AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1478, 5 August 1867, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

I The " Wellington Independent," of the 3rd instant, thus summarises the latest news from Auckland, Tauranga, and Napier:— Paul Tuhaere, Native member of the Provincial Executive, recently returned from a visit to the Waikato. Paul did not attempt to open negotiations with the King party. Mr Pirth and Mr C. O. Davis had left Auckland for Matamata to attend the Native meeting which is to be held at Peria. The " Southern Cross " states that active steps have been taken to open up the Thameß district for gold digging. Access can now be had to the Kauaeranga land, but as arrangements have not been completed with the Natives, it would be useless for Europeans to go down in the meantime. Mr Mackay left town on Tuesday morning with Taipari for Kauaeranga, to make arrangements to open up the district. Should he consider it necessary, he will engage an experienced number of miners to prospect on the part of the Government. The " Cross " thinks it highly probably that a payable goldfield has been discovered.

A considerable number of persons had started from Auckland for Kauaeranga in open boats. It was feared the proceedings of those people might cause a collision with the Natives. The Auckland people were rather excited, as at a public meeting some of the speakers were for rushing the place and the Maoris at once.

The "Herald" states that the washing of two loads of dirt produced three pennyweights.

A still has been seized near the Whau Blockhouse in full working order. Several kegs of spirits were also found.

The " Herald," of the 29th ultimo, says that a native letter had been received by a gentleman in Auckland stating that when the s.s. Taranaki left Tauranga it was there reported that a party of nine, composed of five Europeans and four natives, while on their way from Napier to Taupo with cattle, had been intercepted and murdered by a band of Hau-haus at a spot near the end of the Tarawera and the commencement of theUriwera country, on the Kangaroa plains.

We (" Wellington Independent,") think this story very doubtful, because the later Tauranga papers, to 27th ult., say nothing about it.

ATr JoLn Korr io a candidate for election to the seat in the House of Representatives for the Pensioner Settlements, vacant by the resignation of Colonel De Quincey. A destructive fire took place in Napier on the morning of the 21st ult., by which the Albion hotel and three other buildings were totally destroyed. ; AUSTRALIAN NEWS. The Sydney papers contain the following telegrams :— Melbouene, July 17. In the Legislative Assembly, this afternoon, the Postal Conference question was again brought before the House. The Hon. the Treasurer (Mr Verdon) read the correspondence which had taken place between Mr Parkes and himself, whick is considered favourable to the views held by the former gentleman. Captain M'Mahon, the leader of the Opposition benches, gave notice of a motion to the effect that no postal service would be agread to by Parliament which did not mate Melbourne the terminus for the mail steamers via Suez.

Willis, the fraudulent bank manager at Tarnagulla, who pleaded guilty yesterday to the charge of embezzlement, was brought up for sentence to-day, and received two years' imprisonment, with hard labour. The Great Britain, steamship, arrived to-day from London, after a rapid passage of fifty-eight days. The Hon. John O'Shannassy and wife are passengers by her. Adelaide, July 19.

Prince Alfred on his arrival will be asked to lay the foundation stone of the Victoria tower at the new Post-office.

Letters are appearing in the papers in favour of Judge Boothby. v

The Treasurer's financial statement, made yesterday, shows a deficit of £191,000, but without deducting intending retrenchment to the amount of £150,000. Should the intended improvements be sanctioned, two million pounds are to be borrowed, being about £12 per head of the inhabitants. It is proposed to meet the present deficiency by borrowing on short-dated bonds. The balance ef the emigration fund will at the end of the year amount to £321,000. The budget has been favourably received. A notice of motion has been tabled in the Assembly for granting a pension to Judge Boothby. Brisbane, July 17. Payable diggings have been discovered near Clarke's river, about 250 miles from Bowen. Those now on the field are making about 30s per day. Water is very scarce, and persons who may think of going there are recommended to act with caution. Yeate's station, near Bowen, has again been plundered by the blacks, who destroyed a number of sheep. The shepherd bolted. Disturbances have taken place at Toowooaiba with the navvies of the Dalby section of the railway, owing to the non-payment of wages.