AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 18, 20 May 1867, Page 117

AUCKLAND.

[raon ova own correstondint.} May 11, 1867. Ora new Superintendent, Mr John Williamson, appears determined at any rate to obtain the character of an energetic official. Disregarding the Utopian scheme* of visionary would-be “ saviours of their country,” he is taking active measures to bring about that consummation of which we have heard so much, and is so “ devoutly to be wished,” —- the development of our resources. One of the wisest steps which he has taken is the admission, de facto , into the [Executive, of a representative of the native race, by the appointment of the well-known chief Paul, of Orakei. It is a hopeful sign of a better understanding between the two races, for Paul has repeatedly refused to act with the General Government, assigning as his reason that be had no faith in their intentions towards the Maoris. Ho doubt the acceptance of of fice by such an influential man amongst them will do much ..to remove the distrust which the Maoris have ever evinced of their Pakeha rulers.

A rumor has been this week that something tangi|>ie*haßat length been discovered to the Thames goldfields; and a proclamation has been issued by the Superintendent, offering a reward of £SOOO for the dis : covery of a payable goldfield—the " said proclamation being printed both in English and Maori. A snowball loses nothing by rolling, and whatever alight particle of truth there may be in the 'matter, it has served for the basis of the most afniifljjng and absurd'* assertions. If eomei of the statements gravely made by persons (who arenas usual in such cases; “informed on the best authority,”) are to.be believed, the richness of the discovered field will cause the famed “jewellers’ shops of Ballarat to sink into utter- insignificance.: - That there is some truth in the report I hare no doubt,

bufruntn some reliable statement is pubushed I would advise those hearing these marvellous tales to take them cum grano salts . *

Like everything else from which too much is expected at first, the cultivation and preparation of New Zealand flax has for some time -past ceased to form a subject of general interest. When our settlers’ minds become toned down, however, and they view the matter in its proper light a general benefit will be the result. There appears to be no doubt that the preparation of the Phormium Tenas, even with‘the humble appliances which our settlers possess, will make a welcome addition to their income, and as it is a work on which the junior members of a family may be employed, it will gradually, but surely, become one of our local industries. “ Great events from little causes spring,” and the course of time may produce powerful machinery where now a makeshift is employed. Apropos of this subject, a lecture “On the Production and Improvement in the Growth of Flax in Ireland,” by James Macadam, junior, has been published by our local papers by order of the Superintendent. Although there is a difference in the two plants,—the Irish flax being obtained from the stalk, while that of New Zealand is procured from the leaf, —many useful hints may be gleaned from a perusal of the lecture, which appeared in the Weekly Herald of May 4.

The old Northern Association, which, in spite of some mistakes, did a great deal of good for this Provinc, has passed away, and no successor has yet been established. An attempt lias been made to establish a body caHed the “Northern Separation and Reform League,” having for its motto “ Solus populi supremo lex” and the “ League ” held a meetiug on Wednesday evening last, in the Mechanics’ Institute, wnen anarchy reigned supreme. The in* fatuated people of Auckland refused to believe that men with no stake in the country could have their interests more at heart than the old and wealthy settlers l and a scene of confusion ensued which would require the pen of Dickens, or the author of “ Felix Holt,” to describe properly. Seeing that the whole affair was a farce, the audience naturally felt disposed to take part in it; and o.n being called on to nominate members to form a “ Council of the League,” responded by proposing such names as “ Potatau,” “ Rewi,” “E. J. Cox,” and others of that ilk. At length the chairman adjourned the meeting, with the forlorn hope of obtaining the consent of some reputable gentlemen to their nomination.

Major Heaphy has at length obtained his Victoria Cross, which, some uncharitably observe, he has struggled quite as hard for as in the action which entitled him to it. When we see noble dukes at home prae tiding all manner of chicanery and intrigue to obtain “each vacant garter for their knees,” I really do not see why a man whose disputed bravery had gained him the opinion of the gallant son of the honored Havelock, “ that he deserved the Victoria Cross,” should be blamed for trying to obtain the noble decoration. Such seems to be the opinion of the officers of the garrison, for they entertain Major Heaphy at dinner in the Brunswick Hall this evening,— the presentation of the Cross by the General taking place in the morning. Hackneyed as is fhe quotation, one cannot help remarking in this case, anent the observations that have been made, “ Palmam qui meruit ferat”

The “ devouring element,” as the penny-a-liners have it, has again been busy in Auckland—this time in Wyndham-street, nearly opposite the New Zealand Herald office. 'The fire was discovered about three o’clock am. last Saturday. Several buildings were destroyed, and the Royal Insurance Company is a sufferer to the extent of £1,600. Mr Chapman, the weH-known publisher, of Queen-street, is also a victim for £6OO, having unfortunately aUowed his policy to lap*e no later than the 18th of April last. The Auckland Fire Brigade have obtained great praise for their exertions at this conflagration. Seme just censures have been passed by fhe local papers upon a letter written by Colonel Weare to his brother, in which he makes, to say the least, very highly colored assertions respecting the treatment of the natives by the regular troops and colonial forces. The fallacy of the statements are palpable enough to people iu New Zealand, but they are calculated to do harm at home, where even in the highest circles a great amount of ignorance exists respecting the state of affairs in this cobntry.

The long contested case in which the City Board is concerned has, after much expense on both sides, at length to be commenced again. Truly this is a practical illustration of the lawyers taking the oyster and leaving their clients the shell; though, to perpetrate a pun, it will be the citizens who will have to “ shell” out in the event of the City Board losing the case. ' T Though money is said to be scarce in Auckland, the. Nathan Troupe have managed to reap a golden harvest during their stay here, having had crowded houses nightly;' and certainly their success is merited. With the troupe are Messrs. Chambers and Small, well-known colonial favorites.

The now notorious book, “ Ecce Homo,” has put the ministry here in arms. Lectures, and letters on the subject have deluged us. Perhaps the wiser course would have been to have avoided discussion-on the subject. The famons .“Essays and Reviews .owed much of its popularity to its persecution by the bench of, bishops.

The subject has been mooted of a dry dock for Auckland. Mr David Burn, an old settler, in a letter to the New Zealand Herald; pithily remarks upon the ad vantages to|be derived. from its construction, and states that the Imperial Government are willing to advance on loan’a sum of £20,000 or £25,000 at four per cent., with other material and assistance for the completion of the work. It is to be hoped that means will he found to carry out such a useful undertaking. A shocking murder has been committed at Mongonui, a settler named Charles William Sydney Smith having being found murdered in his whare in the Victoria Valley. A reward of £IOO is offered by the Commissioner of Police for the apprehension of the murderer or murderers.

Jupiter Pluvius has again favored us with his presence. Yesterday a heavy fall of rain occurred, accompanied by violent gusts of wind.

In my next communication I hope to solve the gold problem—with, I trust, a more satisfactory solution than the usual one here, viz., a bottle of smoke.