AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 21, 10 June 1867, Page 135

AUCKLAND.

1 ! inou ovi. own coRBtESPONDEirr.] I I Tin engroßßing topio in ; Auckland this been the public reception- of his Excellency the Governor. ■No person who has any remembrance of politicals veil ts in this province during the: past two years opold have, anticipated the fervid loyalty with which Sir George Grey was welcomed on ;laeßd«iy lost. A procession /and ..ban* quet, formed part of the programme ; indeed the whole affair was e» regle to the extent' of the committee’s' capabler objected to the dinder served being a cold one, but then, as one of the local papers pertinently remarked, Sir . George did not'attend merely 'for the purpose "of a dinner. The order of procession was very well arranged./ That übiqitous body, the Police Force, under the command of Ser-geant-Major Molloy, lined the wharf at an early hour, and about three o’clock his Excellency left the Brisk for the shore, accompanied by his private secretary (Mr Thatcher), Major Grey, and Major Baker, A.D.C. He. "was received by the Superintendent, the band of course playing the National Anthem. A carriage drawn-by eight horses was in attendance, and hie Excellency was driven to Government House, amidst the cheers of the assembled multitude., The various bodies of Volunteers, Cavaliy, Freemasons, Foresters, Odd Fellows, and other societies, made an imposing sppearanoe on the occasion. The following was the order of the procession:—

Queen-street Whabe. At the Landing-place of the Governor, Deputation to. receive Bis Excellency. Guard of Honor. Auckland Volunteers lining the Wharf. Naval Brigade lining the Wharf. Ora Queen-street in Custom-house-stkeet. (Carriages of Deputation. Eastern Side. 4 Carriages of Consuls. (, Officers of General Government. (Carriages of Superintendent. Western Side, j Carriages of Provincial Council. 1 Carnages of City Board. of Prov. Government., Q?EEN-STREET FROM THE WHABE TO FORT-

BTBEET. . Otahnhu Cavalry, Eastern side. Howick Cavalrv, Western side. Queen-stbeet from Fort-st. to Crescent. Auckland Royal Cavalry lining both sides of street.

Junction oe Queen-stbeet and Cbescent. Fire Brigade. Cbescent from High-street Upwards. Foresters lining both sides of street. Odd Fellows lining both sides of street. Princes-street. Band of Hope lining both sides of street. The Masonic Lodges, in Masonic costume, assemble at the Mechanics’ Institute, and 15 minutes before 3 o’clock, walk in procession to the Government House, and take up their position, lining the Avenue. Obder of Procession. - 1. Fire Brigade. 2. Auckland Cavalry. 3. 3. f Carriage S t*» with o g-<s-3 HIS EXCELLENCY, iH escorted S-5§ jjf 'IS „ by the -g*Q m .o. Officers of the Cavalry. V* S L Cavalry. J *g 4. Carriages of Deputation. 5. Carriages of Consuls. 8. Carriages of Superintendent, Provincial Council, and City Board. General Government Officers. Provincial Government Officers. 7* Volunteers. 8. Naval Brigade. 9. Foresters. 10. Odd Fellows. 11. Band of Hope, remain stationary. •

Some little excitement was created by a ferocious onslaught made by a “bold mosaf-trooper ” —or rather cavalry volunteer—upon a horse drawing one of the oarriages in the procession. The driver of the animal persisted in closing up to his proper place, and the irate son of Mars, finding gestures and remonstracea ineffectual, fleshed his maiden sword in the unfortunate horse’s head. The bystanders raised a groan for the hero,, whose temper was evidently ruffled, for he glared defiance at them, probably wishing, with Nero, that H le mob had but one neck, that.he might decapitate all “at one fell swoop.” However, the hippocide was forced to rejoin his corps, already some distance ahead, and the fray was at an end.

In the evening the banquet took place, at the Brunswick Hall,.the Superintendent taking the chair, having on his right the guest of the evening, and Captain Hope, of H.M.S.S. Brisk ; on his left General Chute, Major Heaphy, V. C., and other notables. / After, the usual,loyal toasts (in the oourse of which the Superintendent hinted.at the probability of a visit to Sir George Grey from the Duke of Edinburgh) the business of the evening commenced. Most of us know what speeches on such occasions are like. To say the least in the greatest space of time,is the.sine,, qua non.} and, judgingby that standard, the majority of the orators were remarkably, successful. Some veiy good observations were made, and many platitudes uttered. After the pakehas had had their innings, three Maori chiefs took up the game; Paul, of Orakei, the chief.mentioned in my last as forming one of the Executive, made a veiy sensible speech in :the native language, being inter* preted by Mr Maokay. The gist ofhis address was that it was poi for the two - races to become united ; he also expressed* de- ; •ireto.see .some of the Queen’s children. Another' chiefo Raibi, made the:exceedingly truthful and preternaturally wise observation that“he did not underatand all doubtif it had , been interpreted fo Mderstood the- native triumvirate, Te Hira, appears to Karadelivered himself w an' epigram-

matie manner rather amusing. His speech consisted of the‘following, blank verse; the last two lines of which must have made Siy George look rather blank f

Salutations to you, Governor, .Salutations to all present; • 1 Come the Governor, the friend of all those Who formerly knew you. Salutations to the Governor, Salutatlons.to the friend of Eotatau. Salutations to you Who have caused trouble in New Zaai*n<i; * ‘i Salutations to you. . ■

■■■ After a round of toasts and speeches, the_ company dispersed at twelve o’clock, highly pleased with the Governor’s cordiality and the'committee’s champagne. ~I mentioned in my last that Major Heaphy was about to be presented with the Victoria Cross, awarded to him by her Majesty. The. ceremony came off on Friday, the 17th instant, ■ in the Barrack Square, when the Commander-in-chief, (who, by the way, has by this mail received the dignity of knighthood) presented Major Heaphy with the coveted distinction. A fair concourse of spectators were assembled, and the gallant Major may well be proud of the honour he has received, being the first member of a colonial force so decorated. In the evening of the same day a dinner was given by General Chute, in the Brunswick Hall, Major Heaphy being the principal guest. The inevitable result of the replies to the various toasts was of course the same as at the banquet given to Sir George Grey a few days later —a dose of nothing , scientifically adminis tered. Major Heaphy seems more at home in arms than in arts, judging from a speech made by him last week, in which he attributes the well-known lyric,

Who shall he fairest ? Who shall he rarest ? Who shall he first in the songs that we sing ?

to an Irish poet. The author of “Idylls of the King” would no doubt indulge in a poetic growl if aware of this abstraction from his laurels.

I mentioned in my last the gold rumours prevalent in Auckland. We ««, stiH in statu quo respecting that subject, but the resources of another description of diggings have been made public, and bid foir to prove reasonably lucrative, if less Utopian, m their character. The Herald wes the first to draw attention to the arenue for labour presented by the kauri gum diggings of Kaipara and district, and, after considering far ly the pro’s and con’s of the matter, the fact remains established that average wages may be made in its pursuit. Certainly the mode of life and occupation may not be the most agreeable in the world, but as the whole of *the unemployed working classes savoir vivre finds sufficient study in getting a living in any manner, it cannot but be regarded as a remedy in some manner for unemployed labour, which we know from experience too rapidly degenerates into crime.

We hare received two visits from the fiery god, the avatar of insurance companies. The first occurred about half past ten p.m. on Thursday, when it was discovered that a fire had occurred in I)r. Fischer’s homeopathic laboratory, in Queenstreet. Happily the fire was on the ho* mcepathio principle of infinitesimal doses, and was speedily extinguished. The olher was more serious, occurring at 4 o’clock on Friday morning, and destroying three houses. The glare was in the direction of the Post-office, and some wags spread a story (which, as such stories do, circulated rapidly), that the Post-office bad been burnt, and the English mail with it; the latter having arrived at midnight. Happily for those individuals in the expectation of “remittances,” the statement proved groundless, the scene of the fire being some distance off. 6

Our indefatigable Superintendent has been on a visit to Tauranga, for the purpose of. conciliating our dusky brethren. Mr Williamson appears literally to have astonished the natives, having received their assurances of fidelity while refusing their requests. This looks very well, if the Maoris} were riot, as Shakespeare says, “ miching mallecho, meaning mischief.” Q.E.D.

The minor events of the past fortnight are scarcely worth chronicling. The advent of. the 999th Wizard in Auckland, with stale tricks, the Nathan Troupe, local elections, and meetings of unemployed make up the total. Sir George Grey gave a .grand, ball at Government House last night, in celebration of her Majesty’s birthday, which was a briliant success, the list of guests making nearly two columns of the local papers. A notable piece of electioneering tactics was practised at a recent election for the Northern Division, Provincial Council. One of the candidates, having reason to fear an influx of votes for his opponent, the steamer which was to convey them across the harbour to the poll, was detained in some mysterious manner—how, deponent sayeth not—until too late to be of any service, This transaction was commented on in the Herald in a rather good observation, “We have known . influence au election, but this is the first instance in our recollection of «ofor having that effect;” the poiiit oi the observation being that the ostensible purpose of the steamer’s delay was to obtain water.

Our “ Orphans’, Home ” is favorably progressing, having a balance in hand after a heavy expenditure. Such institutions recommend themselves; 'and rarely fail, of support when well conducted, as in the present instance. The--annual* Gymkhana came off on Thursday. and-Friday.last, and the southern horses, carried off most of the prizes, with the exception .of i The Miller,'an: Auckland pwned and},Australian bred horse,. whioh w ; day yss* very unpropitious, the

jockeys being plentifully bespattered with mother, earth in a semi-liquid state. On I the second day : it was fine, and, as a- con* sequence, there was a better attendance. Much money changed hands on the different events. '

The Flying Cloud swindle is still a topic of conversation.: This brig was advertised to leave for/San Francisco some months 5£0, ! and a large number of passengers paid their passages; but the-sherifTs officer seized' the vessel, and she is now lying fn the stream, with no prospeot of release. The owner, M. Quartier. is dead, the agent bolted, and the unfortunate captain in the stockade at the instance of one of the passengers, on an action in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Her ultimate arrival In San Francisco seems about as uncertain as the Flying Dutchman in Table Bay, the law having placed a ne exeat on her.}

An undress levee is to be held-this day, at one o’clock. I believe the attendance will be fully equal to that at the Governor’s ball.

. May 28. ' Nothing of importance has occurred since my last, with .the exception of an invitation from the Superintendent to the unemployed to meet him yesterday (Monday). A large number of the working class attended at three o’clock, the hour specified, and Mr Williamson proceeded to make two offers to those in want of work. He said that he had no funds at his disposal for their relief, but the Provincial Government would employ those who were willing in stone breaking, while those who were physically unfitted for such laborious work would be provided at Government expense with hackles, for working the green flax, the Superintendent having invited tenders for the supply of that commodity by the ton.

The first meeting of our Reform burlesque, the Northern Separation and Reform League, was held on Monday, when some “solemn mockeries” were perpetrated, —the Council adjourned. Mr Nathan, of the Nathau Troupe, has offered to give a performance for the benefit of the passengers by the Flying Cloud.

A letter appeared in Tuesday’s Herald, in which the writer, who gives bis name, states that he has seen gold from the Thames, lately, amounting to about ten ounces, “good surface gold.” He says that his party are willing to prospect if the Superintendent will guarantee protection to them. A good goldfield would now be the saving clause of both your province and Auckland.

The Auckland Gymnastic Club appears to be in its death throes, funds being urgently wanted. Apparently “ muscular Christianity ” is not bo popular as in the mother country.

There is a rumour that the Panama mail has arrived, I do not know if it is true, as I write in haste to save the steamer.