DINNER TO CAPTAIN STEWARD.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1439, 27 September 1861, Page 3

DINNER TO CAPTAIN STEWARD.

The members of the Eoyal Company of Auckland Rifle Volunteers enteitained their commanding officer, Captain Steward, at a faiewell dinner on Monday evening last. It was numerously attended, most of the officers of the volunteers being piesent. Colonel Balnea vis occupied the chair, and Capt. Lyon officiated as vice. The usual loyal toasts having been drunk with enthusiasm, the toast of the evening — " TT e health of Captain F. G. Steward, the guest"— was proposed m an eloquent speech by Mr. Skyime, during which he spoke at some length of the volunteer movement both in the colonies and in the mother country, I winding up by a graceful, allusion to the part which their departing guest had taken in promoting the movement in tlu's piovince. Captain Stew ard, in returning thanks, alluded to the force and his own connection with it, and the pride which he should always feel in having been the first volunteer captain m New Zealand, and in telling words informed his old comrades how much regret he should feel if unfoitunatcly they should ever be called into active seivice, at not being there to lead them. He likewise intimated his intention of forwarding from Sydney a piece of plate to be contended for by Auckland riflemen. The remaining cv stomary toasts were given and received m usual style, particularly the ladies, who however w ere gently commented 011 as having somewhat neglected then duty, in so fai as they have not yet presented their devoted defenders with coloins. We must leally give, as our opinion, that the hint was not uncalled for. The delicate wolk of delicate hands waving in the breeze, over the heads of our volunteers, would invest the manual and platoon e\eicises with a lomance which they have never yet possessed, besides proving to the world that the women of Auckland can appreciate those who aic " leady, aye leady," to strike in defence of alters and homes. Our co-tempoiaiy the Neio Zcalander has, however, already pi oved itself so eloquent on this topic that we have nothing to add. The web is already wove, we believe, aud the needle at work. We need, but allude to the manner in which the dinner was served up by Mi . feheeban, the landlord of the Governor Biowne Hotel. It was done in his usual style, and the health of host and hostess was diunk with enthusiasm at the close of the evening's proceedings. It is gratifying that our volunteei fi iends have not allowed their senior captain to depart without giving him a heaity farewell ; and, we believe, likewise, that theie are none in New Zealand, who have had the pleasiue of meeting the same gentleman duung the faix years which he has spent amongst us, either in his private or his official capacity, who will not coidially join us in all good wishes for his future welfaie.

Rifle Band Concert. — The second concert of the season ■nas given by the above band on Tuesday even ing last at the Odd Fellows' Hall. To sum up in a few woids what might be a long criticism, we may lafely say that the Eifle band have done far more during the short time which they have besn in existence, their moat sanguine well-wishers ever expected from them, and whilst doing the band collectively justice in saying this, we may also add that individually one man deserves to be spoken of — Mr. Beale, the able and zealous instructorand bandmaster — audit would be difficult to speak too highly of him in reference to what he has done The rifle band reflects the greatest possible credit on Mr Beale, and we must likewise allude to the able assistance rendered by Col. Balneavis and C»pt Jjyon ; the Utter president of the Band committee. The programme on Tuesday evening was very good; the selections judicious. To begin with the vocalists place aiui dames. Mrs. Corlett sang with her usual taste and execution. A lady amateur, however, seemed to be even a gieater favourite. The manner in which she rendered " Gentle Annie," caused an almost involuntary encoie. Though we object on principle to amateurs, particularly ladies, being encored, if ever there was an excuse for the breach of etiquette, there was one on this occasion. The male singers did their well known best, and the war song from Gideon was a great success. The b»nd of the 65th assisted our civilian friends on this occasion, and Mr. Taylors solos on the clarionette were most deseivedly applauded. The two overtures on the programme gave some of our old musical friends not connected with the band an opportunity of distinguishing themselves. The overture to Zampa was particulaily well rendeied. His excellency, Mr. T. G. Bioune, General Cameron, and staff were present. The Enghsh Mail —Owing to the fact that the arrangements between the Government and the representative of the Coleman company in New Zealand, were not known to tho manager of the company in Sydney until the 2nd instant, by tho airival of the ' Breadalbane,' it was found impossible to put on a direct steamer to Auckland this month. Tho only available steamer for the service had been previously chartered to saiL to Otago ou the sth, and it was impossible to withdraw from the charter party. The dnect service will commence, therefore, next month, and we must be content under tho disappointment at present. In futuie the mail steamer from Sydney will be due here on the 23rd of every month. Gold at Couojiandei,.-— On Wednesday morning the screw-steamer ' Phoenix, ' and the schooner ' Wanderer ' and cutter ' Bessey ' sailed for Coiomaudel, with prospecting parties. Some of these have returned to town; the majority have remained. We have beeu informed on good authoiity that most of those who went down on that day washed gold, without difficulty, in quantities showing it to be in bulk at the coast. Others went faither inland, with what result we have not yet heard. It is also stated that the representatives of the late chief Paul, showed unmistakeable symptoms of disapproval, and threatened to resort to violence if any Europeans went to prospect on their land. Although the entire peninsula is known to be rich in auriferous deposits, ft is equally certain that the tapu district is the most prolific. Now what is to be done 2 Our working population is leaving us, and will continue to leave us for Otago, while at our own doors theie is as rich, if not a moie prolific gold-field. Within four hours sail of Auckland, the diggers could want for nothing, while the land is well wooded, water is plentiful, and the climate at all leasons delightful. The time has 'come foi some decisive step to be taken by the government to put a stop to the " dog in tho manger policy" of the natives, or else the question must be settled for them by a prospecting paity sufficiently strong to deter from attack. Coromandel must be opened to the Europeans, and the sooner the native title is extingulihedj the better will it he for all parties.