Our Auckland Letter.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3742, 22 December 1880, Page 2

Our Auckland Letter.

(FEOM DUB OWN COBBEBPONDENT.)

Auckland, Yesterday SPOTTING THE COUNTRY.

The Native Minister is expected in Auctclatwk about the middle of next month, and it is understood tnat he will be accompanied by Mr Allen Maedonald M.H.8., for the East Coast. Both gentlemen will, amongst other business which will be done by the Honorable Mr Bryce, go to the Patetere.lands and make selections in the different t'ocks for the eleven thousand pounds of money which the Government advanced over the several areas. The consumation devoutly to be wished for however on the part of the company is not yet finished, for Mr James Mackay will arrive here also, and it is reported that he will go in baldheaded for furthering other little transactions, but all tending to embarrass the shareholders of the Association. I believe Mr Bryce now, when he telegraphed to Mr Sheehan that Patetere matters would turn his head grey.

The Ministry from the rising of the House last September have never handled and disposed of Patetere in the way they should. They hare been practising in my opinion, the how not to do it policy and raising unexpected points to further delay, one of these delays have been to get up the backs of some natives who will not sign the dead, and this in Jtself is a matter of importance, as new agents may step into the coveted lands and endanger the final completion^ of the whole thing The conduct of the Ministry must have shaken the faith of the members of the company in their boha fides and no doubt, in wardly they have concluded" that " not to put too fine a point on it," they have been somewhat euchred. THE NEW CATHEDRAL AND CONTENT SCHOOLS.

The Committee appointed to can? out the details connected with the starting of the oew Koman Catholic Cathedral and Convent Schools at Auckland hare held their first meeting. His Grace Archbishop Steios presided. J. A. Tole, Esq., M.H.B. for Eden, was ananimously elected Honorary Secretary. Mr Mahoney, the architect, will hare all the working plans and drawings completed in about a. month's time, after which tenders will be invited for the erection of the new edifice. In the mean time, steps are to be taken to provide the necessary accommodation for the schools of the Sisters of Mercy. The bazaar just opened will no doubt prove a considerable help to the Cathedral Fund. The completion of the new work will be an ornament to the city, and a great credit to our Auckland Catholic brethren.

THE NEW GOIDFIBLDS.

Conflicting reports as to the hidden wealth of the Te Aroha Gold fields continue to reach here, but many of the writers, who are no doubt new ohums, and with but little mining experience, may soon hare to alter their opinions. The field, of coarse, has only been declared open for a few weeks, and until there is more permanent undertakings carried on by means of drives, levels, winzes, and extended prospecting.it would be unwise to pay much attention to the itttementi of croakers. My own prirate

letters go to show that, on the whole, the competent miners are well satisfied with the show, and have every confidence that at no distant date the field will be well worth sticking to.