AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 863, 10 November 1870, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

The arrival of the s.s. Lord Ashley last evening has placed us in possession of Auckland files to the evening of Mondaylast. Shipping and commercial items will be found under their respective heads. We append a few extracts of general news : Mr Collie (of Messrs. Stewart and Oollie, San Francisco) arrived at Auckland on the 6th inst., by the City of Melbourne from Sydney. It is stated that he would remain some time. General and Lady Chute were to leave Auckland on the night of the 7th in at. in the City of Melbourne for Honolulu, en route to England. Rich returns are reported from the Coromandel gold-Held. The Australian Mutual Provident Society have established a branch at Auckland. Arrangements are being made to op**n a telegraph station at Gratia oistowu (Thames) as early as possible. A movement is on foot to request the lion. Mr Gisbome to represent Pui'iiell iu the House of Represent utives. His Honor the Superintendent (Mr. T. B. Gillies) was to hold a meeting of the electors of Auckland City West ou lii« night of the 7th inst. A most unfortunate occurrence took place on the night oi the 2nd inst., at the Bay of Islands, when Mr M'Leod'a largo flax mill and stores were totally destroyed by fire. The origin of the fire is unknown, nor can any probable guess be made at it. A man slept in the engine room, and another in the stores, which latter contained a large quantity of. prepared flax. The loss comes very heavily upon Mr M'Leod, who has been a most, enterprising settler, and who has spared neither trouble nor expense in rendering his machinery as perfect as possible. All tho newest appliances bad been adopted, and the sample of fibre turned out was inferior to none hitherto exported. It is stated that Mr M'Leod had just entered into an engagement with a Melbourne firm for the supply of a large quantity. The entire plant, &c, has cost considerably over £2,0(J0, and the worst part of the whole affair is that it was quite uninsured. Fortunately, three or four days before the lire about 20 tons of flax had beon shipped to Auckland.