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New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 219, 26 July 1864, Page 3

The Native Prisoners.—We hear that the native prisoners on hoard (lie liuLk 'Mai ion,'are anything but pleased at the offer made by Sir George Grey to place them on the island of Ivawau. They say they woukl prefer being placed upon the main land—they complain that the soil at the Ivawau is bad, and that they neither feel inclined to cultivate it nor to send for their women and children to reside with them there. Ic seems that the intended kindness of his Excellency is but ill received. Tliev have expressed a wish, we believe, to be located at the Three Kings Institution. AYe trust however, that the authorities will interpose to prevent anything of the kind. It lias been ascertained that the lands granted to St- Stephens, the Three Kings, and the College on the North Shore, were designed not as Maori only, but as European charities, and we have poor enough of our own race—more than a 100 fatherless motherless city arabs to provide for. We must not take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. Tin: Gheat Barrier.—We arc glad to see that the Saw Mill 01 the Great Barrier Company, which has so long been at a stand still is again at work. Last -week a cargo of sawn timber was brought from there to Auckland, and sold bj* auction. Some of it fetched IDs. per hundred. There is a larger quantity of timber cut on the island ready for the saw mill, and as soon as the latter gets in good working order, a regular supply will be forwarded to the Auckland market. The timber is of excellent quality, and we understand that arrangements are likely to be made for taking orders from the trade in Auckland, and sawing the timber in accordance witli the requirements of purchasers. If this can be done for sa\ r , half or a whole boat load, it will doubtless be of great convenienee to builders, as the}' (ran then always have good sound timber cut to suit their particular wants ; and it will doubtless pay the company to act 011 this principle as far a possible.

OriiA Mixino Company.—Every endeavour is being made to commence operations at the Copper llines on the Harrier Island. There i.s an immense quantity of that valuable metal on the island, requiring only the talismanic want of labour and capital to turn it to a most profitable account. The prosecution of mining in this province is of great importance. The developement of our vast mineral resources would add very greatly to both individual wealth and the aggregate wealth of the community. It would attract considerable population, which would at once produce what we so much require a valuable export, and would produce customers for the agricultural produce of the country, and so benefit the farmer. We shall be glad therefore to hear of the complete success of the company. AVe understand that there is also a very valuable seam of lead on the same island, which might also be worked with great advantage, and with a certainty of profit to all concerned.

Auckland Pekmanext I3uilding and IxVKSTMENT SOCIETY. The rules of this Sociotj' have been finally deckled upon, and submitted to the Revising O dicer for liis inspection. That gentleman having signified his approval of them, they are now iu the printer's hands, and will be shortly issued I'rom the ]>ress. Jt is expected that the first meeting for the payment- of subscriptions will be from seven to eight o'clock on the evening of Monday next, at Mr. Cox's office, winch, for the present, will be the office of the Society. Every care lias been taken in the formation of the rules to have them as perfect as possible. The preliminary committee have compared the rules of several societies, both English and Colonial, and have made free use of the best portions of each. There have been a good many enquiries respecting this new candidate for public l'uvor, and it lias recommended itself to the favorable opinion of those who have become acquainted with its objects and mode of operation. It will commence under verj' good auspices ; it will have the advantage of having gentlemen of high standing and character for its first olficcrs, and we doubt not but that it will meet with a large and steady support, supplying. as it will, a well recognised and serious want. AVhen the rules are published we shall pass them in review and give our readers a full and general account of them. Pkixce of Wales Tim:ati;e.—There was a good attendance yesterday evening, more especially in the front seats, to witness the play of the Colleen Uawn." We have before reviewed the performance of this piece, and can only say that, as on former occasions, it heartily deserved the applause with which it was received.

Market Accomodation.—Wo noticc in some of the Southern-[vipers a suggestion siniiliar to the oiiie We idacle sunn- f inie ago, that pehdiug the creation of a suitable market house some temporary arrangement might be made to answer the purpose. The want in Auckland is very great indeed and now that the Supreme Court House will no longer be required for the pur--pose for which it has hitherto been used, why not let it be used as a market ? There is now no place to which a producer can take his goods and sell them at once to a consumer. We have now for instance what has been so long greatly needed a regular supply of fish ever} - morning at the Queen-street Wharf, but the puddles of dirt that have to be.t-rossed opposite the stand for ctirts is liearly enough to deter any woman from going to purchase; Thcii again We should doubtless have a cosiderable quautit-v of vegetables, fresh eggs, poultry aiui other things of a like character brought, in small lots for sale to the advantage of the seller and the Imvcr. As wo before said the old Court House might be advantageously used for this purpose at least every Saturday morning, especially if the sittings of the Supreme coiii't sire lieldelcsw'lMiv Tin-: Goiit: IJiiowx Testimonial.—The splendid service of plate about to be presented by the eoloiiists of' JNew Zealand to Col. T. CJ-ore 15 row lie, their late respected and beloved Governor, is, now on view at .\eisoii. Alluding to it the JiztiMmer says:—" Xii more appropriate figure eould grace the summit of any testimonial to Colonel G ore J3rown than that of a Maori. We believe nun iu im">'C !-".' eu a sincere friend and well wisher of the native racr, fl-nd we hold tho course of action which he adopted to have been nccessaiy for their preservation aild benefit. A short-sighted sentimentalism may shed tears over the' process, as a weak mother might cry over the whipping of her darling, rebel, but wo are very much mistaken if the decision of the enlightened historian of New yjealiiud liffairs will not be, that the Maoris had been brought to ihe brink of destruction through the ill-judged weakness of their so-called friends ; and that a sounder policy with regard to them, dated from the time that Colonel Browne felt it necessary to make a stand against preteniions which were inconsistent with the maintenance of authority, and not to be entertained without the Jegfadtition of his ollice." '

Sittings of the Sutrkmi: Court.—We believe that the sittings of tin; Supreme Court will, forthefuturebo held attheProvincial Council Chambers, until the new Court-house is erected. This will certainly be a vast improvement on the present miserable and insuflicient shed in Queenstreet. Sir George Ante}' felt a difiiculty in holding the eou'rt tnvtiy frotjt the. records, but there ought to be no insuperable diflici'ilty in removing these to the buildings in question and finding suflicient room for them there. AVe understand this wi'l now be done, and thus the only objection there was to the arrangement being carried out will be removed.

Calikohniax Ciitcvs.—Yesterday evening the California!! Circus opened in "Victoria-street, and was so densely crowded that if was found necessary to close the doors. Our reporter was unable to obtain admittance, aiid wo can therefore say nothing as to the performance.

Masonic. —The regular monthly meeting of 1110 TJnited Service Lodge will be held in the Lodge-room, Masonic Hotel, to-morrdw evening, at half-past seven o'clock.