AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1232, 26 January 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

fPUOtf OTJR OVViV CORRESPONDBNT.]

January 18. The scrip mai'ket continues depressed, and prices are steadily falling, notwithstanding frequent attempts to force a ri-e ; the bulls might one day quote a rise, but if any holder tried to sell, he would be put off with "come again," or " Taihoa" Caledonians are now quoted at <£4o, but probably a seller would find it necessary to come down to do business. It is expected that somo good returns will be forthcoming shortly, but, in spite of that, confidence is gone. "Whence is to come the next great yield to once more astonish the world? At present ic is asserted that the calls on the whole field exceed the actual yield. The great Tookey move —chartering the Comerang to proceed to Sydney, with a view to operating on the Australian scrip market—has ended in Tookeys being unsaleable here. Perhaps the charterers found means to get rid of their shares during the excitement following their mysterious trip, and, if so, at high prices.

One of the faithful followers of the General Go vein rnent has just resigned his .seat in the Assembly, informing his constituents that nothing but "circumstances compelling him to visit England" would have induced him to sever the connection for a time ; whereas it is generally understood that he has accepted an appointment as agent for emigration. However I suppose his constituents won't 1 rouble much about the distinction : they are likelier to say, " well done." The Auckland press have already decided, off-hand, who is to fill the va?ant seat without troubling the settlers in the district. Their consent will, as a matter of form, be asked before the writ is returned, but they have already been informed, in all the Auckland papers on the same day, that here is the man for them, and on no account should they choose any other. I don'c know whether any of them will resent this, but some men would, and that to some purpose. The member designate, as X may term him, is John Sheehan, Esq., M.P.C., and Gold fields Secretary in the Provincial Executive. He. is a smart man, for a colonial; for he is an Aiu.klander by birth, his parents having for many \ears kept licensed public houses in the city Mr S. is a solicitor by profession, but on his first offering his services as a representative he publicly stated that he had chosen the legal profession simply and solely with a view to political life, believing that the legal training was the surest road to success in politics. As his friends and connections are numerous, and strong on the electoral rolls, they can ensure him a seat, so his position is so far safe for a start. What his political opinions are it would be hard to prove, his speeches on some occasions (he can speak well) running somewhat contiary to his votes on others. Himself and friends were anti-Gillies and pro-Vogel at the last general as well as provincial elections ; yet he made a strong speech against the Vogelian policy in a debating society to which he belongs, and again in the Provincial Council another to a similar effect. Both these speeches wore reported in the Evening News, but omitted or so toned down as to be nonrecognisable in the other papers, These speeches arc understood to have been successful in disarming opposition, and yet are understood to be quite satisfactory to the party who follow the lead of the present Exeeuthe of the Colony. He is sometimes known here as the "Bold Colonial." I may add thai his parents hail from Erin, ami hi> religion

is that of the majority of his countrymen. If he does not go in on this occasion for Rodney, he is pretty sure to get into the Assembly for some place ere long.

Mr Gillies stands in an anomalous position as Superintendent, with so few friends in the Assembly, and every likelihood of the existing vacancy being filled by his executive councillor and political opponent, Mr Sheehan. January 22.

The Supreme Couit finished its business on the criminal side on Friday last. Two convictions for perjury and one for rape (the latter a very gross case) are among the results. False swearing is unquestionably very prevalent in 'he colony, and very seldom is it brought home to the culprit. Whether a few cases of conviction will check it remains to be seen. One man was tried on two cases under the Arms Act, but in both verdicts of acquittal were returned, involving a certainty of false evidence one way or the other. The drought is very severe, and great ado about the scarcity of water. No end of correspondence in the daily press on the various schemes proposed for supplying Auckland with water.