AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1585, 24 May 1861, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

By the Juno from Taranaki, we have received Auckland papers up to the 14th iust., brought by the Tasmanian Maid. All was quiet al the North, We extract the following items ofintelligenoe from the papers before us: —

Colonel Sir James Alexander, and the Officers of the 2nd Battalion 14th Regt,, entertained a numerous party of their friends, and the inhabitants of Auckland ot the Mechauics Institute on Thursday eveniug (May 2.) Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, the hall was well —indeed we may say brilliantly — thronged. Dancing comineuoed at 9 and was continued with unabated spirit, long after the hours began to look small* The most courteous nnd considerate attention was manifested by the hosts towards their guest — and, in dispensing their hospitalities, each seemed to vie with the other in taking care thai the ladies should not

lack partners ; in the genrral amenities* which should distinguish the stewards of v a ball room, they left nothing. overlooked; or to be desired. — New Zealarider. . / The * Cross ? of the 14th May, says— No oue, 'we believe, ever, expected great results from negociations with the natives south of Taranaki, and events are every day occurring clearly proving that if the peace of New Zealand is to be restored, natives late in arras against the Government, who are unwilling to accept most indulgent and mercilful terms, must be dealt with according to their deserts. The Ngatiruanuis are apparently anxious for more bloodshed and plunder. They have tinned back the Wangauui niaii, threatened to destroy the next one sent down, and refused to allow Enropeans or European stock to pass through their district. Under these circumstances, the future of the Province of Taranaki is gloomy in the extreme. The settlers are naturally unwilling to invest time, labour, and capital in a country open, at any moment,' to a Southern raid; and, though many of their families have already returned from Nelson, we fear greatly, that if the present state of things continues long, they will have only gained the privilege of companionship in misfortune by their return home. New Plymouth must remain a mere military position till peace is established on some secure and permanent basis ; and no suoh peace will be the result of negociations or fighting at Tarauaki. This has been long patent. to everybody acquainted with the natives. We have ourselves often urged it, and pointed to the Waikato as the centre of opposition to British rule, and a perusal of late Southern files must convince everybody that it is so. Day by day it becomes more and more evident that the King has adherents far and wide. A movement which, if wisely directed in its infancy, might have been powerful for good, has become powerful for evil. The Southern rebels are desirous to range themselves under the King flag, for the purpose of securing Waikato allies ; and an alliance, offensive and defensive, appears to have been made, in consequence, between the tribes to the North and South of New Plymouth. The King flag is a convenient raiding point. Tribal distinctions and old tribal jealousies are forgotten in a league against the Pakeha. Ngatiruanui murderers and plunderers are to be received into the baud of "United Maories," and their evil deeds are to be forgotten in consideration of their j o^-^ ing it. The terms offered by Govern- 4 *' tnent have been refused, beoause Southern natives feel, that in promising allegiance to the King, they have secured to themselves protection against the Queen ; they feel that they are backed up in Waikato, and thai a blow struck at them to the South would be the signal for a counter-blow by their allies in the North. Under these circumstances negociations beoome useless and hesitation and procrastination can only serve to strengthen the hands of those in arms against us. Taranaki is ruiued for the time being, and our troops have been wisely withdrawn from a position where they could only have spent the winter in mounting guard over ruins. Confidence can never be restored till the King flag has ceased to wave in New Zealand; and till that times arrives Taranaki will be no place for European settlers. As we write, troops are pouring into the country ; with what objeot nobody knows. Aucklaud, it appears, is to be their head quarters ; but we anticipate no fight in the streets of Auckland, nor yet in the vicinity of Otahuhu, where a force is boi;ig concentrated. Is it in* tended to moke a mere demonstration of 1 physical force, or is it intended to strike a blow ? Natives must be asking the J question as well as Europeans. Government seems to be throwing down the gauntlet, but not till all other means of settling the present difficulty have been tried. Our present attitude in reference to the natives can only mean this — unless New Zealand is being made use of mereljr for ulterior Imperial purposes in the Southern Seas— namely, thot the British Government is determined to sea no rival flag on New Zealand soil. The 70th Regiment — After twelve years of active service in ludia the gallant 70th Regiment of Foot were despatched to New Zealand by the Indian Government, when the necessity of strong reinforoements to put down the Maori rebels beoame pressing. They were em. barked at Caioutta in three ships — the' The Daniel Rankin, which arrived on Saturday ; the Louisa in the Rangitoto Passage on Sunday; and the Minden, which left several days after her sister transports and has not yet been heard of. The first detachment, commanded by Captain Oswald Pilling, Sll strong, were landed from the Daniel Rankin yesterday about noon. The men paraded in double column on the Queen street Pier, and marched off to the Otahuhu Camp to the music of the band of the 66th Regiment. They are a fine body of men, rather sallow from protracted exposure to an Indian sun, but have the look of trained and resolute soldiers. A few weeks of the bracing air at Otahuhu will restore tone and vigour after the enervating effects of an unhealthy olimate and a long sea^ voyage ; . and, from the temper and spirit, of the men, we are assured that if led to attack the enemy in the field they will maintain the honor of their country untarnished* ' and add another laurel to that ohaplet A which they so reoently; won iti^judifc, when single handed they disarmed, apdv < -„ quelled the mutiny of ISiOQQ