AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 270, 26 May 1865, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

How TO DODGE Tolds. —Since the tolls of Custom-House-street have been enforced, as well as those of Queen-street Wharf, the tollkeeper ha’ been empowered to collect tolls from every vehicle passing across Queen-street at the junction of that street with the wharf and Custom-House-street. The owner of a wheelbarrow, who had come down Albert-street with his one-wheeled vehicle, and wanted to cross to that part of Cus-tom-House-street which lies at the opposite side of Queen-street to that from which he had come, tried the following and successful plan. His barrow was empty, and ho wheeled it boldly up to the toll-burthened portion of the street, when the Argus-eyed collector spied him and advanced to secure his threepence, hut, ere he arrived, the barrow-man quietly stooped down, lifted hisbarrow on to his head, and walked defiantly across, amid the laughter of the hye-standers and the no small chagrin of the renter of the tolls. —New Zealander.

TAURANGA. (From the N.Z. Herald's Correspondent). May Bth, 1865. In my last, I told you of a report that the natives were fighting at Rotorua, which I find arose from the King natives, making some Arawa women prisoners, and this was supposed would immediately cause hostilities. My native informant took it for granted they were fighting at the time. lam glad to say such was not the case, the King natives havingreleased theirfairprisoners, and decided to let them rest in peace for the present.

Very few down here, I believe, consider the tribe as any great advantage to us, although the Government are paying them a monthly sum for being on the friendly side, which, if stopped, or were the protection of ourtroops withdrawn, would make them do what they have every wish to do, that is join the Pai Marires. Now most of our colonists dislike this way of dealing with Maoris, knowing well what will come of it, but they also like fair play. The treatment that eight Maoris have received down here, is contrary to English law. The colonel ordered them to be arrested on suspicion of being about to join the Pai Marire superstition. An escort was sent for them to the village. They were brought before Col,Greer, Mr Bice interpreting, this occurred one month and more since, and they are still in confinement in the Monmouth Bedoubt, with no charge against them. Surely this is not justice. What do the authorities intend doing with them ? If they were spies, traitors, or prisoners of war, why not give them a trial ? If they are rebels, there are plenty more of the same find where they came from. Imprison them also, and get the Marion hulk down here again. But to keep them confined without a charge, is treating them more like serfs, than acknowledged British subjects. It is not the Colonial Government now which is doing this, but the British. The Tauranga natives are getting hard pushed for cash. They have commenced the old game of selling land which is not theirs, at Matapu and Judea, to any one foolish enough to become purchasers. Several have availed themselves of the valuable opportunity of obtaining freeholds. Mr Turner, of the Ist W. M., is one. He has been surveying for some time down hers, and a few days bought a piece of land at Judea for which he paid a £lO deposit. After part of this money had been spent in buying clothing for the winter, the rightful owner (by his account) claimed the land, and the other refused to return the depotit.money. Mr Black, a settler down here, has also purchased largely on these terms. The Pai Marires are cany ing on their rites |as usual. A storekeeper at Otahuta who is married to a native woman, has been prevented from seeing hen and is warned that if he comes to where she is they will do for him. Sush is the now religion. The beer canteens are doing the best business, and most of the money is spent in them, but I am glad to say very little drunkenness in either regiment. , ' . ■ .',- t