AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 814, 21 May 1853, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

The following Memorial on the subject of the rec?nt Land Regulations has been presented to the Governor in Auckland. It was signed by persons of all parties. To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K. C. 8., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, %c, B>c, Sir. — We the undersigned inhabitants of the Province of Auckland desire to give expression in the most etnphatical and unequivocal manner, to the satisfaction with which we regard the alterations made by the Proclamation of ! the 4th of March last in the system of disposing of the Demesne Lands of the Crown. It has ever been our opinion that the prosperity and advancement of this province would be most effectually promoted by a reduction in the price of Land, and »he removal of those restrictions which stood in the way of its easy ac- | quisition, and it is most satisfactory to us to have Your Excellency's practical confirmation of those views. Looking forward, as we do, to a rapid increase of population, we request permission to direct Your Excellency's attention to the limited quantity of Land in this Province at the disposal of the Government, and the great importance of an ample supply of Land to satisfy the increasing demand. To meet this, we need hardly point out to Your Excellency the great desirability of rendering the Lands at present in the hands of the Natives available for the purposes of settlement ; and while we render to Your Excellency our unqualified thanks for a measure well calculated to serve the interest of the Province, and so much in accordance with the often declared wishes of its inhabitants, we venture to express a hope that Your Excellency will be pleased to adopt means so to open the country for settlemeut as to render the easy acquisition of Land at a moderate price, not a temporary, but a lasting benefit. Auckland, 28th April, 1853.

Whale in Port. — Early on yesterday morning a whale of the class termed Scamperdowns was discovered by Mr. Burgess, the Pilot, to have got aground on the reef, near the North Head. Mr. Burgess, with a party of three or iour, were immediately on the alert to affect a capture of so desirable a waif. A harpoon could be" mustered, but no lance. Nevetheless Mr. Burgess fastened on, and running bis boat alongside his prey managed to accomplish his destruction by plunging a cutlas into his vitals. The whale thus secured measures about 24 feet in length and is about 3 feet through at his- greatest girth. The probable yield of oil has been estimated at about 10 or 12 barrels ; and as the oil is equal to sperm, it will, in a'l likelihood return some £70 or £80 to the fortunate captors. We beg to congratulate Mr. Burgess on his successful morning's fishing. — Southern Cross, April 19.