AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1240, 4 September 1875, Page 6

AUCKLAND.

Business is very dull— inexplicably so— and I hear complaints on all sides. To what the dullness is due no one seems able to say. Despite the dullness, I believe the immigrants who arrived yesterday by the Allnmbagh are finding ready employment—at least I am told so on very good authority. It is said here that the real ground of quarrel between Sir Julius Vogel and the Crown Agents and Agent-General was that the former when in Italy, was engaged in dealing with an agent of Rothschild's, but kept his negotiations secret from the others, and did not acquaint them with the result when he arrived in London. They resented this, and the relations between them were from that moment unfriendly. The proposal to elect the Mayor by the ratepayers instead of the Council is exciting much attention hero. The Bill is introduced into the Assembly by Mr Sheehan on his own responsibility, and the Council are very indignant. They are eloquent on the failure of the system in Dunedin, though where they get their information Ido not know. If you only saw what a deadly respectable affair the election of our Mayor is under present circumstances— the apathy of the people — and the concentration of all power in Queen street, where the wealthy property owners are to be found, you might not agree with them. The City is not even divided vnto wards. It would amuse some of your Dunedin readors to hear the pitying tone in which some of our councillors speak of your system and its results when contrasted with that under which Auckland has risen to its present glory.