AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Issue 25, 15 January 1858, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Wr have news, from Auckland to the 23rd ultimo. ' ■■•"■■'- The validity of Messrs. Gollari and Fitzgerald's election was sustained; also that of Dr. Featherstoh's election. Agitation for a dissolution was still going on—^-the large party represented by the New Zealander strongly urging the necessity of this step. The following resolution on this subject had been passed by the Provincial Council of Auckland:—" That inasmuch as powers have recently been given by the Imperial Government to the General Assembly of New Zealand to alter the provisions of the Constitution Act in many of the most important particulars, relating not only to the Government of the colony, but also to that of the provinces thereof^ it is the opinion of this Council (and in justice to the Province of Auckland especially) that before the powers conveyed by the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Act shall be exercised by the General Assembly, the House of Representatives should be dissolved, in order to afford the several constituencies of this colony an opportunity of electing such representatives as may be considered by them the most likely to give full expression to the views and opinions of the people upon any alteration which may be proposed *to be made in the present Constitution Act, and which may have a tendency to circumscribe, or otherwise injuriously . affect, the privileges conferred upon them by,- and now enjoyed under, that Act. And that an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolution to his \ Excellency's Government." On the above subject, the Southern Cross remarks:—" It is possible, indeed, that the stolidity of its brute force—for it is somewhat larger in girth than the Council —may be so ill-mannered as to treat with derision the injunctions of its undersized, but abortive and pertinacious antagonist. It may possibly play the part of that portly mastiff which, when annoyed past endurance by the yelping of a wee doggie, took him' up gently by the scruff of the neck, walked away with him to a dirty pond and dropped him in. Or perhaps it may, with superciliousness still more unjustifiable, take no notice whatever, taking example from that Herculean coal whipper who, when taunted with allowing himself to be beaten by his diminutive wife, goodnaturedly observed, —' it pleases her and it •doesn't hurt me.'" We further learn that new Land Regulations were to be brought before the Council —one new feature being the granting of depasturing licenses, with right of purchase. • The Union Bank of Australia have taken the half million loan at par, remitting the funds to Auckland as required, free of charge. The debentureissiied many years ago to Mr. David Scott for £4000 at 6 per cent, value of his land at Kumutoto, has been charged against the Company. The steam contract has been made for 5 years, on the terms we have previously announced. It will be seen from the following letter, that the subject of representation in the General Assembly is receiving attention at the hands of the present ministry:— " Colonial Secretary's Office, '< Auckland, August, 22nd, 1857. " Sir,—l have the honour to bring under your- notice, that, for the purpose of a proper geographical division of the colony, and of a fair representation in the General Assembly oF the several districts, it is desirable that those districts which have, or are likely to have, a considerable population, should be more distinctly defined than is the case at present. " With this view, the districts should be primarily divided into urban and rural; the former comprising existing towns or villages certain at no distant date to contain such an amount of population as would entitle them to separate representation, the latter, which might be termed counties,, comprising, districts of as far as practicable similar importance to each other, regard being had to natural boundaries. " Possibly an area of from 30 to 40 miles square might be taken as a standard, subject of course to such deviations as obvious natural boundaries, or a distinct separation of the interests of the inhabitants from those of any other district, may render expedient. " This, object would be much facilitated, if your Honor would afford me such information as might enable this subject to receive careful consideration, which would be materially assisted, if tracings of the proposed counties were supplied, with the names of rivers and mountain ranges affixed. "In defining the boundaries, rivers and streams mark boundaries more accurately than do mountain ranges, unless the summit line of the latter is very distinct. " Appropriate names, having reference to historical associations and principles connected with the Anglo Saxon race, might be suggested, which would in future ages identity the country with the people by whom it is destined to be inhabited. - " I have, &c, " (Signed) E. W. Stafford. " His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland."