AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 268, 22 May 1865, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(From the Southern Cross.} The Kate Williams Owing to the almost certain intelligence recsived by H.M.’s Esk of the loss of this vessel, the owner, Captain G, E. Bead, of Poverty Bay, has claimed the amount of insurance, £750, from the Auckland Insurance Company, in which office she was insured, and the directors immediately paid over the money. As a new company and a candidate for public favor, we have niuch pleasure in noticing the promptitude with which it has Settled this claim. Eo hope an and Native Claims foe Compensation. —We nave already called attention to the inconsistency _ and . injustice of paying native claimants of even doubiful loyalty by orders upon the Treasury, and leaving . Europeans to whistle for their money, or remain in suspense as,to whether they wUI ever, get it. One of the Auckland refugees who was unable, through want of funds, to return to his farm since ho was driven from it, made a request recently for a payment on account, and received the following reply,— .. . “ Colonial Secretary’s Office, ’ ' “ Wellington, April 29. 1865. * “ Sir, —I am, directed by Mr Weld to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst., requesting that you might be allowed an advance of £2OU on account of compensation for losses which you have suffered from rebellion of natives, in the province of Auckland. “Mr. Weld regrets that the Government have no foods which they can legally devote to your

relief, or to that of those in a similar position. It is impossible for the Government to treat your case exceptionally, when unfortunately there are so many other persons who have claims of the same nature. —I have, &e., “ W. Gisborne, ‘ “ Under-Secretary.*’ No doubt a reasonable objection can be made to treating any one European claimant “exceptionally,” but why treat the natives exceptionally? It shows, as lias been often said before, that there is one law for the Maori and another for the European. (From the New Zealander.) - The Proposed Dissolution of the Provincial Council.— -We understand that the prayer of the Provincial Council for a dissolution at a period earlier; than that which follows in the usual course by efflux of time, and which prayer was laid by Mr Speaker before his Excellency the Governor, has been submitted to his Excellency’s responsible advisers at Wellington. The Ministry u has forwarded the application to the Suprintendent of Auckland, for his Honor’s remarks thereupon, and the Council lias been informed that, upon receipt of his Hjnor’s reply, the Ministry will take the application into their most serious consideration. There can be little doubt that his Honor will gladly suport the prayer of the Council, as it will lend so much to facilitate the public business, although it may perhaps hasten by a very short period his Honor’s exit from office. Sweep tour Chimneys.—Serious consequences nearly resulted yesterday to a house at the foot of Graham-street, overlooking the harbor, from the kitchen chimney taking fire. The flames burst through the top of the flue, and the sparks of soot threatened the roof of the liouss itself, and of those adjoining, on fire. It took over half an hour to extinguish the flames, which was only done by getting on to the roof and smothering them with wet bags. We would remind our readers that the neglect of sweeping their chimneys not only subjects them to the danger and annoyance of a fire, but also to a penalty of five pounds at the hands of our vigilant Commissioner of Police.