AUCKLAND HUNDRED.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 886, 11 October 1854, Page 3

AUCKLAND HUNDRED.

To the Editor of the Nbw-Zealasdeii. Sir, —It may tend to draw further attention to the question of Hundred?, from those interested in the subject by mentioning anotiicrfact connect'd with the Auckland Hundred, that being she principal one at present. By the Crown Lands Ordinance, Sess. 10, No. 1, it is provided that the right of depasturing in the Hundred shall be held exclusively by license holders, —that in order to prevent intrusion of unlicensed cattle, orany above tlie number nf apportionment, together with the general management of the Hundred, the wardens shall be elected to make a proper apportionment and by-laws, &c. Now the wardens of the Auckland Hundred, having been elected, did make an apportionment of cattle, allowing upwards of two thousand head to run, the waste lands of the Crown in tinHundred being about nine hundred acre.", of beautiful scoria, and a little fern land. But now, Sir, for the cream of the case, —the wardens, in addition to the liberal apportionment which they have made, have allowed license holders to run'any number of cattle above their apportionment, providing they pay at the rate of sa, each per annum. Surely those gentlemen who are ro active in their present officy, and finding fault with the conduct* of their predecessors; are not aware of the injustice they do to other Hcense holders by such an arrangement; but above all, that they are leading the innocent license holders into a very unpleasant position; for by the 37th and 39th clauses of the Ordinance, they are liable to a fine of £SO, and are at present [completely at the mercy of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The anxiety of the wardens to obtain money may be very good, but they ought to be careful that in doing so they do not obtain it illegally, and subject the ignorant and unacquainted with the law to inconvenience. I believe, Sir, no case has been tried hitherto, and it is to be hoped that one of the wardens who has been profiting largely by the arrangement, will not be selected to try "the Validity of the law. "Yours obediently, Aonicoi.A,

To the Editor of the Nbw-Zealakdbr. Sik, —Being a resident in the Northern Division of the Province of Auckland, and shut out in a great measure from Auckland, and scarce knowing how matters are going on there, I would be glud to know, for myself and others, what is the reason that we are thus deharred from communication with the towns people and those beyond, seeing that the money lias long been voted (i.'1200) for the maKing of the Great Northern Road. Really, sir, hope deferredmakes the heart sick; and it is sickening to find so little lias been done in connection with that road. As near as I can recollect, tenders were issued and accepted for the making of a bridge across Hamilton's Creek and McDonald's Creek, with the road therefrom towards Cabbage Tree road; verily, the hearts of the Northerns at that time were big with hope, and trusted in a short time the bridge over the Wnhu Creek would also be accomplished, thus opening up the magnificent forest of Titirangi, and enabling bona fide settlers to get upon the land. But, alas! so far as can be seen at this date, the bridge at Hamilton's Creek is not commenced, and the one at McDonald's Creek is only being brought about. Pray, sir, is there a Provincial Engineer? There icas one, 1 know, appointed ; but, for our part, as far as his works show to the contrary, he may be dead. If such should he the case, 1 hint that such an important office should speedily be filled up by an efficient per-on,—one that has experience to back his pretentions. It is not only painful to the settlers already out on their acres to be thus cut. off, but a great hindrance to others coming, and I doubt not a great drawback to the further sale of Government bind in this illused division. Is it not time to complain, sir; not only would those two bridges have been contracted "for, but also the Wuhu bridge, and other smaller crossing of streams and gullies would have been undertaken, bad the management been placed in the hands of one that would have given this division its proper quota of attention. However it may have been, it is never too late to do well ; .•aid I*trust, if there is a paid Engineer to superintend the making of roads and bridges in the Province, that be will buckle on bis metal, and cause such works to be undertaken before that harvest be upon us,- when labour will be found more difficult to obtain than even now. Or otherwise that our Provincial Council will see lo it.—l remain, yours truly, Compulsion.

To the Editor of the New Zkalandkk. Sir,—Allow me, through your columns, to bringundcr thejnotice of theproperaut orities(l presume tlic Harbour Commissioners) ilie danger arising from the want of a beacon to denote the passage through the reef extending three parts across the river, from the Mill Creek towards Kami Point. For many ycais one beacon stood there, and was of great service; but in the month of June last, by some means it was carried away, and has not since been erected, thus endangering the loss of life and boats, especially in windy weather, or, at the least, compelling those whose business calls them on the waters in that direction, to make a lengthy detour to avoid it. No\v,to make it truly serviceable, there should be three beacons, painted white : —one at the end of the reef towards Kauri Point; one at the old passage whore there is abundance of water, with an easy entrance for large hoats; and another at a smaller passage nearer to the Auckland side, though not generally known, because not easily seen, hut which would he a great convenience for small hoats, and enable such to go and come from Auckland when otherwise they could not by the other passage, particularly in a stiff breeze from the South West. Trusting that this may be sufficient to cause the same to be looked into and undertaken before any serious accident takes place. 1 remain, yours truly, A Sufferer, For the want of a Beacon.