MAUKU. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) September 30.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1939, 3 October 1863, Page 3

MAUKU. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) September 30.

Septembsr Tuc natives have continued to give us from time to tune evidence of their being still in our neighbourhood, and some of these have assumed the foim of practical joking and little ebullitions, of facetious humour. They have visited the Waitangi flax mill, and after effecting the usual amount of confusion on the premises, they set the mill going and departed. Upon the door of a settlor's house they inscribed their salutations, together with some polite enquu ics after his welfai c. This cheeiful and pleasant mode of cairymg on war is doubtless preferable to the coarser devices of burning houses and shooting people fiom ambuscades, audit seems almost a pity that such innocent amusements should bo put an end to by "flying columns " Colonel Nixon arrived here yesterday with his force, with the intentionof making a fresh exploration of the bushbetween this and Wauiku. An expedition was aitanged for this morning, but was pi evented by the bad weather, and it seems not unlikely thafc the one which has been planned for to-monow may fail fiom the same cause. The frequent unsuccessful attempts to meet with the enemy in the bush causes gieafc disappointment; but it should, be remembeicd that it can hardly be expected that without fuither experience in bush tactics, our forcas should be able to rival the natives in the ait scouting ; and also, that though out men have not often succeeded in compelling the enemy to fight, yet their constant pursuit must have been a great check and discoiu agement to him.

An Auckland Steam Navigation Co. — "We hear that there is a movement on foot for the formation of a joint stock company, limited liability, to be styled the " Anckl.vnd Steam Navigation Company." The object of the company will bo the development of om coasting tiado by steiim communication, and ultimately the extension of a hue of &teameis to the Australian colonies. It is expected that the projected company will secure the lino new steamer ' Rangatha,' as the fust of their fleet Gun-boat ' Waikato.' — We understand that the Sydney Agent of the New Zealand Insurance Company has insured this vessel, on her passage from Sydney to Mamikau, for the sum of £9,000. Customs Returns. — The receipts for the past month have been £7,280 2s. 3d., and for the quarter £23,881 ss. 9d. Ni'.w SouTrr Walfs Military Settlers.— The military settlors who arrived by the 'Lord Ashley,' disembarked yesteulay morning, and have for tho present been lodged in barracks. No. 1 Company Naval Votunteebs. — Wo are infoi mod that thero was a meeting of the members of this company at the W aitemata Hotel on Thursday ; the object of it being to congratulate Captain Copland on the confirmation of his appointment as Captain. The evening was spent in a convivial manner, and Captain Copland appropriately acknowledged the compliment paid to him. The 'Tyburnia. I—There1 — There was to have been a meeting of tho Boaid of Health yesterday afternoon, but in consequence of the non-arrival of the officer of Customs it was adjourned till ten o'clock this morning. The passengers of the ' Tyburnia ' are of course very anxious to be released ; but no doubt whatever may bo the decision of tho Board, a due regaid will be paid to the safety of the colonist*. Young Men's Christian Associ vtion. — The last lecture of the series, on tho Geology of the Auckland distiict, was to have been deliverec l in the Odd Fellows' H.ill, on Thursday evening, but owing to the absence of tho lectvuer, C. Heaphy, Esq., on military duty at tho front, it was postponed. St, Matthews Church:. — The opening services in connection with the nowly.crectcd Church of St. Matthew's, Hobson-street, are to take place tomorrow, in the church— tho Right Rev. tho Bishop of New Zealand officiating at the morning service, and the Eight Rev. Bishop Pattoson conducting the service in the evening. Collections are to be made at tho close of each service, in aid of the building fund. Commissariat Supplies.— Tenders for the supply of fresh meat, potatoes, and other provisions, will bo received by tho Doputy Commissary General, until noon of Wednesday next. Particulars will be seen in advertisement. Golden Point Gold Mining Company. — A Geneial meeting of the shareholders of tho above company will bo held in the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Booms, Fort-street, on Monday, the 12th instant.