Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 643, 5 January 1859, Page 3

Colonial.

AUCKLAND.

Our news from this province is down to. the Bth ultimo. We have already noticed shortly the steps about to be taken for investigating, the mineral resources of the "province. On this, subject the 'New Zealander' gives the following full explanation:—

While Sir William Denison was endeavouring to arrange with a geological surveyor—(and we may here state' that the Rev. W. B. Clarke, who is the best geologist in this part of the world, would have been glad to visit New Zealand if his other avocations had permitted him t0.,d0 so) —the Austrian frigate JKTova?a came in most opportunely with a large scientific- exploring party- on Aboard. Sir William- placed -.the _ matter before Commodore Wiillesdorf, the Commodore of the Ixovara,' and that gentleman at once gave his consent that the scientific officers of .the expedition should prospect and report upon the Auckland Coal Fields. For &\s purpose*, therefore, Commodore Wiillesdorf determined to' come on to Auckland; and we learn that the Kovara may daily .be expected in our harbour.- The .importance of this visit, and-of -tiny information via— may -roaooanMy 'liopc to obtain from the scientific staff,'can hardly be too highly estimated; and the - ready courtesy with which Commodore Wiillesdorf has aceeeded to'the request of Sir William Denison to aid the Province of Auckland in the development of those mineral riches which we ourselves have hitherto been so apathetic-abqut,, merits, and should receive the warmest thanks of our fellow-citizens as well as of the constituted authorities.

Meantime it is gratifying and encouraging to be able to state that the specimens of Auckland coal forwarded to Sir William. Denison have been examined by-him and, we think ,we are right in surmising, by other practical mineralogists; and that such examination has resulted in the following manner:—From the fracture and appearance, of the coal, and from the fact of its being largely mispd with Kauri gum,, it is considered, as we anticipated would be the case, to belong to. a much later formation than the true carbonaceous deposits, and to be, more strictly speaking, a lignite. Lignite though it be, the specific gravity of Auckland coal is pronounced on this eminent and disinterested authority to be as great as that of the true coal— quite equal to that of the coal of New South Wales, "and, indeed, beyond that of the average of English coal." Further: it is believed that the Auckland coal is invaluable as a gas coal ; and with the view of having this property.of our coal tested, Sir WnuDenison has suggested that a sufficiently large sample should be sent up to Sydney for experimenting upon by the Gas Company in that city. This suggestion we have reason to believe *ill be acted upon; and if the experiment succeeds, as there is every reason to hope it will, Auckland— ffhich has hitherto been obtaining its coals from New South Wales, will have a chance of " sending coals to Newcastle " to enable the Sydney Gas Company to supply its customers with a brighter and purer light than can be got from the coal of New south Wales.

The RicEs,—Horse breeding seems; to be one of those avocations peculiarly adapted to us denizens of the Southern Seas, and the breeders of -•mstraVia have already come forward with their s.ock to assist .the mother country, when horses were—-in a military point.of view—almost as valuable as men in our Indian wars. Any thing connected with the horse, is, or at least ought to X a subject of interest in New.Zealand, a country n>ore adapted for the breeding of the animal than any yther in the world. Horse races are certainly public institutions and should be considered as such. ■ c are glad to see that in this particular New can run neck and neck with Australia, and are now anxious to.see how the provinces will one against another. Auckland has already sent *>wn stock to match the South, and we are glad l 0 see that the South is returning the compliment w'th eo.ual spirit. One horse has already arrived ana three more may be expected. We anticipate a good meeting. Auckland Regatta.—We see that steps are e >ng taken by our aquatic amateurs to get up a good day's sport on the Waitemata. We hope that ""ymay succeed. A meeting will bo held this y'»ng at the Russell Wine Vaults for the purpose making the necessary preliminary arrangements, ?!? we liave no doubt but there will be a good •^oiidance. Sailing and pulling are our " peculiar unities " in the North, and we must keep up our -wit m these particulars. With our splendid . tier communication all over tho Province, our nagnificent water frontages, and our unequalled building, wo shall do wrong ta!' tSS *n B'iall •^<?ur by year 'mProv,e fch(;fle advan.*f F es" Conipetition has already done much. Our boi • ar, B' boatß w««ld be a credit to any harnrn. •'" c world ' and our mosquito fleet are tho Promising germs of the future "Royal Yacht °4-waron Auckland." We hope the natives will

tako part m the sports this year, and could wish that a few American whalers wove in harbour lo give us an exciting whaloboat race, hut have no doubt that our own shore craft will give us good sport. The regattas held hitherto m Auckland have done much to raise a useful spirit of emulation amongst our ship builders and our Bailors, professional and amateur.