OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume V, Issue 421, 23 September 1876, Page 3

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

(PBoM OUR OWN CORBESPONDEST.) At/ckxand, September 18; If everyone here spoke their real opinions on the political situation, the most generally uttered exolamation would be,— "What a pity Sir George Grey did not acoept Abolition when Mr Whitaker joined the ministry ! I am convinced that Auckland and tho colony generally would have profited more had he done so, than they will from the present unseemly squabble. I do not like writing anything which may be construed into re proaohi of Sir George, aa I believe he has done a great deal of good by his fearless outspoken attitude in the Assembly, but at the same time I agree with Mr Tonka, that there is no call for a blind acquiescence _in every thing a good man does, or. in every view he takes of public affairs. So, with the present state of things political, I venture to say that it would have been better had the leader of the Opposition been contented with the Government acknowledging and rectifying their error in creating nine ministers, instead of pressing bis suits for damages as he has done, and delaying tho business of the session by countenancing the senseless practice (except in extreme emergencies) of talking against time. He has a splendid fellow for this kind of work in Mr BeeSj who can- make a long speech on nothing better than any man in tbe Assembly. I have not the slightest doubt that after speaking the other day and night for ten hours, as far as matter was concerned, he could have gone on for another wpek.

The delay in oarrying out the promised extension of the Kaipara railway from River* h<>ed to Auckland has much to do. with the feeling of irritation against the Government which exists in Auckland. The expense of this under} king was put on the estimates several seisions ago, but the work has been shelved time after time, till at last an impression has gained ground that the Julius ministry never intended to do ifc. Tho proposed extension is really the only legitimate out ome of tbe commencement of tbe Kaipara railway, and without it the line is very little use indeed, so that there can be no difference of opinion as to the urgency of the work. But this is just one of the instances where the Government, now that Mr Whitaker practi' cally leads the ministry, would be likely to do us tardy justice. The difference of the ministerial tone was displayed very markedly the other day when the question was asked if the Government intended to place upon the estimates a earn for the inorease of wharf accommodation at Onehunga. The reply waa given tbat the enlargement of the wharf was recognised as necessary, and the work would be earned out at the earliest available opportunity. This was a much greater admission than could be got out of them before. What causes me to refer particularly to the question of Kaipara railway extension now is that within f;he last few days two public meetings have been held j one at Otanoatea, and tho other at Paparoa, for the discussion of the subject. At both meetings the charge brought against settlers of making exorbitant claims for compensation was indignantly repudiated, and the resolution passed at Ofcamatea may be taken as illustrating the conclusion arrived at by the Paparoa gathering, " Tbat in the opinion of this meeting the Government has repeatedly pledged itself to the extension of the Kaipara railway, and that the Minister of Publio Works should bo asked to at once cull for tenders for the construction of the line as at present surveyed, no excessive compensation being demanded." The Cify Council election on Thursday last caused more excitement than any event of the kind for years. All the eight candidates kept the field to the last, and 1 believe firmly tbat not a Bingle one of them had any doubt about his being returned. The result agreed with the popular "tip," that Mr Brett, of the Evening Star, would be returned at the head of tbe poll, but no further. Mr H. W. Hurat had booked himself for the place of honor, and his confidence, which is usual with this gentleman, was not at all concealed, led most people to think he was at least sure of one of the three seats. But when the numbers wont up the elected trio were found to be Brett, Masofield, and Dickson ; and Messrs Hurst and Holdship were left out in the cold. Mr Masefield, the engineer, is very popular, and as he carries the votes of all the west end portion of the city, no sup prise was evinced at his position on the poll , but Dickson's election surprised everyone, and since the declaration people have been occupied in wondering how it oame to pass. For my own part I think tbe explanation, both of Mr Dickson's election, and of Messrs Hurst and Holdship's rejection is simple, if we consider how very likely it is that the political tone would be reflected in municipal affaire. The great popular cry at present is "no jobbery,'' and any soheme or candidate that has for object, or is said to have for object the do'ng away with cliquism and log< j rolling, is sure to be popular. Now although Messrs Hurst and Holdship are both very able men, and well qualified for the office of councillor, they have somehow gained the reputation of not being exactly independent in their aotion. . In the recent enquiries about Mr Errington, in the Harbour Board and City Counoil, both of them undoubtedly tried to pooh-pooh the whole thing, and. the result of this and other opposition was that the enquiry was quashed in the Council, and all but quashed at the Harbour Board. In other affairs Mr Holdship is said to be merely a nominee of Captain Daldy, while Mr Hurst has acquired the unenviable, and I believe perfectly undeserved stigma, of always at- ■ fcaching himself to l.he side of the " bigwigs," j however the publio interests may be involved, j On the other hand Mr Diekeon was promn : nently concerned in bringing the question of I Mr Errington's incapacity before both publio ! bodies, and it was undoubtedly owing to his testimony tbat tbe Harbour Board passed their vote of censure. So that the public bad every reason to believe that Mr Dickson would, if elected, make a dead set at the " rings " which flourish in Auckland as- well as elsewhere. At tbe present moment atendenoy to reform is visible, and the citizens know that if they want reform carried out without regard to vested interests and other stumbling blocks they must go in for new blood. So they chose Masefield and Diokson before Hurst and Holdsbip. The Pakuranga Hunt Club had a most successful run on Saturday. It was the last meet of tbe season. Mr J. McCosh Clark&ave a splendid spread at his eeat, "The Tpwerß," at Remuera, after which the comi pony mounted and rode over to the Harp of Erin hotel,, where the hounds. w«re- laid on. .

After a sbarp burst to Omhun^a and back, a hare was killed, ond then the drag was brought into use. .. By this 'arans the- hunt was taken through somefair huoting country, and not over the scoria gullitf; which "puss ' had a predeliotion for. A splendid day's sport was marred by an aocident which caueed the death of Rustic, an old steeplechaser. who has performed very well during a long career. The horse was ridden by a young man named McQuay. After jumping one of the stone walls, which are so common here, the animal suddenly collapsed, and being examined was found to have broken one of hie legs in two places. He was then and there shot. His loss can be but ill-afforded by bis owner, Mr Thorpe, the trainer. The Ponsonby war " Prosyitea v. Anleproxyites " has not yet subsided. At present the proxy Board hold the reins of office, and have possession of the books. But the anti> proxyites mean to try the question on its merits, and thiß morning the case made its. appearance in the B.M. court in the shape ot four actions, brought by a rate- payer, against Mr Jakins, Mr Daore, Mr Stewart, and Mr Morton, to compel them to show cause why they should not be ousted from the Board under the 27th seotion of the Highway Act. The cases were all dismissed through a flaw in the information, but no costs were given, end fresh informations are to be laid. You in Tauranga, also seem- in a nioe mess re Board matters.