AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 254, 27 March 1860, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

{From the Southern Cross.)

The Provincial Cricket Match.—We learn that our Auckland Eleven proceed to Wellington by the s.s. White Swan, on Saturday "next. The expenses attendant on. tliis, the first Provincial Cricket Match in the Colony, it is hardly, necessary to state, are very considerable in the absence of railroad communication, and the most strenuous exertions have been required to obtain even an approximation to the amount required. The people of Auckland have, however, shown their confidence in the selected eleven by the amount subscribed, and we have no misgivings that they will find their confidence ill-bestowed—on the contrary, we believe they Will have reason to congratulate themselves on their choice. Their friendly opponents in Wellington, it appears, have been preparing the ground and furnishing bats and balls for the occasion; which, although entailing a small outlay, is one which, after their invitation, was, undoubtedly, due to their guests. The Wellington Eleven will, we have no doubt, by according a hearty reception to their amicable rivals, maintain the proverbial hospitality of the " Empire City."

Water Supply to Auckland.—-The Committee engaged in the investigation of this important subject, assembled yesterday afternoon at Mr. Hansard's office, for the purpose of considering its present aspect. Much valuable information was laid before the meeting^ and a sub-committee was appointed to closely examine the same, and to draft a report to the body from whom they derive authority; with a view to laying the results of their labors in an intelligent and compendious form, before a public meeting to be called at an [early date. We have been informed that this Committee have made arrangements for the publication of a large number of Colonel Mould's Report on this subject, together with that of Mr. Stewart, C.E., who was the successful competitor fop the Fifty Pound Prize offered by-the Provincial Government. We shall carefully follow this matter as it developes itself, because it is one of the utmost importance, as the late protracted drought has practically demonstrated. Pleasure Trips by Steam.—With an alacrity we were scarcely prepared for, we observe, by an advertisement which appears in this day's issue, that the steamer Emu will be ready to-morrow afternoon to afford an opportunity to all who may choose to avail themselves of a pleasant little trip and a breath of fresh air, at a nominal charge. For parties having business to transact, two trips are to be made in the morning to Stokes Bay and the Pilot Station. With a continuance of the present fine weather, such trips can be, and, we doubt not, will be, fully enjoyed.

[From the Auckland Register.)

The barque Catherine Pemberton cleared for London, with a full cargo of colonial produce, consisting of upwards of 186 tons kauri gum, 75,287 ibswool, 20 tons copper ore, 12 tuns %perm, 2 tons whale oil, 4138 lbs. whalebone, 5f tons flax, 2| tons bark, B\ tons bones, 1250 horns, 144 cwt. hoofs, 30 cwt. rags, 50 gallons head matter, of an estimated value of between .£7OOO and JBOOO. Without reference to other articles of export, it is satisfactory to know that this season, in the commencement of the third month of the year, our export of wool to London direct, exceeds that of every previous year by the goodly total of 50,000 lbs, being close upon fifty per cent., and that too without diminishing from the export of the same commodity, via Sydney, which, on the contrary, has likewise steadily progressed. This is* a very cheering fact, when it is borne in mind that in the province of Auckland, we have no natural pastures, but that these have to be created by the energy and industry of our settlers, from out of our fern and tee tree wastes. Year by year, these are rapidly disappearing, and year by year, pasturage is spreading around us, and sheep are multiplying; so-that in eradicating the oae and laying down the other a vast scope is afforded for the beneficial employment of the capital and labor which is now so largely flowing in, and which, in a few years, will tend to equalize the balance of the quantity of the wool exported, which now in point of quality cannot be surpassed, if at all equalled, by that of any other province. If we have been slow in our movementsas woolgrowers^ weHave, at least, been sure, and we need but to gather way (as we have latterly been doing) to exhibit very different results from those of bygone years.