AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2779, 13 January 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(From the Lyttelton Times.) Mr Gillies’s late address to his constituents has been severely censured in print and otherwise, and there seems little doubt about the effect it will have upon his already waning reputation as a politician. Time and reflection have much softened the irritation caused by the removal of the seat of Government, for it is now generally recognised amongst us that Auckland contains too many elements of future greatness to render her possession of the capital a mottcr of vital importance. Therefore it is, that many sensible, good-natured people are sorry, but by no means surprised, that his Honor chose to rake up the ashes of miserable inter-provincial jealousies. The puerile attempt to explain away the slang expressions—“l heartily hate Wellington, and wanted to have a slap at it,” was futile—as the words were clearly heard by several hundreds of people. As yet, discovery is not made of the incendiaries who, as usual, at this season, temporarily frighten Auckland from its propriety. The loss of the new Music Rail is especially deplored, as it well may be, for it was a gem in its way, of beautiful proportions, light airy and elegant within and without. The platform arrangement was especially pleasing, semi-circular steps rising from their base almost to the ceiling, painted white with gilt mouldings. It seems to be thought, why I know not, that revenge had something to do with the demolition of this line structure. We nightly expect farther mischief, bat many are on the qui vivc, and and so perhaps the guilty disturbers of our slumbers may speedily be brought to account for their crimes. The late session of the Provincial Council is likely to be remembered in history as “ the tea and coffee session.” It was desired that a vote of LIOOO might be passed for the benefit of our parody on a museum, but tea and coffee had the best of it, and the museum is likely long to remain the dilapidated scarecrow it at present is. Some members, I believe, would have liked to have voted themselves stronger stimulants, but temperance ideas prevail, and even provincial legislators must sometimes meet their constituents. I don’t know that the late session resulted in much useful legislation, with the exception of passing a vote for the refreshments referred to, and the sitting a week or two in judgment on what lately passed a higher Assembly. It appears to be generally thought here that our local legislature is fast approaching decrepitude and dotage. The steamer Comcrang, whose mysterious mi sion to Sydney caused so much comment, returned here two days ago. I know nothing of the success or otherwise of her charterers in buying or selling Tookeys, but rumours arc muttered about “biters being bit,” and though thesa observations are very likely unfounded, they seem to be spoken in connection with the aforesaid mysterious mission. Generally speaking, mining business is dull just now at Thames and Coromandel, but at holiday time less could hardly be expected. No laborer possessing health, strength, and goodwill need now be idle in Auckland or its neighborhood. Work of many descriptions is plentiful, and not badly paid as times go. Prom .‘lss to L2 per week appears to he the average rate of wages for common hire, and provisions are by no means dear. Of female servants especially there is great scarcity; yet the “social evil” notoriously prevails here to an alarming extent, many of its ministers being girls of very youthful appearance ; in fact, some are mere children in all but vicious knowledge. Great efforts are being made to reclaim these poor creatures, but as yet with slight beneficial results, Mr Vogel, Mr Brogden, and Mr Webb arrived here in the Luna, via Mauakau, on Friday last. The railways are, 1 believe, to be pushed on at once. This will allay the impatience felt for the proceeding with those much-needed works—impatience which fully disproves the assertions which I regret to see are periodically forwarded from here for insertion in a Southern newspaper. So far from people here being opposed to the public works which have been planned for Auckland, it is notorious that our only fear is lest they may be unreasonably delayed. Mr Gillies rightly understood popular feeling as it exists here, when in his late speech he conveniently ignored the fact that a grand scheme of public works cannot properly be rashly ventured upon, and sneeringly asked, “ Where are the railways, &c., which the present Government promised us ?” To say that the people of Auckland “do not want railways, ” is to state knowingly what is not true, if the statement comes from any one who is conversant with the majority of opinions here. Mr Vogel and Mr Webb are

to leave for Sydney, I believe, by tbe Nebraska, hourly expected. Mr Ormond arrived from Napier the day before yesterday. It is reported that he will accompany Ar Brogden to the Bay of Islands, and upon several tours of inspection. In about three weeks’ time a remarkable action for L2OOO damages comes off here. The plaintiff is a wealthy settler on the East Coast, who was lately tried for perjury at Napier, and it is thought narrowly escaped conviction. The impending action will be brought on as a vindication of character. The plaintiff a few years back was fined, and lost a vessel for smuggling. He was then defended by his Honor the Superintendent, who was at that time following his profession of a lawyer.