AUCKLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 205, 23 August 1860, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

A service of plate has been presented to liieut.-Colonel TFynyard, by the inhabitants of. Auckland, of the value of .£360, “ in testimony of their high appreciation of the abilities, integrity, and urbanity, which have characterised his discharge of the several important duties which devolved upon him during thirteen years official residence in New Zealand.” T he plate was subscribed for oh his departure from this colony, and consists of a splendid centre-piece and four side pieces of solid silver. The base of the principal epergne is triangular, bearing on one side a suitable inscription, on another the names of the subscribers, and on the third the family arms of the Lieutenant Governor, This is surmonnted by one of the native ferns, in the shade of which there are the-figures of a New Zealand chief, his wife and child, and a soldier of . the 58th regigient. The figures and foliage are in frosted silver. 'Che side pieces are executed on the same idea somewhat modified ; the whole, both in design and execution, is perhaps the most chaste and {valuable specimen of the work of the silversmith which has ever been seen in the colony. Potatau was buried at Ngnvuawahia on Sun-

day, the lsth t ult:’ 'His,; arfces 'of pacific lntentibrisv ... Hi s son,’ Matatuera, is proposed as his successor, - ‘ > : GolU has ‘been found at Mknawarra, Bay of Islands, but. in\vliat ■‘■quantity’.is not yet known./. ; ' ' . ’ ; |

Capt. John bright, formerly in command of the missionary. schooner, was drowned, by the capsizing of his boat, near Kororareka,. on Friday night, 20th utt. ‘ ! The stated quarterly meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was lield on the 4th ult., Rev. D. Bruce, moderator. The annual collection in behalf of the New. Zealand Home Mission Fund was ordered , to' be made before next meeting, and the Rev. D. Bruce was appointed to visit various districts asking spiritual supervision. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the circulation of Bibles having the Metrical Psalms bound. up with them. Mr. John Gorrie having sustaipigjhis trials with much approbation, was" licensed: as a preacher of the Gospel-—the first licentiate of the Presbyterian. Church of New Zealand. On the 7th. July Messrs. Yates and Co., Kawhia, were fined £SOO for selling arms to natives. Tljey made an arrangement with the natives that they should take the arms (14 muskets) by force, the money, £130; to be paid for them afterwards. This was done, and some of the natives afterwards gave information to the Sub-Collector of Customs. The firearms were of course forfeited. It was this muru which caused the Government to remove the settlers from Kawhia.

Off to the Fijis.— Men’s Oyes in Auckland are being turned towards these islands, and a slight exodus is commencing. . Rumours of what the “ Aquila ” did there, and of the “dirty acres” so easy to bo picked tip by any enterprising man, have been going about for some time, and there is no dppbt much truth

in what is said, and these islands will ultimately offer a fine field for emigration ; but it would be as well for the inexperienced to be cautious as yet. We want, in parliamentary parlance, further information. • Capt. Browning, we see, has cleared out for these islands with the “ Ellen,” a cutter built by himself at VVaiuku. She takes several passengers.— Southern Cross, Aug. 3.

Waihoihoi Coal Mines.— -An inexhaustible mine of wealth has been laid* bareand we cannot but congratulate the public upon the prospect of obtaining, within a few months, not merely a sufficient supply of coals for home consumption, but a large quantity for exportation also, in consequence of the active measures which the directors are taking. So satisfied are the directors of the immense yield of coal, that they have resolved, if possible, to lay down their tramway to the Taraaki, so that they, may at .once.command the trade of the Waitemata. By sucli an. arrangement, steamers and large vessels will be able to load under the company’s shoot, which will be constructed at the tenninus.oftbetram'way.—Register, 23rd July.