SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE MONTH.

New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1834, 2 April 1863, Page 3

SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE MONTH.

[From Ist to 7th March.] The Union Bankshipped, on the Ist; inst., per Claud Hamilton, for Sydney, 923 ounces of Coromandel gold, 261 ounces of which had been procured from Kelly’s claim, the remainder from that of the Golden Point Company. At one o’clock on Monday, the 3rd, his Excellency Sir Geo. Grey took his departure for Taranaki in H.M.S. Harrier. accompanied by General Cameron, C.8., the Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell, the Hon. Mr. Domett. Capt. Hulkeley, A.D.C , Major McNeill, A.D.O. to General Cameron, and Mr. Seed, Private Secretary. On the 26th nit., an animated assembly took place at the Wade, when the whole of the settlers in the district were sumptuously entertained by Messrs. Henry and Trevor Lloyd, in their new barn. About ninety people were present, to whom an excellent collation was provided, after which the place was cleared, and dancing, toasts, and songs were diligently kept up until the morning. ' ‘ ' A coal-seam has been struck at Parengarenga, from which about two tons of brown coal has been procured, for transmission to Auckland, in order that its value may be tested,

An inquest was held at the Royal Hotel, on the body of the man named William Turner, who was drowned while attempting to get on board the Devonshire, on the night of Wednesday, the 25th Feb. After hearing the evidence of several witnesses, the Jury returned the following verdict :—“ That the deceased accidentally came to his death on the 25th [February by falling from the gangway extended between the ship Devonshire and the end of the Queenstreet Wharf.” The following rider was added, “ That the jury are of opinion that the present gangway used by the ship is a very unsafe one, and recommend that the attention of the authorities bo called to the necessity of providing suitable gangways for ships landing at the wharf.”

The alf-yearly meeting of the Essay and Discussion Class connected with the Young Men’s Christian Association, was held on the evening of the 2nd instant, when a promising syllabus of subjects for the ensuing period was read and decided upon. Mr. R. E. Shalders was re-elected President, and Mr. F. Eattley, Secretary; Messrs. Monk, Cox, and Rorison, -were appointed on the Committee. The Class met at the office of Mr. Osmund Lewis, Qnccn-strcct. The English Opera Company have been for a long while singing their way towards Auckland, and we arc likely, it appears, to be visited about the same time by Miss Emma Neville, an English singer of some little celebrity, and Mr. Loder, also well known to the theatrical world. It is quite possible that these two companies might arrive together; if so, their united talent would be a most unprecedented treat to an Auckland public. Respecting the sanitary condition of the city of Auckland, Mr. Stewart, the Provincial Engineer, in Lis report to the City Board of Works, says:—“ The « nitaiy state of the city is as usual very bad, the late xa’us not having been heavy enough to wash it. I consider that it is only the occasional falls of rain that, in the absence of a system of drainage, has kept the c’ty in a habitable condition; and in the absence of such, as we lately have been subject to, the city runs •very great risk indeed of pestilence breaking out.” Tins theory is at variance with actual fact, for typhus fever, of a malignant character, has it semis, b oken out in Canterbury, and many deaths Lave occurred. It would appearthat the most dangerous period in the badly drained cities of New Zeala d is not during the hot dry summer weather, when decayed animal and vegetable matter is dried up almost into a deodorised and harmless condition, but after this ■j) Co I, when the weather breaks and a moderate degree o'’rain, alternated with a hot and close atmospheie, causes the offal to become saturated and to /jive out the pestilential miasmata which induce typhus, and that which, it would appear, has been equally prevalent and fatal in Canterbury, low fever of the typhoid type. The inhabitants of the towns are, it seems, determined to trifle no longer with the important question of sewerage and sanitary reform. Ctngo winter weather, it would seem, is likely i:i cause a cons’deiable suspension of the mining work ere many months. The vessels di.ily ailiving from Melbourne are represented as crowded with passengers. We may look, therefore, for a large accession of miners to our Coromandel gold-field, as the winter drive- tb m from Otago, more especially now that the TeUrns from the Driving Creek are likely to set in, TPgti'ar machinery having started work yesterday at the junction. The following extract is from the JDiin.'lun News, and should act as a warning to those who are rushing so blindly to Otago:—“We understand, that the Government arc so impressed with the necessity of miners using caution in leaving the vicinity of the established settlements during the winter season that a notice has been issued, and posted In various parts of the Arrow and Overshot districts, advising the return, within a month or so, of all who unity not be provided with sufficient provisions to last them through the winter, as the difficulty of traversing the snow-co en d' and precipitous ranges will render traveling exceedingly dangerous. Doubtless such a caution is founded on every probability, and, if acted upon, may be the means of preventing much loss of Luma-i life.”

The usual fortnightly meeting of the members of the Auckland Temperance Society took place on the evening of the 6th, in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. A notice has been issued by the Portmaster stating that unless the harbour be cleared, before the 7th instant, of all wrecks of boats, logs of timber, &c., they would be disposed of according to the provisions of the Port and Harbour Regulations. The Olayo Daily Times, in its issue of the 16th, rates it" Auckland correspondent pretty soundly for having neglected to forward an account of the wreck of the Orpheus, with a list of those saved. The Daily Times seems to forget altogether that the mail by the Wonga he.', left Auckland before the wreck occurred, leaving the Manukau during the very lime in which it actually did take place. The richest part of that journal’s lugubrious remarks is. the regret, that in consequence of this information not having been supplied to Otago, the people of England will be kept an additional month in suspense ! The Daily Times reminds us of the fly upon the cart wheel in the fable. Miss Rye, who appears desirous of emulating the famous Mrs. Chisholm, has arrived, it would seem, in Dunedin. The Daily Times of the 16th contains the following:—“ The passengers by the John Duncan, Including more than one hundred assisted female imraig ants, selected and accompanied by Miss Rye, were brought up Irom the port on Saturday, by the Golden Aye, which arrived alongside the new Jetty about two o’c'ock. The female immigrants appear to be of a superior class, and they all looked healthy and in good spirits ; their procession troin the Jetty to the depot attracted a great deal of attention.” From another part of the same journal we learn that this lady had made an inspection of the immigration barracks at Dunedin, the dirty appearance of which had caused her to seek an interview with the Superintendent, to expostulate with that gentleman on the grievance. This lady may shortly be expected in Auckland. A sailing match for £2O a side took place on the morning of the 3rd, between the Glitter and Tairo—the former belonging to Mr. " eymouth, the latter owned by a native. On rounding the buoy at the North Head the Glitter began to shoot ahead, and gradually gained ground, until eventually she distanced her adversary, accomplishing the run in 33 minutes from Starting. The bodies of three more of the sailors ot the illfated Orpheus have been recovered, having been ■washed ashore about nine miles from the heads. All were very much decomposed, the integuments of the face having quite disappeared. Two of the bodies Tvcrc supposed to be those of seamen, from the clothes they hail on, the third having, in addition to othex gaiments, white cotton socks, on one ot which the name of “ J. H. Adams” was marked, who is supposed to have been one of the assistant engineers of the Orpheus. They were buried in the sand dose to the spot were they were picked up. A slight shock of an earthquake was felt at Raglan on the morning ot the 23rd u!t, the same date on which Napier was so severely shaken. A\ c ate happy to hear that no damage was done. Three specimens of auriferous quarts, brought up from Coromandel on Wednesday evening by the cutter Wanderer, and exhibited yesterday in Mr. D. Graham’s shop window, in Quem-street, have been much admired. The finest specimen, the dirty rubblelike piece of quartz, cemented together with thick plates ol gold, is from Murphy’s claim, and is a portion of the broken stone alluded to in our issue of yesterday as having been shown to us by Mr. Charles Ring. The two specimens from No. 5, Driving Creek, do not show to advantage; hut the gold is fine, and the stone is, to use the term, satuiated with it throughout, giving the face of the quartz merely a dirty yellowish green appearance. 'ihe half-million loan which the Provincial Government have asked for, is proposed to be appropriated to the following objects:—Redemption of provincial debentures, due Ist May, 1865, .£45,000; public buildings, £70,000; immigration and purchase of land, £200,000; Auckland harbour trust, £60,000; city of Auckland, £50,000; public works (in the province) £75,000. The long looked for opening of the works of the Auckland Quartz Crushing Company, and the autici-

paled results from the present week’s work at No. 5 has caused st me little excitement in the Auckland mining world. Some shares in No. 5 have changed hands during the last dav or two at enoimouslv hi"h rates—£7o premium.—being at the rate of £14.000 for the whole claim. It is sta eil that the purchaser, Mr. W. Back land, who now owns a large portion of this claim, and who went down by the steamer yesterday, will return with some three thousand pounds worth of gold to be lodged tu]the credit of the Golden Point Gold Mining Company.

On the 3rd instant, while some natives were crossing the Mangapai River, in a ricketty old boat, it began to fill when they had got about half way across, and shortly afterwards sunk. Being able to swim, they fortunately escaped drowning. Ihe Commissioner of Police has drawn attention to the undermentioned enactment for the preservation of game in New Zealand. We believe that some misapprehension exists, as to the months during which the killing of game is permitted by the Act, and we trust that if this be the case, the publicity now given may save individuals from rendering themselves fiahle to prosecution under the Act, while it will prevent anv excuse of ignorance of the law being urged in extenuation, by those who wilfully break it” The third clause of the “Birds Protection Act, ISG2,” runs thus:—“ No pheasant or quail shall be bunted taken or killed, except during the months of April, May, June, and July, in any year,”

We have received information that in the early part of this week, two more bodies supposed to belong to the ill-fated Orpheus were found on the beach of”the Manukau at Kituraka Bay. The one first found was nearly naked, and apparently, from the style of what clothing was upon it, that of an officer; it'was much decomposed, and there was no flesh at all upon the face and head, many of the teeth were wanting, a black silk tic was round his neck, but the only clothing on the body were a flannel under-shirt and white cotton or linen shirt, a portion of which latter garment, now in our possession, is marked in ink with the name, “A. Holga”or“ Holya,” it is difficult to determine which: there were also a pair of white cotton socks and light boots, with elastic side, upon the feet. Neither name mentioned above appears among the list of the officers belonging to the ship; it is just possible, however, that the deceased may have been a passenger, or rather visitor, on board either from Sydney or "home. The ho ly was interred by Mr. C. Tally and others, on the beach close to where it was found. A day or two afterwaids another body, evidently that of a seaman was picked up near Kakamatua, a short distance from Mr. Roe’s saw mills, and was by that gentleman’s directions buried alongside the other. At the head of the graves has been placed a cross, with the simple inscription of the particulars of the discovery of the the boilies over winch it it raised.

On Friday last, at the Resident ATagistrate’s Court, an examination de luuatico inqnirendo was instituted before Drs. Kenderdine and Goldsboro, as to the state of mind of Wrn. Sharp, a resident at One Tree Hill, when the following decision was come to—“ That the subject is not a person of unsound mind, and at the present time not dangerous to himself' or others.” Sharp was therefore discharged.

Mr. John Allen, a resident of Waipa, following the example of Mr. Hunter, has proceeded overland to Napier for the purpose of purchasing cattle for the Auckland market, and bringing them hither by the overland route.

A special meeting of the members of the Young Aten’s Christian Association was held at the Independent school-room. High-street, on Friday evening, Dr. Bennett, president of the society, in the chair. The meeting, which was very well attended, was convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the purchase of a site of ground for a new building for the Association. This step had been rendered necessary by the destruction of the Jatc rooms by the Queenstreets fire of January last. A motion was ultimately agreed to, “ That it was expedient for the present to defer taking any action with reference to the purchase of a building site for the Association.”

On the afternoon of the 2nd ins t.. Captain Fisher, of the American whale ship John Wells, was standing in conversation with several other persons at Messrs. Drury and Co’s, store, at Mongonui, when one of the crew, named John Davis, rushed into the store, in a very excited state, and, with his arms extended, as though he was going to embrace the captain, exclaimed, “Life! Life!” He then made several thrusts at the captain’s left side with a knife which he had in his right hand, two of which took effect—one through the lower part of the neck, or rather the shoulder, and the other through the fleshy part of the arm. Davis was immediately disarmed and secured. Captain Fisher became very faint from loss of blood, and was taken into Mr. Fletcher’s dwelling, where his wounds were examined and found to be very serious. Dr. Trimncll was, unfortunately, absent in Auckland, attending the trial of the prisoner for the Wangaroa murder, but Captain Butler and others did all they could for the wounded man. On Tuesday the Resident Magistrate and Captain Butler, J.P., attended at the bed side of Captain Fisher, and took his s'.'t mcnt on oath of the transaction. His statement was similar to the above, with the exception that he said he had given the man no cause for committing the offence. He had punished him slightly once on board for playing draughts on a Sunday, but nothing more. He had always looked upon the prisoner as a very good man on board. On Friday, the 6th, the case was fully gone into, and five witnesses were bound over in £2OO recognizances to appear at the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Auckland. The prisoner was fully committed for trial and was brought up to Auckland in the Khvi. [He lias been since tried, when the jury found him guilty of “stabbing with intent to murder,” for which crime he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with hard labour.] [From 7tii to 14th March.] The firing for the Government prizes by the Auckland Rifle Volunteers took place on the 6th instant. The wind was high, and the weather on the whole very unfavourable for shooting. Eleven members only were present, of whom Mr. W. M. Hay made the best shooting, scoring 38 points as follows: — 300 yard range, 13; 400 yds., 7; 500 yds., 5; hits, 13. Total, 38. Five rounds were fired at each range. Average of the total score made 22 3-11 points. The firing was continued next day, when Dr. Daliiston scored 31 points, being 7 below Mr. Hay. It will be perceived that the length of the range has been considerably increased on that of last year, and that with increased difficulty our Auckland marksmen have exhibited increased skill. The highest number of points made by the Nelson champion of last year, who now wears the belt, was, if we recollect rightly, 32; and that too at ranges of 100, 200, and 300 yards; whilst the highest score for Messrs, Hibbcrt’s prizes was only | 30 points. It is more than probable, therefore, that this badge of honor will again be carried off by an I Auckland marksman.

The schooner Heron, 91 tons, Capt. Laing, narrowly escaped being wrecked on the Manukau bar, whilst entering that harbour on the evening of the 7th.

An advertisement issued from the chairman of the Directors of the Golden Point Gold Mining Company (No. 5, Driving Creek), announces that a dividend of £lO on each of the 160 shares lias been made to the fortunate shareholders. It is not a month since that a dividend of £5 per share was declared by the same company. About 60 lbs. of quartz from Murphy’s claim, Coromandel, yielded exactly 64 ounces of gold We are informed that some 300 tons of stone belonging to this claim, in all of which gold can be seen, are ready for crushing. A fatal accident occurred on the 19th ult. to a fine little boy, the son of Mr. Prescott, of Mangapai. It appears that the father was absent in town at the time, and Mrs. Prescott, having occasion to take some poultry produce over to a neighbour, left the children at home in charge of one of the elder ones. During her absence one ot the children, seeing a vessel coming up the river, remarked that probably their father was on board, and the younger child thinking most likely to meet him, passed out unobserved and made his way down to the river. On Mrs. Prescott’s return no anxiety was at first felt by her, as she supposed the child was away at the school, but when he failed to return, and when on enquiry it was found that he had not been near the school at all, but had been seen in the early part ot the morning going along the ranges leading to the river, the neighbors were at once apprised of the matter, and although it was nearly dark by this time, an immediate search was made, but without success. On tlie following day the whole neighbourhood turned out, some on foot and others on horseback, and searched far and near, but still without success. Tie search was renewed the succeeding day and continued until night with no better result. :t was not until the 25ih that the body was found by some Maoris who had been searching for it during the preceding week, in a branch of the Mangapai river. A large steamer was sighted by the Hebe , on her passage hither from Newcastle, which is described as ship-rigged and very deep in the water. As intelligence has been received from Tahiti to the effect that the merchants there considered it unsafe to ship goods in American bottoms, owing to the report that a Confederate war-steamer had left America for the purpose of cruising in the South Pacific, it is not at all improbable that the steamer seen by the Hebe may belong to that class.

A meeting of the Shareholders in the quartz claims on these diggings was held at the Chamber of Commerce, on the 9th instant. About fifteen persons were present. The regulations proposed for adoption by the government were considered, and the adoption of a

rule was recommended entitling the holders of quartz claims to the privilege of registration for 12 months, provided they could show that 10s. per foot had been expended on the line of reef within their claim.

The seventh annual meeting of the Papakura Presbyterian Church was held on the evening of the loth in the Church building, Papakura. The attendance was good. After tea, tire report of the general committee of management was read by Air. Hay, and the meeting was addressed by the Rev. T. Nome, Mr. Henderson (of Wairoa), the Rev. J. Macky, Mr. Rowe, Air. Geo. Gardner, Air. AlcDonald, Air. Thos. Alacfarlane, and Air. Lum'ev.

Ihe line of route for the direction of the proposed telegraph to Onehnnga is being marked out along the Newmarket road, a long line of red flags indicating the places where the posts are to be fixed. Some malicious persons at Waikaraka, have lately inflicted severe injury to a portion of Mr. Burton’s stock, by stabbing them with some sharp-pointed instrument like a bayonet. On the 7th inst., two of his best dairy cows, worth about thirty pounds, were thus stabbed, which makes the third cjsc of the kind that has occurred at the settlement.

A new serial, published by Alessrs. Creighton and Scales, entitled the Southern Magazine is a production creditable alike to authors and publishers. The original tales are well selected, and are written in a lively and agreeable strain, entirely free from “ Fustian” or any attempt at fine and stilted writing—the interest, too, is well sustained Altogether, the Magazine promises, when once fairly afloat and supported by literary as well as pecuniary contributions, to bold its ground amongst the literary bantlings of the fourth estate in these colonies. The remains of the late Rev. Charles Hazelwood, chaplain of H.A1.5.3. Orpheus, were brought up on Monday for burial in the Church yard at Onehunga, from the spot were they were first discovered an 1 interred in the sand at highwatcr mark. Yesterday afternoon a numerous procession followed the remains to their final resting place, amongst whom were many sincere mourners who had known him long and intimately at home. The steamer Tasmanian Maid arrived in town on the 10th, with about 450 ounces of cleaned gold from No. 5, and about 60 ounces from one of Air. Wood’s claims. Our attention has been called to the disgraceful practice of certain persons when visiting the public gardens in the Domain, of gathering the flowers and still worse, as occurred in one instance last Sunday, of attempting to steal tin* fruit, Mr. Lynch having detected a person in the act of walking away with a tock melon under her shawl. A summary example made on one of these occasions, by bringing the offenders before the Resident Magistrate, would put a stop to such evil practices. To despoil these gardens, which lor care and attention reflect considerable credit upon the persons in charge of them, is a poor return for their being thrown open to the public use and enjoyment. The sixth annual meeting of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society was held on the 11th in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. There was a very moderate attendance, consisting chiefly of ladies. Dr. Benneit occupied the chair. From the report of the society’s operations road at the meeting, we learn that the total number of cases relieved from the funds of the society during the year were 64, being an increase of 8 cases as compared with the numbers of the preceding year. The receipts during the year amounted to £209, out of which sum £lB6 were expended in the relief of the poor, leaving them, after deducting incidental expenses, a balance in hand of £l4.

A cricket match came off on the 12th, on the Newmarket ground, between the United Cricket Club and an eleven selected from the Newmarket and West End Clubs. The latter were the challengers, and were in appearance considerably the weakest eleven, comprising several rather youthful players, whilst the United team consisted of much older and more experienced hands. The weather did not; turn out quite so favorable as could have been wished, as drizzling rain fell through a great part of the morning. Wickets were pitched at about a £ to 11 o’clock, when the United club having won the toss, took their place at the wickets, and succeeded in scoring 87 runs before they retired. In their second innings they exceeded their previous score by 8 runs. The combined eleven were batting well and rapidly gaining upon the United, when the evening began to draw in, which prevented them from proceeding with the game; the match was, in consequence claimed by the United, as having been decided by the first innings. The combined scored 60 in their first innings, in the second 33, with nine wickets to go down—leaving them 89 runs to tie.

Mr. William Buckland, has resigned his seat in the Auckland Provincial Council. His place will most likely he filled by Joseph Newman, Esq.

An attempt to “operate” upon some ol our merchants was recently made upon a very handsome scale by an individual named Scott, lately arrived in this place from Sydney via Otago. The operator has since been committed for trial on charge of obtaining goods under false pretences We have been favoured with copies of the Japan Herald, edited, published, and printed by two of our late townsmen and fellow-colonists, iviessrs. A. W. Hansard and O. R. Keelc. The paper is published at Yokohama, in Japan, and contains a considerable amount of news relating both to the European society established there, and to the movements of the Native princes.

The rather unsatisfactory termination of the cricket match of Thursday, and the bounceable behaviour of the United, has led the captain of the Combined eleven to issue the following challenge : —“ The United having stated on the ground that they would play 22 of us, I have been instructed by the Combined Klevcn, through the medium of your paper, publicly to challenge the best eleven the United Cricket Club can produce to play an equal number of the members of the Combined Clubs any day this season, on any ground; the match to be played out and not decided by the first innings.”

An extensive sale of building allotments in the pleasant locality of Herne Bay, took place at Mr. Jones’ auction mart, on the 16th. The allotments, though carefully laid out, and having no less a depth than 250 feet, and commanding a fine view of the Waiteraata river and harbour, sold badly, and a number of the lots were consequently withdrawn. We are sorry to have to record the death of a fine little boy of eight years of age, son of Mr. Thos. S art, residing near Papakura It appears that the little fellow' fell down a well upon his father’s premises while in the act of drawing up a bucket of water, and that the accident was not discovered until some half hour afterwards. Every means to restore animation was resorted to, but without success, and yesterday evening, it is said, that notice of the casualty was forwarded to Dr. ritilson, the coroner, and to the nncle of the deceased, Mr. Smart, of the firm of Cruickshank, Smart & Co., of this city. The business-like and bustling appearance of the Onehnnga Wharf on the 7th instant, was one which could not but strike the beholder who is able to recollect the Onehnnga beach of even seven years ago. Two steamers, the Avon and Sturm Bird, lying one on each side of the wharf, were preparing to start about the same time, and even the mails going South by the latter were delayed from being put on board some quarter of an hour on account of the crowded state of the wharf consequent on the shipment of goods At the same time the launch of the Muid cf Kent, a schooner of thirty tons was taking place in the bay, and the Abeiwa from Taranaki, was unloading cattle. It is really a pity to see so useful and necessary a structure as this wharf going to ruin tor want of the necessary repairs. Unless new piles arc substituted for the decayed ones, and that speedily, the public will be compelled to revert to the old system of being pileaned on shore, and the interests of Onehnnga will be considerably injured. Surely when money is sought to be so lavishly borrowed for public purposes, something is due to Onehnnga; something, too, is due by the Provincial Government to themselves, to show that they are willing to meet the wants of the already established township, what ver pressure may be brought to bear in favour of some other spot, which, for good reasons, may be looked on by certain persons as the most suitable position for the future city. On Monday, the 2nd inst., Matakana was the scene of a spirited and evenly contested game of cricket, the cricketers of Mahurangi and Matakana having turned out en masse to have a day s sport. Having elected Messrs. Warin and N. Wilson as captains, and they in their turn having chosen their teams, consisting of nineteen players on either side, the game was at once proceeded with, Warm's team goingfirst to the wickets, and making 122 runs. Wilson’s nineteen then went in and succedcd in carrying off' the palm with one wicket to go down. The weather was all that could be desired, and the arrangements highly creditable to the management. Footballs, quoits, &c., were provided for those who did not join in the match. We have, on several occasion, had our attention directed to the great proficiency at which some of our Auckland tradespeople have arrived in producing articles equal to any of the same kind that could be imported from the home country. Mr. Leech, whose skill we have before had occasion to praise, has succeeded latelv in effecting that which we believe could not have been done even in Sydney, namely, silvering a large pier glass, some six by three and a half feet in size. Mr. Leech has already established a reputation both as a carver and gilder, his designs being both new and elegant, and the workmanship exquisitely finished.

The interest taken by our Auckland people in Coromandel is daily on the increase, and, indeed, now that winter is coming on, many of the sleep-

ing shareholders are anxiously visiting Coromandel in order to see with what advantage the different claims can be worked during the rainy season. Great dissatisfaction exists amongst the shareholders of many of the companies, as to the one-sided nature of the regulations drawn up under Mr. Turtou’s term of office, and proposed to the Government as the “ Coromandel code.” The Auckland shareholders, who form the most important section of the mining community, justly complain that they have no security tor the investment of their capital, without which, mdeed, Coromandel never can be developed. The rules, as at present printed, several copies of which have been issued by the Government, are evidently one-sided; made, in fact, as though the wandering adventurers of every country in the universe had a vested interest in Coromandel—the citizens of the Province, none. The error into which those framing the regulations have fallen, is simply in confounding quartz mining with alluvial diggings. The one is peculiarly an interest to be undertaken and developed by the capi talist, the other more reasonably comes within the means and management of those who flock from one gold-field to another. The subscriptions for the Wynyard Pier Bathing Establishment have, we find, on’ reference to the list's lying at the Banks, been rather limited of late, owing no doubt to the appeal made to the public in connection with the melancholy wreck of H.M.S.S. Orpheus. We are glad to find, however, that the lists are again rapidly filling up, and although the completion of the baths may be rather late tor the present season, it will afford opportunities for having the plan carried out in the most satisfactory manner for the ensuing year. In addition to the original project it has been determined to add a bathing p ace for Ladies, and if the plan, which we have hail the pleasure of seeing, is carried out, it will be a very important addition to the publiccouvcniences of the City of Auckland. Gentlemen living in the suburbs will now, doubtless, willingly subset ibe, as their wives and families will be enabled to enjoy the luxuries of a sea bath at any hour during the day, after their calls and shopping are concluded. We understand the consent of the Government has been obtained for appropriating the portion of land proposed for this purpose, and it is intended that the work shall be erected in a most substantial manner, and to last for several years; dressing rooms are provided for in the plans, and every other necessary arrangement to reader the establishment complete in every particular. On Friday evening, at 8 o’clock, an alarming fire broke out in a large building immediately in the rear of the A.rtillcrj stable, used as a provender store, and in which were' large quantities of hay and straw, and some sixty sets of harness belonging to the Artillery. The flames, unchecked by the usual means, bad soon gained complete mastery over the building. The military were, of course, mustered quickly on the ground, and were told off to their several duties; some to the double row of stables immediately adjoining, whence the horses of the Artillery were at once removed, some to procure what little water was available, and others to pull down the one end of the building to which, as yet, the fire had not spread In the performance ot the latter duty several severe injuries were sustained by the soldiers, more than one being knocked down and seriously bruised while engaged in pulling down and hauling away the pieces of the building; and we have since heard that two men were removed from the spot, the injuries which they had received requiring medical treatment. Men, at intervals, were placed on the roof of the long line of stables dose by with besoms, with which they constantly kept sweeping away the burning hay and and straw which was scattered all about the yard. Fortunately the wind was blowing from the north-west, and the stables, in which were more than 120 horses, were in comparatively little danger at any time, though to prevent casualties a picket was told off for the night, it being impossible without water to extinguish the embers of the burning hay and straw. It was not known from what cause the fire originated, and it is even said that no one had entered the bui.uing for some hours previously. Towards the last, when all danger of the fire spreading beyond the detached building in which it broke out, was at an end, one of the city engines came to the rescue. The building destroyed was about 130 feet in length. [From 14th to 21st March.] The arrival of the Hebe from Newcastle with some 280 tens of coal, consigned to J. S. Macfarlane & Co., has been most opportune. The stock on hand had reached its lowest ebb. A new weekly journal called the Aucklander , has been published in Auckland, which promises to become’ a useful addition to our local papers, and reflects creditably on the judgment of the editor. It has not yet been ascertained from what cause the fire at the Artillery stables originated. The Provender Store where the fire took place, and to which building it was confined, is regularly closed at three p.m„ no one being allowed within it after that hour; and it is quite impossible that the accident could have arisen from the heating of hay or straw contained therein, as the whole of such stores had been placed in the building on the very morning of the day on which the fire occurred.

On Saturday evening last, about 6 o’clock, a horse and light cart, belonging, we are toid, to Mr. Williams, was left standing alone in Victoria-street west. The horse, being startled by some sudden fright, started off down Nelson street towards the river, breaking into a furious pace as it neared the cliff, at the end of the street, where several children were playing at the time. All of these managed to escape out of the way of the animal, except one little fellow, a son of Mr. Angus White, who was struck by the horse in his career, hurled forward a few paces, and fell providentially in a hollow on the incline, the horse and cart dashing over the hollow, in which the boy lay, at a single bound. Both cart and horse were precipitated over the cliff, and came to a stand-still on a ledge half way down, when the axle-tree broke ; the horse remaining quietly on the spot until secured. On examination, the animal appeared to be wuolly uninjured, the vehicle, however, was greatly damaged. The little boy, we are glad to hear, was not seriously hurt.

A numerously attended meeting of the Journeymen Carpenters and Joiners took place on the 14th i: slant, in the United Service Hotel, Mr. Revell in the chair. The employers had been invited to attend, but did not appear. The object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken on the employers refusing to grant the rise of wages asked for of is. a day. A strike was suggested, but was repudiated by the meeting, and the fact of a fortnight’s warning having been given to the employers, was urged as a proof that this was the case. [The employers have since acceded to the request of the workmen, whose wages are now fixed at 10s. per day.] The third contest between the Waiuku and Mauku Cricket Clubs came took place at Mr. Constable’s farm at the Needles, on Saturday, the 14th, the Waiuku side winning by 49 runs. A native, one of king Matutaere’s soldiers, committed suicide by shooting himself. He was quite a young man, and is said to have been guilty of the crime of murder. It is believed he shot himself through fear, having been closely pursued by another native, who shouted out that he would “ roast a portion of him.” It is surprising to the natives that he did not shoot his pursuer first This person followed him' up to within about fifty yards, and then asked Kipe, the native who shot himself, if that gun was intended for him? Kipe answered “no, for myself,” and immediately shot himself dead. We arc informed that the contemplated bazaar to aid the Young Men’s Christian Association in the building of Booms in place of those in Durham-nreet (totally destroyed in the late fire) promises to be as succsssful as its friends could desire. The list of ladies who have cordially undertaken to co-operate in the undertaking now comprises about eighty names; and as the majority of these are not merely the names of individuals, but represenli renames, —each including the younger members of the same family, or friends who may be expected to unite with them in the work—there is every reason to anticipate that the result will be in a high degree prosperous in relation to its object, as well as creditable and satisfactory to those more immediately concerned in the project. It is also very gratifying to know that the.-e names are “ representative ’ in another sense, — as belonging to all the religious denominations in the city and its neighbourhood, thus harmonizing with the character of the Association which is essentially unsectarinn in all its principles. We learn that a meeting of those ladies will shortly be held for the purpose of organizing a committee, and making any other arrangements that may he necessary. It is intended, we believe, that the Bazaar shall be held about December next; and, in the mean time, while the ladies are plying busy fingers on behalf of the Building, (which is their specific object), we doubt not that the young men and the male friends of the Association in the community will be energetic in their endeavours to provide a suitable site, according to the spirit of the Resolutions adopted atthe recent meetingof members, which was—not that there should be no action in the matter —but, on the contrary, that every prudent and practicable step should betaken to discover, if possible, some more eligible piece of ground than ei'her of those which were spoken of at the meeting (and with respect to which it was determined that any definite decision should be postponed); and thatall fitting means should be adopted to raise the requisite funds. Happily, time for consideration on a point so deeply affecting the future cf the Association, is afforded by the kindness of the friends who have placed the commodious school-room couneeied with the Independent Chapel in High-street at the disposal of the Association for its Reading Room (as which it is notv occupied), and have allowed in

addition, the Vestry to be uscJ for the purposes of the Librarv.

A youth has boon taken in the act of stealing fruit from the domain. When brought before the Matistrate, the prisoner was, fortunately for him, only charged with the assault committed on the gardener at the timeot his detection and not the act of pilfering. The fine of £5 however in this ease will act. it is to be hoped, as a warning to similarly evil disposed persons. Tito performance of the unrivalled Oratorio ot the “ Messiah,’’ by tiie Auckland Choral Society, which had been promised to the public at numberless times during the past six months, and as often postponed, took place at length on the evening, of the I9;h inst., in the Brunswick Hall. The Concert being intended as “ a settlement in full” to subscribing members, and a means as well of raising money to relieve the indebtedness of the Society, there was a full attendance. A portion of the baud of the 40th regiment gave their assistance, and from their perfect training under their conductor, Sergeant More'd, rendered the most signal service throughout the performance. The Brunswick Hall, which was so severely injured by the late fire, we are happy to say is once more restored to us. It has been thoroughly reinstated, and even much improved, by Mr. Kcalcs, who has added to both its beauty and its comfort, by the addition of two tasteful dome ventilators, suitably ornamented. At the late concert there must have been six hundred people, aud yet no inconvenience was felt.

At the time when General Cameron arrived from Taranaki, by the Harrier, at half-past 4, pan., on Tuesday, notan officer belonging to the detachment ordered for embarkation on the following morning at S o’clock, was in quarters, and most of the men were dispersed through the town; nevertheless, the whole detachment, were mustered and marched down to the point of embarkation three minutes betbre the appointed time, and without a single casualty. We perceive that notwithstanding the decision of the Resident Magistrate in the case of William Anderson, (reported in our issue of Monday- last), by which he was lined £1 and costs, for giving spirituous liquors to a Native, a similar infraction of the law was committed a day or two ago, by a European, name unknown, in one of the Otahuhu vans. During its stoppage at one of the houses of call, he went into the bar. obtained some spirits, took it to the van in a couple of glasses, and passed them to two Natives who were passengers therein for Auckland, receiving in return the requisite change. It is matter ot‘ deep regret that Europeans can. be found so heartless and debased as to make it their business to fru-trate the provisions of a beneficent law, framed by the LeA-lature in the hope of preserving a manly and noble race from the destructive and demoralizing inilu euces of intemperance. The patent of a new specific for the cure and prevention of scab in Sheep, has been applied for by a Mr. Pritchard of Nelson. A New Zealand Trust and Loan Company (limited) has it appears been lately originated. Its objects are to lend money- an mortgage on land in New Zealand, and to make advances on securities of a substantial character, including those of Municipal bodies upon their bonds, that is, we suppose, where - though such corporation may have no body to bo kicked, —it has some sort of estate to be sued upon. According to the prospectus, the capital of the company is to be £SOO 000, in 20,000 shares of L'2s each, with power to increase; £1 pershare to be paid on application, and £1 on allotment. Two thousand shares arc to bo reserved for allotment in New Zealand. The directory of the company includes several well known names, among which wc may instance Sir Charles Clifford (late Speaker of the House of Assembly-, Nc>v Zealand), F. G. Dalgoty-, Esq. (of the firm of Dalgety and Co., Gresham-street, London), and II Selfe Sclfe, Esq. (English agent for the Government of Canterbury). The name of John Patten, formerly a Solicitor, practising in Dunedin, has been struck off the rolls of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

At ihe early hour of five o’clock on the morning of the 20th, the town was alarmed by the cry of fire, and it was found that Parnell was the scene of the conflagration. The fire occurred in the dwelling and workshop of Mr. Pilz, cabinetmaker, and the whole of the premises, together with the entire stock-in-trade and furniture and a quantity of valuable tools were dcs* - troyed. It appears that at 5 o’clock, in lighting a fire with shavings, a light must have fallen among those in the shop —for before the fire in the hearth was lairly alight the whole premises were in a blaze. The want of a fire bell in this populous suburb was clearly shown on this occasion, for before the fact of the fire having broken out could be communicated to the neighbourhood, it was too late to save any of the valuable property destroyed. Although the building is, we hear, partly insured in one ot the local offices, there is no insurance whatever on any of the furniture or stock -in-trade, and a severe loss has been inflicted on Mr. Pilz.

A regular and continuous supply of coal may now bo looked for from the Drury mines. A Director of the Company, who visited the mines on Tuesday last, reports that nearly the whole of tire levels are driven, and, in most instances with satisfactory results. The manager of the mines appears determined, if we may judge from die manner in which he is pushing on the works, that the Auckland public shall no longer be put to the inconvenience from the want of coal which they have hitherto experienced, even the traffic to Coromandel having been interfered with by the substitution of wood for coal, in driving the Maid's engines. The coal now taken from the different levels is said to be of a very superior quality, and it may therefore be reasonably expected, thaf when the levels are driven to their full length, and the stalls opened, the coal will be superior to any yet obtained from these mines. Should this supposition prove to be correct the public will no doubt patronize the coal to a much larger extent than they have hitherto done. The directors of this company have, we know, laboured under great and peculiar difficulties from the very commencement of their undertaking, and though, for some reason, this company has never received that cordial support from Auckland capitalists which it really deserved, we trust that it has now fought its w ;y through the worst of its difficulties, and that by throwing a regular supply of coal into the market it will force itself into that respect and esteem to which, as we said before, it is justly entitled. Their is little doubt but that the development of the Drury mines is, in more ways than one, a still more important matter for the Province at large, than it even is for the shareholders of the Waihoihoi Company themselves. The annual sitting of the Maori Rananya for the Bay of Islands district commenced on the 2nd inst., an i lasted all the week. They seem anxious to put a stop to the sale of spirituous liquors, and to have their lands properly fenced before any one can recover damages for trespass, which, if carried out, will both be great blessings. On the night of the 20th, about twelve o’clock, as a waterman, and the policeman on duty on the wharf, were passing the weighbridge, they were attracted by the sound of groans, and the smothered cries as of a person in pain. On searching further they found that the sound proceeded from the beach at the foot of the stone wall on the north side of Customhousestreet, and on descending, it being then only halt tide, they found that a man known as 11 Happy Jack ” had, in a state of partial intoxication walked straight from the door of the VVaitemata Hotel across Customhousestreet, and over the wall into the tide, falling a height of some twenty feet, upon a quantity of small broken pieces of rock and stones. On lifting him out and carrying him over to the hotel, it was found that two of his ribs were broken, his breast was much cut about, and on his head was a deep jagged cut in which a man might place two of his fingers. His face was literally cut to pieces, and it is only wonderful that the man escaped with life ai all. Had he not been found at the time he was, he must, in his helpless condition have been drowned in a few hours, for when found he was lying upon his face unable to move, and the tide would before daylight have risen over him some couple of feet. He was afterwards conveyed from the Waitemata to the Victoria Hotel where lie now lies in a precarious condition. The purchase of a life boat, in England, for the service of one of the ports of the Province of Canterbury, lias been the cause of an unintentional but mischievous misstatement of facts in the Otago Daily Telegraph, of the sth instant, in as far as the paragraph affects the Port of Auckland. Fortunately the mistake was dis covered and answered on the instant, as will appear from the following letter to the Editor of the Dunedin journal, which will no doubt set the matter correctly before its readers at the earliest moment :—Sir, an extract having appeared in your issue of the sth instant, in which a most erroneous, as well as injurious misstatement with respect to the Port of Auckland appears, may I r. quest the favour that you will correct it your earliest impression. The mis-statement is as follows:— ‘ The special purpose for which she (the life boat) is required (is) to land passengers at Auckland from ships when the su f would be 100 heavy for ordinary boats to venture off.’ Now, sir, the life boat is for rimarau or Omarau, in the Province of Canterbury, not for Auckland, in which latter harbour surf is atogether unknown, where life boats are never, under any circumstances, required, the accommodation for landing passengers, at all times of tide, being incomparably superior to that of any port of New Zealand I have yet visited, and I have seen the principal : ships of 1200 tons register. I may mention, lying alongside the Queen-street wharf, on which their passengers land, and their cargoes are discharged. The paragraph is of English origin—has been correctly copied into the Lyttelton, Wellington, and other eolo-

nial prints, and I, therefore, hope von will be good enough to rectily the error into which von have (alien.” By a supplement to the fitnetie of the 13th, we find that there have been 275 military desertions in this colony, and S3 naval desertions since 1562. A handsome silver cup, hearing the followin'- inscription. has been presented by the Officers oT the 63th Rcgt. to Capt. Withers, on his retirement from the service . —“ Presented to Captain Edward Withers by bis brother officers, as a mark of esteem on his nothing from the 65th Regiment after a service of forty years.—March, 1563.” [From 2 Ist to 2Stii March. We have been informed that during the re-construc-tion of the roof of Sr. Paul's Church, arrangements will be made for conducting public worship in the Brunswick Hall If we take the quality of Coromandel gold at an average of 17 carats, wo shall find that it is worth at the mint just sixty-onc shillings per ounce. In Victoria, the quality of gold varies from 21 to 23 carats, but the average may there be taken at about 22 carats 3 grains, ami at that rate is worth exactly eighty shillings per ounce. The gold buyer in Australia purchases the different samples at the same price, the parcels of different qualities are smelted together and assayed, and the above quality lias invariably been (omul to be the average otto. But in Victoria, the price given for such gold to the miner will run as high as Irom seventy seven to seventy-seven shillings and sixpence per oz., leaving a margin for the buyer of only three and sixpence or four shillings for profit, duty, insurance, and. freight. Now, in Auckland, with gold of a standard value of sixty-one shillings, the price given for it when smelted is only fifty-one shillings and sixpence, leaving a margin, not of three or four shillings, but of fully ten shillings per ounce to the buyer. We believe that at one of the Banks, the Union, this difficulty mav be obviated, in cases where the mining company keep an account with the Bank, advances being made upon the gold, and the balance after deduction of a fair charge for assay, freight, &o„, handed over to the depositor when the account of the amount, which it lias realised has been received from the officers of the Sydney mint. There arc few claims being worked at Coromandel on which the outlay is not sufficient to necessitate the keeping of a Batik account, so that, in most eases, thisdifference between lire selling price and the standard value is more an imaginary than a real grievance. One of tiie sawyers named Lynch, working at Mr. Craig’s saw mills, Opitouui, while crossing the “ boom,” lost his footing, and slipped oft'into the dam and was drowned, the body not being recovered until life was extinct. Mr. Prceco, Coroner for the district, held an inquest on the body, when a verdict of accidental death by- drowning was found by the jury. Mr. Braine, the founder and leader of the Nonconformist settlement at Alhertlaud, expired at Auckland on the morning of the 21st. A return match between the Mahurangi and Matakana cricket clubs came off on the 14th last., and was played at Mahurangi. The superior batting of the Mahurangians gained for them au easy- victory, and enabled them to beat their antagonists in a single innings, with 99 runs to spare. An inquest was held before Mr. ,T. A. Brown, the Coroner of the Mahurangi district, on the body- of a lad, the son of a shipwright named Ferris, in the employ of Mr. Darroch. It appeared oy- the evidence of Mr. Darroch, who was working within 30 feet of deceased at the time of the accident, which occurred about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, that the lad got up on the limb of a fallen tree about four feet from the ground, and was in the act of cross-cutting it with a hand saw, when it suddenly gave way under him. He did not appear to be injured at the time, ami walked home, lay down on a sofa and slept until about 7 o’clock, when his father took him in his arms and carried him into his own house. lie shortly after expired, apparently in no pain whatever. The jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental Death.”

An adjourned public meeting was held on the evening of the 24th, at the “Hibernian Hotel,” Ouohumra, for the purpose of taking into consideration certain matters relating to the project or deepening the anchorage known as Geddes’ Basin, and of improvingand extending the Government wharf. titer considerable discussion it was resolved “ That a deputation be appointed to wait upon His Honor the Superintendent to ascertain the probability of getting money to improve the wharfage of the town of Onehnnga.” A cricket match was played on Monday and Tuesday,. 23rd and 24th inst., at Matakana, between eleven of the Newmarket and West End Clubs against a picked eleven of the Matakana and Mahnrangi Clubs, The Newmarket and West End Clubs embarked on board the Glance, on Saturday night, at 10 o’clock, and arrived at Matakana on Monday morning, at II. After having satisiied the inner man (having fasted 36 hours), they proceeded to the ground. The Combined Eleven carried off the honours of the day, beating their Matakana and Mahurangi friends in one innings. An accident occurred on the ground to one of the players, Mr. Parker, who was fielding “ short leg,” receiving a blow in his face from one of Dwyer’s slashing leg-hits, which broke his nose, and cut his left eye; but it was not so serious as at first thought.

On Monday, some ten tons of prepared flax, from the mills of Messrs. Furchas and Ninnis, were sold by public auction, at the mart of Mr S. Cochrane, F irt-street, and realised as high a figure as £lB 10s. per ton.

A fire broke out on the evening of the 24th, at about o’clock, in a detached building situated near the South West wall of the barracks. The alarm bugle was immediately sounded, and the fire bells rung, the barrack gates being at the same time closed. Hundreds of people, however, soon made th ir way over the walls to the scene of the conflagration, which in a very few minutes reached its climax. A light breeze was blowing, which carried the sparks in the direction of a building standing about thirty yards off, forming part of the married people’s quarters, winch, however, by the prompt application of water was kept out of danger. The origin of the fire cannot be traced.

The grand Review of the Auckland Volunteers, which was to have taken place on the 26th, in the Albert Barracks will not come off on account of the unavoidable absence of General Cameron at Taranaki. A notice to this effect has been issued from the Militia Office, without any further time having been named when the review may be expected to take place. The youths connected with the Melanesian mission, under the charge of Bishop Fatteson, at Kohitnarama, have, we arc sorry to hear, been suffering under severe attacks of dysentrey. There arc about twenty suffering from this scourge. Three have already died within the pale of Christianity, into which they have been brought and carefully reared by the good Bishop, and his assistant clergy.

It lias been found necessary to offer a reward of £IOO for the detection of the persons suspected of causing the late fires, in consequence of an important discovery made on Wednesday night, and but for which, in all probability, the greater part of the buildings in the Albert Barracks would have been destroyed, and indeed the safety of the city endangered by their proximity to the powder magazine. It would seem that on Wednesday evening last a corporal of the 40th noticed flames issuing from the roof of one of the latrines adjoining the dead-house, and which at the time was to windward of the principal block of buildings in the barracks. By the vigilance of the Sergeant of the Guard the fire was at once got under, and upon examination of that part of the roof from which the flames had burst, it was discovered that a quantity of linen and paper had been placed under the eaves between the plate and the shingles, so as to cause the root more readily to ignite; a quantity of extinguished lucifer matches were also found about the spot. This discovery at ouce puts an end to the supposition that the two previous fires were the result of accident, and we trust that the reward offered will have the effect of bringing the miscreants to punishment. We have before adverted to the risk occasioned to the town by the storing of so large a quantity of powder in its midst.

A garrison order was issued on the 20th to the effect that civilians for the future would not be permitted to pass through the Albert Barrack square or enter the barracks after the “ retreat” is sounded tit sunset, except on business. Many of our citizens no doubt willregret the loss of this “ short cut,” as it saved a long journey round the wall. The circumstances connected with the late fires have probab'y had something to do with the issuing of this order. On the evening of the 26th, as one o! the workmen employed in the construction of Mr. David Graham’s new shop in Queen-street was engaged at the top of the building, he missed his footing, falling a height of nearly thirty feet. Though much bruised and shaken, and suffering considerable pain, he was able to walk home, and, as we arc informed, is in a fair way of recovering from the effects of his fall. On the 24th instant, some soldiers of the Maori King proceeded from Mokau to Awamutu and broke into Mr, Gorst’s printing office, carrying away the printing press, types, &c., and thus rudely quenching the light of the Pi hoi hoi Mohemoke, a paper started to counteract the influence of the Maori King’s organ, the Hukioi. Mr. Gorst and his assistant were absent on a visit to Waipa when the outbreak occurred The Insurance Company in this city hare issued a notice that, for the future, accounts for axes, blankets, &c., supplied at fires will not be recognised or paid by them unless orders for the same are given by the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, or the agents of tiie Insurance Companies. During the la*e tire in Queen street, an act of injustice, was, wc were informed, done to a citizen who unhesitatingly supplied the men of the

Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade with buckets. On applying for payment at the lusut ante (fliers,he « astold that he must get the hill countersigned hy Mr. W. C. Daldy, the Superintendent o.' the Brigade. Mr. Daldy .refused, stating that it was no business of his We can quite understand that the Insurance Companies thou Id require a proper check on such demands, hut the public interests should he guarded hy the exclusion of persons from offices of trust, ihc duties of which they are neither competent nor willing to pcrfoim. A meeting of electors ol tl e district of Raglan for the purpose of electing a prison to represent them in the Provincial Council in the tocm of IV i 1 Hum Buckland, Esq., resigned, lot k place on the —Gth, at the Court House, Omhurga, when Mr. John Lund on, being the only candidate proposed, was declared duly elected by the Returning < /fficev. 'I here were only three voters present, exclusive of ihe candidate and Ins proposer, and the w hole proceedings occupied less than five minuies. The adjourned meeting of tic Auckland Chamber of Commerce took place on the afternoon of the 26th, at the (ffiee of the Chamber, in iore-street, at which the chan man and five mcmltts were present. No business of importance was transacted. Ihe annual report was j»rcs*ni*d and read ’.o the meeting by the Secretary, alter which st me minor business was disposed of. and the meeting adjournal. The lime used in ihe construction of Messrs. I). Graham and Co.’s new building has ban brought from Raglan and burnt at (hichnnpa. It is said to be of excellent quality for 1 nilding pur) oscs. Mr. 1). Graham l ad nine tons of the limestone brought up as an experiment, which has answered admirably. 'lt WLateral he, a chid icsiding on the Waitakcre coast, brought intelligence into town of the suicide by hanging of Rgatirntaniwha. a chief of the Knwarau tribe. On Friday week, the deceased was engaged working in his field, when, taking advantage of the absence of his people in the evening, he went and hung himself from a adjoining tier, Iy menus of a piece of gieenflax. health was rnaefc for him, when missed, line nghout the settlement. Next day be was found lying quite dead, the piece of fax hy which he was suspended having broke. The causes which ltd him to take this fearful step have not transpired On the 20th Fehnmiy, dming the passage of the Clara wen I from London te, this jort, an albatross was caught with a wooden label attae lied to its leg, on which was written—“ Ship Alarm. New York to Hongkong, hit 39° 10’ S., long. 55 c E.” The Criminal hessitns of lie Fupreme Court for the Northern Distiict commenced on the 23rd March, and lasted till ihe 3( th. Judge Arney, in his charge to the giend jury, said. “ tl cy would find as was to he expected, that the number of ciimiuals was larger than had 1 ecu Ireughi lefeie the Supreme Court at any time since he had been in the colony, and a large nuinbei ot which were of a serious cliaiaeter.” There •were eleven eases hrenght on for trial, among which was one for the wilful murder of Van Arsdale at T/Vangaioa. The prisoner (Johnstone) was found guilty, and sentenced to he hung. A petition has been presented lo the Superintendent of Auckland against the establishment ol turnpikes. Tenders have hem called tor hy the Postmaster for ee Haiti additions to the post-office in Princcs-st. The public incimcnict.ee which has long been felt, more especially during the delivery ol the English mail, bas lot g ban a scandal te. the tie) ailment. The same state ol tilings, we well raollect, was prevalent in Melbourne up to the year lf£3, when tew aiiangcments for il.c de lively at the windows 11010 introduced and wilh most perfect success. Auckland, too, has raw reached that stage when the public will no longer submit to he tough banditti, in the jitetss of obtaining their letters, as they would he at the jit door of a theatre, in London, on boxing-night. The Itglish (pern Company anilines to make raj id way in public estimation. On Wednesday and Thursday ilicte was a charge of pcrlot mantes anti a considerable change in the audiences alitactcd to witness than. Mi Kohler introduced an instiununtal novelty an the shape ol what he terms a Reek Haimonieani, which he causes to “discourse most eloquent music.” in the most surprising and. at the same time, in ihe most chain ing manner. The instrument is composed of small bars of black marble arranged according to scale and in a peculiar manner. These arc struck by a pair of drumsticks wilh great, rapidity and precision producing the most char end liquid melody. The mtmhets of the Auckland Hotlicnlintal Society find it ntetssaty to again post] one the celebration of the Autumn Exhibition of their Society until stme time in the beginning ot the mtnth ol May. The continm d dry weather, which we l ave for some months experienetd, is given ns a reason for this dcteimination. It has btm deteimincd to hold a fancy fair on a large scab in the Odd ’Fellows’ Hall, cn Easter Monday and Tuesday, the proceeds ol which will be devoted to the completion of the new Cenvent and Orphanage of the Sisters of Mercy, atMcunr St. Mary. [From 28tu to 31st March.] In our summary notice (published on lire 27th) of the contents ot a Government Gazelle, we inadvertently emitted to include a notification ol ihe extension of the Money Order System between New Zealand and New South Wales, which will cenie into operation after the 23rd instant. The increasing use which the public make of ibis means of remitting small sums of met ey is a great proof of the necessity which has existed for the extension of this department of the Pest Office. The large balances which New Zealand I as to remit to places ent of the ( deny, in pay men ot Money Oidcrs issued lire, she ws the growing j.re sperity ot the Coloiy most satisfactorily. This system is now in full ope 1 alien between New Zealand and the United Kingtie m, as well as between New Zealand ai d New South Wales, V ictuia, and South Austialia, and as scon as the necessaty an tinge n cuts can 1 1 cempletcd, we tindeisland ii will he extended to Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Austialia, so as to include the whole ol the Australian Colonies. (iu Saturday, the 2St.h instant, the trial of Henry Johnstone tor the murder ot Van Arsdale, a sawyer of alent 40 years of age living at Whangaica, was brought to a close, the counsel for tic pisoner in an ingetieus defence, strove to give the cine only tie character of manslaughter. The summing up of the joe go. as is usual in such cases, chared up the harse tin own over the charge hy the defending counsel, and the jury relumed avcielict of “guilty of wilful murder, with a recemmendation to mercy.” The prisoner is a young man ot at cut twenty-seven years of age, and deserted turn the 40th about seven months since, when that iq intent was stationed nr Pukckehe. The erinic tor which this unfortunate nan has teen it tl j 1 tlgcd to pay the penalty with his life, is another it sir tee of the dr ptorahle icsuli e.f excessive drinking; tor though Item the evidence 11 does not appear that a huge quantity ot spirits had been drank by the ] list ter on tic serial dry of ihc murder. 1 lit 1 e was nicu ec enough tl ar up to that time he had been heavily dm kit g. Tbe knife whit which this fretful deed was an milted is un culinary butcher’a knifc.suh as is luqi.tntfy worn by gold miners and bnshmtn in their belts. Jchnsunc lias I ten removed to rbc sloe ksde, wl ne he will pitiably softer the extreme penalty ol the law. tin tit evening of tic 28th. about half-] ast 10 c’tlnk Mi Catlyle,milliner, at ILo junciitnol Wake-field-slitti, v bile jutting up tie shuttets, diseovettd the gecels in his ship to be on fin. it is supposed to have e 1 git a.te d I y seme tl rbe articles exposed lor sale tallii g en the lighted lamp, and he coming ignited, ecu mi nieated with other geoe s in the window, the wlt .e ei vl eh von in a J laze. A sergeant of the 40th and two or three other soldiers, conveying water frt.ni li e Qiu eu-strect pe mp, he j pene eb to pass at the time, when, by the judicious application ol the water they were catryit g. the ft nits were scon extinguished in extensive sale took plate on the 3ist, ot ore of the finest suburban properties not yet cm up. Jr is situate) on ihe western side ol Fret Hum’s Pay ovcilook- | ing the river arid having a frontage to 1 lie pmeipai stiict in that p oition of ihe town. We are told that tin w bole 1 1 the j icct eds ol this csta<e, wT itL is a j ortion 1 i ihc Re man Catholic Chinch property, will be dt vi tal 10 ihc erection ol a Caihuhal on ihc land immediately adjoining. At a "met ling of numbers the Young Men’s Christian Association lield on flic evening of ti c SC th, it was rest Ivtd to j i rchase the sire effueti by Mr. Heron on the be nth side of Wellesley -suet t. hclei cn lease of the Provincial Ge ven .merit The necessary an at gm tits lor a n mint ing ihc building as early as pcssilie were aljo made'.

A ]itition to allow the free iirportaticn of cattle is being' earned at out the town for signature. In commenting on the liberality of the .Andland public tev.auls the survivors of the wreck of the Orpiteus, the Mtlbtiime stge mentions the following particulars, as likely to stimulate the opening of a subcri] tiou list in Australia, for the relief of the bereaved widows and otphans. Cen mender Eumn lea' cs a widow at d family. The Kev. William Hazkwood bad a yi nt g wife ai d infant child, who, probably, are on their way to meet him. Mr. Strong, niasttr, leaves a widow and eight children. One of the other effictrs and a great number ot the men leave widows and families. A few survivot s, both officers and men have lost nearly it not all they had in tbe world. One officer lost £95 in sovereigns, besidrs family jewellery and relics. Kcing lately from heme, they had pn videii amply for three or four years stay in the colonies, and of course all th<y brought with them is g< nc. It is estimated that each officer has lost upon an average .£21.0 worth of property. The men, unfortunately a few days befote had received their pay; consequently, <or the most part, this was also lost.