AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2150, 28 March 1870, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) March 21. There has been very little to record in the shape of news this month, and in the present state of stagnation it will be some time before anything worth writing about occur?. The Thames diggings present no new feature of interest, the scrip mania having, at least for a time, ruined the prospects of the field. Coromandel is looking up a little, and when there is sufficient machinery on the ground, I believe it will show pretty well, as there has been some very good quartz struck, more especially in the “ Tiki ’’ district. The now Warden and Resident Magistrate, Capt. Fraser, has now settled down to work, and the appointment has given general satisfaction, as before he came all disputes and eases had to be referred to the Shortland Court, thereby causing a great waste of tinjo money, and often very serious loss;. The new Bishop o.f Auckland is becoming popu ar. Ifc has set to the task in right down earnest. Ho has visitei the Thames, held confirmation services, and purposes visiting Coromandel this mouth with the same intention. He is also giving a course of Lent lectures on Wednesday evenings in the cathedral church of St. Paul.

The last week has also witnessed the departure of two fine ships from this port for London with valuable cargoes and many passengers. The first of the Helenslec, a Glasgow clipper—commanded by Captain Macdonald, a canny Scot if ever there was one, and a general favorite since bis visit—sailed on the 15th ; the other a fine new clipper called the City of Auckland, under the command of Captain Ashby, late of the Siam, and an old and much respected trader, hauled from the wharf on Friday, the 18th, and sailed on the afternoon of the 19th with sixty-three passengers and a full cargo. As both these ships arc well known for their sailing’qualities, a close run home is anticipated, aud each has many bakers for the event, and some money is likely to change hands when the question is decided. Several well-known colonists proceed by them, and if the good wishes of their friends could waft them across the deep, they would each have a safe and speedy journey. The Maori war accounts are as usual. Te Kooti has made another raid, aud upon a pa called Opepe, near Opotiki, in the Poverty Bay district, carried off horses, provisions, and a number of prisoners, and safely got away with his booty ; so much for the present ministerial policy. I regret, however, to inform you of a serious loss to the Colonial forces by the death of Lieut.-Colonel James Fraser. This gallant officer succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever on Thursday, 10th March, at the military station, Te Papa, and it is generally believed that mental anxiety respecting a commission of enquiry at the instance of Colonel M‘ Donnell hastened his death. He was a brave fellow, and his name will be long remembered by the rebel natives both on the East and West Coasts. He was buried at the Te Papa cemetery, near the heroes of the celebrated Gate Pa, and with full military honors, the officers of the Rosario and others taking part in this testimony of respect, and minute guns were fired from the vessel during the ceremony, adding much to the solemn impressiveness of the mournful scene. Lot us hope “ he has fought the good fight,” and has gone to reap the never-fading laurel in the army of the faithful. The troops have gone, and the last sale of military stores took place on Friday last, a couple of staff sergeants and an officer of commissariat or so, with the colonel of the regiment, who stays behind for a short time on leave, will soon be away, and the 18th will be numbered amongst the things of the past. They were a well behaved regiment, and well respected, and many regret their loss, but a large number intend to return and settle in the province when their term of service expires. We miss their soleudid band under its talented hand master, Michael Quinn, and which was always available for charitable purposes, as well as for the promenade performance on the lawn of Government House. The Philharmonic Society have presented Mr Quinn with a splendid baton in appreciation of his services for that institution. Mrs Robert Heir, now Mrs George Darrell, has played an engagement at the Prince of Wales Theatre with moderate success. Mr George Darrell is popular in his sensation songs, but althoughfa promising young actor is not yet qualified for the position lie has attempted, and perhaps this may have had some effect upon the public pa'ronage. The new troupe, Rainer Christy’s and Weston’s Minstrel’s have just completed their second week. They have been a great success, playing to crowded houses ; they are a good troupe, and comprise several old friends as well as new faces. The “Bros. Collins” in their “golden shoe dance ” are immense. Mr J. Cowan is a first class comique. Rainford, late of the Christy’s, is the basso, and Brabam the tenor; and both are raptuously encored nightly. Mr W, H. Bg;;t, the bones, is one of the bess character niggfr performers thqt has ever visited New Zea}aqd ; and they have also a Mr Robson, the silver-belt jig and characteristic dancer. George Chittenden is also one of the troupe ; aud under the management of Mr J. C. Rainer, the original introducer of “Rainer’s Serenaders ” into the colonies, they can hardly fail of success.