AUCKLAND NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 3, 5 January 1869, Page 2

AUCKLAND NEWS.

By the arrival of the Airedale this morning, we are put in possession of Auckland papers to the 2nd inst, from which we make copious extracts: — His Excellency Sir George Bowen has received a letter from Prince Alfred, stat ; ng that he will be here in the G-alatea about December 6, 1869. The breach of promise of marriage case, Knox v. Hunt, resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff of £1,300 and costs. The long-coveted auriferous grounds of the Upper Thames are expected, with some certainty, to be opened within a mouth at the outside. ■ A little alluvial gold has been found in the Ohiuemuri, and also some reefs, but nothing as yet to boast of. /Most of the natives are very much pleased'at the successful termination of Mr Mackay's mission. The warm weather is felt very much after the late cold winds. The thermometer -registered 82 £ degrees in the shade at noon. Crops looking well. On the evening of Christmas day a most destructive .fire occurred at Maketu, by :■". which the dwelling-house and two stores, 'j

the property of Mr Rogers, were completely destroyed. Some portion of the stock-in-trade was rescued from the flames, not so with a large amount of money, viz., about £300 in specie and' £500 in bank notes, the former was all melted and most of it recovered from the debris after the fire, but the notes,. I regret to slate, were all consumed except a few corners, on which some of the numbers could be made out. It is most unaccountable that Mr Eogers should keep sa large an amouut of money by him in a place like Maketu, aad at so critical a period. His loss cannot be less than £1,400. I have not heard Low the fire originated. I should have, stated that Mr Rogers, in endeavoring to save his cash box, was seriously burnt about tho face and arms. — Correspondent of Weekly Herald. With reference to the Taupo 'natives,, the Weekly Herald of 2nd iust, has the following: — Two natives this morning ' from Taupo. They represent all as being quiet in that quarter, and that, although, Haubaus, should fighting take place,a strict neutrality will be observed, unless Te Kooti's miscreants should show themselves, whom they would cut to pieces. Since writing the above, I, this evening, met with a gentleman, trom Tetley's station, who tells a very different story, which amounts to this — That Mr Tetley'semployees have got notice to quit, and* that all shfep found on the station after the expiration of a mcnth will be destroyed. Communications from Opotiki were received to-day. Great apprehension of an attack is generally felt. William< King, of the frieudlies, has applied for the assistance of a dozen men from the militia. There is no questiou, the presence of the man-of-war in iheßay has tended much to. prevent actual hostilities. In the Waikato district all was quiet^ and the people busily engaged with their Christmas sports.