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New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 6, 25 November 1863, Page 3

The Wounded Officers. —Yesterday evening at S o'clock, in the House of Representatives ill? Colonial Secretary stated to the House, dint a telegraphic despatch had just been received at head-quarters, announcing that all the wounded officers had passed a good night, and 5 hat. not even excepting Captain Phelps, all were doing well. A Missionary Meetinc* in connection with the Wesleyan Church will he held to-morrow evening, at half-past six o'clock, in the Wesleyan school-roon, High-street, when several ministers and friends are expected to address the meeting. Concert. —A. Concert will be given, this ■evening, by Miss F. Rooke, at the Odd Fellows' Hall. " Mechanics' Institute. —We are surprised to see that this institution does not meet with that general support from the Auckland public which "its usefulness fully entitles it to look for—the more especially as it. is conducted in a most .satisfactory manner —that the subscriptions are as low as it is possible to make them—and that of late its very excellent library has been increased by the addition of a number of well selected books, among which are a series of works 011 mechanics and modern sciences, which cannot but be of great interest to the class for which such institutions are principally designed. New Postal Arrangement.— JBy notice issued bv the Postmaster-General, we perceive that on'and after Ist of January next, all Post Ollices iu the Colour will be opened for business at 9 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m. A great public benefit will be effected by this change, and as doubtless the salaries of the officials will be raised, as in all justness they should, the satisfaction at this arrangement will be general. To atTord a full measure of convenience to our mercantile citizens it only now remains for the Banks, in this city at least, to extend their h ours of business a little later in the day, on Saturday, the busiest iu the week.

The Thames Expedition.—By the 'Midnight,' which left here on Sunday for the Thames and which returned early yesterday morning, we learn, that on her arrival at Waiholci on Sunday she learned that the squadron had left Hiiruhi Bay for the Thames, but, on proceeding thither, found that the men had not yet been landed on account of the boisterous nature of the weather. On Monday morning, however, which set in calm and fair, with scarcely a ripple upon the water, the landing of the troops commenced at day-break and was proceeded with uninterruptedly, and without attempt at molestation by the" enemy, several of whom were seen watching the operations from a safe distance. They were all landed at 8 o,clock the same morning, but the ' Midnight' left so hurriedly that she brought neither message nor letter from the expedition. The ' Corio,' however, may be expected in the course of this

morning. The Fokest Rangers.—Two corps, instead of one, of this useful force are, we learn, to be raised —the one to be placed under the command of Lieut. Jackson, the late commander —the other under that of Mr. Von Tempsky, Ensign of the late corps. Each company will number, vre believe, some sixty men, aud already there have been many applications from persons willing to be enrolled, the services only of those, however, inured to the hardships of a bush life, and able physically to cope with the difficulties ever before such a corps, are likely to be received. With respect to the reduced rate of pay which is higher now than that given to many of the local corps, it must be borne in mind that the expense of clothing fal'is very heavy on the men of such a corps, they have but the same allowance of clothes, and only those who know the consequences of a tramp through the bush, can fully appreciate the wear and tear of clothes and boots occasioned.

Insolvency Court.—The sitting of this Court was held yesterday in the Supreme Court-house. There were four cases. In that of Sir Osborne Gi.bbs of Wangarei, Bart., Mr. Bevcridge appeared for the insolvent, who obtained his discharge. In the case of Joshua Adlam, grocer, Mr. Beveridge appeared for the opposing creditors, and the case was adjourned for three weeks, until the 12th December next. In re George Forrester, first reading, Mr. Beveridge appeared for the insolvent, and no opposition was offered by the creditors, the insolvent undertaking to assign his effects to Mr. Anderton as official assignee on their behalf. A petition was presented by Alexander McKenzie, and the first hearing was appointed for the 12th of December next.

O-VEHUNGA. "WBSLEYAN MISSIONARY TEA Meeting.—The annual tea meeting in aid of the missions of the Australasian Wesleyan Society was held last evening, on the mission premises, Onehunga. The weather was remarkably fine, and the attendance good. After tea ■a, most interesting meeting was held; a report, of the society's operations having been read by the secretary, and speeches delivered by numerous ministers and friends: From these it appeared that this is the jubilee year of the society: and it must have been with a strange mingling of pain and pleasure the audience listened to the history of missionar}' enterprise in the South Seas, especially in New Ze.'dand. Here it has been eventful and varied. First a footing is gained, and the respect of'barbarians obtained : then by war the pioneers of Christianity were driven from the shores of our country. Again they returned to the field of their labours, which promised to become the most successful in the world; but the beautiful.picture so often presented to us is again beclouded, and darkness covers the land, to be again dispelled, we hopo, like an exhalation by the irresistable influences of the gospel of Christ.

New Buildings.—We are glad to see that the spaces laid bare by the last two large fires in Queen-street are now nearly covered again with substantial brick buildings. For some time past the handsome lino of shops re-erected on the block destroyed by the fire which broke but in Mr. Morrin s in January last, have been all openod, tho pavement laid down and the obstructions in the street romoved; andnow where tho firo occurred, subsequently lower down the street, some few shops have already commenced buainess again, and old faces have re-appeared. In a short time this unsightly gap will have been fully replacedi and the.appearance of Queenstreet will be one of which the citizens of Auckland nuvy well bo proud, containing, as it does, more substantial stone and brick buildings than do tho towns of all the other Provinces put together. Its meanest brick building would'bo in .Wellington bo curious a phenomenon as to attract round it tho whole of the idlers and beach-combers for

which the " empire city" is famous, unless indeed in the dread of an earthquake, a contingency by no means unlikely, they preferred to witness the extraordinary spectacle from a siifer distance. It is probably owing to this natural instinct, the dread of such a calamity, that we invariably notice, that the centre of our streets is preferred, whou practicable, by persons from that province, for some days alter their arrival in Auckland.

The Rangatir.v.—Yesterday morning the crowd of gay holiday-seekers who passed down Queen-street wharf on their way to this line little steamer might have been' counted by hundreds. The stream of people poured on board for nearly an hour; many were unable to get a passage and deferred tlieir trip till the afternoon. A more pleasant day for a picnic could not have been desired, and all were in high spirits and seemed determined to enjoy themselves to the utmost. The 'Rangatira' moved off from the wharf at ten o'clock, as closely packed as it was possible for her to be, from five to six hundred persons being crammed on her decks. The feature of the day's proceedings that- promised most gratification was the anticipated visit to the ' Himalaya.' In about twenty minutes from starting the ' Rangatira.' was alongside the huge vessel, and if such a thing as unpleasantness was experienced during the day, it was while the ladies had to ascend and descend the long ladder leading to her decks. A most agreeable hour was spent on board, and the gratification and pleasure experienced iu inspecting the noble ship was materially enhanced by the attention, courtesy and explanations received from the officers and crew belonging to the vessel. " Three cheers for the 'Himalaya,' " in recognition of the cordial reception they had experienced, were then given by the exeurtionists on board the ' Rangatira,' and gracefully acknowledged by that ship. The little steamer shortly after anchored off the North ' Shore, where she landed the largest portion of her visitors ; she then ran back to the Queen-street Wharf, took on board a fresh supply of pleasure-seekers, returning to the North Shore at three in the afternoon. Abundant supplies of refreshments had been provided, and games aud amusements of various sorts were resorted to, while many thought the labour of climbing up Mount Victoria was amply compensated by the'fine prospect to be gained from that position. By half-past five the steamer had pickcd up her passengers and at six o'clock landed them on the wharf, without mishap or accident of any kind. All were evidently delighted with the day's recreation, and much indebted to Mr. Rhodes, Managing Director of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, for the opportunity of enjoying a sight which many of them would otherwise have missed. The Volunteer Band was iu attendance, and contributed in no sruall degree to the pleasure of the day.