TAURANGA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3358, 21 April 1868, Page 3

TAURANGA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Since my last letter there has been an unusual dearth of news in this district. The unexpected departure of the schooner 'Jane' on the 6th precluded my forwarding my letter as I had wished, but I do not think that'your readers on this occasion will have missed much by her leaving during my absence. The cutter 'Nautilus' arrived, here from Hawke's Bay on Tuesday last, having to put in here on her voyage to Auckland from stress of weather, which uupropitiously has continued. Since that date the cutter 'Bella,' also for Auckland, is lying in harbour unable to get out,, but, as a chaise of weather eeems likely, both craft m*y get out to-night. The ' Hazard,' for Maketu, with stores, leaves also next tide. From the frequent changes of wind I am apprehensive thab our summer has fairly broken up, and winter puts in a stern appearance. Advertisements and handbills are freely published announcing the sale of the stock-in-trade, household goods, furniture, &c, of the Tauranga Hotel, by Messrs. Fraser and Co., on the 20th proximo. This hotel was recently erected by Mr. Chadwick, and leased by Mr. Alexander Cook for a term. Should the latter gentleman decline to continue the business, one of aur best hotels may thus unfortunately be closed for some time, unless some equally enterprising individual steps forward to rescue it from such a fate. Other sales are about to take place, as announced by the Tauranga Record, and a good many speculations are afloat. The Government survey of certain 200 acre blocks in the districts of Paengaroa and Omanawa is about to be subdivided, and the usual allotments for the 80, 60, and 50-acre sections of the let Waikato Regiment still entitled to selection are being laid out by Mr. Potterton, Government Surveyor. Mr. Mitchell accompanies him, and, together with a staff - of Maoris, will proceed to-day to the locality which Mr. Gundry, about twelve months ago, was compelled to abandon in consequence of the Arawas then engaged to facilitate the tame survey, as a covering force, being withdrawn for more active service in the O potiki districts. Some reports have been spread in Tauranga that the surveys at Paengaroa and Omanawa blocks will be stopped by the natives, but as this survey is under the supervision of Captain Skeet, the district surveyor, who has just no successfully carried out the Katikati survey, I have little fear of the result if this gentleman be only permitted to carry out his own business in his own way. Had he been trammelled (or I may say, unhesitatingly, allowed himself to be trammelled by others) on the recent survey, it would never have been completed : and I have every confidence that, should Captain Skeet be allowed bis own way, he is not only in ©very respect competent, but perfectly willing to manage the native difficulties, so far as survey matters are concerned. Any Governmental influence, tending to lessen the importance of his position, must be as injurious to them as it would be to the interests of this place. Sergeant Small, of the Ist Waikato Eegimenfc, proceeded to Wellington, per mail steamer, on Sunday morning lasb, to take active part in the forthcoming tournament for colonial prizes. The good wishes of his comrades are with him during the contest, and we shall be glad to see our district carry the leading prize away. The newa-from Wbakatane is very meagre. Lieufc. and Acting-Captain Thompson, Volunteer Mounted Cavalry, arrived here from that place lately, and states that there is nothing of interest transpiring in the district. If anything can surpass the indignation felt by the people of Tauranga with reference to the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh, it is the evidence of heartfelt commiseration with that gentleman and his beloved family. The event has been so talked of, and the one feeling existing co utterly in unison with th*t expressed before in your column*, that it leaves me nothing to say, but that, wherever the name of such a detestable community as a Fenian one exists, execration and disgust are its collateral and accompanying attributes. The steamer ' Wellington,' for the South, arrived here on Sunday morning last, and proceeded early on her voyage. Farming operations are still continued enterprisingly in this neighbourhood, but I regret to say that cattle-stealing and outrage have very slightly diminished. On Friday night last, Captain Heale, the Inspector of Surveys, wishing to make some trigocometriAl observations at Maketu, Captain Skeet, the district surveyor at Tauranga, went to the Trigonometrical Station, at the' top of Mount Mongonui, and burned one of the aluminium lights lately imported from England, for the use of the General Government Survey Department. This light was plainly seen by Captain Heale at Maketu, and answered by him. It was also distinctly se?n at Te Pap», bearing the appearance of a fixed star. On Saturday morning a heliotrope was also fixed by Captain Skeofc, and observations taken from it at Maketu. I believe these observations were trials of the efficacy of the instruments. At all events, they answered to the satisfaction of the observers in all respects. I cannot surmise what the law respecting laying poison may be ; but I have a vague idea thab before any one lays it a proper and very necessary notice must be duly potted. I merely mention thil because within the last week very valuable dogs have b^en disposed of through the means of strychnine; amongst others, » valuable imported setter dog, belonging to Captain Skeet ; but this, bear in mind, has no reference to the outrages I have already alluded to. • ;