AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 842, 15 October 1870, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Wednesday, Oct. 12. There have been extensive bush fires at Piako. A meeting of natives has been held near Shortland, at which the chief Tarapipi made a striking speech. It was clear from what passed that the natives are opposed to the Land Court sitting at Ohiaemuri, and are determined to resist the opening of the land for gold-mining. A man named Henry Green has been drowned in the Waipu river on the West Coast. There have been extraordinarily high tides at Hokianga. An earthquake shock was felt at Raglan on the Ist. No damage was done. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Institute Captain Hutton, F.R.S., stated that he had discovered mercury in small quantities at the Bay of Islands. A. discussion took place on artesian wells, and it was stated that some time ago one of these wells was sunk to a depth of 400 feet in A uckland, and that it could have been bored 1,000 feet. The ship Argyleshire sailed for London on the 11th inst., with gold, flax, gum, &c, valued at £51,000. Captain Nolan, of the schooner Peri, trading to the South' Sea Islands, has been proceeded against for alleged frauds upon the Customs. Case not yet decided. Encouraging accounts have been received from Coromandel. The Little Wonder claim yielded 3630zs from 200ibs stone. The Wonga Wonga took seventy passengers, including the Carandinis and Mr Small. The Governor was enthusiastically received at Waiuku; addresses were presented ; and the Superintendent, Mr Gillies, was requested to become a candidate to represent Franklin in the General Assembly, s The s,s. James Patterson returned to Sydney, the inducement to proceed to Fiji being insufficient. The yield of the Thames and Coromandel fur the month of September was 10,290<,'Z;s gold from 7,302 tons stone. The Resaca, United States war vessel, took away a quantity of rope manufactured from New Zealand flax for experiment. The commander has promised to report upon it officially. Mr Creighton has been returned to the Provincial Council for the district of Newton. Advices from Fiji received yesterday per Sea Bret ze reported the loss of the schooner Coquette on a reef near Mukulua Island. An account says the number of people killed in the recent massacre was 440. Arrivals—James Patterson, Wonga Wonga, Leonidas, Flirt, Crishna, Island City, Novelty, Countess of Kintore, Taranaki, Keera, Comerang, and Bangatira. Departures —James Patterson, Argyleshire, Moa, Emma, Camilla, Taranaki. , LATEST (via Wanganui.) Wednesday Evening. The Chamber of Commerce to-day are discussing Messrs Qreville's proposal to open a Commercial Boom, The Piako natives threaten bloodshed in the event of the Land Court sitting there, > A child belonginging to Mrs Costello has been scalded to death. The Thames Advertiser reports that Te Kooti has fought the friendly Ngatikahingaou, firing several volleys, and killing a great number. He is said to have gone to Tuhua, after having made peace with the King, and arranged with him his future policy. At Grahamstown a daughter of Mr Collet was killed by a cart. A verdict of manslaughter has been returned against Thomas Crowe, the driver. The schooner Letitia, from Tahiti, reports that the French are fortifying Pepeete ; a thousand natives being employed in the constraction of new works.

The French Admiral's ship Astre had sailed in search oi' the Prussian frigate reported to be in the neighborfeoqd..