AUCKLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 25, 27 June 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[From our own Correspondent..] June 25. The poor fellow who was attacked with small-pox a short time ago died in the Provincial Hospital on Sunday morning last, and was buried on the same day. It will be remembered that this man, Mr. Henry Thompson by name, arrived from Dunedin by the Nebraska and put up at a dining-room on the wharf. He found himself ailing a few days after arrival and went voluntarily to the hospital for medical treatment. His disease was found to be small-pox, but was described as being in a very mild form. He was, however, placed in a building isolated from all other patients to prevent infection, and although it "was reported that he was recovering on Saturday a change took place for the worse and he died the following day. Wβ have heard how the late mail-agent of the Nebraska was also attacked at Wellington with the same disease, and the latest advices from Honolulu state that the Nebraska in her passage from California to that port brought a passenger who has since died at Honolulu from small-pox. These facto cause not a little anxiety for friends who have gone by the steamer in her last trip. She took 180 passengers from here,. the largest number yet carried, and should this disease break out amongst them on the passage the consequences are fearful to contemplate. It is to be hoped that on the Nebraska's return to Auckland proper j precautions will be taken to prevent infection. Some of our journeymen maShanica are disatisfied with the present rate of -wages allowed them, which they urge fails to keep body and soul together. The blacksmiths last week decided to appeal to the masters , for a rise, and last night the " snobs" determined to strike for higher rates. For this purpose they have formed an Association to which they agree to subscribe sixpence per week each to a fund for their support while out on their contemplated strike. Other trades I hear will shortly follow their example. If their demauds are acceded to the employers will necessarily raise the price of their goods to the public. Whether the public will quietly agree to this I don't know, for I don't think there "is much money knocking about in this quarter, if guaging a place of amusement of an evening is any criterion. On some occasions there is not enough money in the theatre to pay for the gas, let alone the heavy rent and salary to the "pro's." I do not know how poor Mr. B. N., Jones can stand it, and he certainly has done his best to-cater for the public's amusement. • -.- . • . - " i I find that, in spite of the onward march of civilisation and Christianity, ancient customs of barbarism still exist in onr midst, and the dull thud of the cat-of-nine-tails, inflicted by a sturdy boatswain, resounded eighty times on the quivering and bleeding backs of two of our man-of-war's men. This occured on board the Bosario on Saturday. That such * barbarous custom is allowed to exist is a reproach on our nation, and that it should be enforced is a disgrace to those in authority who pref ess Christianity, and a st*in to those who claim to be "officer* and gentlemen.' .

I observe that & boy named William Smith, living at Onehunga, w?e apprehended here last night for stealing a horse from the Maoris in the Waikato, on or about the 19th March last. He was arrested in compliance with a telegraphic intimation from Waikato that a warrant had been granted for his apprehension. He ? was remanded until to-morrow. The buildings swept from the Queen-street Wharf jrere the hotel occupied by Mn Pulling, and Mf. Messenger's fruit-and cigar shop. The total lose is estimated if between 70G& and 8002. The remain* of the buildings were sold by auction this afternoon by Mr. S. Cochrane as they stood or rather partly floated in the harbour, a disorderly heap of entangled wreck. There is no doubt that a good deal of timber can be saved and made available again. The houses will be re-conatructed immediately. Most gratifying assurances are given of the ultimate successful issue of the negociationg undertaken recently by tne Hon.' Mr McLean for the settlement of the native difficulties in the Upper Waikato. This looks like good news. I have seen nothing,in:the Auckland journals about the floods in Tasmania, but from Hobart Town papers to the" sth inst. 1 observe that the floods there have been considerable. Immense .damage has been done, and one or two lives lost. iFour thousand people are reported to be rendered homeless and'-'destitute by the destruction of their property, and the Government has been forced to place the Barracks at the disposal of the sufferers. Compared with the floods in 1854 there was a much ieayitjr rush of water, and had not some of the obstructions thaj; formerly existed been removed, .And alterations made, to the .creek by way of widening it .at certain parts, the damage would have been enormous.