ARRIVAL OF THE "LADY BIRD," FROM AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1983, 14 November 1863, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE "LADY BIRD," FROM AUCKLAND.

( NEWS FROM THE SEAT OE WAR TO THE 9th November. £A portion of the following appeared in an Independent Extra on Thursday.]

Independent Office, , Thursday 2 p.m. The N.Z.S.N. Co.'s s.s. Lady Bird; Capt Renner, arrived in port at noon, to-day. She sailed from Manakau on Monday last, the 9th instant, at 7 p.m., arrived at Taranaki on Tuesday, at 10 a.m, sailed again at 4.30 p.m. same day, and arrived at Nelson on Wednesday at 7.15 a.m, Left Nelson at 7.15 pm. on Wednesday, arrived at Picton at 5.30 a.m. on Thursday; left Picton at 6.15 a.m., and arrived here as above. . She made the passage from Nelson to Picton in 9| hours, and fnm Picton to Wellington in 5| hours, against a strong S.E. gale and head sea, every effort beiug made to catch the Lord Ashley, previous to her departure South with the English Mail. She was detained at Manukau two days by order of His Excellency's Government for the purpose of bringing despatches to be forwarded to England. She brings 37 passengers, 20 of whom proceed South per Lord Ashley.

A public meeting was advertised to take place at Auckland on Wednesday, the 1 Ith November, for the purpose of explaining the objects contemplated by tho New Zealand Steam Navigation Company on its proposed enlarged basis, with a view of securing genera! public support. The Hon F. Whitaker, was to take the ohair, and the meeting would be attended by influential gentlemen from every part of the Colony.

The scheme had met with very general approval at Auckland, and it was anticipated tbat after the meeting there would be a large demand for shares in the Company,

The Corio, from Otago the 28th uit,, and Napier the 31st, arrived at Auckland, on the Bth inst.

The brig Reliance, from Tasmania, arrived at Auckland on the Bth iust, with a detachment of Volunteers.

The Colonial Secretary had submitted a resolution to the House of Repiesentatives for the separation of the Government of the two Islands, and appointment of a Lieut-Governor for one, the other to be uuder the especial control of the Governor-in-chief.

No news of importance from the front

There was a possibility ofthe scene of active operations going nearer to Auckland and preparations were being made for the eveut. It is rumoured th it there was to be a semicircle of fortifications sweeping from sea to sea.