AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 293, 31 July 1865, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Ouk files extend to the 22nd inst. We make the following extracts: —•

Coeom:akdee. —The steamer Novelty, Captain Qnance left Auckland on Wechiesday with a quantity of freight, and 35 passengers, reaching Coromandel so as to land all her passengers by four o’clock p.m. Coromandel was visited by a severe hurricane from the N.E., commencing at 5 p.m. on Thursday last, blowing with fearful violence until Saturday morning. The steamer was consequently detained, leaving Coromandel Harbor on Saturday morning at 9 am., with thirty passengers. 'The oldest settlers at Coromandel have not experienced such severe weather for years. Great damage has been done to the numerously scattered houses. The Coromandel Gold Mining Company have sustained severe loss. The chimney of the engine has been blown down, causing a cessation to all labour—injurious alike to the enterprising proprietors, and to the numerous hands lately employed. This company have sunk to the depth of 230 feet, and from the promisingprospects were hourly looking forward to a rich find. The Kapanga claim is steadily progressing, and the Novelty brings up some valuable specimens from that claim.—^New Zealand Herald, July 17.

Discovery of a Copper Mike. —By the arrival of the Sylph, from Russell, we leam that a very valuable copper mine had been discovered at Wangamomu. near the Bay of Islands. It is spoken of as being very rich, and some very good specimens have been sent up in the Sylph, by Mr Collett, C.E. Another rein of copper is also reported to have been struck at Tiki Tikiroa,— Ibid.

Decease op Feeds. Ward Mbbbimak, Esq.— In our obituary notice of to-day will be found the name of an old colonist, Mr F. W. Merriman, who has during the last four years held the position of Crown Prosecutor in the Supreme Court of Auckland. For some few years past Mr Merriman had retired from .all political life, the last appointment held by him being that of Provincial Solicitor during a portion of the Superintendency of Mr John Williamson. Mr Meniman’s ability as a leading member of the Auckland bar was universally acknowledged. Mr Merriman arrived in Auckland as early as the year 1842. The deceased gentleman will be buried this afternoon. He was a member of the order of Freemasons, and we understand that the members of the Masonic Lodges in Auckland will from part of the funeral cortege. —Ibid, July 22.

Testimonial to General Came eon. A crowded meeting of the citizens of Auckland was held yesterday in Mr Samuel Cochrane’s sale-room for the purpose of adopting th« form of address to be presented to General Sir Duncan Cameron, K.C.8., with a sword and belt from the people of the Province of Auckland as a testimonial of their gratitude and esteem, and their regret at his departure from the colony. Several resolutions were passed. The first was to the effect that General Cameron, by bis conduct, had acquired the respect of the people of Auckland, and had merited their gratitude. The second that a sword’ and belt should be presented Id him, to bo procured in London, and engraved with an appropriate inscripsion. Third—than an address, which was read, sliould be presented to th General at a

public meeting to be called for the purposeFourth—that the preliminary committee be re" Quested to make the requisite arrangements for for carrying out the object of the meeting. Several eloquent speeches were made,'which will be found given at length in another column. His Honor the Superintendent presided.—lbid. Pax Maeiees at the Thames.— From a private letter received from the Thames, -we have been informed that on the morning of the Bth instant a party of Pai Marires—about 64 in number, male and female—arrived at Kauareanga, and whilst staying there went through their fananatical rites. A number of the natives of the district had been converted to the hau hau faith, and had joined in the rites. The chief of the district and native assessor, Te Taipari, also became a convert, and was duly received as one of the believers in Te Ua. He was suffering at time from a severe attack of illness, but his faith in the new creed appeared fixed, and the European residents on the spot have lost all confidence in him. It will be recollected that Te Taipari was the man who invited the gold prospecting party to the Thames, and we believe he was only appointed native assesor a few days ago. A considerable number of the Pai Marires have since left the district for Piako, leaving about 20 behind, who had faithfully attended to the performance of their superstitious rites. The majority of natives of the district have not joined the new religion 5 but two of the principal chiefs, one of whom we have named, had been made converts.—Southern Cross, July 21. A Wide-awake Dodge.— The Sheriff's bailiff, Mr Vernon, displayed his professional acuteness in a remabable manner a day or two ago. He had received instructions from Colonel Balneavis, the newly-appointed Marshal of the Vice-Admi-ralty Court, to seize the cutter Dart, in consequence of a certain salvage account which had not been settled. Mr Vernon at once proceeded to Onehunga, and was informed that the vessel had sailed. He affected to believe that this was the case, and returned a short distance outside the town, so that his movements might be concealed. He then proceeded to the beach, took a boat, and at once pulled to the Heads, where he found the Dart, ready to start at any moment. It is unnecessary to say that ho made the seizure, and brought the vessel back to port. —Ibid, July 22. Mr Maokay, Civil Commissioner of the Thames and Waikato districts, left Auckland yesterday, for the Thames, where his presence urgently required to counteract the machinations of Pai Marira emissaries. On former occasions Mr Mackay’s visits to the Thames have had tho best results, in suppressing outbreaks amongst the wavering tribes and it is to be hoped he will this time be as successful as formerly.—lbid. EXTRAORDINARY LETTER OP JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH. The Birmingham Post says:—“The widow of the late Mr Sam Cowell has placed in our hands tho copy of the following extraordinary letter, written to Mr Joseph Cowell, the celebrated American comedian, and father of Sam Cowell, by Junius Booth the father of the assassin of President Lincoln. It proves that something like madness was certainly one of the psychological specialities of the father of the now notorious murderer:— “ Exterior of Louisville Jail “ Praise be to Allah’ “ Year of Christ Feby 3, 1864. “ Of the Planet 5994. “ Your loving communication has just been delivered after my third incarceration in the above for carrying on solely an unprofitable and disgracful business: namely—telling the truth to scoundrels. I have suffered much of what is called physical pain—shamed more and feel (I wish I did not) more supernal contempt than ever of my race. I wish I could pity them—l cannot. I cannot say ‘ Forgive them, they know not what they do!’ “ Per advice, I hear you intend making money of Hogs blood—which is the life. It is none of my business—only be sure blood calls for blood; your horticultural notion I prefer, only be gentle in thy operations, even there, for there is a neverdying woman. The Hindoo religion is the only one I believe to be at all like Truth. I feel so certain of it that were this my last moment and Death Hanging over mo on the very eve to stifle what tiny spark was lingering in my heart I would declare myself Hindoo versus mundum. Had there been no fish, there would have been no Crucifixion —do you take ? Excuse bad pen, hurry—dirty hands, tom paper and steam-boat about to go. Many thanks to ‘Moses * and my last greeting to hiscaro maestro. “Yours Ever *‘J. JB. Booth. “ Joseph Cowell, Esq.. Clark’s Store Whitewater Township Hamilton County, Ohio." Mr Cowell states that when Booth wrote the above he was walking about the State of Louisville, with nothing but a blanket on.