AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 878, 28 November 1870, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

FROM greville and co.'s telegram com-

pany (reuter's agents.) November 16. The coming elections are exciting great attention, and great preparations are being made for the coming struggle. The great watchwards of the battle are already known, and the various manipulators of the electoral body are hard at work. The various parties are rapidly banding together under the banners of protection (yclept encouragement of local industries). •' Anti - Protection," " Retrenchment," " The Immigration and Public Works Policy, and nothing but the policy." Altogether there are indications of a very pretty struggle in which the friends and the enemies of the present Ministry will apparently be pretty well divided. The hon. Mr Vogel, who is a candidate for Auckland City East, with every prospect of success, has already explaiued his, views so far as thirteen columns of the

Southern Cross and New Zealand Herald enabled him to do so. Mr Gillies followed with nine columns ; TVEr Reader Wood has been content wirh three columns, and Mr Kerr, who belongs to the smaller fry of parliamentary fish, has had to be satisfied with two. So far the oracles have spoken, and henceforth "the rest will not be allowed to monopolise much of the space of the newspapers. The Candidates at present out are—for City East, Mr Vogel (one member) ; City West (two members), Mr Gillies, Superintendent; J. Williamson, and Mr Dignan. Eden (one member), W. J. Kerr and Mr R. J. Creighton. Parnell (one member), Mr R. Wood. Franklyn, Mr W. T. Buckland and Mr A. Clark. Tauranga, Mr Kelly and Capt. Skeet. Newton, Mr W. Swanson, no doubt. Marsden and Raglan and the rest will soon follow.

In native matters all is peace, but an event has occurred during the past few days which strikingly illustrates how very much exaggerated are all the rose-colored full-length photographs of the " noble savage " which Exeter Hall has given us. Hoterini, the son of the late William Thompson, the illustrious kingmaker—lately visited Cambridge, where he was hospitably entertained by the settlers. He was accompanied by bis brother and many other natives of the Ngatikoroke tribe, who had come to receive from Mr Commissioner Clarke 20,000 acres of confiscated land. One evening a settler noticed a native stealing away through the fern with a saddle which had been hanging at the door, and he gave chase to the thief, who turned out to be no other than Hoterini, the son of the late illustrious kingmaker. The distinguished thief was brought before the Magistrates and fined three times the value of the article, and a philanthropic interpreter paid the money. Such are the advantages of being a Maori. Had it been one of us now, we should .have been ignominiously sent to jail, but with a distinguished hauhau such a thing would be really too degrading, Whilst so much attention is being turned to encourage " local industry," I may be pardoned for referring to one branch which was rudely put an end to the other day. The police found in a romantic nook beyond Lucas' Creek, quite a flourishing distillery in full blast al fresco. It certainly does seem to be anything but ♦' encouraging local industries " to do what has been done in this case. The apparatus has been seized and the two men who were arrested on the spot, James Freers and Irwin Armstrong, have had an interview with the Resident iLagistrate, and testified their willingness to renew it by depositing a considerable sum of money as a security. Apropos of this, the distillery lately established here is progressing rapidly and will soon be able to supply Auckland. This brings me to the Permissive Bill Association here, who have caught the prevailing infection, and at a meeting held last evening decided in a grave resolution to go down to posterity as " The Political Association for the suppression of the liquor traffic." It is generally understood that Mr Neilson, the City Editor of the Alta California, the originator of the News of the World and the agent of the Amalgamated Company of Webb and the North Pacific Transportation Company, who is here, has come empowered to make certain important proposals to the New Zealand Government. I hear from a reliable source that the proposals have been considered by the Government and that an arrangement has been come to. Mr Neilson will return to San Francisco by the Wonga Wonga, on the 7th of December. I hear also amongst other things Auckland will be the first port of call, arid that the boats are expected to come through from San Francisco in three weeks. As to arrangements with regard to, the other ports of call, I can say nothing, and it would be premature with the imperfect information I possess to say more.

As to amusements I may state that the Giant Chang has returned from the Thames, and will shortly visit the South. A Grand Diorama of the Overland Pacific Route will also shortly be exhibited iu the Southern Provinces. Mr Heller will go direct hence to Sydney. The " Encouragement of Local Industries League" has decided to form branches in different parts of the Colony, and the promoters and workmen of the

local foundries have memorialized the League to include machinery, vehicles, &c, &c. The Provincial Council is discussing the Education Bill, and the Highways Bill ' amongst important messages by the Superintendent was laid before the Council last night. The first was a message drawing the attention of the Council to the desirability of subsidizing a line of steamers to run between Auckland, Noumea, Fiji, and back by the same route to start with>the inward Californian mail and return in time to catch the outward mail, conveying mails to and from New Caledonia and Fiji. The Superintendent expresses his belief that the line would shortly become self-supporting, and that in the meantime the Government of New Caledonia would give a aniall subsidy in aid. It is believed that the Council will be inclined to view the matter favorably. A second message on the subject of lands purchased by the General Government and charged to the Province shows that lands to the value of .£14,777 12s 5d have been so purchased without being handed over. The Superintendent believes that this Province has not only a claim for these lands but for the interest upon the money. Commercial.—Adelaide flour is quoted here at ,£l7 10s; wheat at 7s 6d; Southern wheat 5s 3d ; oats and barley are overstocked. Money is tight, and there are no large transactions to note, Mr A. Buckland in his last report quotes an improvement in the demand for dairy cows and calves. Best animals range from jglO to <£l2 ss; medium quality, <£s 15. Youug cattle were in moderate supply, and were in low value-*-12 to 18 month's old cattle bringing from £2 5s to .£4; two-year-old from .£5 to ,£6 ; grown cattle, low condition, £2 1Q; three-year-old steers, well bred, fresh condition, .£5 15s to £7 2s 6d. Fat cattle were in shorter supply than for several weeks past, they realized 30s the lOOlbs. Fat sheep in short supply, and' store sheep sold at 2|d per lb.

Stock and Share Report ;—-There has been some advance in the value of shares. Long Drives are held from ,£l3 to £l3 10s. AH Nations, £3. Caledonians have been sold for £l2 to ,£l3 10s ; Eurekas, 2s 3d ; Thames, J§2 15s ; Junctions, 15s 6d to 16s 6d ; Shotovers, 9s 3d. Shipping : for Lyttelton; Kate, for Sydney, November 17. The drought which has continued for so many weeks past was broken last evening, and it rained almost without inter* mission all last night, to the great joy of the farmers. Besides the benefit that this, welcome rain will do for agriculture it will replenish the supply of water both for drinking and for miuing purposes, while it will clean out the pestilential accumulations of the drains and sewers. I should think the rain will be worth at least .£IOO,OOO to the province of Auckland. The Southern Cross of yesterday and to-day has continued leaders severely criticising Mr Reader Wood's speech in which he expressed anti-protection views. The Provincial Council has appointed a Committee to consider the removal of the Jailer Foster from the Thames. The Committee is to consider a petition which has been presented by Mr Foster, and whether Inspector sullen in dismissing him acted illegally or otherwise. A Hokianga letter to the Southern Cross says that the natives near Judge Manning's residence caught eighty sharks in one day. The Mechanic's Institute have appointed a Committee to consider the question of amalgamation with the Auckland Institute.

Sydney maize, sold by auction jester* day, brought 4s Id to 4s 3d. The Honolulu sugars were eagerly bought up. Crushed loaf is very scarce and worth* wholesale, 6J-d per lb. The R K W. Wood is, however, expected here shortly with a cargo from Hopolulu. Teas have beea dealt in pretty freely at full market rates* Bottled beers of first brands have beea moved off at a considerable reduction ia prices for recent guaranteed shipments. Brandy, Hennessy's and MarteH's, remains from 8s to 8s 6d; case do., at 29s to 30s. Hum has an upward tendeucy and is held for higher values. Good tobaccos are scarce, and so are a great variety of articles. The market for breadstuifs and grain remaius steady and is, if anything, firmer.