AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 61, 28 February 1843, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

The Catherine from Auckland brings us the Papers to the lltli inst. We make the follow-

ing extracts : Police Office, February 9, 1843. Wm. Connell, Esq., Postmaster-General, appeared to an information preferred by J. I. Montefiore, Esq. It appeared in evidence, that on Thursday, January 26th, Mr. Montefiore registered, at the Post-office, two letters, for the mail to Sydney per the Tryphena. Mr. Montefiore paid the fee of one shilling extra for registry ; and witnessed an entry in a book kept for that purpose. On the following Saturday the Tryphena sailed, hut without the mail. It appeared, from the evidence, that the usual course had been, to send the mail to the harbour master’s office, which was done on the occasion under inquiry, notice having previously been given that a mail would be forwarded. The Post-office messenger delivered the mail to two of the harbour master’s boat’s crew, the coxswain not being then present. The result was, that the mail was not put on board the Tryphena, but almost immediately returned to the Post-office. Mr. Fleury. the chief clerk at the Post-office, after despatching the mail in the usual way, went out on business connected with his department. He was absent but a short time, and returned in about ten minutes after the mail had been sent back. Mr. Fleury, when in Prince’sstreet, had observed the vessel under way. He had then no idea but that the mail was on board. On his return to the Post-office, however, and on learning what had occurred, he deemed it impossible that a boat could overtake the Tryphena, consideriag the delay which must occur in despatching one from Commercial. Bay. He believed, however, that a boat might have reached her, had one been in readiness, when he first saw her. Mr. Didsbury a clerk at the Post-office, was of opinion, that the mail might have been despatched to the vessel, even from Commercial Bay, instantly on its return; but Mr. Fleury, his superior, being absent at the moment, he had no authority to act. It was elicited, during the enquiry, that Mr. Connell is not only Postmaster-General of the Colony, but also Postmaster at Auckland, and that Mr. Fleury and Didsbury conduct the business of the department only as clerks. These facts being admitted, and also that the mail, (which might have been sent by the Tryphena), was still lying at the Post-office. Mr. Bartley, who appeared for the complainant, urged strongly the imperative necessity of a conviction, for the prevention of future irregularities. At the same time, lie begged the Court to understand that there was no ill feeling in the breast of any one, towards Mr. Connell, but one of the highest respect, and he trusted the Court would inflict the lowest possible penalty. Mr. Connell, in his defence, dwelt especially on the circumstance that there had been no “ wilful” neglect, under the Ordinance of Council, fifth Victoria, sec. 5, cap. 19. The bench put a different construction on the clause in the Ordinance; and although there had been no “ wilful” neglect, deemed the Postmaster liable, and inflicted the lowest penalty of 51. Besides the Chief Police Magistrate, there were on the bench, W. F. Porter, Esq., M. C., and J.. Scott, Esq., The Court was crowded with our principal merchants, and several gentlemen of the long robe were present, watching the case. —Auckland Chronicle.

Arrived on yesterday evening, the brig City of Aberdeen, Capt. Munro, from Sydney, 22nd January, with troops. Passengers:—D. Spain, Esq., R. N., Captain Eyton, Ensign Servantes, and 61 rank and file, with six women and twelve children, of the 96th Regt., four Roman Catholic clergymen, our townsman Mr. Watt, and several others. —Auckland Times.