AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 77, 28 March 1846, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

By the Victoria we have received a New Zealander of the 7th March, but its contents are unimportant. The Editor betrays an uneasy feeling, which we believe is fast gaining ground at Auckland, as to the removal of the seat of Government. As long as the Governor chose to shut himself up at Auckland (as was the custom of Capt. Grey's predecessors) without inquiring into the capabilities pr advantages of the respective divisions of the Island, receiving his information through

official sbtirces, and making use of only just so much as suited his caprice, or the particular object he had in view, all was well at the North, fiut a change has come o'er the spirit of their dream, or rather the pleasing illusions in which the northern settlers have so long indulged, like fairy gifts, are fast fading away before the stern reality. We have now a Governor, able and willing to judge for himself, who with the most laudable anxiety seeks every opportunity of acquiring information of the capabilities and comparative advantages of the different settlements in New Zealand. The anxiety therefore of the Northern settlors is perfectly natural, because they must have misgivings as to the result of any fair comparison. We have so often discussed this question, and so fully exposed the injustice of Capt. Hobson's choice, that we will not now enter into its merits, but we must confess we were somewhat amused with our Northern contemporary's plan for averting the impending evil. To prevent the removal of the seat of Government, he has it in contemplation — to publish his Journal twice a-week. It reminds us of Sydney Smith's humorous story of Dame Fartington — hoaest body — who attempted to stop an inundation of the Atlantic with her mop — " The Atlantic was roused — and so was Dame Fartington !" A native named Hakaraia had been tried at the last sittings of the Supreme Court at Auckland for stealing a shirt from James Williams, who was employed on board the Thistle cutter. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be imprisoned for twelve months with hard labour. He was afterwards indicted on a second charge of stealing three blankets and other articles from the master of the same vessel, and acquitted. There can be little doubt that the native exemption ordinance, that bright effusion of Mr. Attorney -General Swainson's legal skill, will be repealed at the the ensuing session of the Legislative Council, since (as in the case of this native), its enactments have already become a dead letter. It was reported at Auckland that Mr. Clarke, formerly chief protector, intends shortly returning to England. The Auckland Times has been discontinued in consequence of the death of Mr. Falwasser, its late proprietor, which we noticed in our 72d number.

Native Outrage and Pieacy. — The schooner Anna Maria left Auckland on the Bth February, bound for the East Coast. She experienced very bad weather, and arrived abreast the harbour of Maketu on the evening of Wednesday the 18th February, when a native pilot went on hoard to take her into the river with the flood tide. On entering, she struck on the spit, and was instantly boarded by the natives from the shore, who stripped the vessel of all her sails, rigging, anchor, &c> besides breaking open the cabin, and hatches, and taking all the property out of her. They maltreated the captain, the owner* and the crew, stripping them of all their clothes, and they were compelled to go on shore to the few white people living there. The next day the natives offered to restore some part of the property, on condition of being paid three cwt. of tobacco, which was refused. They then took the schooner into the river of their own accord, and retain possession of her, as well as her boat. We think that his Excellency should be immediately apprized of this daring act of piratical plunder, of which full authentic depositions and particulars have been made before the magistrate, and on his return from the South, pay a visit to Maketu, in H.M. steamer Driver, and inflict summary punishment on these coast robbers, by playing on their pa with the steamer's great guns. It is for such service that steamers are more particularly required in this colony.— New Zealander.