AUCKLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 18 June 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

, [From our own Correspondent.] June 17. The uneventful nature of the past week renders it very difficult for me to furnish my usual quota of ] matter, to say nothing of making such a selection as might possibly interest your readers. There is, however, one subject which has furnished the staple of conversation for the week, and that is—the proceedings of the- Licensing Bench on Tuesday and Wednesday last at the .adjourned meeting for the hearing of publican*' licenses! There was a great muster of the,bar on the occasion, and, with onoexception, all in the interest of the Licensed Victuallers' Association. .The Bench was "packed" full—some thirteen in number. The U.K. A. was well represented on it, there being no less than seven avowed teetotallers. Mr. Beckham occupied the chair; He prefaced the proceedings by animadverting in the strongest manner upon the conduct of a leading publican who had issued a card bearing parallel quotations'of a. Scriptural nature on strong drink, with a commentary notice appended. This was looked upon by counsel as irrelevant, and a good deal of freedom of speech was indulged in on both sides*-T /This "passage of arms" must have somewhat disturbed the serenity of the Bench, judging by their subsequent action, as the announcement was made that it was not intended to hear applications for re-granting licenses. Upon this counsel spake, and, a,, scene ensued, the result of which was that the Chairman, together with twothirds of the J.P.'s, left their seats. The Mayor afterwards took the. chair, and adjourned the sitting. The following day Mr. Beckham, the Mayor, and several of the Justices did not appear. Their places, however, were supplied by others whose views were not inimical to the applicants, and the result was that every li«ense whdeh had been rescinded was regranted. This fiihatt to she matter has caused great rejoicing among the. publicans, as it is looked upon as a : crashing- defeat to the Alliance psople. There .is no doubt that the exposk as to the way the petitions were, manufactured by them has a great deal to do in bringing a;bout a revulsion of feeling in the minds of many persons.,. ; , -Sir David Munro, late Speaker of. the House of Representatives, has been returned as member for the Waikouaiti district.. The electors have chosen a member- who is likely to prove, antagonistic to the present Government. There is a growing feeling of distrust throughout the Provinces as to the sincerity of the Government in carrying out the various Bailway schemes. Although tenders for the construction of the Waikato line are-to be given in next week, Messrs. Brogden & Co. having been furnished with the requisite data, yet the step cannot be accepted as an earnest that the Government are sincere in their intentions to forthwith - commence active operations, but rather as a' mere preliminary to quiet agitation. It is very certain.that several months have been lost to no purpose, if the work is really to be undertaken. Mining matters at Coromandel have received an impetus during the last few days in consequence of the find of some exceedingly rich atone in the Bisniarck. The long-expected but oftdelayed crushing of the Green Harp claim has not yet taken place. It is to commence now,T believe, beyond a doubt, on Wednesday next. It has been tritely said that " hope deferred, maketh the heart sick," and such, 1 am sure, must be the case with holders of scrip in this claim. For the last two months .shares, have been sustained at. a fictitious price with the above will-o'-the-wisp, while it is currently reported that some of the original holders have been availing themselves of every spurt to slip out iof their stock. The hopes of holders of Tookey shares revived once more in the early part of the week, a jump in the price of 'them' having taken place in consequence of the action of a few large holders. It was confidentially rumoured ...■. that \. " they had cut a rich lode from the Caledonian side," or some other equally startling report. A ; few shares were bought by the knowing ones, and immediately holders, who would have been glad to sell at 7/. or previous to the report, held for imaginary prices. The consequence is their gullibility has once more been worked upon by the ring, who made a neat 100 ,per cent., and shares have, receded to. their old figure or thereabout..