AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 67, 21 March 1843, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(From the Auckland Times.) On Tuesday evening last, a meeting of some of the Scotch emigrants was held on Alberthill for the purpose, of asking the government to allot them land, and to supply them with rations, till they could make the produce of such land available for their support. This notable proposition admits of many .ready replies. First—there is not a man among them all who, if he has been steady, has not been able to secure permanent employment; next, the local government have just as much power to comply with. the request as those who make it: after this it will hardly, be necessary, to “ multiply reasons”—but we will just add one more. When the government do commence the squatting system, it will be proper that it shall be confined to those persons who have emigrated at their own expense, and who have the means -of making the indulgence useful, without asking for rations. The Copper Mines at the Barrier.— Since our back page was in print we have received the following technical particulars of the Barrier copper mines. We are happy to bear witness, upon the testimony of several gentlemen of the first respectability who have visited the place, that there can be no doubt of the great and important ultimate results which will be derived from this gift of nature. It requires only the brisk application of capital to this work. The specimens of almost solid metal which may be f-een at Messrs. Brown and Campbell’s will satisfy the most sceptical. We make these remarks because—strange to say — mining of late years has generally proved only an airy speculation. “ The Copper Mines at the Great Barrier consist of a number of lodes, or veins, running

i n an easterly and westerly direction, and which it is ascertained traverse the whole breadth of the Island. The Company at present, owing to the delays and difficulties incidents to a first settlement, have only been able to examine two of the lodes, and that very partially. In these lodes, which they have penetrated not more than a few fathoms into the side of the hill, they have found samples of the most valuable copper ore—consisting of the black oxide, grey and yellow ores, and the rare and valuable one termed copper-nickle, used in the manufacture of German silver. In one of the lodes specimens of a rich silver lead ore are abundantly mixed with the copper ore ; also, native arsenic, and its oxides; together with such other mineral products as are found in the richest silver and copper mines in South America: in fact, some of the richest silver and copper mines in South America commenced with lead.”

(From the Auckland Chronicle.) Wreck of a Vessel seen. —We have been favoured by Captain Phelps, of the schooner Catherine, with the particulars of the wreck of a vessel of about from 40 to 50 tons burthen, with which they fell in, whilst trading along the coast, thirty-five miles south of the East Cape. It appears, that Captain Phelps put into a native settlement, situated between the Island of Anowa and Mawhai, about seven miles from Tuckamoru, (marked in the chart of New Zealand,) for the purpose of trading for produce, when they perceived the wreck of a vessel lying on the shore : this was about the Ist instant. There was part of the bow, the bowsprit, jibboom, with the jib-sail upon it, night heads, and one knee painted red inside. The bow had a red streak upon it. From the appearance of the wood, Captain Phelps is induced to think that the wreck could not have been more than eight or ten days in the water. From what we learn of the supposed size of the wrecked vessel, it is near to that of the schooner Speculator and Mr. Maxwell's vessel, which have been missing for so long a time, and for whose safety so much feverish anxiety has been, manifested by the owners and friends of the passengers in them.

Outrage at Waiaki. —We learn that a person of the name of M‘Leod, in charge of Mr. Maxwell’s station at Waiaki, has been dangerously injured by the Maories in some quarrel which occurred respecting a native woman. The information was brought by Mr. Large, owner of the Chai'les. schooner, who was requested to report the circumstance to the Police by Mr. Hall, the surveyor. The Chief 'Police Magistrate, with his usual promptitude, has despatched a party to make the necessary inquiries. When the Charles left Waiaki, M‘Leod was supposed to be in a hopeless state. Sharks. —The Maories are proceeding to the head of the river in large numbers to catch young sharks. This is the season of the year, at which they begin to catch these fish for winter food. They catch them with a strong hook of their own construction, upon which there is the inside of the shell of the clam-fish, which, guttering in the water, as it does, serves as a bait. When they catch the shark they gut it, and throw away all the entrails excepting the liver, which they boil in their “ go shores,” or small iron pots, and thus extract the oil fromit, which they preserve in calabashes, or gourds, for light in winter. The fish is tied up upon the branches of trees, with a piece of kauradi or fiax, and let remain until it is quite dry, then it is packed in their canoes and taken home. No inducement would deter the natives from this employment at this season of the year. Cheap Living. —The natives yesterday, in ten or twelve large canoes, brought in an abundant supply of fine fish; mullet, snappers, cawhy, patiki (the flounder of Europe) and other delicious species; which they disposed of to the inhabitants of the town at less than Id. per lb. With the loaf at Bd. per 41b.; potatoes at 2s. the 1401 b. (or two native baskets) pork at 4d. per pound ; and house-rent at ss. per week for a tenement with three rooms, we think that New Zealand will vie with any other part of the world for cheapness of living. Pomare. Nothing, we think, can more strongly shew the rapid advancement of intelligence of the aboriginal race of these Islands than the fact of several chiefs having become purchasers of small schooners and cutters. Pomare, a powerful chief of the Ngapuhi tribe (Bay of Islands) and suite have arrived in Auckland, in two schooners navigated by this well known chief’s own people. Several other instances are within our knowledge of the same kind; nor is the advancement of these interesting people confined to the northern district of the colony, which has been so long settled by Europeans of almost every nation, but it extends itself to the remote southward, wherp civilization may be said to be only now uplifting its head among the aboriginal race. Wm. Weeridi, son of a powerful (hief of Opuke, beyond the East Cape of Captain Cook, was in this harbour a few weeks ago, when he completed the purchase of a large schooner, well known as a coasting trader, named the Black Joke, payment having been made in live pigs. The war canoes, which in times past have been the scene of so much bloodshed, are fast growing into disuse ; and the aborigines are adopt-

ing the usages of their civilized brethren, in which they evince a ready and willing aptitude. Flax Machine. —There is a flax cleaning machine, upon peculiarly simple principles, which was invented v by Mr. Makepeace, a very intelligent and ingenious person who resides at the Bay of Islands. The efficacy of Mr. Makepeace’s machine was tried upon 100 tons rough flax, which, when it came from the inventor’s hand, was, pronounced, by the owner of the flax, to be highly satisfactory. Since this, we understand, that, the owner of the flax has succeeded in purchasing the exclusive use of the machine from Mr. Makepeace.

Murder of Captain Norris of the American Whaler “Sharon.” —The&fomwi arrived at Ascension Island, on the 15th October, 1842, where eleven of the crew deserted the vessel, and could not afterwards be retaken, owing principally to the Europeans on the island using their influence with the natives to protect them. The vessel, after taking a supply of wood and water, and a few hands, sailed again on the 26th October, with seventeen hands in all, six of whom were natives of different islands. Captain Norris intended, after leaving Ascension Island, to touch either at Port Jackson or the Bay of Islands, for the purpose of making up his crew. When in lat. 2deg. 20 sec. N., long., 162 deg. E„ they fell in with sperm whales, and being short of hands they were only able to man two boats, and putting off in chase of the fish, Capt. Norris, an apprentice boy named Emanuel, and three of the natives were all that were left on board. The boats after a short chase fastened to a fish and killed it, put a waft in it, and went after the others. The vessel running down took the whale alongside. About 5 p.m. the crew frem the boats saw the flag at half-mast on the ship, and the mate at that time being about a mile from the vessel immediately pulled towards her, and on coming close to, saw the three natives naked, with cutting spades, lances, and other weapons, at the side of the vessel for the purpose of preventing them from coming on board. The apprentice boy was at the main-topgallant mast head, who, upon being hailed, said that the natives on board had murdered the captain, with a cutting spade, and driven him (the boy) aloft. Mr. Smith then ordered him to cut the topgallant, topsail, and jib halyards to let the sails run down, and then clear them from the yards, and leave them hanging by the rigging to stop the way of the vessel; during which time the natives on board were throwing all kinds of missives, one of them being stationed on each side of the vessel and the other at the wheel. The officers seeing that the savage mutineers were so well prepared to receive them, consi dered it useless to attempt boarding the vessel before dark, when they pulled ahead, and Mr. Clough, the third officer, dropping into the water, swam to the ship for the purpose of endeavouring to gain an entrance by the cabin window, which he very cleverly managed to do without giving the least alarm to those on deck. But previous to his leaving the boats it was arranged that he should have sufficient time to load all the muskets, when the boats were to pull up on either side to the attack. The muskets were nearly all charged and placed at the foot of the companion, but while Mr. Clough returned into the cabin for more muskets, one of the natives came down and fell right over them. Clough seized a cutlass and a severe conflict ensued, in which both were wounded, when the native made the best of his way on deck. Clough seized a musket, and was on the point of rushing on deck, when he was met by another native, who was pointing a cutting spade at him down the companion, whom he immediately shot dead on the spot. The boats’ crews hearing the shot jumped on deck, and once more got into possession of their vessel. Lights were in a short time procured, and a search commenced for the other two. The one who first entered the cabin was found lying on the transom by the window, with a cutlass and large knife, threatening the life of any one who dared to approach him; upon which Smith levelled a musket and shot him through the heart. The remaining one was not found until' the following morning, having stowed himself away in the hold, and upon being taken offered violent resistance, but was afterwards placed in irons, and kept in them until Thursday, the 22nd December, when the ship arrived in this port, and he was brought on shore by the water police. The deck presented a horrible spectacle, the body of the unfortunate Captain was lying on the quarter deck, with a spade thrust between the hip and ribs, his throat cut from ear to ear, and the upper part of his head cut off, with which the pigs were running about the deck covered with blood. The body of the unfortunate Captain was consigned to the deep the next day. The native now in custody can speak tolerable good English, and the only excuse offered by him for committing the murderous action is, that the Captain was cross. He belongs to Ocean Island. The boy Emanuel states that he heard the Captain hail him from aloft, but before he could reach the rail the deed was committed, and an attempt made to stab him, but he ran aloft again. Under these circumstances the command of the ship was taken by Mr. Smith, (who was chief

officer)"und brought to Sydney.- — Australasian Chronicle. Agricultural College. —The success of the Kent Agricultural College has led to the formation of a similar institution at Shepscombe, near Painswick, in this county. The design is, for a moderate annual payment, to bring up youths of from 14 years to 18, giving them, besides a good education, instruction in the theory and practice of agriculture, on the best and most scientific principles. On the Continent, agriculture is taught as a science. In this country it has been allowed to depend on isolated instruction, while all other arts and sciences have had the advantage of collegiate courses of education. The farms attached to the Agricultural College at Shepscombe include various descriptions of arable, pasture, and wood lands, in the immediate vicinity, and extend over 900 acres.— Cheltenham Gazette.