AUCKLAND EXTRACTS.

Wellington Independent, Volume VIII, Issue 740, 13 November 1852, Page 3

AUCKLAND EXTRACTS.

(From the Soiitltsrii Crass.)

The Southern Cross, in adverting to the late proceedings in tbe Supreme Court hero, for contempt, makes the following observations iv addition to the comments which appeared on the same subject in a former number.

"hi our last issue, we adverted cursorily to the case of Mr. Samuel Robinson, draper, Wellington, who rendered himself amenable to (ho tender mercies of the law for a declared contempt of Court, by commenting upon the conduct of Mr. Justice Stephen in inflicting a fine upon him (Mr. Robinson) lor non-attendance as a Juror, aud permitting Mr. Clifford and another gentleman, guilty of a like dereliction of duty, to escape unscathed.

Mr. Stephen, we learn, proceeded by attachment iv this matter; including Mr. Mackenzie, one of the proprietors of tho Independent, in the same process. Writing, as we do, at a distance, and wilh the mere report, of the proceedings before us, we cannot but regard the course pursued by Mr. Justice Stephen, lo say the least of it, as harsh and unnecessary. We are not, su'fliciently skilled in law to pronounce an opinion with respect to tiie fine of £20 inflicted upon Mr. King, who, as Mr. Robinson's Counsel, recommended that gentleman not to reply to the interrogatories of the Court. We have, however, a distinct recoiieeliou that more than one fine was, some years since, inflicted upon a Mr. Lewis, of Hobart Town, dining a trial fur inciting to a breach of tlie peace, because of alleged irrelevancy in his defence ; —the presiding Judge, Montague, being the very same by whom Mr. Stephen was

subsequently disbarred ; and for whose Meg*! fines, iv Mr. Lewis's case, the colony had afterwards to pay some £l,fc>6o.

Considering that Mr. Stephen is, upon his own showing, a gentleman much too high minded *"' to wait for the slow and tardy process of the lav?," we think his conduct in this case a legitimate subject of inquiry;—Aud we further think that the Go'vernor-in Chief should have! brought the Otago" transaction under the immediate consideration of the British Executive, leaving them to determine whether dismissal or promotion were the just desert of such fiery Justices." Gold i x Nev. Ulste h. Although the cry of wolf—wolf—rings in our curs, although we have been twice deceived in announcing the discovery of gold in this province, yet, as Rory O'More sings, "there's luck in odd numbers"—so we feel inclined, on tlie present occasion to place firm reliance in the hist assertion that gold actually has at last been discovered.

We stated this day week, that gold had been extracted from certain auriferous substances, and that, whilst the Gold Reward Commilte were in sossion, there was au individual without, waiting to prefer a claim for the discovery, which he, however, declined because of the alleged inadequacy of th-) reward. On Saturday morning, another claimant made his appearance in Ihe person of Mr. Charles Ring, an old New Zealaud colonist, recently from California, and one of the shipwrecked passengers of the Dutch Brigantine "Ceres." Mr. Ring who, with a party, bad been out prospecting, and who had satisfied himself of the unquestionable existence of a gold field hastened back to Auckland with samples—small iv quantity it is true, — tut satisfactory to the Committee. These samples consisted of rotten auriferous quartz, aud iron sand (from soil washing) with gold dust intermingled. The reason given hy Mr. Ring for not having brought a bulkier sample was because of his anxiety to be iv lime to secure the reward ; well" knowing, as bo did, that there were other Calii'ornians on the search, and feeling convinced that further discoveries would speedily be made; besides he had no mining tools, aud ho could uot successfully have broken ■"•round to any extent ou the spot where lie is por-'uad"ed much of the precious ore abounds.

We have said that Mr. Ring has impressed the Committee with a conviction of the reality of a discovery. His name has been registered for the reward. lie has had a long interview wilh the LieutGovernor ; and the Native Secretary, his chief clerk, Mr. Johuson, aud several members of the Committee, sailed last ui' r ht for the scene of operations in the schooner Undine. A few days will therefore determine tho character aud value of die present discovery. There can-be no doubt that along with many benefits gold will carry many evils in its traiu; not the least of which will be tbe heavy injury it will inflict upon agricultural and other avocations of a sound, healthy, and enduring prosperity. _ To lighten these evils must be the anxious endeavours of all; and under good manafemeut, we firmly believe, they will be far less sensibly felt in New Ulster than in any other gold bearing country ; whilst the immediate aud certain iniroduction of Steam communication, with the return of our own lately departed gold-seeking colonists, and a mighty infusion of new blood will be suro to emancipate us from

tho despotism against which we have so long and vainly struggled.

There are many natural circumstances in favour of New Zealand. An equitable climate throughout the year,—no winter floods to wash out tbe diggers, and no summer droughts to stop their washings. No heavy inland journeys to atld £120 to £100 per ton for carriage of food, itnplimeiils, and transmission of gold. Water, and water conveyance is all but universal; and as the scene of discovery, (viz., near Coromandel Harbour) is but 40 miles from town, and only a few miles inland, even if the produce of the gold be materially less, the smaller cost of its production will go Car to compensate that deficeney. Wo are dealing with but one field, but ere long we feel convinced there will be many.