AHURIRI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 485, 27 June 1857, Page 5

AHURIRI.

The Wonga Wonga called at this settlement on her way down. We have some account of the_ doings and feelings of the place in the narratives given by the Auckland papers of a previous trip made by the same steamer for trading purposes. The Wonga Wonga left Auckland for this trip on the 20th ult, taking the Colonial Secretary, one clerical, one mercantile, and two literary gentlemen. The arrival, the first of its kind, in Hawke's Bay, brought forth the powers of the settlers. We read ot an address to Mr. Stafford and a most winning reply; of a dinner at which speeches were made expressive of the strongest sympathy between Auckland, Ahuriri, and the General Government, and toasts were proposed and drunk in honor of every one, except those connected with the Pro* vincial Government of Wellington. One of the literaiy gentlemen promised to start a local journal in Napier, the chief town of the district, and a subscription was commenced on its behalf. On the 27th of May, 350 fat wethers were taken on board, and the Wonga Wonga set off on 'her return for Auckland, the * Argonautic expedition,' as 'it is called, seeming to have delighted both the visitors and the visited. The' Southern Cross'says:— With regard to the .resources of the country, a few figures will answer the purpose of many words. The census returns lately taken shew the number of sheep in the district to be 130,o'o'S ;of cattle, 3,081 ; of horses, 382; of acres fenced, 1,458. The European population is only 952, but is increasing

rapidly, while it must be remembered that the natives Jare pretty numerous. The export of wool i«o i iyCar amoui »ed to 532 bales, .weighing 1b2,100 lbs., and estimated as worth £20,000. There appears to be some error in the latter ngures. The number of bales agrees with the weight, but not with the value; while the number of bales given by the ' New Zealander,' upwards of 900, agrees with the value, and not with the Weight. Mr. Stafford confirmed the temporary appointment made by his Honor the Superintendent of Captain Curling to the post of Resident Magistrate. Mr. Cooper, is, we believe, now to confine his service to the district, and Mr. Ligar to undertake purchasing operations m the other portions of the province. One gentleman (John Curling Esq.) is to be appointed a member of the Provincial Council, and it is said that a second seat is to be filled from the district. A mail to Auckland, via Taupo, is to be shortly established, and on his Excellency's next vist to the South, the Governor is to spend a few days at Napier. We need hardly add, that for all these benefits, present and |)rospective, Mr. Stafford had been honored with the. best dinner that Ahuriri could provide.—Wellington Independent.