AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 652, 28 May 1864, Page 8

AUCKLAND.

(from ihb daily times cokbespondshi!.)

May 13.

His Excellency the Governor proceeds to Tauranga this morninjr. The object of his visit ib said to be " Peace," for which the natives are inclined to treat. Whilst the public are willing to believe and earnestly hope that this may be the case, they cannot place implicit confidence in rebel overtures. It. is feared the object is an extension of time. It is true, notwithstanding, that the rebels at the late encounter received a severe discouragement. The merciless manner in which their fastness was shelled, and the loss they have sustained, seems to have convinced them that in the end they must be beaten. This appears evident from their having abandoned their next position. But, before alluding to this, it will be well to state, that four of the wounded at Pukehinahina have succumbed under the wounds received in action. Two of the native prisoners have also died. One was .the celebrated chief Rawiti, who died the week after the amputation of his rijcht leg below the knee. This Te Rawiti wa9 General Thompson's principal and confidential secretary. His death was much to be regretted, as he had shown a disposition to s;ive some information of the General's intentions. Rawiti's nephew, who was greivously wounded in the thigh, had his leg removed at his own request, the poor fellow, however, sank under the operation. These men since their capture, have had every kindness shown them ; the medical officers have been assiduous in their efforts night and day. After death, their remains were carefully buried in the presence of a few of their friends, Archpeacon Brown reading the funeral service. On Friday last, a move was made by General Cameron. At an early hour in the morning, 500 men of the 58th Regiment, aqd a portion, of the Colonial Defence Corps mounted, with a detachment of the Royal Artillery in charge of a 6-lb Armstrong, left the camp. They were shortly after followed by the General and Commodore Wiseman, who were accompanied by a friendly chief, as guide. They crossed the river Waikariau in boats provided from the ships of war, this occupied some time, but was accomplished with only one casualty. An officer of the Royal Navy distinguished himself by knocking one of the men overboard; He was got out again safely, but one of the horses belonging to the Defence Force was drowned. The troops then advanced, the 68th being extended in skirmishing order. No enemy was, however, to be found. On reaching the Potirivvhi pah, where it was supposed the enemy were located, it was found to be evacuated. The General gave orders to destroy the place, which was done by firing the defences and destroying the whares, leaving the place in ruins. From a letter received by a private gentleman on Wednesday, I learnt that the General was to start on the previous d3y to reconnoitre a pah called the Puna, on General Thompson's land, and which was said to be more formidable and likely to give more trouble than any that have preceded it. This position is about fifteen miles from the camp, and on the extreme western point of the Tauranga harbor. One who is well acquainted with the locality, says : —

'• If it turns out correct that the Puna is the spot fixed upon by Thompson for a trial of strength with our forces, it will, in my opinion, be the last conflict that will take place with that section of the Maoris which recognise Thompson as its leader. "My reason for coming to this conclusion is, that few are more cognisant of Thompson's influence, which he possesses over the whole of the East Coast natives ; and I therefore feel convinced that if Thompson be defeated, or should, on the other hand, surrender, that the natives to a man will give in. <; The fortress at the Puna is about four miles from the creek from which it derives its name, and stands upon a hill of considerable height on the range of hills leading to the mountains and on the path to Matamata — Thompson's paternal settlement. This position was fixed upon by him immediately after the arrival of Colonel Carey, and his troops had taken possession of the Papa, intending it doubtless at that fiuie a 9 a refuge pah, in case he should be compelled to evacuate Maungatautari. On our troops becoming possessed of that pah, the defeated natives came over to Tauranga to assist as expeditiously aa possible to strengthen the Punaposition. It is said to he the mo3t formidable stronghold that the natives have yet held in New Zealand."

Should it be decided upon to attack this position, General Cameron will have an advantage over the enemy of which they can have no idea, inasmuch as Colonel Sir Henry Havelock can, if called upon, act in the rear, a passable horse-road existing from Maungatautari over the mountain, and beinsr a distance of only 30 miles. The New Bank Building in Auckland were opened on Tuesday, tor the transaction of business. It is a splendid building, and possesses every convenience for carrying on the extensive operations of the Company. The only pity is that the building was not located on some higher ground, where it would have had an imposing appearance ; as it is the real architectural beauties are in a measure nullified by its bad position. Our streets are rapidly improving in appearance. It is the intention of Messrs James and Son of the Q.C.E,, to erect an hotel oa a scale commensurate with the requirement of the city. The site is opposite the present dining and billiard-rooms, and will have frontages to Shortlandstreet and Fort street. There are to be 40 bed-rooms', and all the appliances of a fashionable hotel. A Masonic Hall is also to be erected. The site is to be chosen in some suitable locality, and a committee for carrying out the project has been formed. The project is to be confined to the Order, and ooe-lourth of the L6OOO has been raised. A shocking accident from unprotected machinery, occurred on Saturday. A lad employed in Mr Gilberd's Sash and Door manufactory, left his horse and cart in the atree f , and went up into one of the lofcs where the main shaft which turns the whole machinery, runs. He here seated himself astride the shaft, and by some means his hand got fast, and his arm was torn off above the elbow. His other arm wa 1 ? broken also. He is, however, doing well. The parents of the child (for he is only about 12) give a differe: t version, and say he was sent up to work, and when there, called down, and ia his hurry he set his hand on the shaft to jump over. His hand being sticky with paint, the accident occurred. Be this as it may, it shows the necessity of official inquiry as to the cause of such accidents, and as to the means which might he adopted to prevent a recurrence. This will have to be done, as accidents become more frequent. That fortunate child, the Queen's godchild, with ita dusky parents, Mr and Mrs Pomare, arrived a few days ago. The gift of Her Majesty has been on view in Mr Levison's window. It is a most beautiful and costly present $ consisting of a richly chased ciip, a knife, fork and spoon, all of solid gold. The cup and knife bear ths following inscription, " To P. Albert Victor Pomare, from his godmother Queen Victoria, Nov., 1863." The parents of this Anglo-Maori must entertain a feeling of complacency and delight in the possession of so valuable a present. An Englishman will look upon it as only another act of kindness emanating from the loving heart of the Queen, who for many years has felt a deep interest in the welfare of all who people her extensive dominions. Relisjioug imposters and enthusiasts are to be found everywhere. One has sprung up in Auckland, in the person of a mulatto named Maddison. He is a stall keeper on the wharf, and penny pies and prophecy are incompatible — or at least persons think so. Hence, he cannot make headway. On Sunday last, he made an attempt to deliver his burden, but the wicked unbelievers pulled him down from his perch, and would have done him an injury had it not been for the police. From a conversation I had with him in the station I concluded that he was a harmless lunatic. He has, however, had some tracts printed which he gives away, so that it is evident he does not mean gain. The tracts were printed in Australia. He prophecies that in three years' time three calamities are to come on the world from fire, water, and famine. The directions he gives for the nations to prepare against these events are the most absurd that is possible to conceive of. The poor fellow is as mad as a March hare. Our Resident Magistrate, Thomas Beckham, Esq., is about to proceed to Taranaki for the purpose of hearing the claims of the settlers against the Government, with a view to compensation for losses sustained in the former Taranaki war. ' A better man for the job could not have been selected ; he is a pains-taking judge, and will do what is right in each case. I have not heard what provision has been made for fulfilling his duties during his absence. The Superintendent has appointed Joseph Newman, Esq., his deputy daring his absence. He will make as good a substitute as any person I know of.

Art Note.— The Early Indian Style.— As. organ grinder at live o'clock id the morning.

Very Remarkable.— A Cincinnati price current says that pigs were lively, and dead hogs quiet on the last market day. * Fashionable Trade Report. — Materials for Ladies' Dresses, of all colours, are in brisk der mand, and fetch good prices per acre.