AUCKLAND. [New Zealander, May 29.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 515, 10 July 1850, Page 3

AUCKLAND. [New Zealander, May 29.]

We observe in the Maori Messenger, Notes of a " Journey to Taupo from Auckland," which, amidst much graphic and amusing sketching, and some descriptive passages of picturesque beauty, including occasional comments on graver matters than a sumptuous supper at Tiumata on cold chickens, bread, and hard boiled eggs," or a moving description of the way in which " the rascally dogs from the. native settlement" had "invaded the camp," and " spoiled the Egyptians" by making away with the " luscious ham and other condiments" which they (the aforesaid Egyptians) had " reserved for future delectation." Amongst other thiugs, the tourist expresses an opinion respecting the Waikato coal fields — which is wholly unfavourable to the project at present occupying a considerable share of public attention here. He " very much doubts" whether the substance taken from the mines of the Waikato is fully mineralized coal, or " adapted for useful pur-

poses;" and he "apprehends that lignite would be a more appropriate name for it." Ho farther finds it " difficult to conceive, even if good coals wore obtainable in this district, that it could be brought to pay;' 9 indeed he regards the " obstacles to the feasibility of any project of supplying Auckland of such magnitude as to render them insurmountable, on the score of expense, comparatively with the rate at which coal can be supplied from Newcastle, in New South Wales, and elaewheie<" We need scarcely remind such of our readers as hare taken an interest in this project that these are not new objections. They are merely a reproduction of the objections which were started at the very first announcement on the subject, and which have been considered again and again ; — and, we may add, considered, with the additional attention to which they were entitled from the knowledge that they were entertained by the reputed writer of this Tour, whose opinion was treated with the respect due*o it. But the weight of evidence seemed to the committee, and to the Public at two successive Meetings, to preponderate so dtcidedly on the other side, that the undertaking now in progress was determined on. We say " now in progress," for the Committee lost no time in taking the necessary steps for the performance of the duties laid upon them, and — some unavoidable preliminary delays having been overcome — there is little doubt j that the operations at the Waikato are now ! actually going on. It is obviously by the results of this trial that the question is to be settled. Opinion, ! however respectable, will not determine it on the one side or the other. No doubt, those who saw the coal burning at the Mechanics' Institute, and at the Royal Exchange Hotel, had more than mere opinion to guide them to a conclusion. But it is admitted that fuller proofs are desirable ; and that it is of especial tnd essential importance to ascertain at what rate the coal — assuming it to be, (as we with many others, believe it is) of excellent quality — can be delivered in Auckland. Now these are just the points on which the original Committee sought information, and on which, under the direction of the Public Meeting, the present Committee are now seeking it practically, A short time will place the subscribers in possession of satisfactory means of judging for themselves. Pending the production of the tangible evidence which we trust is speedily forthcoming, theoretical discussion is to little purpose ; and we should not have referred to the matter at all now, but that we feared some of the actual or intending subscribers might be discouraged by the supposition that either new objections, or even a new objector, were broogbt forward. We have from the outset deprecated every thing like party or personal feeling on a subject in which the whole community is equally interested ; and, should the hopes of those who anticipate, as the ultimate result of this experiment, the introduction here of an abundant supply of coal at a low price, be amply realized, we are convinced that none will rejoice more in that result that the gentleman who is understood to have written the "Tour" referred to.