HAMILTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 15.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3433, 17 July 1868, Page 3

HAMILTON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) July 15.

A SiXE of blacksmith* tools, hospital clothing, &c, the property of the General Government, was held here last Friday, 'one of the constables acting as auctioneer. Owing to the severity of the wtather there was a poor attendance fro» the country, and little or no competition. A large field baker's oven, new, fetched only 205.; and complete sets of blacksmiths' took, suitable for our new goldfields, only 255. to SOi. If the authorities had placed the sale in the hands of an auctioneer, who would have advertised it properly, I have no hesitation in saying they woald haTe been gainera, at though having to pay a commission fee. O^ing to the late heavy rains, the roads in the ricinity are in a fearful atate, particularly between Ngaruawahia aud Hamilton ; it is impossible for an empty dray to cross a small piece of swamp about three miles from the former place, and, to make matters worse, the punts at both the above places are under water. Mr. Phillips, of p.s. 'Bluenose,' has collected a sum of money, which he intends handing to our Resident Magistrate, to repair the dangerous parts of the road. At the Resident Magistrate's Court, held yesterday, Mr. Shirley, of Rangiriri, obtained a bush liceme for an hotel at that place. The plough is very busy in this neighbourhood, nd large tracts of ground will be under crop this season, particularly wheat. Mr. Woolley left a few days ago for the purpose of bringing up a flock of sheep, his run being admirably adapted for that purP °The constabulary have not received their pay for the month of June, which is causing a great deal of annoyance and trouble to the tradesmen at the different stations.

It is notified that * further return will be made to the members of the Auckland Insurance Company, . , at the office of Messrs. E. and H. Ismc», on Wednes- , day, the 22ud toot., between the boon of nine w& eleven *.m.