AUCKLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1321, 22 November 1864, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

By the s.s. Queen we have our papers to the 12th inst. The Weekly News, has the following summary of intelligence:—

The absence of any fresh topic of interest renders the task of recording the events of the past week an easy one. There has been nothing to break the monotony to which we referred in our last, and a stranger landing in Auckland,and unacquainted with the fact, would never suppose he had set foot in the capital of a colony torn by civil war, and was at the head-quarters of an army of occupation. The main strength of the army is at Otahuhu, waiting, like Micawber, for " something to turn up," and ready for action when wanted. Of course there are those who aver that they will never be wanted; that the last shot has been fired in New Zealand; and that, to borrow a phrase of the Governor's, just before his departure for Taranaki, New Zealand was never so pacific. There are those, however, who hold a different opinion, and who look on the present inaction as tfie calm that precedes the storm. We incline to the latter view; and we will only be too glad to find ourselves disappointed.

The Nativd ambassadors sent by the Governor to the higliandmighty chiefsin arms against the Queen's Majesty do not seem to have effected much. Their mission has been barren hitherto. It has failed, so far as the purpose of the Governor is concerned ; and he will be without the shadow of an excuse to justify the violation of the Constitution to his masters in Downing-street. If Sir George Grey could have pointed to the fruits of the proclamation, by appealing to the submission of the rebels in arms, it is more than probable that Downing-street would have held him blameless for trampling upon the Constitution ; but the chances are the other way when" the result is a palpable failure. Besides, the Governor cannot plead the cause of humanity in his own behalf ; for he has sown the dragon's teeth, and will reap a plentiful crop of armed warriors on the plains of New Zealand when the planting season is over, who will to a certainty trample under foot those nice sentiments of brotherly love which it delighteth the Governor to inculcate and Exeter Hall to proclaim.

There have been indications of the replies of the potent rebels; and they are by no means assuring. When told they are to cede territory in the Waikato to the satisfaction of the General and the Governor, they are reported to have made the pertinent remark : " We thought the Governor and-General took that land. If they have not taken it, and it is still ours, we will not cede it. The Governor must pay for what we are inclined to sell, and we don't want to sell any." This is substantially the reply of the Maoris to the cession overture, and a characteristic reply it is. We would have been greatly surprised had it been otherwise. The Maori has a keen perception of right; he never gives anything without its equivalent in some shape; and he is not likely to give up to the Governor the sacred soil of the Waikato, from which, a year ago, he drove the law and the gospel, and civilization in the persons of magistrates, missionaries, printers, postmaster, and artisans. "If you took the land (they say) keep it-, if you did not take it, wo won't give it to you." And so the plot thickens. The Maori does not consider himself defeated; he thinks the Governor has had the worst of it. Meanwhile, the planting goes merrily on. The reverses of the last campaign are discussed, and the plan of the coming struggle debated in every native village and by every camp fire. "Kakino the Governor ; the Governor is an old woman," passes from lip to lip. The Maori prospect brightens. With a vigorous assault at all points within our lines, and a strong diversion in the North by the enlarged rebels from Kawau, there is\a fair chance of expellingtliehatedpakeha from the country. Who would talk of ceding territory under these circumstances? Who but the Governor? " Kakino the Governor; the Governor is an old woman."

The arrival of the Queen from Southern ports puts us in possession of colonial news. From the tone Of the Southern papers it is evident there is a desire to make the difficulties of the colony the pretext for an assault upon the prestige of Auckland. Mr. Weld is said to be the coming man. He has been through the various Southern provinces canvassing for support ; but we have confidence in ninr-rtmt--ire wiit-nui milu jll ittseu ~to"atiy~Tin"pnn-~:rioa-jpvwJtßamgiK— -■-Mr.-mrcwo-high as a politician. He is a man of scrupulous honour and integrity, and on that account there is not much danger of him lending his countenance to politicians who are actuated by less worthy motives, in an attempt to damage this province. Mr. Weld was Native Minister in the Stafford Government, and as such was a strong supporter of the war policy. In the Provincial Council there has been a good deal of talk, and little work done. Mr. Carleton is not molested by the small fry who used to torment Mr. Newman. They are afraid of his biceps, and keep at a respectful distance. The report of the committee appointed to consider the Waste Lands Act of 1858, is an important document. It recommends occupation and improvement as a condition of enjoying a.title under a land order. This, our readers will perceive is affirming the principle advocated from time to ; time in this journal, and by our contemporary the j Daily Southern Cross, and we trust effect will be | given to it. The grants to naval and military settlers of 400 acres and downwards is properly recommended to be withdrawn, and this class of settlers placed on the same footing as other immigrants; and the 40-acre system is to be continued till March, 1866. There are other valuable recommendations in the report. The report of the Committee on Recent Appointments is likewise valuable; and the Council has since taken action and disallowed the salary of the Waste Lands Commissioner arid one of the I assistants in the Engineer-in-Chief's office. Other reductions will doubtless be made. The second reading of the bill to increase the Superintendent's salary has been negatived by a majority of 16 to 8. We must say,.having listened to the debate, that the arguments of the majority were far from convincing, or creditable to them. If a good man is wanted to carry on the affairs of the province he must be paid; if the Superintendent is called upon to be out of pocket, by reason of his office; there is a temptation to make up the deficency in some way. The chief topics of discussion in town are the proposed sale of the old Court-house site and the removal of the slaughter-house. These but little affect the country settlers. We have had news of theloss of the steamer Aphrasia at the Bay of Islands. This mishap was not through stress of weather, but through a leak. The steamer to the North is beginning to attract more attention. We trust the undertaking will receive every encouragement. There is the greatest interest taken in the Kawakawa coal mines. The coal is proved to be superior to most English coal for smithy purposes, twenty per cent, better than Newcastle, and Equal to the best English for steam. Arrangements for working these mines will doubtless be made. We would recommend a better prospectingof the district, with a view tolessen the distance between the shaft to the deep water landing. arrival of a part of the Lyster Opera Company is the greatest event of the week iri Auckland ; and the lessee anticipates a most successful season. What with the opera, theatres, and music saloon, Auckland will soon be well provided with amusements.