SUPPLEMENTARY SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH OCTOBER MAIL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3221, 12 November 1867, Page 4

SUPPLEMENTARY SUMMARY FOR THE ENGLISH OCTOBER MAIL.

The main event of public importance which has occurred since the date of our last monthly summary has been the return of his Honor the Superintendent from the Thames. After an unsuccessful attempt to induce the native owners to open the Upper Thames district to prospectors for gold, much to the annoyance of the old native landowners, the Superintendent paid his promised visit in the steamer 'Gemini' to Ohinemuri; but the leading chief, Te Hira, was not to be seen, haying, it was stated, left a few days previously for his settlement in the neighbouring mountains. A lengthy talk ensued between his Honor and the small party of King natives who him, but terminated in a flat refusal. The natives absolutely refused to accede to the Government request to permit prospecting. His Honor thereupon returned to Auokland. Our Upper Thames correspondent, whose letter will be found in another column, states that Te Hira was on his way to meet the Superintendent, but was peremptorily detained by his poati. The unemployed diggers at Shortland, finding that they have waited in vain for the country southwards being opened to them by Government agency, are determined to make an attempt to negotiate on their own account with the natives. In spite of the arbitrary measures taken a few days ago by Mr. Mackay, Civil Commissioner, in apprehending a party of miners who had been invited to prospect by the native owners on a block of about 1,500 acres outside the opened field, resolutions were carried, at a meeting of miners held on the Shortland beach on Saturday last, to the effect that a deputation of diggers should start for the up-river settlements, with the view of treating with the natives, if possible; and a considerable sum was collected on the spot to defray expenses. Mr. Mackay has been successful in negotiating with the natives for opening a large area of country to the north of the present goldfield, and some land to the south-eastward; and a party of experienced miners hav*e already started on a prospecting tour, but we have not yet learnt with what success. A satisfactory shipment of Thames gold is expected to be forwarded to Sydney to-day; and there will also be a parcel of 174 ounces from the Kapanga claim at Coromandel, which was received too late for despatch, by the s.s. ' Claud Hamilton/ on the 2nd inst. A discovery of gold, mixed with the ironsand, on the East Coast at Mercury Bay, is reported to have been made by Mr. C. Stephenson, though not at present in payable quantities. The sample brought to Auckland appears richer in quality than the Thames gold. His Excellency the Governor, having received intimation that he is to be succeeded by Sir George Bowen, Governor of Queensland, is reported by last advices to be waiting the receipt of a communication from his successor as to the probable date of his arrival in this colony. Governor Sir George Grey and Mr. Stafford are expected to arrive in Auckland shortly, for the purpose of receiving the Duke of Edinburgh. The Provincial Council is summoned to meet, for the twenty-second session, on Thursday, the 28th instant. The session is expected to be an important one. Mr, T. Macffarlane and Mr. J. O'Neill, members for the Northern Division in the House of Representatives, are to meet their constituents at the North Shore to-day. Trade continues dull. There have been several failures, and rumours are rife in town touching the stability of others. However, we anticipate that by the cad of the year the commercial ranks -will be pretty well weeded of all really unstable firms. The weather is now favourable, but we have had an unusually long continuance of westerly gales, with cold and rain.