AUCKLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 238, 24 September 1862, Page 5

AUCKLAND.

By the DunoJUnand tlie Sylph, we have our fsles from Auckland, to September 13th. We append a synopsis of the news.

The following is the reply of the Dakeof Newcastle to the petition of the" Auekkud Provincial Council, for granting a separate Governor to that Province:—"Downing-street, June 2G, 18G2— Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch. No. 36 of the Bth of Apr!!, 18S2, forwarding a petition addressed to her Majesty, by the Provincial Council of Auckland, praying for a separate government for the province, together with a memorandum on the subject from your responsible advisers. I request that you will inform the Speaker and the members of the council that I have kid their petition before the Queen, w ho was pleased to receive it very graciously. lam not insensible to the fact that the constitution given to New Zealand by the Act of 1852, has in some respects failed to* produce the advantages which irere anticipated from it, and in particular I am aware that the co-existence of a central legislature, with a number of other legislative bodies possessing powers so large as those committed to the Provincial Councils, and presided over by elected Superintendents, may, as is stated by the memorialists, tend ' to produce confusion, and to defeat rather than promote the objects for which government is established." It appears to me, however, that the natural cure for this evil lies in giving strength to the central and paramount government and legislature, in the latter of which ail the interests of the colony arc represented, and in which, if the constituencies do their duty, its political ability should be concentrated. I have been unable, therefore, to advise her Majesty to take any auy step calculated to encourace a pi eject 50 pregnant with disasters, as that {of dividing the Northern Island into separate and independent governments — a project, which, if carried into effect, would render the good government of the European inhabitants unlikely, and the maintenance of peaceful rektions with the natives impossible.—l have, &c, (Signed) Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grcv, K. C. B. &c, &c" * '

Ths first batch of Nonconformist settlers arrived at Auckland on Monday, the Bth instant. Arrangements had been made by die friends ct the cause in Auckland to give the immigrants a public welcome, but as far as we can glean from the local papers, there was not that enthusiasm manifested in the matter by the Aucklaud citizens which was expected. The address of " Welcome " was to be presented on Wednesday, the lOtb, in front of the Houses of Assembly, at which place the immigrants were to meet * It would appear that already a spirit of disappointment had begun to spring up amoDgst the settlers, for the "NewZealander devotes an article to warning them | against the statements of " croakers " who°would i lead them to believe the Auckland land would grow nothing. It was the intention to have the i immigrants forwarded as soon as practicable to ! Mangawai, a small coast settlement to the North I of Auckland, and the nearest port of debarkation J to the new settlement of Albert Land. The New Zealander speaks hopefully of the scheme, and states that every arrangement has been made, that foresight could suggest to ensure the success J of the undertaking. The latest news irom Coromandel of no importance ; rumored fresh discoveries of auriferous quartz are reported, but it would appear that i there were no great inducements for the miners to i remain, most of them having cleared out for Otago. | According to the statement of the Eaglan correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross, the load in that district about which so many difficulties were supposed to exist through Native opposition, is progressing favorably. It is being constructed by Kaories. The Waipa correspondent of the Daily Southern Cross says:—" Information has just come up from Kohia to the effect that a native chief has killed bis wife. Many rumours are afloat as to what steps will be adopted: some are to the effect that lie must suffer ior his crime. My opiuion is, if they (the Maories) attempt to take him, his friends will fight to tho last. I have not heard yet what decision ihe &laori King has come to in the matter. Some are for handing the chief over to our authorities for punishment, he being, as they term it,, a Queen's man. There may be some little policy on their part in desiring to do so; but they have to take him first. The reason assigned for this rash act is adultery. Some time back, a chief in the same district killed a woman, but no steps were taken in the matter.

The" King" Maories are beginning to be somewhat tenacious in their loyalty or disloyalty. A paragraph in an Auckland paper states that in the Waikato, the Rev. Mr. Morgan was challenged by the native congregation, during divine service, a short time back, at Kihi Kibi, as to the propriety of having inserted in our form of church service, a prayer foi King Potatu n. and royal family; asserting " As you pray for your Queen and royal family, why should not we do the same 2" and they refused responding to those portions where our Queen is mentioned.