Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 420, 12 November 1856, Page 7

Colonial.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF NORTHERN INTELLIGENCE. The overlf nd mail has brought us Auckland papers to the 4th—the ' Taranaki Herald 'of the 18th, and the' Wanganui Chronicle' of the 23rd instant. Mr. John Williamson, one of the proprietors of the ' New Zealander,' had been requested to stand for the Superintendency of Auckland, and had consented to do so; this gentleman has seats both in the House of Representatives and the Provincial Council. A fire had occurred in the town, but had been promptly extinguished, with only trifling damage. The inhabitants were apprised of the fire by the alarm bells and bugles; we shall be glad when the Wellington branch of the Liverpool and London erects the bell it imported some months ago; until the bell is erected in some commanding sifuation this company will fail in its duty both to its clients and to itself. The proceedings of the Choral Society will, "we hope, encourage the promoters of the Philarmonic Society recently started in Wellington, as with the talent at its disposal there is no reason why they should not aim high, and at least equal the similar societies established at Auckland and Canterbury. A notice has been issued, bearing the signature of Mr. Sewell, stating that in pursuance of the provisions of the New Zealand Colonial Bank of Issue winding up Act, the affairs of the said Bank are being closed; all notes of_ the Auckr land branch will be paid by the Union Bank of Australia there. Tenders were opened on the first of October for the Provincial loan of £20,000. The principal is not to be paid before 1865, nor until such further date as the Council may hereafter determine, and bears an interest of ten per cent. The amount tendered was £39,000 at rates ranging from one-eighth to two per cent, premium. The highest rate was tendered by one of the Insurance Companies and accepted. The harbour had not been so bare of shipping for a long time previously. The Governor notifies a new and improved code of signals as just brought into operation. Ours we believe is not quite perfection; we have endured it for twelve years., apparently satisfied with knowing the rig of the vessel outside, and quite indifferent as to whether she arrives coastwise or beyond sea. If it comes within the province of the Chamber of Commerce to make any attempts to render the code more efficient, the Government iron had better be struck while it is hot. At New Plymouth a disturbance had been caused by some natives destroying a poition of the pound,and releasing some cattle. The Council was still in session, but nothing of importance was before it. The ship ' Gypsey ' sailed for Auckland on the 13 th. The second portion of a notice published in the '' Provincial Gazette,' is given in the ' Herald ' notifying the intended sale of a large number of town"sections on the loth December next, to defray arrears of rates; the properties mainly belong to absentees. Mr. J. Lewthwaite -had been "elected to the House of Representatives for the Grey and Bell district, vice Mr. Superintendent Brown resisted. My. Ross had been appointed Returning Officer, and Mr. Wilson, it was supposed, woul I meet with no opposition.— Wellington Independent, October 20.