AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 348, 2 December 1848, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Steam Flour Mill. — We are happy to, perceive, by a notice, addressed to bricklayers and masons, that the proprietors of the steam mill have succeeded in obtaining an eligible piece of ground, a portion of Mr. Shortland's allotment, in Official Bay, and that the erection of the requisite buildings are to be commenced forthwith. It is undertakings like these that are calculated to benefit the colony, and we trust to behold the mill go-a-head with rail-road spped. — New Zealander, October 21.

Heavy Gale. — In the course of Wednesday, throughout the night and during the early fart of Thursday morning, we were visited with an unusually severe gale at west, accompanied with heavy squalls of raio, The Louisa, which came into port at Its com* mencement, being unable to beat up against the fury of the blast, brought up abreast of the North Head ; whilst H. M. S. Dido, whose anchors seemed inclined to come home, drove at least a mile under such resistless influence. Except the prostration of sundry fences, we have heard of no shore da? mages, and having had two arrivals yesterday, we may hope there have been no casualties at sea, — Ibid.

Dedication or the New Wesleyan CpyRCH. — The dedication of this goodly edifice (oo]c place on Sunday last, and, in defi- | ance of the previous inclemency of the weatl.er, and the sludgy condition of the streets, its walls were speedily filled by an eager and anxious throng of worshippers. The fabric is a soqnd and substantial one, of brick, sixty feet in length, fifty in breadth, and twenty-six in height. Externally it is somewhat squat, and devoid of architectural grace ; but, as it has been planned with a view to an elongation of twenty feet, its propor* tions will then be more harmonious ; especially should the trustees be empowered to relieve its sombre uniformity by the addition of a portjco of some of the most approved and apposite orders. Internally, it is plain, commodious, and unostentatious ; fi ted with a sufficiency of convenient pews, and a liberal amount of frea sittings. Galleries there are, at present, none ; but care has been taken for their easy erection when the requirements of the congregation shallderaancl them. There is immediate accommodation for four hundred and eighty sitters, and without intrenching upon their comfort, space could be found for a considerable number more. In every respect, the building is creditable to the Wesleyan con? nexion. It is a Temple befitting for the worship of the Most High. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Watkin, from Wellington, who, we grieve to state, laboured under severe ant} painfully apparent indisposition. The preacher, took his text (a most appropriate one) from the 15th and 16th verses of the 16th chapter of St. Mark — demonstrating, in the most in-, controvertible manner, that to the successful preaching of the gospel, - the civilisation, and the consequent colonisatipn ol New Zealand was entirely to be ascribed, In the evening, the Rev. Mr. Wallis, from Waingaroa, officiated, and, in an able and impressive manner, preached from the 13tb, verse of the 48th Psalm. The collections of the day in aid of the building were most liberal, exceeding £52, and those, after a recent collection of upwards of £80. The cost of this structure, as detaileoj by the worthy superintendent, the Rev. Mr t Lawry, at a tea meeting given to tlje contri-" butors on Monday evening — and at which, there were a variety of expositions entered into — amounted to £1316, of which £1004, raised by subscriptions and collections, were paid, thus leaving a trivial balance to be pro? yided for. — Ib tt October 25.