AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 42, 6 March 1852, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

We noticed some time ago that a steam-boat was building at Auckland ; and we have now great satisfaction in learning that she has commenced to ply up and down the river, being open for both passengers and freight, thereby conferring a great boon on the inhabitants of Auckland, as also those resident on the riverside. We hope that this little steamer may be the forerunner of larger ones, which shall link together, ere long, the whole settlements of New Zealand from north to south, in regular ! steam communication. We quote from the " Wellington Independent" the following complimentary remarks : —

The new steamer, " Governor Wynyard," had commenced running between Auckland and Otahuhu, calling at Mr. Mason's, Point England, Cooper's Point, and Panmure, up and down, and would do so until further notice. Passage-money is — deck, Is. ; cabin, 2s. 6d. ; freight, delivered or taken from alongside, wheat 3d. per bushel ; potatoes, flour, &c, 6d. per cwt., or 6s. per ton. The steamer is also open for engagement for excursions, pic-nics. the conveyance of freight, or towing purposes, on reasonable terms. We sincerely wish the meritorious proprietors every success in their public spirited and enterprising undertaking, It would have been exceedingly gratifying to us to have had the opportunity afforded us of announcing that Wellington was the first to build a steam vessel, and to establish steam communication between this port and other settlements in the colony ; but though our merchants have not afforded us this opportunity, we are not the less disposed to give to Auckland the honour which is her due, of making the first successful attempt to establish on a small scale what we yet hope the southern settlements will ere long carry out on an extended one — regular steam communication between the several ports and settlements in New Zealand.

The Missionary brig, "John Wesley," arrived at Auckland on Sunday, February Ist, having sailed from the Downs on the 28th September. She has brought out several agents of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, Missionary stores for the Islands, and Schoolmasters for Auckland.

Native Affray at Hokianga. — Intelligence has reached us of a serious Maori affray which occurred a'few days ago at Hokianga, arising from one of those causes that in days gone by have often led to protracted war and much bloodshed. Repa, a native chief, well known here, and of some notoriety in Heke's wars, considering himself injured and insulted by a man who had taken liberties with one of his wives, went in the usual Maori style to seek ' utu.' In the course of the ' korero' he speared the offender through the body. This led to a general skirmish, each party fij ing to their muskets. The fatal results was, that four were killed on the spot, and six or seven wounded. It ib difficult to say what the consequences may be, but the probability is, that as the opposing parties fought, and blood was shed on each side, the matter will there terminate, and a reconciliation take place. The influence of Tamati Waka, who is nearly related to both parties, will probably do much towards promoting peace. Repa himself was shot through the head. He will not be much regretted among his own people, as he has .long been a troublesome and dissolute man.