KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1344, 7 March 1868, Page 3

KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

(njOM OUR SPECIAL COHBESrONDENT.j Shortland, March G,

After I had sent off my despatch yesterdny, I learned that Hunt's Claim had been taped off in the bed of the creek as a sluicing claim. There is an admitted rule on all gold-fields that men cannot hold claims on reefs, and at; the same time work alluvial ; but the question is not yet decided hero. The claim taken up extends from Hamilton's Claim up to Barry's. Several other likely claims have been pegged off on the same ground. In tho case tried yesterday the Commissioner has sent down four persons to Tapu Creek, in the nature of a jury of experts, to give an opinion as to whether or not the ground thero was alluvial. Some of us were not a little astonished yesterday to see a notice in tho public papers, signed as Commissioner of the Gold-field; and we looked very carefully through the Act, but could find no such authority mentioned. We have, however, by the same steamer the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Naughton, and lam glad to see that ho has already called the attention of the police force hero to the fact that wooden chimnies and slaughter yards are not allowed by tho Municipal Act. I am authorised in stating that Mr. Baillio did not refuse to issue Miners' Eights on Tuesday last; but that he only assured the men who applied that Mr. Mackay's rights were quite sufficient to hold the claims.

The shareholders in the North Head Claim have to-day made the following complaint, tho facts of which I would at once give in full but that I have not had an opportunity of authenticating tho statement by applying to the proprietor of the machine at which the quartz was crushed. Mr. Hammond, one of the shareholders, states: " I had IS tons of quartz crushed at one of the machines (name given), the yield was ozs. of gold. I took 2J- ozs. of the tailings and had it tried at Spencer and Co.'s, and here I now produce their return of 3}j grs. of gold out of these tailings." There is a report of a most distressing attempt at suicide here ; but there is as yet no reliable information of the fact.

The Resident Magistrate's Court has been hearing civil cases all day, but none of them aro of public importance.

On Dit. —There is to be no public ball given out of the Government funds on the occasion of the arrival of H.R.H. (lie Duke of Edinburgh, notwithstanding the large sum of money which has been expended in the erection of a ballroom. The .Natives are not to assemble at Auckland, but in the neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands and Wangarei. The Prince will land at Auckland, and afterwards take the following route :—From Auckland to the Bay of Islands, thence to the Thames, Maketu, White Island, Napier, Wellington, Wanganui, Cliristchurch, and Gtago. Sabbath Sebvices.—The usual Sabbath services are announoed to be held in the Parnell Hall and the Odd Fellows' Hall to-morrow.

Auckland Philosophical Society. — A general meeting of the subscribers to this Society is convened to be held at the Acclimatization Society's Rooms, on Tuesday, the 10th. Bazaau.—We observe that a Bazaar will bo held in the Catholic Hall, Onehunga, on Monday next and following days. The proceeds •will be in aid of St. Joseph's Convent, Onehunga. Eecsption of His Excellency Sib G-. F. Bowen. —A meeting of the Committee appointed to make arrangements for the above-mentioned object, was held yesterday, in the office of Messrs. L. D. Nathan. The officers of the various Friendly Societies, and a eommittee appointed from the City Board, were also in attendance. The draft of an address was read and adopted, and a sub-committee was appointed to arrange a programme for the occasion. A report appears in another column. Financial Refobm League.—A very numerously attended meeting of this body was held last evening, in the Mechanics' Institute, for the election of office-bearers and enrolment of members. The proceedings were somewhat desultory, but a great number of speakers wero heard. Several members were enrolled, and the Committee met subsequently, for the purpose of discussing the constitution of tho League, the election of the officers, &c. A report of the proceedings will be found in another column.

Kev. J. Wallis. —This rev. gentleman, who for several years past has been stationed iD this town is just about to retire from the more active field of labour, and has earned for himself the respect and affection of all with whom he has been brought into contact during the many years he has laboured in the various parts or this Island. We extract the following paragraph from the Melbourne Argus -. —" i he liev. James Wallis, who has laboured for more than thirty years in the Maori and English departments of the mission work in New Zealand, having made application to the Conference to become a supernumerary minister, it was resolved that his wish be aiceded to. Several members of the Conference spoke of the valuable services Mr. Wallis had rendered to the Wesleyan Church, and it was resolved that letters be sent to him expressing the high appreciation of the Conference of those services."

Police.—The Justices at the Police Court yesterday were Messrs. C. J. Taylor, and 11. Gilfillan J.P.'s. Their services however, were not required, as there was a clean charge sheet. Pike at Okehunga.—Another fire took place on Thursday night, about half-past twelve o'clock, by which a cottage, the property of Mr. James Gallagher, was totally destroyed. The house was in the occupation of the owner, but as he was away at the Thames, Mrs. Gallagher was in the habit of sleeping in her daughter's house. On Thursday she visited the premises about 2 p.m., and, after doing some necessary work about the place, she returned to her daughter's house, where she was at the time of the fire. The cottage stood in rather au out-of-the-way place, being situated beyond the swamp and near the residence of H. Taylor, Esq. Mrs. Gallagher says there was no fire in the house since Tuesday last, so there can be but little doubt but it was the work of an incendiary. The house and. furniture were insured in the Royal Insurance Office. The former for £50, and the latter for £80. It will be in the recollection of our readers that another house in Onehunga, belonging to Mr. Gallagher, was burned last September.

A.O.F.—A special meeting of the Court, City of Auckland is eovened for Monday next, at 7.30 p.m., on important business. Pabnell Sutoat School Union.—"We observe that the anniversary sermons and soiree in connection with this Union are unavoidably postponed until March 15th and 17th. Wade Races.—These races are advertised to take place on the Orewa Beach on the 17th March (St. Patrick's Day). Eowb v. Mackay.—An application was made to His Honor yesterday, sitting in banco, for leave to appeal against His Honor's recent decision in this case. The application was made by Mr. MacCormick exparte, and the argument arose whether leave could bo granted without notice being given to the other side. His Honor made the following order :—Leave granted to appeal, subject to notice being given to the other side with liberty to them to move on Tuesday next, that the order bo discharged. Important Decision.—His Honor gave an important decision yesterday, in a bankruptcy case, viz., that of Peter Storier Mackenzie (publican). Mr. Heskcth asked for the bankrupt's discharge, on the ground that he had made a declaration of bankruptcy while in prison, and therefore having given up his property to provisional trustees, was entitled to be discharged from his debts. He contendod in tko language of the statute "noprocess shall be available,"in such a case, and entitled the bankrupt to his discharge. Mr- Hesketh cited a number of very important decisions by the earliest Judges in favour of his contention. Mr. Justice Chapman had decided the other way. His Honor was of opinion that tho language of the statute might be construed to apply to process issued but not executed, that the authority of Mr. Justice Chapman, who referred to the very objections made by the learned counsel was, so far as the Court of New Zealand was concerned, a legal case, and that ho would be reluctant to pronounce an opinion that would overrule. The application was refused.

City Board.—A special meeting of the City Board of Commissioners, convened by circular, was held at noon yesterday, for the purpose of considering the propriety of preparing an address for presentation to His Excellency Sir G. P. Bowen, on his arrival in Auckland. After considerable discussion it was agreed that addresses should bo prepared for presentation to His Excellency and to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and Messrs. Hill, Harris, and Keetley were appointed to prepare them and to confer with the Reception Committees. It was also agreed that the improvements now being carried on in Princes-street should be extended to Edenstreet, on condition of the owners of property in Waterloo Quadrant contributing one-haif. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Government requesting them to place a room in the Now Post Office at tho disposal of the Board, in order to enable it to effect a saving of the sum now paid for rent of the office in Canada Buildings. As there are several unoccupied apartments in the new building, and as the proposal has for its object the saving of public funds, we trust the application will bo granted if possible.