AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XI, Issue 488, 27 June 1867, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[t'Eon one. own cokrespondent.] Juno 17,1867. The Provincial Council opens to-day, at 2‘. o’clock. The present session is likely to be an important one, as several matters of moment will have to be settled.

The late verdict given against the Auckland City Board, in the case of Rosie v. Bain, has had the same effect among those magnates as a shot in the midst of a cluster of wild-fowl. Several members have already resigned in fear and trembling, as it appears shat the costs of the late trial will have to come—not out of the pockets of* the ratepayers, but from the members of the City board themselves. The next session of the Assembly will probably see a | bill introduced for a corporation for Auckland, and certainly not before it is needed,, |as many growling citizens could testify.

A deputation from the “ Northern Se« parution and Reform League” had an in' terview with Sir George Grey lately, and presented his Excellency with a copy of' the rules of tha League. The Gorernor’s reply to the deputation was a model of' ambiguity, saying much and meaning nothing. Two lectures liave recently been delivered, one by the Rev. Mr Oornford, on. the “ Hebrew Nation,” and the other by the Rev. Mr Duller, on “ Our New Zealand Home.” The latter gentleman illustrated his lecture with copious quotations, and pronounced a panegyric on the Maoris, “ going in” for mutual forbearance, peace,. ,tc., &c. Really, one would think from, perusal of some of those geullemen’s lectures and addresses, that tho poor native was in the position of the lamb in the fable, the European being the wolf determined to find an excuse for devouring him. Too much fulsome sympathy is calculated to do harm rather than good. There is still a lamentable dearth of news; “ T rom Dan to Beershebu all isbarren.” However, like that often-quoted (individual, Micawber, we live in hopes of 'something turning up, in one shape or | another; a payable goldfield being tho- , tillinui Thule ot our wishes. The £.IOOO .reward Ins not, as some had coufivlantly 'expected, produced a crowd of eager applicants; on the contrary, whether the natives have been more strict in warning off any intruders on their territory, or whether the magnitude of the sum has convinced the prospectors that something tangible is expected for the money, I cannot say, but certain it la wo have heard no more of the matter.

The subject of a dry dock for Auckland lias boon discussed at some length in tho local papers ; and popular opinion is in favour of its construction. 1 suppose, if commenced, it will progress about as fast as the Auckland and Drury .Railway, which will probably bo opened in time to convey the traditionary New Zealander from “ up the country ’’ to this port, to embark on liis trip to view the ruins of London Bridge and St. Rauls’.

Cooke, Zoyara, and Wilson's Circus lias arrived, and performs to-night. As we have tine weather at last, no doubt a good audience will attend to see these artists “ witch the world with noble horsemanship.” J une 18. The Provincial Council was opened yes* terday by his Honor the Superintendent, There was a good attendance of members. After his Honor’s speech, a petition was presented from Mr Tuckwcll, late gaoler of the Mount Eden Stockade, relative to his dismis-al from otllce, which was ordered to he laid on the table.

The of the South takes to Napier by her present trip one racehorse, one stallion, two sheep-dogs, one bull-dog, poultry, pigs, Ac. The racehorse is of the “blue blood” of the turf, as will be seen by his pedigree Gownsman, by Surplice, out of Xomyris, by Sesostris, by Slane out of Palmyra, by Sultan. Surplice won the Derby, and Slane is well known as the ancestor of a long generation of winners; Sir Joseph Hawley’s horse, Headsman, also winner of the Derby, being descended from the same strain as Gownsman. Gownsman has won several races in England, and beaten animals of no mean repute on the English turf, including Light, Deerfoot, Attraction, Attache, Lytham, and others, if put into training be ought to compensate his spirited proprietor, if pedigree goes for anything, it is time that colonists (especially m New Zealand) turned their attention more particularly to the breeding of racehorses from firstclass stock, it has been broadly asserted Uiat some of the Australian flyers could beat the English horses on their own ground: and certainly after the success which, attended Mr Ten Drmck some years ago, when his American-bred horses got a good share of the prizes going (one of them, Umpire, holding the position of : first favorite for the “ blue ribbon” for the season), it is well worth the attention of ' those who hare the time and attention to i'devote to the matter.