AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 15, Issue 2016, 23 December 1870, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

ffkom oub own coehbspondbst.l Dec. 15, 1870. The Galatea arrived on the Bth, at daylight, whilst yet this city lny buried in profound repose. Though pretty punctual to date, it seemed an agreeable surprise to most of our citizens when they woke to find she was actually in harbour. The noble ship has been so frequently and well illustrated that I need not stay to attempt her description from outer inspection — at present she is not open to visitors ; beside her, the nßlanche looked comparatively insignificant. '''■' At 8 a.m., the Galatea band played " God save the Queen," as St. George's red cross unfolded its snowy field to the morning breeze. At nine the Duke of Edinburgh landed, and proceeded to Government House, where be remained until 11 a.m., when he returned to his ship. The remainder of the day, until sunset, was occupied on board the Galatea with getting down royal and topgallant masts, yards, "and rigging ; the Blanche, at the same time getting up hers, in accordance with orders brought by the Duke for her to proceed forty-eight hours later for Hobart Town. After dark, the Galatea crew amused themselves with singing, loud enough to be heard at a great distance. Next morning, Tom, the Duke's Ceylon .elephant, and a fine tortoise,' Tom's chum, were taken to the grassy walled in space at Albert Barracks, where they will remain ! during their owner's visit ; there is good feed there since the late rains, and plenty ■of water, and .the place is secure and wellAdapted for Tom's recreation. Tom is large, for a four-year elephant, and is the first of his species that has pnid a Visit to New Zealand, lie is so gentle that ladies and children constantly ride him; of the latter I have seen eight at once on his back — he kneels foi- his riders to mount, and lifts his near fore foot as a step to descend by. He permits juveniles to play with his tail, feet, and trunk ad libitum, as long as they take no unfair advantage ; he is very popular, and, I suppose, has visited most parts of the town ! and its suburbs during his daily rambles ; He is partial to buns, biscuits, and jam, and is anything but a teetotaler-— last Sunday he visited various public houses and drank four gallons of beer, besides a respectable modicum of spirits (for tin elephant). I never see him without a small crowd of admirers, and sometime their pame is " legion." He never has to go J 'far for food, for he is exceedingly well patronised by high and low ; his great ears are adorned with silver rinjis, and he peerd out of his little eyes with a most benevolent expression at his visitors. It is very amusing to watch the way he cuts his grass, using his trunk as a hand and his foot for a scythe. Like some great men we know, he has no objection " to blow his own trumpet," but, unlike them, he almost always waits until he is desired to do so. I think he can do nearly everything but talk, and in fact he does speak a little, that is to say he has quite mastered such interjections as "Ha!" "Oh!" "Eh?" The

sailors idolise him, for be ]>1 ■ys wi h them like an. immense kitten, ami is <^er ready to lend a trunk when it is ■heedful to give a "long pull, a stiongpiill, and a pull altogether ;" but begot angry once since bis arrival at Albert Barracks— and not without reasonable excuse. The fact is that the juvenile raggamuffinism of Auckland was offering him stones' when he looked for bread, not content with which, his young tormentors must needs twist his tail according to the approved mode in vogue for making sulky cows " bail up ; " they even pelted the popular idol. He, mild beast, uncomplainingly endured unmerited ignominy and prosecution until fairly wearied. At last he declared war by blowing his trumpet and rushing at bis enemies, who fled in dire dismay at the terrific sounds and fierce aspect of the whilom tenant of the jungle — such a screaming and scampering all ways at once. By slight blows of Tom's trunk, two of his foes were immediately stretched supine on mother earth, other two crept for safety under a house, but like crabs went backwards in still further when Tom's trunk appeared with a view of pulling them out. Fortunately, no one was even slightly injured, and it has been thought that he had no actual desire to do mischief; at any rate, bi3 wrath, real or pretended, vanished the moment his friend the keeper put in an appearance ; five minutes after, the elephant was playing with the youngsters the same as ever. On Friday eveninglast the Duke attended a concert at the Music Hull, to wbi<jh>ndmission was obtained by a limited issue oftiok' j ts. Next day I passed him' in Short-lard-street, and was pleased to see Ilia Royal Highness was .permitted to enjoy himself, after his own fashion, like any private gentleman. He was evidently recognised by many people ; but there was not perceptible the slightest desire to intrude. On the night of the 12th, the Duke left in the Luna, on a trip to the Taupo Lakes via the East Coast. Every care has been taken to provide for his comfort, and he is accompanied by His Excellency the Governor. Since the Galatea arrived there has been no display on either side. The new mail contract seems to have satisfied every one I meet ; even the little evening opposition paper admits its merits, hut is careful to deny any credit to Mr. Yogel, whom it abuses in a style which may perhaps account for its apparently very limited circulation. The mean tactics pursued are, of course, reprobated by those who believe in opposition within the bounds of common decency; and, though essentially rowdy leading articles, violent almost beyond belief, may " take " with a certain class which has littUs or no stake in the country, they must of necessity disgust the influential and the better informed. I, in common with many other people, do not look upon .the present Government as absolute perfection ; but " fair play is a jewel," and the scurrilous epithets heaped upon Ministers, more especially ot late upon Mr. Yogel, is apt to bring to one's mind the words of a celebrated and popular writer — " As the law will not permit you to kill men's bodies, you try to murder their reputations." On the evening of the 13th, the late Provincial Executive and its adherents made a futile but desperate effort to turn out the new Government. The Council has now been in session several week*, and has done little but squabble, with the exception of trying to create places, and add to official incomes. I believe the present Government is really desirous to j expedite much business which is sadly in arrear, but it is questionable if they will be permitted to retain office for the required time. Several members of the lute Government are understood to be men of nominal means, anditisdifficult to see what these men will do, if permanently excluded from the Treasury Benches. Of late the Council has seemed little better than a bear-pit, and Provincialism, I verily believe, sinks every day lower and lower in public estimation. On Monday morning last, the steamer Napier, which leaves here for Gisbjrne and Ahuriri this evening, distinguished herself by running into the Duke's temporary steam yncht, the Luna, but I think no serious damage was done. To-day one Hebrew was fined -f 2, with costs, for horsewhipping another gentleman of the same race, his partner. The fracas occurred in Queen-street, on Tuesday, and arose, I. hear, from disputed mutual monetary arrangements. Both gentlemen are thought to have lately distinguished themselves somewhat conspicuously in one ol those numerous bankruptcy cases which sometimes puzzle skilful accountants to divine what has become of the assets. In this particular affuir the aggressor appears to have received great provocation, judging from the evidence, which was very amusing. I am not quite sure the Napier will leave this evening, and, indeed, one can seldom tell when the mails really will leave here for Hawke's Bay ; as far as your Province is concerned, the departure notices posted outside our post office are a "delusion and a snare." Ido not know who is to blame, nor do I mean to reflect upon our chief postmaster, who is civility itself, but the thing complained of is, nevertheless, excessively annoying.