AUCKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 259, 18 October 1862, Page 5

AUCKLAND

(FRO3I OUR OWN COBUESX'ONDENT.) September 30th, 18G2. Since the despatch of my l^rt; letter per Airedale, several events have transpired in this city which are worthy of a notice in your journal. | First and foremos.t then, comes the resignation of Mr. Williamson, as Superintendent of the Province. Mr Williamson had only just returned from his duties in the House of Representatives, when his announcement of resignation surprised the community early on Wednesday morning last. He states in his address that he was satisfied, from the course of action takeu by the Provincial Council in its last session, that harmony between himself and the Council could Hot be ensured, he had therefore come to the determination to resign^ Mr Williamson's pet scheme since accenting the Superintendent, had been the apportionment of the Waste Lands for encouraging immigration and promoting settlement in the Province, ] but the passing of the Natives' Land Act by the General Assembly during its recent session, would I present an insurmountable obstacle to the carrying on of this system of colonization, and, were he-still tj continue holding office, he would feel himself conscientiously impelled at once to direct the Emigration Agent of the Province, to discontinue the issue of laud orders, as he feared the blocks ofknd in the hands of the Provincial Government would shortly be insufficient to meet the demands of those to whom lurid orders have already been and are still being issued at home. Several gentleman have been spokon of in town as possible candidates for the Superintendcnoy, but as yet no addresses have baen issued with the exception of that by Mr Joseph Newman, Provincial Auditor A requisition is being got up in favor of Mr David Graham, the other gentlemen nimed being Captain Daldy, Major Peacock, and Dr Pollen.

Itathcr startling news lias come up to town from Coromandel, and this gold field now bids fair to become a second Dunstan. On Saturday the steamar Tiumaniau Maid brought up from Gibson's claim, No. 13, twenUjthrce pounds' weiyht of pure gold, and m one week this party succeeded in turning up fifteen pounds' weiyht of pure y;>ld. These pr<£ ducts, it must be borne in mind, are the result of hand crushing from quartz obtained in the reefs, the machinery intended for Eleven's lieef not yet being fixed in a position for working. The amount of highly auriferous tailings preserved by Gibson's party from their imperfect process of extraction, will also form a nice addition to their present large earnings. On Friday, 35 lbs. of rich stone were taken out of Inglis's claim. The Driving Creek yields from three to four ounces of specimens daily, and is worked by two men only. A rumour has also been circulated that the Victorian claimholders have struck the reef, but I have not heard with what result. And now the tide again begins to flow onwards towards Coromandel, and every day a number of swag-laden individuals make their appearance on the ground. The number of diggers, however, is a3 yet sensibly very much lower than could be reckoned upon ere the Danstan nnh. I don't doubt, however, that many will find th?ir way back to this oft-reviled and forsaken field ; and, from present appearances, it certainly would be to their profit. In my remarks concerning Gibson's claim,l might have mentioned that a gentleman of tins city, who is stated to have been present at Gibson's claim, on the 20tli September, when the party took out about 100 ibs weight of stone, and which was calculated to be worth £300, offered to give £1 per minute for every minute that he might be allowed to work on the reef. This news is not confirmed 4, but there cannot be the slightest doubt of tha exceeding richness of the reef, which, in so short a time, has yielded such results as above particularised.

In native affairs there is very little of interest to communicate. At Raglan preparations are being made for the erection of a Jail and CourtHouse, to provide a foundation for which on the ground already chosen, has proved a somewhat difficult task, owing to its having been honeycombed and undermined with ancient Maori pits —not rifle pits, but excavations in which the natives stored their kumeras, and other root produce. This bus necessitated the digging of holes many feet in depth, before coming to the solid base of undisturbed ground.

From Lower Mauku I learn that a meeting has been held to consider the necessity of providing school accommodation for the neighbourhood, and subscription lists Lave beon opened for the pur--pose. At Waiuku the natives seem particularly attested with kleptomania, and three acts of stealing have recently been reported. 50s. worth of coppers were recently carried away from Mr. J. Ritchie's store, and of which the police were promptly put in information, but the theft was compromised by the native repaying the 5Us., and another 10s., which could be considered either as compensation, or to repair the broken glass. This was according to Maori custom, and it is.well known propert}' can more frequently be recovered by this m3ans, than enild be effected by putting the powers of British law into force. A stovekeeper named Mr. J. Woo Hey also had a dozen silk handkerchiefs purloined, whilst unpacking so na goods in his store, and having good reason to suspect a native who had been about his premises, procured the assistance of Tipene, the nuive chief, and ths thief was overtaken on his way to Pura Pura. Tipene charged him with the theft, and at the same time promise 1 to allow hiir. to depart in peace, should he produce the han 1 kerchiefs. This was at once <lone,and the native about to depart, when Tipeno stayei his further progress, and extemporising a court on the road side, fined the culprit in the value of the goods stolen. The native, however, possessed not so much worldly wealth, the self-constitute I court therefore took what he had upon him, and he was then liberated, Tipene displayed commendable activity in the affair; and though his proceedings were scarcely compatible with English judiciary procedure, they will yet doubtless have a wholesome effect. The narrative of " The Black Rocks," which I noticed in the Daily Times, and which was reprinted in the Daily Southern Cross, provoked the following reply from its Russell correspondent: —" The people here have been both amused and astonished by the article on " The Black Rocks." The tale has grown wonderfully. The real facts of the case ai'c something like this:—The person who is most; likely to be the writer of the article describes himself truly as a clergyman of the Church of England, and did live among the Maories for a time ; but his greatest adventure was his being blown off the land to the "Poor Knights," where he remained two or three days, and returned with a favorable wind ; but I don't think he found many " kivi's eggs."

The natives at Hokianga are reported .to-be dying fast, and no medical aid is to be had. The Maorics in this district arc friendly to the Europeans, and deserve to be much better attended to than seems to be their lot at present. The Chief Makoarc Taonui died on the 18fch instant. He was a staunch friend to. the Pakeha, and was one of the principal allies of the British in Held's -war.' His brother Hum was killed in a battle with- Heki the same time, and had a son, Apcrahama, wounded. A rtinanga has been held at Rangiawhia to discuss several important matters. The proposed steamer on the Waikato was much talked over, and the general effect appeared to be not to allow a steamer to travel beyond Mangatawhiri. Finally, it was decided .to forward a letter io Sir George Grey, inviting him to come: up to the great meeting, which it is intended shall take place at "VVm. Thompson's, on the Upper Waikato, about the 20th October. The Natives evidently desire to have: Sir George, Grey face to face, when they can hear from his own lips what his intentions really are. The anniversary of the King movement—the 12th .September—was commemorated by feasting the Natives., On the preceding [Friday1 the Princess 1 Sophia, re- j presenting the Maori King, arrived ,at Rangiawhia. She was escorted tby Taati's soldiers to the residence appropriated for her during her stay, and' the Roman Catholic priest and the medical attendant of the district were; next honoured in "the same manner. The European settlers, including Jl B. Gorst, sEsq., Mr/ Clark, and others, were also hospitably treated. . The Auckland people>db not*relishibeing left behind when any charitable undertaking is afloat.

and the example furnished by Otago in securing subscriptions for the relief of the destitute: opera-tives-.of Lancashire has stirred the tradesmen of this city into action. On the 27th insl. a public meeting, convened for the purpose of considering the best means for alleviating the distress was held—the Chief Justice, Sir ' George Aryey, in the chair. There was a very fair attendance of the leading, merchauts. of the city, and several stirring addresses having boen delivered, subscription lists were opened, and upwards of LSOO contributed in the room. It is -intended.' to forward this sum home, to. aid. in the relief of the distressed artisans ; and on the recurrence of each mail, to supplement it by donations so long as the necessity shall exist. The Oddfellows and other societies are also taking steps in the matter.

There is a great dearth of amusement in the city at present, no aspirant to secure public favor having appeared since the departure of Miss Harriet Gordon and Mr J. P. Hydes. The Gas Company do not appear to be malting much progress, at least so far as the general public are permitted to be cognisant of their transactions. It has, however, been repeatedly stated that the cifcy will be lighted with gas next winter, though present appearances do not favor that assumption.

Auckland can now bpast of a manufactory for the production of sulphuric acid, an article indispensably necessary for the satisfactory carrying out of many operations connected wit'i the arts and manufactures ; but which has hitherto been somewhat difficult to obtain, and at a very high rate. The making of this article adds another°to the list of commodities obtainable and producible in ihe colony, and consequently so far lessens our dependence upon importation, and the exaction of a high rate of iusuvance.

Auckland, .Cth October. 1532. la my last letter I mentioned tlie resignation of Mr Williamson, so long Superintendent of this province -and the reasons which, he assigned for the step. Since then he h:is given up the key* of office to the Speaker of the Council, his legal successor in carrying on th 6 business of the province, and his been obliged to return, and resume the n again. His resignation has not been accepted by the Governor's deputy, the ground assigned being, that he cannot issue writs for a, new election ; and' so the old official is forced to continue in office yet a little longer. It is ro be regretted that this delay should have°occurred; but since delay was unavoidable, it is rather m.-itter of congratulation to every one, except perhaps Mr Williamson himself, that he, and net :m inexperienced man, should carry oa the Adminihtration. Several candidates have been proposed for the (-o soon to be) vacant dignity. And one has proposed himself. Amongst thQ. tormer, the mo.it likely mines were—Dr Pollen, so long Provincial Treasurer, and Colonels Haultain and Nixon. All these three gentlemen have, however, declined the honor of a contest, and the chance of a seat on the (by no means) easy couch f>f the Auckland Superintendent. Dr. i Pollen -would, of the three, bavo had much the bosfc chance of success ; but although having the strongest assurances of support, he would not expose himself to an election contest. Mr Newman, tho Provincial Anditor, has offered himself; whether his offer will be accepted, it is not yet possible to say; I fear, however, he will not obtain the desired, position without a sharp contest. The prospects of Coromanrtel are brightening. For some time past, a steady increase of success seems to have attended those diggers who were inclined to work—and these, for a wonder, are now almost the only n.en at Coroinandel. the loafers havi.i"- adjourned to the Duustan fields. During the la"t few (Jay'-i, however, tin increased success of sjver.il parties has been remarkable. Oae party, tint of Gibson, in claim 13, obtained, and sent to town i 1 th 1 beginning of last week, twenty-three pounds vrwki of solid gold. This was nat picked up in the form of specimens, but taken out of the lea-ier crossing tii ir j cl tira. Not more thai three or f.mr day*' work wjre I r^pnsented by this return, which is the more remarkable as they had mt a<ay proper appliances for either crushing or sepirafng the metal, but were forced to pound ani wash it miue'v. The leader seems to t>3 of almost fabulous ridines";, and it is generally believed, apparently with ;ea?oi[ tint this parti's fortune is secured. In No. 10 Clidui'. large and valu.abls.fiiris have b>cn mule within t'i: List few day-. N ;arly 401 bs of quart?, as rich a 5 specimen gold, is said to have been taken oui.bv the fortunate holders, Inglis's party, in one day. Tin/so two are at this m .ment the most markedly successful of the parties, but any mail may bring intelligence of equal or greater success falling to th: lot of some other party, seeing that every china cvntaius brief spurs or leaders more or losj aunf.'.soii'i. Th-; quietly progressive character of our-gold production mny.beseen.from ths.fact that nearly 40flz or" our own aolil was sent to Sydney por Lord Ashley, alou_( wifJi the larirer quantities rescued from the the i'l-fatad Lord Worslcy. The: erection of the Koveu'.s Iteef Company's machinery is going on rapidly: the machine saenis to be a very complete as well as a powerful one, ! its stampers, ten in number, weighing each several hundred-weights. Speculation in this city turn* daily more ani more in the direction of Co "omandd, and the formation of new companies seems an almost daily occurrence. _ Within the last few day-s two of these have come into being, one (The U lire I Grol.l Mmm? Company) in twe!ve *haves of LIOO each, and tho other (i,hs Kapunga Company), with fifty-six shares of, LSO each. If our success inoreises yet •more, or even if it continues, we can sc.irc-ly fail cf having more or less of a "rush*" from the neighbouring- gold fie'ds. Rushes, I suppose, are i.esessnry evils, but evils iv some respects they must be neyei thless. And I have no doubt tint very m-my will rush hitherwa"d next summer who hut v;ry mue.i batter re.nain away. Merely to tell diggers whit they should do is, I suppo-e, of little or no use, yet, for the sake of your alluvial diggers at Otago, I must repe.it the warning; that two things are nee la 1 fora success in Coromandel. money, and experience of reef work; without these our field will be only a disappointme t to them; with those it will, I believe, be an almost certain sonrce of great profit.

In Native matters I have not mush news to give you. From the Lower Waikato we have lately heard some news of the thieving and other misdemeanours of the Natives, which the arm of the new laws S2em=; unable to reach or punish. Much greater stress has, however, been laid upon such things thai there ought to have been, i have been at the place in question withiu a few days, and all but witnessed one of the robberies referred to. , A quantity of shirts and other articles of clothing were stolen during the night from the windows of a shop in the small village of Waiuku. Putting a*ide the fast that the act was; mere thieving such as we daily hear of in all tow.is, and not a case of forcibly breaking into any hous3 ; I cannot help remarking, as I did at the ti,ue, tint to leave an unshuttered window all night is an experiment which would scarcely be tried in Auckland, and one which presents a temptation to anyMinpnncip'el Native altogether irresistible,- In this case to which I refer, every effort was made to bring rhe offender to justice, but, as"might be expected, without any very striking success, the start of half a night being rather too great a one for the vigilance of the new police. In the Upper .Waikato and Waipa districts, accounts appear to point to.a slight improvement iri the feeling of the Natives manifested particularly towards the European residents. Any move in this direction is a healthy sign, and may possibly lead to greater results. There is to be a great meeting at Thompson's place towards the end of this month, I understand it is the wish of a great many of the Natives tint Sir tfeorge Grey should be asked to attend;- Whether he is so or not, the proposal looks like a move towards reconciliation. ; Mr Gorst. whose name i^ now well known .as the author of the able report upon the King districts, laid before the Assembly, finding, I suppose, that, his magisterial duties were not heavy, has set on foot an industrial school. The scheme seems to be an excellent one,-and great hopes are entertained by competent judge?, of his ultimate success in establishing it. It is under his own management, and his quantifications for. the task are in some respects very remarkable. Should he succeed, he will confer a great and lasting benefit upon the Natives in the district.

Some excitement seems to have been caused in ihe minds of many Natives in the. Waikato districts, both Dpper and Lower, by a report .which has become current amongst them by some means that the Government intends placing steamers upon the river. Some ,of them declare; that no vessels of this kind must ascend above Maungatawldri. The soundings of the river made by the officers lately may have given vl<e to tho notion. This, in common with many other causes which at present tend to keep up the agitation of the native mind, .will in all x^robability yield rapidly to the influence of a careful and rearming policy. The/pity of Auckland in its material fabric is now beginning to assume an appearance more in accord-' ance withiU rapidly advancing prosperity. Tlie mud of winter now'no'longer prevents our seeing anything but where to plant tlie next step, and'one 5s amazed to fiud how'lmuch' the city has improved in the-la-st few months. There arc at present,several very large stores and warehouses in progress, whose architectural pretensions are by no means insignificant ; these being built of brick -and' stone, must represent a very large outlay at present, prices. The [City. Board seems determined to earn.a name for activity, and zeal, and I have np doubt will prove an •immense benefit to the community; I think we need

{•scarcely fear a repetition of the last winter's streets. Owing to the largely increased population in the city, it.is now proposed greatly to enlarge St. Paul's Ohuycb, the o.ily one belonging to.thb Church of linglaud in Auckland which is built of brick. It has not at present any great architectural beauty to recommend it. so I hope the-'additions may make it rather more ornamental than formerly, as from its position it forms a marked object in a view of Auckland iroui the harbor.

On Thursday last there was held a grand review of the forces at a place about three miles from town, ihe particular reason for this military display was the occasion of presenting the Victoria Crpss to Sergeant niaj or Lucas, of the 40th Regiment, awarded him for las gdlant conduct at Taranaki. particularly hw-saving Lieutenant Rees at the iluiraugi Pah. ihe ceremony of investiture was conducted with great pomp and eireumstan c. The General made a very spintel and soldierly addrrss to the gallant soldier (who is still quite a young man) on the occasion.

I understand that the proprietors of the Nea Zealander newspaper intead issuing that paper daily, instead of twice a week, as heretofore. Two daily papers in so sma'l a community as ou;-'s looks rather ambitions, but I suppose it won't do to be left behind in the race.

Mr Chapman's Magazine has now readied its third number, and ha* so far improve I upon its earlier efforts, that it may now bo regarded, I funk, as very creditable to the publisher, and, upon Ihe whole, to the colony. Mr Chapman, is now advertising his almanac tor next year, a publication wh'cli = has already obtained con>ileiable standing from its proved value. I am glad to observe that ho is going to publish it at half irs forni?r price. TheCmfoais Kevenue at this port for last month was close upon LB,GOO, bein<r the largest amount ever received here in one month. The corresponding month of 18(>I pro-Juoed little more L 6.200, the same month in lao'O und.-rL3,700. This, we Aucklandere, consider a proof of pvetty fair progress, although it may appear a trifle iv the.eyes ofOiago men. _ A new feature in our Cu.stoms returns this month is duty on upwards of L2,0i)0 worth of Coromandel gold exported to Sydney. This als^is but a small matter, but I dou»>t not the item of duty on gol.l will make a very different figure in our revenue by the en-1 of the year.

Writing of jrold reminds me that I have read somewhere that many of ;he diggers who have returned to (•ago from Ccromandel, complain bitter'y of the m inne • in which th^y have been t.-eatod by the Auckland people- It would bj well if these gmtlernen would bs a little more specific in their charges, both as to the offence and the person by whom they were committed. I can testify that the best possible spirit towards trie diggers was shown b->th by the Provincial Government and the public in general. Seven or eight hundred pounds was expended in rations, tools, &.C to a>ssist them in prospecting, and every facility affoided them. The only complaint I ever heard-was that_ Auckland merchants would not purchase their spf'cinicns, which simply meant that Auckland merchants would not give such prices for them as the diggors wished, being desirous, at least, not to lose by their transactions; and, in fact, those who did purchase, I believe, generally found that they did make a loss to a small extent. At the same time more than one respectable party was ready to make advances on all specimens until the real value could be ascetained.

The Wonga Wonga arrived on Saturday from the South.

The Presbytery of Auckt.anh,—The annual meeting ot the Reverend Court was held in c^t. Andrew's Church, on Wednesday, tha Ist instant, there being a full attendance of members, Divine service was conducted" by the Rev. George Browne, of Onehunga. tho retiring Moderator, who preached a suitable disourse from Revelations II chap. 1 verso—" These things saith He that holdeth tho seven stars n His right hand, who walketh in th < mid 4; of the seven golden candlesticks." Afte ■ Divine service th-j court was constituted, an • commissions were presents.! l,y Messrs P. McFarlaae, A. Clow, and D. Buru3,, : ;from the sessions of St. An l-e»vs', St. James's, and.Otahuhu, &c , rospectiveiy. Tha roll was than made up, and the Re/ John Macky, of Ovahuhu, was elected Mo'lerat >v f>r the next year. The rev. gentleman, i:i taking tha chair, remarked tlfat it w:>s now six ysars since he was first c lied to preside over the court, and expressed the hope that the same harmony and success which had marked thuir proceedings during that interval would, by God's blessing, continue to atle-.nl then. T: c reports on c'jliectio.i in behalf of Foreign Missions baing cailed for, th^ following returns were made : Charge of Otahuh i, &c., Ll2 18s G.I ; Waipu, &c, Lli 120 lid; St. Andrews, L3O; Sfc James, LI G*; Papakura., &c, L r > 2s 31 ;' Mahurangi, Sec, LI Us 9.1; Onehiiuga, <kc, LI Iss ; which, together with some other siaall sunia not yet reported, will jnve a total of LSOJthis year towards the mission in the Now Hebrij.es. iiepo:-t< w.;»-e made from the several sessions iti favor of t';e basis of union recommsn.led by the c mference held at Dunediu ; and, the Presbytery came to a resolution recommending that the said basis should substantially be adopted by the convocation about to assemble in Auckland, iv November next. — -The Home Mission and Church Extension Committee reported verbally, that they had appointed the Rev. Johu Shaw to the districts of Wade and ICaukappa, and that he had now cooamenced his labors among the residents of those districts. The Pres-b/t.M-y approved of th? reports ; and at the same time remitted it to-the se-si>nof St. Andrew's, to make what provision they bast could to promote the in-tere-t of religion in the district of Coromandel.—Au application was laid before the Court for the se-sion of fcSt. James's congregation, requiring permission to occupy the sit 3 granted by tho late William (Jorrte E:q, as a site whereo.i to* build a Church; and a j coniaiitte-i was appointed to onfor with all pnrtifts int-re3fc nd, and to decide on the course best calculated t) nromo c the interests of the congregation, and of the Church generally. The collection, on beiia'f of the Home Mission for New Zealand, was appointed to ba made during this quarter; tin amounts realised on the different charges to be forwarded ti the treasurer as early asrpossible. At iterisin? the Ciurt authorised the Moderator to summon a meeting, so soon as ha learus from the Presbytery of Otago, the precise time they have fix^d on for the convocation.— Southern Cross, October 4.