the gaiety and good humour of the day. Parkhurst Bovs-—We are happy to be able to state that a great improvement has taken place in the conduct of these boys lately ; it is some time since any police case has been brought forward against them. The system of keeping them altogether in one house had a bad effect on their morals, unless a very strict surveillance was kept over them. We believe they are now generally provided with comfortable situations, and trust they will see that “ honesty is the best policy.”

Mr. Weldon’s Benefit. It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, that Mr. W. takes his benefit at the Royal Victoria Theatre, this evening, and he seems to have provided as fiistsrate evening’s entertainment, we heartily wish he may have a bumper. TOWN IMPROVEMENTS, It gives us much pleasure to record the progress of improvements in our capita/. The Episcopal Church which for want bf funds, remained so long in statu quo, is now fast approaching to completion, and being a tasty design, viewed on either side, (especia'ly from vessels at sea) is really a very, pretty object. Those who resided here last writer, and wifit nessed the condition of the public tboioughfares at that time, must also feel glad that some attention is now being paid to tbe wishes of ihe people, by making good substantial roads, and the funds are not all expended in improvements about Government house, as then appeared to be the case. We want to see the old system of wooden builds mgs abolished ; why do not people build with buck? ihe price is now very reasonable, the best quality are now sdvenised at £\ per 1000; the differeuce of the expense between a brick building and a wooden one of the same dimensions lined complete throughout, is very trifling; but when we take into calculation the danger from fire, and the difference in tbe comfort and durability of the two, we really think people who go on building with wood, must have taken leave of their senses-. We should be very sorry to witness a destructive fire in Auckland, but nothing seems more probable it people continue building with wood. We give ihese few hints on the subject, hoping the Legislature will take it into conisderation, and pass a law to prevent the erection of any more wooden buildings, in certain streets where the houses ara connected.