AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 2830, 14 March 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[From the Lyttelton Times Correspondent.) Considering the late inclement weather, rapid progress is being made with the Waikato railway. I note that a heavy rise has been removed between two level and nearly complete! portions of the line, and three or four days hence a locomot.ve will probably bo dragging clay from the partly formed tunnel which is to pierce the bill above Parnell. The clay is removed will assist in making an embankment across Mechanics Bay. Port Bnttomart is being levelled by contract, to aid the proposed reclamation, but, unfortunately, the miserable dispute still continues between the Provincial Executive and the Harbor Board, and it really seems as if the General Government would be justified in stepping in and putting an eud to a squabble which threatens to obstruct a work of immense importance. The extension and terminus of the Kaipara railway will not be definitely settled until Mr Ormond’s return to this city. After his arrival it is supposed that Brogden and Son will station gangs of navvies at intervals all along the Waikato railway line between Auckland and Mercer, say 40 miles. The line passes over a very gradual ascent, and there are no engineering difficulties. It was supposed an obstacle would be found in a steep hill called the Razorbaok, but that can be avoided with profit to the line and no increase to its ihc misunderstanding between the Auckland Godege c -.dets and Major Gordon commanding Auckland Volunteers and Militia seems to have ended. Those cadets were forbidden by the Principal of the College to attend the volunteer review lately held at Mount Eden, several miles from town. All tho local papers respectfully suggested that the review should be held either on Albert Barrack green, or in the domain, both of which are admirably suited in every respect but mostly because they are easily accessible to spectators and to sea breezes. The spot selected is a hollow shut out from fresh air, totally devoid of water, and smothered with dust in the seasons of drought. On the day on which the review was held, my barometer (a good one) registered 130 in the open and 90 in the shade. Jnst previously, several cadets going to practice at Mount Eden fainted by the way. It is therefore not surprising that parents of the College cadets approved the Principal’s action, which action apparently gave umbrage to the military authorities, aud the result was this. The College cadets were forbidden to attend parades, &c. ; in fact, they were ignored. Now, those lads were the first to enrol themselves here as cadets, and ever since no other cadet corps in Auckland has surpassed them in smartness, soldierly bearing, and drill efficiency, and it is no exaggeration to say that Auckland is proud of these boys. Major Gordon, by all accounts, is an excellent commanding officer, and certainly is popular. It is supposed therefore that his seemingly harsh treatment of the Auckland College cadets was dictated by higher authority. I hear that the order wh:ch forbids these youngsters attending parades, &c., was rescinded by him almost as soon as issued. A few days back there was a slight rise in Caledonians, but they receded immediately after a local paper hinted at a great find, . A considerable amount of interest has been excited here by the intention to colonise Stewart’s Island and the west coast of Otago. '