COOK'S STRAITS.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 21, 25 October 1845, Page 2

COOK'S STRAITS.

By the arrival of the Government Brig Victoria we have received Nelson and Wellington papers to the 4th October. The Hannah, Captain Salmon, had arrived at Wellington from Sydney, by which the recall of the Governor was known at Wellington on the 4th instant. In the Spectator of that date there is the following curious paragraph : " Intelligence lias been brought by the Maria, from Ouridi, of the arrival at Auckland of a British war steamer, with a strong reinforcement of troops ; and this statement has been confirmed by the Sarah Jane, from i Hawke's Bay, in the Bay of Plenty, about two day o ' sail from Auckland ; and also from other quarters, so that we have every reason to believe it to be correct. It is stated that the steamer was sent out from England, and in the course of her voyage touched at the Cape of Good Hope, where the news of the disturbance in New Zealand had been received, and a considerable force from that Colony was embarked on board the steamer for New Zealand- The amount of these additional reinforcements is stated to be 700 men, bnt we suppose this would include the force expected from Sydney. The name of the vessel has not transpired." At Wellington there had been no arrivals from England. The brig that was seen off the harbour, on the 13th Sept , and supposed to be the Nelson, from London, was the William Stoveld, from Port Philip to London, which had touched at Kapiti for water and provisions. At Nelson, the Supreme Court was opened by Mr. Justice Chapman. Richard Conway, who had been committed for three separate offences, and true bills found on all indict ments, wss tried for assaulting William Harding, a constables found guilty, and sentenced to transportation for fifteen years. The prisoner, with the person tried and convicted for forging a debenture, at Wellington, some time since, were brought here in the brig.

•Mechanics' Institute.-— On the truly laudable and useful purposes of this Institution, some few weeks since, we remarked. We are most happy to find that our suggestions have not passed unheeded, for on reference to our advertising columns there will be found announced an Amateur Vocal and Instrumental Concert, for the evening of the 6th November, iti the Institute, the proceeds of which are to be applied to the completion of the building. On the occasion to which we have referred, Mr. Outhwaite and Mr. Young have most generously and kindly proffered their conduct and assistance ; and under such guidance we doubt not the Concert will be most harmonious, as well as very productive to the funds of this useful institution.'

Ship Building. — The vessel building in Mechanics' Bay, by Messrs. Sharpe and Nicol, is being fast completed, and presents a beautiful model. As she is the first of such class of ships built in Auckland, we hope she will receive a name identified with the earliest times of the colony. When the town of Auckland, and the Waitemata were surveyed, every little promontory and dwarf mountain, had its native name superseded to gratify the puerile vanity of the first officials. It might naturally have been expected that of all names to be associated with the chief city and port of New Zealand, — the name of Cook would not have been forgotten ; but the great man, who above sixty years since declared, that the Thames would be the best situation for an English settlement, is not recalled to his countrymen by any memorial in New Zealand, excepting the Straits which he himself named. We would take the liberty of suggesting that this new vessel being the first built in the chief harbour, should be named after the great circumnavigator. Dogs. — These animals are becoming in the town a most dangerous nuisance. On Sunday last, a. young woman, passing along Queen street, from the chapel, between 12 and 1 o'clock, was attacked by a large dog, and not only her dress much torn ; but her arms dreadfully lacerated. Persons residing in the bush, have some plea to keep ferocious animals to protect their houses, aud herd their cattle ; but in the public streets o£ Auckland, such brutes ought not to be allowed loose at all. The constables had better devote some little attention to the dogs instead of entrapping unwary fresh sailors ; and we would suggest to pedestrians to go armed, and when molested on the broad highway, by dogs, that ought to be confined within premises, to shoot them there and then.