AUCKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 376, 5 March 1863, Page 5

AUCKLAND

FUItTHER PARTICOkARS OP TIIE WRECK OS1 THE

ORPHEUS.

0?KOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.')

February 23, 18G3.

Sinceniylast communication,.the sittings .of the Auckland Provincial Council have been resumed; the first meeting;, after the adjournment, taking place on Friday last. , Judging from the statement of the Provincial Treasurer, the Council will have plenty to occupy their time, in discussing the variou3 measure*, ■which it is the intention of the Government to lay before them. A bill, intituled '-The Auckland Loan Act, 1863," for raising a loan .of £500,000 was laid before the Council, and has been framed with the view to consolidate the following public debts, which- do not include the claim of the General Government on our Provincial income:—Provincial Debentures, £45.000; City of Auckland Debentures, ,£15,000; Auckland Harbor Debentures, j £25,000; making a total of £85,000. Of these amounts. £45,000 will be required to be paid off in 1865. The operation of the bill is to extend over a period of six years and the money to be borrowed from time to time as required. It is to bear interest at the rate of 6.per cent., with a 2 per cent, sinking: fund; whereas the money borrowed' on the debentures'as above, bears 10 per cent, interest. After paying off the claims as before stated, the residue will be applied to the erection of public buildings, for immigration, and also for the purchase of native lands. The public buildings most; urgently required are, a Lunatic Asylum, Supreme Court-house, Post Office, and Prisons. . Immigration is to be promoted as early as possible. The system of immigration hitherto carried on has more than absorbed all the land revenue, and whilst the Superintendent wishes to continue the 40 acre, or free grant system, he considers it inadequate to meet the urgent demand for population of suitable classes. In the event of an Act, passed by the General Assembly last session, to amend the " Auckland Waste Land Act, 1858," becoming law, a Bill will be laid before the Provincial Council for the disposal of a portion of the waste lands so as to promote immigration, which will prove of a reproductive character, besides repaying the cost of introduction of the immigrants The increase of population is considered as tending to the only true peaceful solution and settlement of our present unsatisfactory relations with the natives. The objects to be gained by relieving the Harbour Trust are most important. Any improvement to the harbour has hitherto been prevented, owing to the harbour endowments, as at present circumstanced, being tied up with vexatious restrictions, and prevented the necessary works—such as dry docks, patent slips, break water, &c, for the protection of sm ill vessels, being proceeded with. The proposed loan would also provide for the construction of the great trunk roads through the province. A bridle track to the Bay of Islands is talked of, likewise one between Auckland and Hawke's Ba}', and in the construction of which the hearty co-operation, of the General Govenmnt and the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay would be received. Ccromandel is likewise to have- a share of the funds to be thus voted. It is proposed that a tramway should be constructed from 'the Government landing place at low water to the Driving Creek; the richness of the quartz reefs in that locality being now so far established as to warrant the necessary expenditure for that purpose. A small charge for transit on the proposed tramway would, it is believed, in a short time pay for the cost of the work. The bill wa3 read a first time, without comment, on Friday lost; and will be brought forward for the second reading on Tuesday next. The other matters worthy of note, were the proposition to provide a regular water supply for the city from a spring in the Government Domain; and the introduction by the Provincial Law Office of an amended " City Board Act." Also a bill for the establishment of a Board of Commissioners for the better government of the city of Auckland.

I promised in my last letter that "I would acquaint you in my next with the yield of gold per ton of quartz, from the crushing at Keven's machinery. lam sorry I cannot yet do this. The adjourned meeting of the shareholders should have been held last Monday, but has been further postponed. I may, however, inform you that another machine has been erected by the Auckland Gold Alining Company, and on the 13th instant an experimental test was.made, when gold to a considerable amount per ton was obtained from a small quantity of quartz taken from No 5 Driving Creek claim. The amalgamating portion of the machinery, however, is not yet in a perfect state, but when completed further experiments will be tried upon other samples of quartz. During the present week 2CO ozs of gold dust have been brought to Auckland from No 4 Driving Creek claim, and on the Albion Company's claims, Nos 6 and 16, there are about 50 tons of rich quartz ready for crushing. On the New Zealand Company's claim what is considered by the Manager as a reef has been struck"; it is, composed of a dark sulphiiretic quartz, of a similar character, to that which is usually, found in the Driving Creek : a permanent shaft has been commenced upon it. In No 5 creek claim a few days ago 60 lbs weight of exceedingly rich specimens were picked up ; and in No 15 creek claim C 3 lbs. Mr Murphy also, about the same time, placed in his tent a bag weighing upwards of 50 lbs, of rich stone picked from a large deposit heap which he prepares for calcination. The. yield of gold from these specimens is expected to surprise the uninitiated. ' The- claims of E. Wood and;Mr; T. Robinson, on the Junction,1 continue to. do well:'-four pounds weight of excellent specimens being taken out a short time ago., A,, meeting of shareholders in the various gold mines at Coromandel was held in Auckland on the 12th inst. to consider the propriety of, making application to Government to,'-afford; further security to the shareholders in work-' ing the claims. The following resolution was agreed to, and a committee appointed to wait" upon Government •:—" That in the opinion of this meeting it, is desirable that application should be made to the Government.for, further security for the investment of capital in the Coromandel gold fields, by* issuing leases to the holders of the various clsiims under such conditions as may be deemed expedient." A meeting of the Golden Point Gold Mining Company was advertised to be held at the offices, Coromandel, on the 18th inst., for tUe purpose of declaring a dividend, of I*s

pi-r share.' ; This is the first publicly announced dividend. _". " ....>",> . .; ; • Mr Hartley, the discoverer of ths Dunstan gold fields, has, it is said, returned south, after making a thorough inspection of ail points;pi' mining interest' at Coromamiel. lIU general impression of Coromaudel prospects is said.to have been most favor ible to the place., . •

The Coromandel races took place on the' 10th and llth.inst., nnd passed off most sue-; Cessftilly. The weather on both days, was j most propitious, and the attendance of spec-j tafors very numerous/ , . '; With.regard to native matters, events have been somewhat stiriing (-into my -last. At Mungapoi, the Maorics -have stolen Mr Cole's cattle .(nine- head) as a reprisal for his having (as they, allege) -set fire to the bush, "whereby" uarcage, hail.,been.done to thematives'.bouses, &c. The Natives-first attempted to extort money trom the accused, but lailed. He was thtn summoned ■by them to the' Resident Magistrate's Court at Wangarci, but the case was lost. They afterwards* drove away his cattle.,. The charge isi reported'as;follows :— ''David Cole, .of Mangapsi, appeared to answer a summons, obtained against him by Hpna Te Horo, an aboriginal native, living near Mangapai, that on January 10, 1863, he (David, Cole) had wilfully set oirfire the fern near the complainant's settlement,; by which he (complainant) had lost all his cultivation, and his burial-ground had been partially destroyed. The damages were laid at LIOO, which brought the action within the jurisdiction of the magtstrate." Mr Cole1 has since applied to Tiraraiii the Ngapiihi chief, and Mamhera, the Native Assessor, to compeljthe Natives .to restore the cattle. After a very great deal.of trouble, he obtained two.letters | from them to convey to. the.Native who had j stolen the cattle, advising him to give them up. They ran as follows :— . : "Feb. 13, 1863.—Friend Hona, salutations to you and'your brother. David Cole, mail carrier, they are his cattle that1 Waitawa* has robbed. This is what I have to say: Hona, send the cattle back to the white man, and' save lurther trouble in this case. This is all from ...•■■ - "Maniiieba" "Feb. 13,' 1863.—Friend Hona, salutations to you and your brother. David Co,]e has been here. What I have to say is: be lenient to the white men at your place_ as settlers. The Europeans are increasing and we are decreasing. I say restore the cattle to the white man, and thus save further trouble in this matter. From your "father, "Tirarati.",. ,- ■•;■ It was. believed the cattle would be returned. ~ , . • From "Russell I learn thatahoutafortnightago a'Maori woman,aged about 60 years, committed, suicide by hanging herself in an old deserted house. She appears to have been slighted by her husband, Lazarus, who had taken an affectioa for their slave, an old woman. It is considered not improbable that ai native runanga will be held over the unfaithful man and his paramour, especially if they are-people of property, and able to pay for law expenses. The institutions of his Excellency's policy for native pacification have been introduced into the Ngati Hikairo at Kawhia. It will be remembered this tribe showed an unprecedented love of the Queen last year when Mr Armitage ! visited them, that they pulled down the king's flag and burned it. An assessor, four policemen, and president of the tribal runanga, have been appointed. The road is being carried on vigorously.

Another number of the Ilokioi has been published. It contains very little of import-, ance relative to the present condition oi the Maories. I append an extract relative to the Governor's recent visit to the Waikato (Kawan Kierei) Governor Grey came to Waikato; he also visited Ngaruawahia, on the 3rd day of January. On the Bth day, after breakfast, the talk commenced, and it lasted till evening. It was a great talk, and very hard on both, sides; good, and bad. wns equally discussed; but the Governor would not acknowledge any part of the King movement, however small. , , . ■/• .

Mr CrOTst's publication, Te Piholhoi-Mol^-. molie is now in coiirse of circulation, .. ; • ;■ ~: At Wangarer a few of the natives have .been making acts of restitution. • The ..relatives of the Maori who stole the cob pony from,.Mr John Worsley, gave him £5 as payment for the offence; and Mr Farmer £4. A relation of the native who stole Mr Bedlington's purse, contaiug £2 10s, has given that gentleman a horse,'worth" about £10. This is in accordance with native law, which ordains that the thief shall restore lour times the value of the stolen article. Possibly the report of. the; warrant which is issued for Hirini Tamiband' (vvho failed to appear when called at the Supreme Court) may have had something to do with this.

His Excellency the Governor has given his decision in regard to the Kaipara land disputej in favor of the representatives of the deceased Chief Tirarau. The Princess Sophia, sister of King Potatau 11, had an interview with His Excellency at Government House, on February 7th. The Governor presented Sophia and the ladies with a book: each. The visit lasted three and a half hours.! ■

A dreadful calamity occurred on /the. 7th. inst at the Manukau, in the loss of H.M.S.S. Orpheus, and 205 lives lost. There were 275 souls on board, all told, seventy of .whom were saved; the remainder, being lost, and amongst whom were Commodore Burnett,. C.8., Commander Burton, first lieutenant, and Win. .Strong, master, &c. The Orpheus left Sydney on the Ist February, and made the Manukau bar at about, one.p.m. on: the Satarday following. Unfortunately the ship was steered by Drury"s chart, which. ha-> been known for a long time to be • incorrect, and at half-past one she struck- on the sandspit. The Commodore and Mr Strong, were strangers to the Manukau bar, and as the change in the channel had never been '.officially notified, the Admiralty Chart,was ifollowed, and which resulted in the, total wreck of' the ship, and the loss of so many yaluab^ lives. Mr Wing, the Manskau Pilot was employed at the time of the accident,on , the Wonga Wonga, which was leaving the Manti--kau, for. Wellington : the accident; was not; noticed, however, until he had-left that, vessel, owing to the Wouga Wonga steering bythe south channel. Captain Itenner, of the;W,onga Wonga on noticing the position of the Orpheus reversed the direction of his.vessel, and about half-past five o'clock came to an, anchor about; 200 yards from the Orpheus. On his way up' the channel, he took on board the crew of the; Orpheus' pinnace, fifteen- in number, and another boat's crew who had been ordered ; ashoreto obtain assistance— The first, cutteiv had been wrecked in attempting. tp j; clear the Orpheus,and those in her^droiyned.;; Itjwas impossible to carry a -rope from the^W.pnga "\Vonga to the Orpheus,', and" ; the; only .assis-. tance which, cpuld be{rendereQ;frbm the, h e^vy 'sea/rinming was.by the aid of. the tw'o,hoats' off the Orpheus, which approached- as pear, as, safety would permit to.; the wreck1,, and^picked, up-the men asthey.drdppedintq the water, from'the rigging and jibboona. The p.qmma-i dote'refused to leave the sliip,. andjjdiedjtjvithj; his'officers. As darkness came on^the Woriga "Wonga steamed 'to. a -safe, distance- outsider the breakers,' and there came to an anchor. During the night the masts of the Orpheus fell overboard, the ship went to pieces, and those who had remained on board in preference to jumping overboard and being picked up by tbe boats, were washed, away and, drowned.

Scarcely.! a -vestige remained to bj seen in themorning where the noble vessel had struck—pieces' 6f wood floating oji the billows of, ;thc.j3aa alone: bearing' indications of tho frighftuli -.calamity., which had occurred. About fifteen .' bodies have since been recovered ; including -that of the Commodore (who bas been brought to town this day). On Tuesday last a day of morning was observed in the city, wlkn prayers were offered in all the churches, and collections made for the widows and orphans of the deceased. A great military funeral took place on the same thy, when one of' the recovered'bodies was burial. The Commodore is to'bo interred to-morrow with, military honors. ■•■ ':■'• ' Two [meetings have recently been held to attempt to revive the Volunteer movement; iv .the city, at 0112 of which His' Honor the Superintendent presided. ' Government liuve promised liberally to assist the Volunteers.

Festivals, anniversaries, tea nn clings, and soirees ."have been very prevalent since my last, and others appending. The ■'English Opera Company: have also arrived in the city by the last steamer, and will> soon,' doubtless, announce art entertainment to be given by them. We have had .several accidents resulting in loss of .life; .-'/-The upsetting of a boat iv the Manakau cost, two-men: their life, and the falling of a tree killed another man last week at Henderson's Bush.- He was,a runaway sailor from .the.Queen of the North, and named John Smith.' . ... .■ : : . The Devonshire and Gertrude, ships from London, brought..the increase to our population of about '500 persons. The Albatross ia in harbor from. ..£)uncdihj and is again laid on for your port.; :> , •■; < .-■:. ;; ,