Colonial.
AUCKLAND.
JWe.liave.papers from, this province to the 26th ult., frpni which we extract the following items of news:— ' : .'■••'.', . . . . .
! TkE; ,ELj!6TOEAL,RbLL.f-r;The;first stage in the iPormatioti pf the New Electoral Roll in this proyirice has been, accomplishe,d. .By a summary and real;" purification,",,\vhich has been so long, needed, jfctt'fT bulk of.the old-corrupt, roll has been very greatly reduced and brought into more liealthy fbrm.: In'the.eity, alone, ,we utxderstand, about 1300 " voters'", have beens.abolished, and in: the suburbs, and northern.. di vision the work of; knocking off lhas Been vigorously ancl,judiciously fol-; lowed up. Waiheki is shprn of its glories; pfthe ninety and odd. voters at .< that, plape, who on tw.o; several occasions,imposed, a Superintendent on ; this i province,, btttr a. beggarly .account remains; Coro-.-niandel itself will be .almost a ■blank. The,real electors of, both .places 'will preserve the,privileges • to" which • they^ are entitled, the shams have : been, detected, and the unquiet: spirits. of : the "dead men" who selected Waiheki as.'their -favourite• polling-plage, ,h^y,e.;been laid ;by-the wand of the registration p'flic^r,* never,, we shope, to. trouble; us again." In estima.tiug ,the ..probable, cost, of acon.iested ; election,'..file elements of " gin, cheese, and bottled" beer," for. Waiheki, need not disturb 'the calculations of any future, candidate.for the Super-interidehcy,.or-'of any.gentleman who may aspire to represent the .southern, division in the General Assembly, or in. the Provincial Council. This is as it should he. . The electoral.roll of the; Province of Auckland rhad become a >by-word for corruption; it;is the4^ty r Qf aU.wlio take an interest in our real adyancepient .to...take. ..all ppssible lawful means to Snake the liew roll what it ought to :be-r—a list of persons really qualified. as .electors—-of persons' having, some stake or interest in the land, the tlestihy of which .is ruled, by their votes. We. cannot^ conceal from ourselves, the facts, however, that even under>the. new. system an infinite deal .of corruption,may he practised; .that without careful watching the intentions of the framers of tlie Registration of .Electors Act may. be frustrated and the new roll be made but little less corrupt than the old one. We believe that the duties of the registration officers have been conscientiously performed} but it was wholly impossible, indeed it can hardly be said -to have been expected by any one, that, within the time'allowed and with the machinery provided, anything more than a very rough roll could-have been produced. The duty of aiding thy, officers of the Government in bringing the new roll into its proper shape devolves upon the people themselves. Very many names of bond fide electors have been struck off the old roll merely because no information as to their qualificati )n could be obtained by the agents of the registration pfficers ; and from the same cause, that is, want of information,1 those officers have failed to add the names of many persons who are possessed of the necessary qualification and entitled to be placed on the list. — New-Zealander, March 9.
Steam.—A letter from Mr. Coleman on the subject of the Steam Service between New Zealand and Australia was read before the Chamber of Commerce. —To W. Fraser, Esq., Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Auckland. Sir. —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication dated the 25th instant, with copy annexed,of the following resolution passed on that day at a meeting of the members of the Chamber of "Commerce of Auckland, and other gentlemen, viz:—
" That Mr. Coleman be requested to submit in writing to the Chamber of Commerce the arrangemetits which he is prepared, with the concurrence of the Government, to carry out, and that such document be submitted to a committee to report thereon, consisting of—Messrs. Connell, Montefiore, Daldy, Gilfillan, Salmon, Bain, D.Graham, T. S. Forsaith."
—In reply, I beg most respectful to assure the ■committee of the readiness of the Company whom I have the honor to represent, to afford every information in their power on the cjuestion of the steam route consistently with their public duty. It must, however, be obvious to the Committee that it would be extremely inconvenient for the Company to be constituted the medium of communication in matters which affect the public service; and I would suggest for the consideration of the Committee that it might be desirable for that body to confer with the Colonial Government on tho question referred to in the resolution. As I had the honor of stating- to the meeting- yesterday, I do not consider, looking at the alteration per se, that the Company would derive any advantage by substituting Auckland for Nelson in the route to bo performed by their steam vessels. At.tho samo time I may add, ou tho part of tho Company,' that I should bo happy..-to-carry out any arrangement which will meet the requirements of tho public of
Auckland,,subject to the concurrence and approval |of Government, with the proviso that the'Comjpiny's ■interest.-! do not suffer by any alteration of 1 the route as at the present existing. I have, Ac, NiIDW. Coijcman, Manager for the Colonies. | Auckland, Feb. 26; IBoV.—lbid, March 12.
\ Special Cjiu.ecu Sekvick.—A sprcial service | was held last night at St.. Paul's church, (or the ) purpose of commending the Bishop of Wellington !to the grace "of God for the woik to which he'has been called. Although the notice of fhis .service ;was very brief, therewas a "full attendance of Iho ! clergy and.the miimbeia of the church in Auckhmd ! fljft«tro.ns of giving, their parting testimony of Chiisjtian affect ion and esteem for,, a .pastor who, in his jollico of Archdeacon of Waitemata, had endeared liiinsjlf to all classes of his parishioners. : After ithe appropriate.service,of the evening'which was read by the Uev. Frederick Lloyd, a valedictory address was presented, to which, the Bishop replied f with much Christian feeling, and at considerable | length, tempering as much as' possible, and us beicame the house of God, his earthly feelings of regret at leaving .those with whom he bad so long ibeen.. associated, and whose.presence on this occa" ision was calculated to.comfort and strengthen him. in the new sphere to which, he.had been called. 'Notwithstanding the solemnity of the service, • therewas.a very sincere fe?Hiig r'f regret for thu occasion which had'called it forth—every heart Iseeiniiif,' to give a cordial response the to' God speed' 'with which-the address of the Rev. Mr. Lloyd 'concluded.— lbid, March 6. ' ' A.LTCKLAND P.LOIUL AND HoUTICULTUKAT, SHOW -^-The first exhibition of the season, under.the au.-piees of the recently formed society, and, by general assent, the best, tjiat has yet been held, itook place at Hroblcside, on Thursday. Tlie day iWiis a remarkably pleasant one, neither scorching hot nor yet too cool, and the. consequence was that ithere was a large assemblage. In" the infancy, of tiie Horticultural Society, who have as .yet a. liii.in<:ial system to create and organize, their first exhibitions must naturally take place under.coii.-.ide'r- ' 'able^ difficulty, such, for example us. the want of spacious marquees where fruits and flowers can be displayed to the greatest advantage. To'.'uc-qiure all the necessary adjuncts funds are requisite, and as these cannot be obtained without public co-oper-ation and support, it is not to be expected that at their first show the means of exhibition should be so complete as we hope in due time to see them. ;The visitors, howeyer, appeared to be well satisfied ; and, if there were no other, attraction, the beauty of -the grounds and the music of the band of the 65th ilteginieiit \Vere. amply sufficient to cause the lime. Jo'pass in a most, agreeable manner. Of flowers there was but a limited display ; but in fruits there iWas a considerable vaiiefy, especially in apples, pears, and plums, in which Mr. J. Hawkins of the North Shore was one of the largest and most successful competitors. There were, likewise, several specimens of preserved . fruits . and dried apples. One sample of peaches-, preserved whole, was particularly admired. There were also samples of hone}1; and bees wax. " Of vegetables of a first class quality there was but a short supply, which may perhapsibe accounted-for. by the long continued and unusual1 drought. We congratulate the' Horticultural Society on.the success.of this their.first exhibition, and hope, before their.second takesplaee, that-tliey may be so largely recruited in members and finances that they may be enabled to render these exhibitions as beneiicial as they deserve to. be. [A; list of prizes awarded follows.] — -New Zealander, March 19.
Excursion to Ivawatt.—Ap'coi-diniHo notification previously, given, the steam ship While Swan, Captain Cellem, took'her .departure from the Queen street pier on Thursday, at 9.30 iiiinivon a pleasure excursion'to;the islaiul of "Kawau. This fine and favourite ship, which has just'corncoff' t li's hard in Mechanic's' Bay, where she has been thoroughly cleansed, repainted, and '.refitted,' is admirably adapted for aquatic pleasure parties, and her performance on Thursday was such as to give &\v additional impetus to a style of " prospecting" such as enables the old hands to enjoy, and the new comers to obtain a glimpse, of the many attractive spots of " The Land We Live In." Although the : day was a very favourable one, the concourse of pleasure seekers was much less numerous than is usual on such occasions, the doubt-that the vessel would not be back in time for the Choral Society's evening rehearsal preventing the presence; of 'rnahy who would otherwise, in all probability; have been glad of the trip. As it was, there were from 50: to*'6o passengers on board, who seemed to enjoy themselves to their hearts' content. At 12.25 p.m., being within five minutes of three hours from the time of her starting, the White Swan dropped her anchor in that fairy-like nook Bon Accord Bay. There, a landing was ' speedily effected, the ships' boats having been previously cleared away and made all ready for lowering. Once on terra jirma, air all but universal rush was made towards the (at present abandoned) copper mines. There was little, however, beyond the picturesque scenery of the island to repay the tourists for their healthy walk, and having quickly satisfied their curiosity, they as quickly returned to the " Green," on the right of the Manager's dwelling house, where a B.il al Fresco was immediately arranged, the " Rutland Band," whose services had been retained for the occasion, furnishing an agreeable stimulus for " th« poetry of motion." Bon Accord Valley looked, as it generally does, supremely lovely; but to us who have known it when it was the happy and hospitable abode of many a kindly heart —• when industry was untiring in development of the mineral resources of the island, and when ships and shipmen were constant traders—there was something extremely painful in the forlorn aspect of the now deserted village, Dwellings, not long since kept in the trimmest possible array, are hastening to ruinous and unregarded decay. The Manager's once charming garden and pleasure grounds, are now a wilderness; the verandah round his house,has fallen in, and the desolation attendant upon desertion is everywhere conspicuous. The pretty and well ordered enclosures of the medical officer are now fenceless—the shingles aro rotting and dropping piecemeal from tho roof of his graceful cottage; in short, to complete and so universal is the progress of decay that unless the still valuable and numerous buildings be speedily re-shingled they must of necessity become a prey to the influences of the weather. It is to be hoped that means may be taken in time to prevent such loss. Upon the return of the party from the dance upon the "reeii, and after a three hours' ramble from the ship? they were most agreeably surprised to find a sumptuous and most substantial cold collation laid out on each side of the ample quarter deck, and • with a degree of taste of which even Gun tor would have no cause to be ashamed. Magnificent saddles of mutton vied with splendid rounds of beef, roast ducks, fowls, turkeys, geese and sucking pigs— not making mention of auxiliary hams, tongues, pies, puddings, pastry, apples, graphs, and so forth ; such were a few of the viands provided for appeasin"1 appetites that stood little in need of such provocatives after the sharpening of a throe hour*' *:til and the vigorous doings dining a three hou:.-,' f. to champetre. Tho stylo and the cllicicncy of the demolition which ensued must have equally satisfied owner, ma.-.tcr. cooks and steward's that the bill of ia-roof the 'White Swau was gratefully appreciated by tho gratified guests for whom it had been so bountifully arranged. At 3.40 p.m., the banquet having been- concluded, the docks were cleared; tho anchor at the bows, and tho Swan screwing back with a full head of steam against a strong head wind, music and dancing contr Hinting* their joint i-services-to lighten llio uty, Nothing could be
Wu'l.ler than tho perfomuiuco of the White Swan. ; liftr engines -worked steadily anil smoothly, and ■even ut -the extremity of; the quarter-deck there was an_»l)*3nce"or that vibration which is so poou--liurly disagreeable- in the generality of fast-sailing-: si-rew ste-awu'iv. The passage, to the-Kawau mm we have already .said was made, under steam, only, in , tivo minutes within throe hours,,against.astrong'Hood tide. '.'l4io return passage was made in three hours against a strong head wind, the-rate of speed botlrways being something over 9 miles an hour.— The ship "hauled alongside the wharf at twenty minutes to .7 o'clock; and thus terminated one of lh« most agreeable and successful excursions ever , undertaken since-steam rallied the gulf of Houraki; everything i hat could contribute.to the comfort, convenience, or gratification of the excursionists lining studiously cared foisund liberally provided.— &ftid, March 25. .:;........,.,.
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Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 670, 9 April 1859, Page 5
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2,259Colonial. Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 670, 9 April 1859, Page 5
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