AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 490, 20 April 1861, Page 9

AUCKLAND.

From the "New Zealander" of the 6th inst; we take the following paragraphs :—: — ,r

In con' equence of the contention which has been maintained as to the proper locality for the seat of Government, no steps have been taken towards the erection of a suitable Parliament House, and the authorities' are now consequently puzzled to find room for 53 members in a chamber which was crowded when it was facetiously supposed to " accommodate" 41. The reproach that the central legislature of New Zealand does not possess a roof to cover itself withal, will,- we hope, be removed in this session.

Of the new House of Eepresentatives, Dr. Monro is named as being likely to be chosen Speaker ; should he decline that honour, Mr. Dillon Bell would probably be elected. Ru^ mour has not named the future Chairman of Committees. The gentleman who held that office in the late House has a seat in the new one. But as his return — which, we believe, was irregular — -will be the subject of a petition^ we presume that that circumstance will put him out of the lists. At the close of the last session there prevailed a very general determination that a new man should be placed in the Chair of Committee. There will be a Ministerial crisis of course, and, perhaps, a change, although the " coming men" are not yet very clearly discernible.

It is announced upon authority that the Bank of New South wales, one of the 1 oldest and most successful of the Colonial ifanks, ia about to establish a connection with New Zealand, and that the necessary measures are being taken for opening a branch at Auckland with the least possible delay. The Trust and Agency Company of Australia has also^ ■vre observe, got fairly established under auspices of the highest promise, and that, in their scheme of operations, New Zealand is embraced. We accept these facts as indicationsof the importance to which this Colony is " steadily mounting, and as an assurance that in future no rational project of public usefulness or improvement need be dwarfed or postponed from any fear that the capital necessary to its accomplishment may not be obtained on fair and- reasonable terms. •

The steam ship " Lord Worsley " sailed for Sydney on Tuesday last. It is said she will be the last direct steamer between Auckland and Sydney for some little time to come, the Company having declined to accept the profered subsidy (€3500) of the .Auckland Pro- f vincial Government, and therefore falling back upon the Nelson and Manukau route-. ISto arrangement satisfactory to the merchants or adapted to the acquirements of the postal. des* patch of Aucklaud has ever yet been performed ' by the Pearson Coleman Company's steamersv , It is to be hoped however, that when the General Assembly shall meet, that the question will be thoroughly sifted, and that a new and amended route, such aa will confer ah equal benefit upon all the ports and settlements oi" New Zealand, and which will connect us equally with Melbourne as -with Sydney, may be established. The " Lord Worsley" is to be laid up on arrival at Sydney, Captain Johnson being transferred to and taking command of the " Airedale." In the meantime with respect to the Auckland and Sydney trade, it affords us pleasure to state that energetic measures have already been adopted to keep up a fortnightly communication by means of sailing vessels ef a first-class character, which, in concert with our famous clipper "Kate," will be placed upon the line, sailing with punctuality and despatch, and at a moderate rate of freight and passage money. Only clippers, of approved speed, and with select passenger accommodation will be employed, and we understand that more than one of that class have already been sought out. An offer has been made to a merchant of this city, by a party in Melbourne, of a paddle wheel steamer, nearly new, and admirably adapted for a ferry boat, deliverable -a.t about .£ISOO. She steams eight knots, consumes 10 cwt. of coals hi 12 hours, is of 15 horse-power, carries 8 horses and 8 drays on' deck, and bas accommodation for 35 passengers*