FROM AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 January 1858, Page 3

FROM AUCKLAND.

By the arrival of- the Dolphin, we have Auckland papers to the 29th inst., Flour was quoted at £18 for first, and £15 for second. The latest New Zealander contains the Rev. John Morgan's account of the late Taupo expedition. We shall give it in our next. The clipper schooner Gazelle had just arrived from Sydney, without the October Mail, which was ten days overdue at the time of her departure. The non-punctuality which has marked the arrangements of the mail Company is the vsubject of general complaint and remonstrance. A most extraordinary panic had been excited in Melbourne with reference to the Union Bank. The Melbourne 'Argus', in its commercial report of the 14th, says : — In the money market a circumstance as singular as uncalled for has taken place during the week. For nearly two months past rumours have been in circulation that changes were about to be made in the Melbourne branch of the Union Bank. Causes were assigned for these changes of a most extraordinary character. It was stated that the local directors had received enormous advances from the management, and that one of the London directors, now in this colony, had come out purposely to set things right. Many other rumours aiose out of these of the most exaggerated character, which did not obtain one moment's credence in commercial circles, but which at length coming to the ears of that class least likely to be well informed in commercial matters, led to a three days' "run" upon the bank by the small depositors and note holders. Not one single mercantile or trading account of any amount was removed, but on the contrary, everything was done in the '"City" to allay the rumours, and prevent the spread of the movement Mr. Dalgety, the London director referred to, addressed a letter to the editor of this journal, denying tha existence of any cause for the "idle reports now being industriously circulated." A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held, when, amidst general observation from the largest muster of members that had ever been brought together, that the Union Bank stood o;i too firm a basis to require support from the Chamber, a resolution was pa:s2d unanimously expressing entire confidence in Union Bank notes. Before this meeting had taken place, the tide was beginning to turn, and on the s.nne afternoon, many small accounts that had been closed were re-opened. On the following morning the drain was entirely at an end, while the reflux of no.es and specie was considerable. A fearful storm had taken place in Sydney. The "Empire" of the 24th ult, says One of the most violent storms which have visited this city for a very considerable period broke over it yesterday. During the early part of the day, it was extremely close, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, and the rumbling of distant thunder was heard at intervals. At about 4 o'clock the storm passed over Sydney, the rain fell literally in sheets, the lightning was most vivid, and the rapidity wich which the thunder followed every flash told that the storm was overhead. We regret to add that several accidents occurred, that some lives were lost, and much valuable property destroyed. The Auckland papers contain very little of interest. We make the the following extracts. Murder at Wangarei. — John Killey, a well sinker, was committed to Auckland Gaol on Tuesday morning, charged in the Coroner's Warrant with the wilful murder of John Butler, formerely a soldier of 58th Regiment, No depositions having arrived, we can only give a hearsay outline of the case, which is to this effect, that, in the course of a drinking bout, Butler, a goodnatured, inoffensive man, had censured "■ Killey and inflamed his anger by finding fault with him for the manner in which he treated his wife. For this Killey is said to have threatened Butler, and is reported to have been seen beating something lying on the grass, with a heavy billet of wood. J Butler was found with his skull mangled, and he soon afterwards died. Killey absconded but was taken before a Jury, who returned a verdict, of Wilful Murder, against him. On being placed in Gaol, he, at first, treated the accusation lightly, but durjng the night he became sorely agitated, ancTon

entering the cell the next morning the turnkey found him motionless 0:1 his back with wounds one on the left side of hi> throat, and two on the left arm. Although there had been a great effusion of blood. a.,iu of the wounds were of a dangerous nature, the cuts being merely superficial. A good deal of anxious conjecture has been created in consequence of some letters traced on the wall in the prisoner's blood, which are assumed to have been a meditated confession which exhaustion prevented his completing. The characters traced were as follow : — H + BENKCOF — MO or MU 58th 4+ 6 morning 23rd and lower down near the floor M and K were distinctly marked, with the letter A more indistinctly traced between them. The wretched man is now composed and out of danger. The instrument used in. the attempt made on his own life was a small portion of the heel of a rusty eld razor, which he is supposed to have secreted upon his person, but which he himself asserts to have found stuck ia the wood work of his cell. He his now under strict watch. Register, Dec 28. The New Zealander of the 30th thus concludes an article on the subject of separation. At the present moment, there are at least three distinct movements fjr "Separation" in the colony — in Ahuriri and the Hawke's Bay district, for separation from the Province of Wellington ; in the Wairau, for separation from the Province of Nelson, and at the Bluff, for separation from the Province of Ocago. But ia all these cases — and especially in Ahuriri — the cry is not for erection into distinct Provinces, with Superintendents and Executives and Law Officers and Councils, but into well-de-fined and workable Municipalities or Local Boards, so as to carry out the great constitutional principle of self-government and progressive local improvement on the most practicable and economical scale possible. This, there can be m doubt, is the true principle upon which the gradual subdivision of a colony, as it increases in produce and population, must be carried out — not by the creation of new Provinces or minor colonies, but by the parcelling out of the existing provincial divisions into counties, hundreds, and municipalities, care at the same time being taken to preclude the several Local Boards from interfering with the legislative functions of the Provincial Councils — just as those Councils should be confined to their legitimate spheres of action (in which they will find plenty to occupy their time) and be precluded from poaching upon the manor of the General Assembly. Maori Christmas Feast. — On Christ-mis-day the well known Chief Fatuone gave his customary feast to native friends, at his residence, Waiwharariki, North Shore. More than three hundred persons of the Ngatimaniapoto, Ngatihinetu, Ngatiwhatau, Ngatipioa,«Ngatiwhakane, Tawera, and Ngapuhi tribes were invked, and arived about ten o'clock ; when they received a hearty welcome from the old Chief and his friends, about two hundred in number. A large tent had been erected for the accommodation of the guests, 120 feet long, through the entire length of which rude tables were ranged ; the sides were tastefully decorated with flags, branches, and flowers of the scarlet PohiUukawu, or "Christmas Tree," and at each end was hoisted the Union Jack, as an acknowledgment of their being loyal subjects of Her Majesty. Divine Service having bean performed by Heta, a native teacher, the food was brought in by ten waiters, and placed. on the tables, which groaned under the weight of bread, biscuits, pies, puddings, tarts, and other European refreshments. The tent .was found to be too small for the number of visitors, by whom it was filled and refilled two or three times before all had partaken. The lighter articles having been consumed, the company ranged themselves on the grass, Maori fashion, and demolished the piles of baked pork, dried, fish, hapuku, potatoes etc., which were placed before thejr;, with evident gusto. About thirty Europeans Svere regaled by the old Chief with the choicest of his viands ; one end of the tent had been reserved for them, and wjue and spirits specially provldedfortheir use. This entertainment cost the Cn'ief considerably more than one hundred pounds. 9 large pigs-were tilled forthe occasion, one of which weighed 330 pounds. The greatest hilarity and good humour prevailed ; every thing waa conducted in an orderly and quiet manner, and not a single case-cf excess occurred. — New Zealander, Dec. 30.