AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1804, 16 December 1862, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Weather and Chops. — The weather is now delightfully warm, The general appearance of the crops is good. Early potatoes are being taken up, and meet a ready sale. Owing to the heavy tains of Winter and the moist Spring, grass lands bave yielded excellent feed, and there will be a good crop of hay, although we fear not quite equal to the demand. Our settlers labour under many disadvantages, in pursuing agriculture, and nothing but ibe acquisi» tion of large blocks of good land will enable them to keep pace with the requirements of the population. Grain crops are not largely grown, ( and we depend chiefly upon imports for our s bread stuffs. Sheep and cattle are dear and t scarce. The consumption of butchers meat is large and steadily increasing. On the whole, t however, we are able to report a steady advance c in m iterial prosperity so far as this province is f concerned. Work is plentiful. — New Zea- \ lander. f Albertland Settlement. — The Albertland i settlement is going forward steadily. A large s proportion of the settlers hare gone on to the 1 blocks, and engaged in the pioneer work which t is the first step towards reclaiming " the wilder v ness. o Military.— The main body of the Military i are still camped at Otahuhu, and in garrison in Auckland; A large detachment from each corps 1

s at Point Chevalier, a few miles north of Auckand on the Waitemata, familiarising themselves vith the use of the rifle. The arrangements ire such that all the troops here will be inder canvas at Point Chevalier for a portion >f tbe year. There are men at the front engaged on tbe roads, which will be 'finally coin* "'' pleted to the Waikato river before the season expires. The health of the troops is good. Tenders for the conveyance of ammunition to Napier and Wellington, will be received at the somimVariat office until noon of this day ; also [or a building to be hired as a medical store. — Southern Cross, 9th December.