OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4410, 8 May 1875, Page 3

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) Auckland, May 1. . politics. The political world is quiet. Save a few unimportant elections for the City Council and Harbor Board, there is little doing. The irrepressible George Staines is a candidate, for the Council. He is opposed by Mr. Edward Isaacs, and is pretty certain to be beaten. I hear that a very large number of objections have been made to claims to vote. There are two organisations of the Roman Catholics and Orangemen, which have originated out of the recent contest between Messrs. Uignan and Dargaville, and which are now actively engaged in objections and counter objections. Two other sections are—the adherents of Mr. J. S. Macfarlane, who,- it is understood, Yvill seek to be returned at the next election for the General Assembly, and the followers and henchmen of his opponent, Mr, Yon Der Heyde. Sir George Grey has been visiting the Thames and Ohiuemuri, where he has gone about a good deal amongst the miners, in order to make himself acquainted with their Yvants and griev-ances. The chief of these latter ia the leasing system under the Mining Districts Act, of the operation of which they complain bitterly. Sir George has promised, in reply to a deputation, to bring the matter under the notice of the General Government. His Honor has also presided at a great many meetings of the public, and of charitable institutions, since his return to public life. I hear that ho has been considerably bored by the fussy conduct of a few demagogues, who would intrude their unsolicited company upon him. One, George Staines, happened to be staying at the same hotel at Grahamstown, Yvhere his Honor had invited a few friends to breakfast. George Staines rose early, ivalked into the breakfast room in his stockinged feet, and took a seat with characteristic dignity, and contrived to engross all the conversation. Imagine the disgust of the Superintendent. suicide of m’cabe. Poor McCabe must have been known to many of your readers. Things had fared hardly with him of late. He was out of employment; and his wife having friends in San Francisco, went by the Cyphrenes to that city, whither her husband was to follow when he could secure the means. However, his straightened circumstances preyed on his mind, and as he had only recently been released from a lunatic asylum, brought on a return of his malady. On the night previous to his suicide he behaved in a very extraordinary manner, getting out of bed and sitting outside in the yard praying aloud. In the morning, having breakfasted as usual, lie walked down to the edge of the cliff at the foot of Hobson-street, waved his hat, gave, a shout, and took the fatal leap. He was picked up fifty feet below, with a broken thigh and arm, and other injuries from which he shortly afterwards died. His funeral, the cost of which is being defrayed by a public subscription, will take place to-mc/Vrow. PRESBYTERIAN REVIVALS. The Presbyterians of Auckland have made arrangements for a revival, by holding prayer meetings at various points. The Church of England Ministers are discussing the advisability of holding a mass prayer meeting at some central church or Ascension Day. PROVINCIAL TREASUREHSHIP. Mr. Tonks, the present Treasurer, goes home in a fortnight, and Ids successor is not yet appointed. Mr. Hurst and Mr. G. M. Heed, of the Star, are understood to be candidates. (Mr. Header Wood has accepted office.— Ed.]