AUCKLAND ITEMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 326, 7 December 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND ITEMS.

We take the following from the Auckland c -rresporidence of the O. D i Times. The Te Arohoa goldfield is now open to the enterprise of the digger, the Government having successfully arranged with the Native owners. A considerable number of men are now on the field, and as the fine season has set in there should be no difficulty on that score in thoroughly testing the ground, through the workings will be quartz, and not alluvial. One of the first results has been to drain the Waikato settlements of their, surplus labour. The new goldfield has easy communication with Grahamstown, Auckland, and the Waikato by steam or fail—the latter as far as Hamilton so that provisions and other supplies can be obtained in abundace, and at reasonable rates. Whether the Te Aroha field will realise the high hopes entertained, time alone will show. Other districts in the Thames peninsula have been opened with as sanguine expectations, only to bring loss and sorrow to many. Already the formation of mining companies' is going on, with the inevitable litigation, share-, broking, and gambling ; and the wellknown faces which of old were wont to haunt the Corner and the Mining Exchange are again turning up with “ specimen? ” in their pockets, having “struck it heavy heavy.” Many rumours are current of various parties having trot on reefs carrying gold, but beyond the prospectors’ claim little or no work has been done, and these statements have yet to be substantiated. The new Auckland yacht Taniwha built to compete at the intercolonial regatta, is now , ready for sea, her preliminary trials having proved satisfactory. She is a slight-docking craft, carrying a large spread of canvas. Mr T. Niccol the well-known shipbuilder has done all that skill and experience can suggest to turn out a yacht which shall be a credit to the reputation of the port, A number of public-spirited business men have defrayed the whole cost, which is tolerably heavy. No expense has been spared in her equipment, and as she will be sailed by a skipper and crew of proved efficiency, high hopes are entertained that Auckland will hold a creditable place in the aquatic contest. In the way of amusement the great event has been the arrival of Cole’s ■mammoth show. It fully bore out all the anticipations which had been formed of it, and on its opening night fully 5000 persons were present —the sea of faces, brought out into relief by the electric light, presenting a spectacle such as has never before been witnessed here. Apart from the ordinary circus and menagerie business there are some new specialties. Among them may be mentioned Dr Granville, the “ living skeleton ” —a man, with aend duly proportioned and possessing the usual appearances of health, yet whose body is that of a boy, or of Dr Tanner after his 4o days fast. Two pigmies (brothers') illustrate the freaks of Nature, and though 30 years of age they have to be “ m a«ured by their souls”—a la Dr \y a tt—as they are only over two feet in their stockings. The troupe of Apache Indians, attirel in genuine buckskin, ; and hankering after scalps, attract considerable attention, as being the first of their race wiio have visited the Colony ; but in point of physique they must yield the palm to the Maori, The Dunedinites may reckon on having what the Americans term a “ good time ” when the show arrives in that city. Tne itrama is at present at a low ebb in Auckland, and the Theatre Royal is closed. Even the claims of charity will not draw, for the Garrick Club played the other night for the benefit of the City Orphanage to empty benches.