AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 366, 3 February 1849, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

The ship Duke oj Portland, Captain Cubitt arrived in harbour on Monday forenoon, having sailed from ' London on the 9th, and the Downs on the 11th September. She brings a general cargo for this place and Wellington — with twenty three cabin and six steerage passengers for Auckland, and five cabin and three steerage passenger's for Port Nicholson. We congratulate our Presbyterian fellow colonists on the safe arrival of their minister, the Rev. Mr. Panton, who, with his wife and family, is at length amongst them. The Duke of Portland has experienced a rather boisterous passage, having, en the 29th of September, in lat. 17 deg., 50' N., long. 24deg. W., experienced a hurricane at N.E., wh'ch veering suddenly to S.W., caused a terrific sea, and split many of her sails. On the .31st of October, in lat. 17 deg., 50' S. long. 28deg. W., she spoke the French barque JSmi/ie, from Rio de Janeiro to Havre ; and on the 14th of November, in lat. 23deg. 13' S. long., 30deg. 38' W. the ship Ajax, from London for Otago. The Ajax left the Downs with two hundred and seventy emigrants on the 11th September. On the 9th of November, in lat. 30deg., 16' S., long. 25deg., W., at 2 40 a.m., the Duke of Portlar.d was struck by a violent squall which carried away her three topmasts, main and mizen top-gal-lant masts, fore-topsail yard, flying jib-boom, and split several of her sails. On the 20tV of November she rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and has experienced light winds ever since. — New Ze^landei, Jan. 7. Wellington. — We have not thought it necessary to print the reply of the Wellington settlers to the address whidh was forwarded from hence with the Relief Fund, as it has already appeared in our contemporary, and is not perhaps of much interest beyond its locality. It is couched in kind and cordial language, and breathes a good spirit, and- we really hope that the event which called -it forth will be found' to have had the effect cf cementing the bond of union between the northern and'southern colonists. The money has arrived, and is now in the custody of the Committee, and as soon as Capt. Heale returns, we believe immediate arrangements will be made for repaying to thesubscribers the respective amount of their subscriptions. — Southern Cross, January 20. We feel pleasure in -announcing the appointment of our late Governor, Captain Fitz Rdy-to the command of the splendid steam frigate Arrogant, of 46 guns. — Ib. We are happy to announce the safe arrival of the Rev. G. Panton, the long expected pastor of the Presbyterians. We understand that his honor the Chief Justice has granted the use of the Court House for the present. Mr. Panton will therefore commence his ministerial labours next Sabbath. The Free Church, we believe, have responded in the most liberal and prompt manner to the overtures of the Committee, and Mr. Panton enters upon his new and untried sphere of labour under 4he most-favourable auspices. A< very bandsom'e bible, and psalter, hare been presented to the Auckland Kirk by ;the family of our townsman Mr. Whytlaw, and a silver Communion Service by the family of Mrs. Whytlaw. We heartily bid Mr. Panton God Speed. — Ib.