AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 24, 1 July 1867, Page 153

AUCKLAND.

[noic OUK OWK COJUfcl»rc>lTD*NT.]

June 17,1867. Thb Provincial Council opens to-day, at 3 o’clock. The present session "is likely to be an important one, as several matters of moment will have to be settled.

The late verdict given against the Auckland City Board, in the case of Rosie *. Bain, has had the Bame effect among those ! magnates as a shot in the midst of a cluster of wild-fowl. Several members have al- ' ready resigned in fear and trembling, as it appears that the costs of the late trial will have to come—not out of the pockets of the ratepayers, but from the members of the City board themselves. The next session of the Assembly will probably see <v bill introduced for a corporation for Auckland, and certainly not before it is needed, as many growling citizens could testify. A deputation from the “ Northern Separation and Reform League ” had an interview with Sir George Grey lately, and presented his Excellency with a copy ofthe rules of the League. The Gorernor’s reply to the deputation was a model of ambiguity, saying much and meaning nothing. Two lectures have recently been delivered, one by the Rev. Mr Comford, on the “ Hebrew Nation,” and the other by the Rev. Mr Bulier, on “ Our New Zealand Home.” The latter gentleman illustrated his lecture with copious quotations, and pronounced a panegyric on the Maoris, “ going in ” for mutual forbearance, peace, &c., Ac. Really, one would think from perusal of some of those gentlemen’s leocures and addresses, that the poor native was in the position of the lamb in the fable, the European being the wolf determined to find an excuse for devouring him. Too much fulsome sympathy is calculated to do harm rather than good.

There is still a lamentable dearth of news; “From Dan to Beersheba all i» barren.” However, like that often-quoted individual, Micawber, we live in hopes of something turning up, in one shape or another; a payable goldfield being the ultima Thai* of our wishes. The £3OOO reward has not, as some had confidently expected, produced a crowd of eager applicants; on the contrary, whether the natives have been more strict in warning off any intruders on their territory, or whether the magnitude of the sum has convinced the prospectors that something tangible is expected for the money, 1 cannot say, but certain it is we have heard no more of tha matter.

The subject of a dry dock for Auckland has been discussed at some length in the local papers ; and popular opinion ia in favour of its construction. I suppose, if commenced, it wil< progress about as fast as the Auckland and Drury Railway, which will probably be opened in time to convey the traditionary New Zealander from. ** up the country*’ to this port, to embark on his trip to view the ruins of London Bridge and St. Pauls’.

Cooke, Zoyara, and Wilson’s Circus has arrived, and performs to-night. As we have fine weather at last, no doubt a good audience will attend to sea these artists “ witch the world with noble horsemanship.”

June 18.

The Provincial Council was opened yes-* terday by his Honor the Superintendent, There was a good attendance of members. After his Honoris speech, a petition was presented from Mr Tuckwell, late gaoler of the Mount Eden Stockade, relative to his dismissal from office, which was ordered to be laid on the table.

The Star of the South takes to Napier by her present trip one racehorse, one stallion, two sheep-dogs, one bull-dog, poultry, pigs, &c. The racehorse is of the blue blood ’’ of the turf as will be seen by his pedigree:—Gownsman, by Surplice, out o'. Tomyris, by Sesostris, by Slane out of Palmyra, by Sultan. Surplice won the Derby,’ and Slane is well known as the ancestor of a of winners. Sir Joseph Hawley’s horse, Headsman, also winner of the Derby, being descended from the. same strain as Gownsman.. Gownsman has won several races in England, and beaten animals of no mean repute on the English turf including Eight, Deerfoot, Attraction, Attache, Lytham, and others. If put -into training be ought to compensate his spirited proprietor, if pedigree goes for anything, it is time that colonists (especially in New Zealand) - turned their attention more particularly to the breeding- of racehorses from driftclass stock, it has been broadly asserted that Borne of the Australian dyers could beat the English horses on their own. ground; and certainly after the successwhich attended Mr Ten Broeck some years ago, when his American* bred horses gob a good share of the prizes going (one-of them, Umpire, holding the position of drat favorite for the “ blue ribbon” for the season), it is well worth the attention o£ those who have the time ‘and attention to devote to the matter, ' / - _