AUCKLAND.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 41, 1 December 1864, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

(From a Correspondent). November 17, 1864. The town of Auckland, although its advancement has not been so rapid or so Drilliant as that of some of the towns in other colonies, has been steadily verging towards the zenith of its importance. The day may be very distant when the capital of the " Britain of the South " will vie with that of the Britain of the North in extent and grandeur ; but those principles of improvement which have made other British towns what they are, are gradually but surely transforming Auckland from a scattered and misshapen village into a well-ordered town. In the city itself the «_-.%.. "PP*--* to are one by one disappearing, and giving place to really handsome brick buildings. In Queen street, Thornton and Co.'s mill, Brunswick Hall, Odd Fellows' Hall, the Savings bank, Union Bank of Australia, and several shops and stores, which would not appear out of place in the leading thoroughfares of London, present a favorable front • and jjavement— that great desideratum during the winter months—is superseding the irregular muddy footways. During the past few years, Queen street has been much extended, and Wyndham street, in Queen street, forming a steep ascent, has lately been graced by the " New Zealand Herald" office.

Shortland crescent, leading from the foot of Queen street, contains a few good buildings; the •" New Zealander" office, a substantial brick building supported by columns, is situated at the upper end of Shortland crescent. Near the junction of the crescent and Princes street is St Paul's Church, which has lately been enlarged, two wings having been added. It is calculated to contain 700 persons. In Hobson street (parallel with Queen street) is St Matthew's Church, a spacious and tasteful building, erected to replace that formerly used as a church, and now converted mto a school room. Tbere is not yet a ca.Kedral in Auckland, in the proper sense of the word. The question bas been mooted of the erection of a cathedral, but its consideration has been deferred or abandoned.

Parnell, to the south-east ot Auckland, is becoming an important suburb. It contains some good buildings, among which are St Mary's Church, the Cathedral Library, the Bishop of New Zealand's residence, now nearly complete, some shops, and a number of dwelling-houses. Newton, in the opposite direction, has made an advance in tbe past few years worth of remark. This neighborhood contains many bouses, which, four years ago ha 4no existence, a Mechanics' Institute with the nucleus of a library, an hotel, and some shops.

Throughout Auckland, a general improvement in the roads is noticeable. Scoria, prevail over mud. One deficiency, however, yet exists—viz., the want of proper lighting. On moonless nights the absence of gas is much felt; but this is expected, before long, to be remedied, as gaspipes are lying about in all directions; and the time may be looked for when a pedestrian may walk in the streets of Auckland on a dark nigbt without the risk of dislocating his joints by coming into contact with a lump of scoria, or by an unexpected descent into a mud hole.