AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1196, 13 December 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

fF&Olf OUJB OWN CORBESPONDENT ] (Concluded.)

Dec. 4, 1871. Aucklanders have, with characteristic apathy, accepted the additional burdens which have been laid on us by our representatives. A community which permits itself to be so ruled can hardly be pitied. Extravagance in high quarters is rampant, and 100 strong lo be easily checked. Probably the additional stamp duties will be avoided to a great extent, but the Government having got permission to epend in accordance with ceriain estimates, will doubtless do so, and if the revenue does not come up to the mark, the loan will be again drawn on. But we need only remember the well-known lines, —

Hereditary bondsmen, know ye not Who would be free himself should strike the blow ? Aucklanders are too busy trafficing in scrip, and floating bubble companies, to strike off their fetters.

A meeting was held on the evening of the 16th u ] t. on the death of Bishop Patteson and his colleagues, and the slave trade which is rife in the Pacific. The meeting was only a cold one; the best speeches of the evening were made by nonconformist ministers. It seems to me that the slave trade could easily be })ut down, so far as British ships are concerned, if the Home Government chose to do it. Slavery trading is piracy, k mapping is piracy, piracy is punishable with death ; ergo, if one of her Majesty's ships caught one of the "labor" traders, and hung the skipper and his mate to the yardarrns, few colonial skippers would care to encounter the risk again; and the Home Government could hold their servant unharmed if they chose. A little wholesome severity would have a wonderful effect. I regret to see that the plant and copyright of the Morning and Evening News are advertised for sale by auction. A journal which offends the financial rulers of this community has an up-hill struggle. Should the News come to an untimely end, the public will be entirely at the mercy of the okW journals and those who control them. No free-spirited community would tolerate such a situation. Although J have differed from the News on several occasions, J admit its value as an independent organ of public opinion, and admire its pluck when dealing with either General Government or Auckland financial authorities. 6th Dec, 1871. The plant and copyright of the News was knocked down for .£430 to Mr Gunn.