The New-Zealander. AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, FEB. 17, 1866.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2604, 17 February 1866, Page 2

The New-Zealander.

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, FEB. 17, 1866.

l'.e just una fear not; 1,, tnltl • us thou nim'st at,be thy Country's, Thy God's, and 1 null's.

The course of Auckland politics, like that of true love, "never did run smooth;" and there is just enough of disturbance in the work of the elections of representatives for this Province in the General Assembly to save that operation from proving the exception to the general rule. It seems almost possible that the expression of the public will, upon this momentous occasion, might he accomplished with unanimity and that our representatives might be able to go down to their work armed with the whole force of an united people bent upon the attainment of a particular end. But it appears that, in on or more of the Electoral Districts, there exists a small party who have not been able to comprehend what the value of united action in public affairs, or how important it is that the best and most suitable men should be chosen as members representing this Province, at the next meeting of the Assembly. We believe that the mass of the people take a clear and intelligent view of what is required for the general interest, and where, as at Onehunga, and in the Pensioner Settlements, there are evidences of a determination to provoke a contest, with its concomitant irritation and excessive expenditure. Ave may lie permitted to enquire, what general good, or what local advantage is to be gained ? There is common accord as to the policy of Auckland in her present time of tribulation. Her best men — men respectable from their character, their education, their habits, and their social position —are needed to carry out that policy. Now, if a contested election were necessary to get us that which is wanted,although Ave might regret the necessity, all would submit to the inconvenience ; but when, by a contest, ue are exposed to the danger of losing that which we have, and getting the thing we do not want, a contest becomes a public misfortune.

We will not stop to compare (lie personal qualifications of tlie gentlemen w!il> arc now in the field for the representation of Onehunga and of the Pensioners Settlements, hut content ourselves with expressing a hope that Mr. O'Korke and Colonel Dk Quin-CEY will be returned to the House of Representatives by the respective constituencies which have already honoured those gentlemen with the seats they now occupy in the Provincial Counci . In so far as the elections have as vet proceeded Auckland has reason to be satisfied. The absence of Messrs. Russell, CrEIGHTON, and BUCRLAND Will be severely felt; all have distinguished themselves in the public cause; but the official knowledge possessed by Mr. RussELn, and the talent for •debate which he has developed, "trill be greatly missed, as will the industry and accurate knowledge of public affairs which distinguished Mr. Creigiiton, and the value of which was often felt in the recent session. The absence of Mr. Buckland will, we feel assured, be much regretted by his former colleagues, as well as by other members with whom the Auckland men were associated in the last session ; his honest, straightforward, and forcible style of addressing the House on fitting occasions earned for him that attention which is always given in such assemblies to sincerity and frankness. The election of his Honour the Superintendent, as representative for l'arnell, came oil' yesterday, and Mr. Wiiitaker, by right of seniority, as well as by his position and talent, may properly claim the leadership of the Auckland phalanx. On the whole, it will, we are sure, be found to be a compact, intelligent; ;uid perfectly organized body, and will be aide, without doubt, to secure fairplay for this Province, in the eventful session which will he held in the month of June next, at Wellington.

By the ' Wellington,' from th<: South, we learn that General Cliute hud inarched overland from Taranaki to Wanganui, taking the Warea I'a on his line of march. Our loss was one killed and four wounded. Four dead natives were found. The in til from th : South, by the ' Wellington,' reports the arrival at Nelson of 11,000 ounces of gold from the Grey River, and 12,030 ounces additional waiting shipment by the ' Barwon.' An inquest was held on Wednesday, at the Newton Hotel, on the circumstances attending the lire nt Newton on Monday night Mr. Beveridge attended on behalf of the Victoria Insurance Company, and cross-examined the witnesses. After a lengthened examination, the iury returned the following verdict :—" The jury are of opinion that the lire which was discovered in the shop of John Thomas Clarke, situated ki the Kar.ingahape-road, on the night of Monday, February 12th instant, Was not accidental in it's origin, and that strong suspicion attaches to the .said John Thomas Clarke, as being implicated in the ■.said burning." A meeting of master butchers was held yesterday at the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, for the purpose of considering the clauses of the new Act as affecting the above trade. Mr. Slater was in the chair. The principal speakers were Messrs. George, Dudley, and .Maxwell. Severl alterations were suggested in the first live clauses, The 6th and 7th clauses were considered most injurious to trade, and it was resolved to take means to convey the sense of the meeting to the Government. It has been reported in the columns o! a contempory that Captain Calder of the barque ' Kate Waters,' relinquishes the C.'.ttlc trade between this port and GladStone in consequence of Pleura-pneumonia prevailing at that place. We have been requested to give the most unqualified contradiction to the above report, and to state that Captain Calder proceeds to Sydney to have his vessel fresh coppered • —from whence he will proceed direct to Gladstone, where there is any quantity of the finest cattle in the world awailiug vessels to ship them. It has also been a matter of some difficulty with shippers to find a go id place for landing their eargoes, but Captain Calder found no difficulty whatever in landing his in a small bay opposite the late residence of Captain Porter, next bay to Kohimaraina. and states that in his opinion it i; the best landing place for cattle in New Zaaland. The usual monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday at their rooms, Fort-street. The following motion was brought forward by Mr. Clurk :—"That this Chamber communicate with the [lon. the PostmosterGencral respectfully requesting him to ascertain if the manager of the P., N.Z., and A.R M. Company will agree to alter the time-table of the steamer performing the mail service between Auckland and Sydney, as follows:—To leave Sydney on the Ist of each month, and Auckland on the 14th or 15th." It was considered desirable to call a special meeting of the Chamber for the discussion of this motion, and on the proposition of Mr. Robert Lusk, the meeting was adjourned until Thursday next, when the question will be brought forward before a larger attendance of members.

Anyone passing the native chief's house, Thorndon, on a line day may see a sight that will perhaps strike him as rather strange. On the nicely-kept lawn in front (if the house, sundry Maori figures will lie seen comfortably sealed, pipe in mouth, and warm blankets wrapt round them. These are the re-captured runaways, and the three prisoners from the hulk who have been removed on shore. Life goes easily with them now, and they are well tended and foci, nor is a sentry allowed to intrude upon their presence, or disturb the equanimity of their minds ; while outside the railing—and stript to their work with pick-axes and shovels in their lftind.-:—toil the white-skinned prisoners from the' gaol, and over them stand two guards with loaded rifles. A few yards from one another, the contrast in the colour of the skin of each party is not by any means so marked as the contrast in their treatment, though we really do not see that there is a very great contrast in the criminality their proceedings. But " circumstances alter cases," and a black skin is sometimes a more useful appendage than n white one. — Wellington Advertiser, February 7. /in attempt at burglary was made on Thursday, about 1 a. m., on the premises of .Mr. George, Royal Hotel, Onehunga. The party or parties concerned, cut a piece of glass out of one of the squares, and, unfastening the window latch, they opened the window. In doing so they found that there were shutters inside, and bolted, so that they were unable to effect an entrance, and it is supposed they were disturbed. It is not at all unlikely it is the same parties who tried to break open one of the windows at the promises of Mr. Wilway, on Monday night last. A meeting of the Auckland Naval Voluntccer's was held at Mr. Coclirane's Rooms, Fort Street, last evening, for the purpose u f considering the desirability of tendering their services to the Government. On the. motion of Mr. Combes, seconded by Mr. Alex. Hor/g, it was proposed, "That (he Auckland Naval Volunteers tender then-service? under the new regulations, 1860.' The proposition was unanimously agreed to. The names of forty members of the force were at once given in to the Chairman, and the meeting was then ordered to stand adjourned until Tuesday next, for the purpose of receiving names of members of the late corps not present. A social reading and musical reunion took place last evening, under the direction of Mr. J. Brown, at the Young Men'? Christian Association Rooms; being the first of a series of entertainments of a similar character proposed to be given for the recreation and improvement of young men. There was a good attendance, and the affair passed off most harmoniously. The anniversary services of the Newmarket Presbyterian Church will be held to-morrow, when two sermons will be preached—that in the morning, at 1 1 o'clock, by the Rev. James Hill ; and that in the evening, at six o'clock, by the Rev. P. Beaton, Colled ions will be made at the close of each service towards defraying the ground rent uf Hiti eiiuroli. ijn the following Tuesday a soiree will take place, commencing at half-past five o'clock-, the Rev. 1). Bruce in the chair. An efficient choif have volunteered their services for the evening. A meeting was held in the Congregational Sjho 01-rooin, Fewton, on Thursday evening, to consider the advisability of forming a Co-operative Association, for the purpose of supplying to members and others provisions, &c. Mr. Keetly, solicitor, occupied the chair. Mr. Graham proposed that a society should be formed, to be called the Auckland Co-operative Society. Mr. Jenkins seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The members of No. G Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, held a meeting on Thursday evening, at half-past seven o'clock, at the Odd Fellows' Hall; there being about fifteen volunteers present. Captain Clark presided. Mr. Applcton moved, and Mr. Head seconded, n resolution to the effect that the company should tender their services under the new regulations lo the General Government, provided that a sufficient number of members could be re-enrolled to entitle the company to the maximum number of officers. The motion was carried ; and a further resolution was also agreed to, " That until further arrangements be made the officers be individually empowered to admit members into the company." On the motion of Mr. Wilkes, seconded by Mr. Head, it was resolved, " That persons wishing to join No. G Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, should be requested to apply to the officers of the company."' The meeting then dispersed. A meeting of members of No. 1 Company, Auckland Rifle Volunteers, was convened on Thursday evening, at the H'hcatsheaf Hotel, for the purpose of receiving names of members desirous of tendering their services to the Government under the provisions of the new regulotions. Owing to the small attendance, however, no business was transacted. The members of No. 3 Company, Auek-" land Rifle Volunteers, held a meeting last evening, tit ei;rht o'clock, at the Windsor C.istle, Parti'd!, when business connected with the company was transaeted. About seven o'clock last evening a seriou- accident occurred to a soldier belonging to the Military Train, who was thrown violently from his horse near the Catholic Rurial Ground, in Symonds-street. When picked up he was found to be in a slate of insensibility, and it was some time before he was restored tn consciousness. lie was afterwards removed to the barracks, when it was discovered that although severely bruised and shaken no bones were broken. Mr. Samuel Cochrane will sell by auction en Monday, at his Land Mart, Fort-street, a number of valuable allotments in Upper Queen-street, Karangahape road, and Grafton-road. The sale will commence at 1-.' o'clock. In the Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, in the following notification : —Notice is hereby given that his Excellency the Governor lias fixed the 18th instant as the time, and Kawa Kawa as the place for the selection of Land under Land Order?, issued under the " Bay of Islands Settlement Act, 1858."—Fbeb. WhitakeH, Superintendent.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. [U'KO.NKSOIV.] The Speaker look the chair at fifteen minutes past .'5 o'clock, .it which time tla-re were twelve members present. PETITIONS. Four petitions were presented by Mr. Newman and Captain Cooper, from persons claiming bind grants. The petitions were received. Mr. Carleton said he held in his hand a petition from unemployed persons of Auckland ; but owing to an irregularity in drawing up and signing the petition he could not present it. Many of the names were apparently in the same handwriting, but as he had no means of communicating with the petitioners he could not rectify the omission in order to present (he petition (hat day. Till' KAWAKAWA COALFIELDS. Mr. Cadmau moved, " That the message sent down by his Honor the Superintendent on the Kawakawa coalfields be printed."—Agreed to. MOTION LAPSED. Mr. Cadman said he had been requested by the hon. member for Newton to ask that the motion standing in his name to stand over till Friday. Mr. Creighton was too unwell to atteud to move the resolution. After a few words on the subject the motion \v;i3 ordered lo stand over till Friday. . THE AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL rOLICE BILL. The House went in Committee on this bill. Considerable discussion ensued upon (ho different clauses ; but ultimately the Comraitto adopted (he first 8 clauses, having nmdo alterations and additions. The House then resumed, aud the chairman reported progress. REPORT. Mr. Williamson laid upon the table a report of the Select Commitce on the Weeds and Watercourses Bill. The Council adjourned at ten minutes to eleven o'clock. (TiiunsnAY.] Tub Speaker took the chair at a few miuutes past three, RAILWAY COMMISSION'. Mr. D. Sheehan moved, "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to add the name of Mr. Wrigg to the Commission of Inquiry now instituted in relation fo the railway." Considerable discussion took place upon the subject, in which Mr. Cheeseman, Mr Coolahan, Mr. Newman, Mr. Carleton, Mr. Swauson, Mr. Sheehan, and Mr. Rowe took part. The motion was ultimately put to the house and lost. CORPORATION FOR AUCKLAND. Mr, Coolahan moved, " That his Honor the Superintendent bo requested to send down to this House a bill to constitute a Corporation to manage and control the affairs and properties of the city of Auckland, at present managed by a Local Cily Board." In bringing forward this motion Mr. Coolahan said 1.0 did oo conocqucut upon tho <Uocussion on the Police Act, which had taken place the day before. After some remarks from Mr. Watson Lain, Mr. Robert Graham, Mr. James O'Neill, Mr. Rowe, and Mr. Williamson, .Mr. Coolahan agreed to withdraw his motion on tho understanding that it bill be laid before the House on a future day by the City authorities. WEEDS AND WATER COURSES. The Commissioner of Lands moved that this Bill be considered on Friday (yesterday). Agreed to. MESSAGE I!). —AUCKLAND lIARP.OUR. This message was ordered to be taken into consideration on Friday (yesterday). MUNICIPAL POLICE BILL IN COMMITTEE. The Council resolved itself into a committee of the whole House upon this bill. They passed six clauses. No important alterations were made. The Provincial Secretary wished to confer with the Provincial Solicitor before proceeding with the 7th clause, and the Council adjourned at 0 o'clock. [Fbid-vy.] The Speaker took the chair at a few minutes past three o'clock, Several petitions were read and received. AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL POLICE BILL, The House again went into Committee on this Bill and altered several clauses. After which, progress was reported, and leave given to sit again. WEEDS AND WATERCOURSES BILL. 'l'he House again went into Committee on this .15ill and considerable discussion took place on the various clauses. After which, progress was reported, and the House resumed. It was then resolved that the Weeds and Watercourses Bill should be read a third time on Tuesday. AUCKLAND HARBOUR. Mr. Carleton brought up his Honor's Message (No. 19) for consideration. Ho would move the following resolution :—" That this Council doth concur wilh the views expressed by his Honour the Superintendent in his message No. 10, and request him to send down a bill in order to carry it out. Ultimately, after considerable discussion, tho motion was put to the House and carried unanimously. THE KAIPARA CANAL. The motion standing in Mr. Creigliton's name was allowed to lapse. Mr. Ball moved a resolution to the effect that an addrsss should be presented to his Honour, requesting him to cause the block of land reserved for special settlement at Mangatete to be offered for selection as general country land. The resolution was carried. Mr. Swansou moved that a return should be made by his Honour, shewing what money had been expended by the Provincial Government on the settlement and employment of the Waikato immigrants, since the taking over of tho same up to the 31st December last. After some discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Mr. Swansou moved that an address be presented to his Honour, asking him to send down a return of persons employed by the Provincial Government, and the salaries of each. The House adjouaned at 7 o'clock.