AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2691, 9 June 1868, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS. — NEW DISCOVERIES. June 2. During the past week upwards of 1600 ounces of gold have been brought up by the steamers Tauranga and Midge from the

Thames. — A handsome building has been erected at Shortland for the Union Bank of Australia. There is ample accommodation afforded for the usual departments ; also for gold-buying and smelting. — The Bank of New South Wales is about to erect banking premises at Shortland.— A thirty-roomed house is about to be erected at Shortland (Thames), which indicates not only the prosperity of the place, but the want of extended house accommodation. Mr Christie has sold a quarter share in Hunt's claim for £2200, Mr Hunt himself being the purchaser. We have been reliably informed that on the 21st ult., after the sale was made, quite 1000 ounces of gold were taken out of this claim in the space of a couple of hours. — The quantity of gold exported from the province of Auckland, during the quarter ended March 31st, was 8405 ozs.,' value, £20,476 ; of which 6050 ozs. was exported to Great Britain, and 2355 ozs to New South Wales. — A new church, named St George's Church, was opened at Shortland, on May 24th, by the Yen. Archdeacon Lloyd, of Auckland.

The developement of the auriferous wealth of tho Thames district has' been prosecuted with unabated vigor during the past month, although the wintry weather experienced has somewhat militated against prospecting being crrried on for many consecutive days with any degree of comfort. The claims proved to be gold-bearing are now steadily worked ; machinery is being extensively 1 erected ; and shares in some of the richer claims have changed hands at astonishingly high figures. As an instance of this, we may here mention that a quarter-sleeping share in the Shotover, which was bought eight months ago for £100, was sold a few days ago for £2250. New discoveries are being mado weekly of auriferous ground, not alone confined to the Hauralci district. A rush has taken place to Kennedy's Bay, consequent on the discovery of alluvial gold there ; the district has been proclaimed a goldfield, new townships surveyed, and at last dates there were about 500 diggers on the spot. Wo have also to report the discovery of the precious metal at the Wade ; and quartz, supposed to contain gold, has been met with at Papakura and the Kaipara. We learn that auriferous quartz has been discovered in the neighborhood of Rangiriri, specimens of which have been brought to town by Mr Moorhouse, brother of the late Superintendent of Canterbury. The discovery is said to be of a very promising character. NATIVE AFFAIRS. By the arrival of the schooner Herald, from the Bay of Islands it is reported that the native of the Ngapuhi tribe who shot the half-caste Te Wake in the recent affray at Hokianga, and who was himself badly wounded, has since died.

The fighting between the Ngapuhis and Rarawas at Hokianga still wages ; and the opposing forces havo been of late greatly strengthened by friendly tribes being drawn, through fear, favor, or affection, into the vortex. Mr J. Mackay, jun., Civil Commissioner, has been despatched by Government to the scene of action, to endeavor to induce the l^arawas to surrender the murderer to justice. A large number of influential chiefs have accompanied Mr Mackay, to use their influence in preventing if possible a further continuance of the intertribal strife, and some hopes are entertained of a successful result to the mission.

It will be remembered that, at the great meeting held at Tokangamutu some months ago, considerable apprehension was shown by the adherents of Tawhiao lest there should be division in their ranks, the increasing influence and ambitious designs of the prophets being viewed with suspicion. It was felt that the pretentions of Hakaraia (Zachariah). Hape, and the prophets threatened to undermine the influence and authority of the King, and there was an awkward reserve manifested between the two extreme parties which boded mutual distrust. We now learn that Hakaria has set himself up as King in opposition to Tawhiao, and that the extreme Maori party have gone over to him in a body. Ifc is not likely that Tawhiao will relinquish his sceptre without a struggle, and, as he is backed by a powerful party, there is every probability of an internecine war. As a first step on the part of the adherents of the usurper, we learn that they have extended the aukati so as to take in part of Mr Buckland's run. At present, matters appear to be in a very disturbed state in the interior, and the slightest accident may lead to actual hostilities between the two parties. KEROSENE IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE. Intelligence has been received in Auckland of a discovery of kerosene afc Riverhead by a gum digger, who is working about three miles from Lamb's Mills, and it is supposed that a nice vein will be tapped by sinking, in a short time. It is also said that there are indications of gold in the same locality, which will be developed to sufficient extent to test the value in a short time ; so that between gum, oil, and gold, there is a good prospect for Riverhead.