AUCKLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 13, 30 May 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[From our own Correspondent.] May 28. Some time ago Her Majesty the Queen forwarded to New Zealand six handsome swords for presentation to loyal and friendly native chiefs.. The last of these gifts was presented to-day at Government House by his Excellency the Governor to Fox (Pokiha) the Arawa chief. The ceremony took place before Major Kemp (Te Kepa), Major Ropato, Paul (Paora), of Orakei, and several other chiefs and their wives, all of whom had come to pay a visit to His- Excellency. A. spread was provided afterwards, and our friends appeared highly delighted with their reception. The first of our winter course of lectures at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms was delivered last night before a large audience, by W. S. Rees, Esq., attorney and barrister. Tho subject — " Use and Abuse of lTictiou " — was well handled. The Sharemarket continues depressed. There appears to be a general anxiety about the forthcoming Green Harp crushing, on the result of which a good deal of the future of Coromandel depends. Bismarck shares have dropped down to M. 10s., it having become apparent that they have lost their leader. They hope to come across it again in a few days by more driving. A Volunteer Officers' Ball will take place to-night in the Drill-shed, in honour of Her Majesty's Birthday. The building has been thoroughly and tastefully decorated with bunting for the occasion, aud the floor smoothed and polished. Extra gas has been laid on in all parts, and it is expected that, when lighted up, the room will have a very imposing appearance. Nearly six hundred invites have been sent out. The Governor will honour the ball with his presence, and the Auckland Scottish Volunteers are told off to act as a guard of honour on the occasion. They will, of course, appear in full dress with their new uniform. It will undoubtedly be a grand affair, and a great deal of care has been bestowed on the arrangements to make it a success. We have no tidings of the ship Helenslee, from London, now overdue. In the meantime there is no vcaaol on the berth for London. We however hear to-day that the barque Tyrol has left Nelson for this port, to load for London. [t is, no doubt, a great relief to all to hear of the safety of the City of Melbourne. A telegram was received in Auckland yesterday from Hokitika, announcing the arrival of the Rangitoto from Melbourne with intelligence that the City of Melbourne liad put back to Sydney, with her machinery disabled.- We have no further particulars yet, as the bar has been so rough all day that there has been no communication with the Rangitoto. Yesterday I observed an advertisement in the Star, purporting to be from " Mabel—tall, fair, and good-looking." She wishes to correspond with a gentleman with a view to matrimony. Poor dear ! I hope she will be accommodated ; in fact I am half-afraid she will have so many applicants that she will find it difficult to make a choice. This evening we are informed in the same paper that Mrs. James Simpson has presented her lord and master with three daughters at a birth. She deserves morn than tha Queen's bounty, considering the expense the colony is at to promote female immigration at the present moment. The report from Mr. Brogden respecting the Water Supply for the City, was brought forward at the City Council meeting yesterday. It is in favor of the Western Springs at Motion's Mill in preference to the Waitakerei scheme; J have heard,, but of course cannot vouch for the correctness of the remark, that there is still a better, safer, nearer, cheaper and more direct locality to. obtain the City supply from than any yet proposed, but the scheme would not suit the engineers or contractors, as the expense would be. so trifling, as compared to the others. I allude to the springs on Mr. Edgecombe's property in the Arch Hill district. The reward of 5001 has at last been paid to Mr Broham, our Inspector of Police, for the action he has taken in bringing Cyrus Haley to justice. This amount has been subscribed by the Insurance Companies and the City Council. A further reward of 1000Z was offered by the General Government for the apprehension and conviction of the incendiary, but I suppose that with the Government it is enough trouble to make a promise without being compelled to keep'it. There has been a little squabble amongst certain officers at the Rifle Range, arising from a difference between them about the right- to use the range. The officer in possession who had the authority to use the range on that oceasion threatened to remove the other if he did not' leave. The other,, as his superior in rank, bade: him desist and obey. Another appeared on the scene, and, as a "more superior officer still," commanded his inferior to obey the "still more inferior officer." The affair will form the subject of a judicial inquiry—a sort of semimilitary court-martial.