AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1153, 17 May 1870, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

I [FE.OII A. COBBESPONDENT.] - , May 12, 1870. Since my last, the weather, up to the lQth insfc., has been merely a succession of stonris and r.ain. At the Bay of Islands, a house and some fences were blown down, by which it may be inferred that the violent gales have been worse there than here. The Governor's visit to the North resulted in a satisfactory solution of various long-pending land grievances. He was enthusiastically received by Tamati Waka and other well-known loyal Ngapuhi chiefs. Some of them have accepted invitations to be present at the Queen's, Birthday Ball on the 24th. On the trip it was. ascertained that the Luna, time for time, consumes about as much coal as the Sturfc, though she steams nearly as fast again as the Sturt. The Luca was built for a block-ade-runner, but was not employed as such, owing to the unexpected cessation of the American war. At Ohinemuri a few days ago, a prospecting party were surrounded by a number of Te Hira's natives, who took from the prospectors some nuggets, which the natives thought had been procured on theyr land. Other articles were also appropriated, which, could hardly be said to labour under the; same objection ; amongst other things a keg of butter, which the nativesdivided between them, and devoured with some dampers then being baked with Maori fuel; the lat- | ter consideration may have led to the petty larceny. The hilly part of Obinemuri is now open for prospecting ; no doubt the flats will soon follow. All our street minstrels have departed for other scenes ; their absence is, however, supplied by the Volunteer Band, which on fine evenings sometimes comes sweeping down Queen Street, and round by Shortland Crescent, waking the echoes with their lively strains. What with the band and artillery practice at Fort Britomarfc, we are. seldom minus harmless:excitement. The Wonga Wonga arrived from Honolulu on the night of the 10th. No English letters or papers,? To my mind the news that Honolulu sugar and other products are almost going a begging is of more significance to New Zealand than any other news per Wonga Wonga. Mr. Brannigan ha 3 again come, and gone. Here is a "skit" respecting him and the A. C. ; the story runs : — A man applied for admission into the A.C., but was thought ineligible, and refused. Next day a party of A. 0. were drawn up on Queen's Wharf, previous to embarkation for the South;; amongst the party stood the unsuccessful applicant of the day before. " What do you do here ? Did I not say your services were not required ? " the Commissioner is t reported to have said. " Yes, Sir," replied the man, " but then I had no paper collar ; since that I have invested in one, like the rest of the party, and I thought I might? now suit." I believe the circumstance never occurred ; but it is an old amusement to chaff the police. I hear that Mr. Bran-, m'gan enjoys the fun got up at his expense as much as anybody. He has got the men here in first rate order as respects their drill, and they are ready at a moment's notice for active service whenever required. Lieut.-Colonel M'Donnell was here a few days ago. He looks much improved in health, and has grown stouter. There is a rumour that Colonel St. John's services have been dispensed with, for undue severity to Maori prisoners. I have no means of as- ; certaining if the rumour deserves credit ; but have reason to believe it does not. The Rosario came in from Tauranga on, the 11th, but brought no important news. Everything seems quiet there, and a good, deal of land appears to be taken up. The same thing is occurring at Waikuto ; the Waikato Land Office seems to have a great : many applications for sections to attend to, which, of course, is a good sign for the bet-" ter. A scheme has been published for vast harbour improvements, to cost about a, quarter of a million. The plans include' a graving dockj reclamation of land, extension of Queen's wharf, and breakwater in " a solid form, wet docks or basin, &c. The details appear well digested, and the scheme, seems feasible enough if the ways aud means were forthcoming; but as there is plenty of ; public spirit in Auckland, and funds may,;, perhaps, be found by means of the harbourendowments, &c, I should not be surprised, to see so great a work undertaken at no* distant date. The Auckland community seems bent on securing, if possible, this port. as the terminus of mail lines, and they .know well that, to secure. the desired result,. Auckland must possess better accommodar tion for repairing shipping. v, > Mr. Yogel has been entertained by the Auckland merchants at a dinner. Therej was no reference, I believe, to political; questions, as the meeting was meant simply,, I understand, as a mark of the respect en;-? tertained for Mr. Yogel by ihe mercantile: community.