OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 361, 23 February 1876, Page 3

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

(EBOH OtTE OWN COBBEBPQNBBNT.) Atjckiahdj February 18. His Excellency the Govbbfob arrived in Auckland ->on Thursday morning, and had what may be described as a very cool reception. The Volunteers.turned out, and his Worship the Mayor and the City Councillors shook hands with his Excellency at the Brilomart Bailway Station. Councillor Hurst, in particular, who was got up " re* gardless" for the occasion was particularly affable with " the Marquis." The guns fired the usual salute, and the shipping — though not till the reception was nearly over — was decorated with flags, but in spite of all this the welcome was not a hearty one, and the worthy old gentleman and good-humoured looking lady to whom it was accorded could not but have felt its influence rather chilling. The cause of this lack of enthusiasm is not far to seek. The proceedings were conspicuous for the absence of our popular Superintendent, Sir George Grey. However Quixotic some of Sir George Grey's aspirations may be, he is a regular little God in Auckland at the present time, and the bulk of the populace look to him as a Dens ex machina, who has been sent to deliver us out of all our difficulties. This being so, it was decidedly impolitio to offer him a gratuitous insult by neglecting to appriae him in the usual official manner of his Excellency's intended visit. Yet this omission was made on the part of somebody ; it is difficult to fix the blame on anyone at present, and the people knew it and wereill-biunoredand indignant in consequence. Dr Pollen, of course, gets all the blame, and, although there is no actual proof of the late Premier being guilty, he is attacked by the Star in its usual virulent language. The Governor is challenged to deny having anything to do with" making the invidious exception ; and it is to be hoped that his Exi eellency will-condescend to explain, as upon his answer will depend to a great extent his popularity here. The Marquis, in response to Mayor Tonk's Bpeech of welcome, said it was his intention to remain in Auckland for two or three months. Tbe most amusing incident of the reception was the welcome given by the workmen employed by Mr Dempsey, the contractor. About 40 of them at the time of the vioe regal arrival were occupied breaking down and carting away tbe earth from Fort Britomart to fill in a portion of the harbour west of the wharf, which is being reolaimed under contract from the Harbour Board. When his Excellency's oarriage was desoried approaching, the men knocked off work and formed up in military order at the side of the road. Then, at the right moment, one of their number gave the order "Present arms," and the navvies went through the motions of a salute, using their picks as rifles. They concluded their demonstration by giving three cheers for his Excellency and Lady Normanby, three for Sir George Grey, and three groans for Dr Pollen, who was generally expected as Minister in attendance, but who did not show.

The greatest mystery still surrounds the movements of the murderer Wynyard. Last week it was deemed certain that he had reached the King country, and the names of people were mentioned who had seen him at Moeranga, Te Kuifci, and elsewhere. Now all this is contradicted, and the latest report is that he is concealed somewhere in the Piako district. There is a general impression that the Govern* ment have not offered a large enough reward to make it worth while for parties to go in search of him. If they offered £500 for Haley's arrest, who only attempted murder, why do they not offer the same for Winiata, who has committed murder? Beports from the Waikato agree that there is no sympathy with the fugitive among the natives, and Tawhiao has been warned by several of the native chiefs that he would only embroil himself and all of them if he extends any shelter to the murderer. One story is abroad to the effect that Winiata intends to ask protection of Titiko Waru. There would be a pretty pair if they were to pig together, but I believe Titiko has turned virtuous in his old age, and it is more than likely he will show his penitence by betraying hia wicked visitant,

The visit of the schooner yacht Peerless, which arrived from Samoa and Tonga on Friday last, has caused quite a sensation in the place. This vessel is of moat beautiful proportions,, and is said to-be a veritable clipper at sailing. She formerly belonged to Colonel Stein berger, the mysterious American adventurer, who has been kicking up the shindy in Samoa. She was spized by order of the American and other Consuls at the island, and was sold at auction j her purchaser being Captain McKenzie, who went away from here in the Mary Melville, a schooner now trading among the islands. Since Captain McKenzie has arrived with her, he has issued an open challenge to sail her against any vessel in Auckland for any sum and over a course not less than 50 miles.. Mr Malbolm Nioeol has aocepted the ohallenge, and has offered to sail the stranger with his brother's yacht' the Secret, generally lookedupon as our champion yacht. She is much smaller than the Peerless, being only 28 tons, against her 45,. but she is a clipper at going to windward,' and her admirers fanoy that if' there is much beating to be done she will win. . On the other hand the greater length of the Peerlesß will give her the advantage off the wind. The inatoh will probably come off on Tuesday. It is now between two and three years since the filling in of the Beach Road between Anokland and Parnell was begun, and at last tenders are called for its completion. It is to be hoped that now the muoh-needed approach from the eastern suburbs will be metalled and made into a deoent road without delay. Whenit ia available it will save the climbing of a very eteop hill, which at present upsets the morning pipe or cigar of the daily traveller to town, and if we could only understand them, makes our beasts of burden ourse and swear terribly.

There wbb a great' crowd down to see tho Hero away on Thursday. . She took over 100 passengers,- and I am sorry to say over 50 of these, were miners, who have been thrown out iof employment by the stoppage of mining 'operations at the. Thames. It cannot; bub 1 be looked upon as a great pity that suohi' an exodua should be necessitated.. What 1 kind of economy ia it to be monthly introducing cargoes- of comparatively useless immigrants, and at bhe same time to havo skilled workmen going- away to other colonies.- The present Btate of the-Thames minings population is a subject- which • must command • the attentive consideration of the Government at once or somethin^serious vrilloooiw. Their. proposal

to spend- £1000- in- fresh works is simply like offering a huzel-nut to a famished man. - There are several' works about Auckland and ■ the Thames -which • are batlly required,', and <it would be excellent policy to employ these men* on them. Take for instance-the proposed road from Ohinemuri and Tairua to Tauranga, whioh would be exceedingly valuable both for miners and agriculturalists. ■ The Auckland Steam Packet Co: have invited Mr Coleman Phillips to a< conference to be held in a few days by the directors and shareholders of the company, with a view to examining Mr Phillips' schemes for extending the Island trade of our port. The company show sterling sense in taking up this' important ' question promptly. They may be assuredthat if they, do not, the Australasian Steam Navigation Co. will, and] then the ttade will' go to Sydney instead of coming here. The practicability of starting a steam service toNew Caledonia will, as I understand, be the first subject of debate.

" As I write a rumour arrives that Wynyard has been Been at Bangitoto by a man named Jackson, who lives there. The police have gone down, and we shall probably hear what the truth is to-morrow.