AUCKLAND.

Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 29 October 1872, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

(Faoai otJH ow.v Correspondent.) The Governor had the satisfaction of dismissing the members of the House from their turbulent career on Friday last, and in hia speech he thanked them, as a matter of course, for and attention they had evinced duriDg the past session in all matters pertaining to the public good. Like a wise general he expressed his gratitude for their hearty deTOtion to the business of the colony. The G-orernor briefly reviewed the various acts of the Government; of the precautions they had wisely taken in providing a j Public Health Act, which-he considered would iir a J great measure tend to prevent the encroachment of any fatal disease, and promote the general health of communities in large towns. He referred to the Municipal Corporations Waterworks Act a» another very beneficial measure in relation to the public health, while the Drawbacks Act would give relief to the mercantile community, and remove obstacles which at present impeded the commercial intercoursewith the islands of the South Pacific. The Trustees and Public Works Act he thought likely to confer many privileges which colonists have not hitherto enjoyed ; also the Railway Act, which empowers the Parliament to carry out and complete projected railways. After noticing in order the various Acts of the House, and making such remarks as their nature appeared to suggest to his mind, ll.a Excellency expressed a hope, through the blessing of Providence, New Zealand would yet rise to a loftier position among the provinces of the empire. From a partial return of imports and exports of breadstuff* made to the House of Representatives for the financial year ending on the 30th June last, it appears that the total value of exports for twelve months amounted to £194,926, and the value of imports to £155,043, hence New Zealand, besides supplying its home demand has during the period exported a surplus of breadstuff representing the sum of £88,883. Considerable excitement has prevailed in Auckland during the past week in consequence of the strike of some of Brogden's navvies and others engaged in works carried on by Mr Owen Jones. Meetings at he Barrack ground and at Newmarket have heen held. The demand which the work en have made is seven shillings per day of eight hours, which does not appear unreasonable. These men came out from England under the impression that their circumstances would be considerably improved in the colonies, when they really find that they are not as well off here as they were at home. An ord nary navvy on an English'railway can earn his six shillings per diem, and the better hands can earn more than that, so that these men, taking more expensive living and other matters into consideration, are not as well off' here us they would be in the old country. They work at home nine and ten hours a day, but as the climate is colder their hours can be borne with less j bodily fatigue than eight hours can be borne in this oppressive climate. The demand has been met by their employers by what is tantamount to a lock-out, —the offer of only five shillings a day of nine hours. This offer the men naturally rejected, and the works are as a consequence at a standstill. The ' Glenhuntly,' from London, arrived in harbour on Saturday morning. There were only two passengers, Messrs. Kemp and Desler. She has brought. 500 kegs blasting powder, and a large quantity of machinery and railway iron, besides a miscellaneous cargo. The passage occupied 111 days. Another effort is to be made to carry out the original intention of the promoters of the Freight Company, notwithstanding the Judas-like betrayal of the scheme by some of their own number, under the threat, poss'bly, of having the screw put upon them by Shaw, Saville & Co. At a meeting held on Friday* a report submitted by the directors was adopted, and a similar bond to the "former signed again by those present, pledging themselves to support the undertaking. Inspector Thompson has received information that smuggling is being carried on at Tauranga, and in the most barefaced manner, by old residents of the place. A prompt visit to the scene from that energetic officer is a matter of course. There is every indication of another period of depression in mining matters. The Exchange building has again become the ghost of its former self. Instead of the eager faces that were wont to assemble, and the busy hum of excited voice*, the muster roll is now made up of some half-dozen brokers, who flit about, and an occasional "jobber" or two who may be seen supporting the iron gates at the entrance of the building, waiting, like Mark Tapley, for something to turn up. Speculation is dead for the want of new blood. Vampire like, the brokers have sucked dry in commission the profits of the few who tried to weather the altered state of things by trafficing upon the principle of "small profits and quick returns," and they have no recourse left now to do a " spurt" but prey upon themselves, which rarely comes off. During the past week all the principal Than es stock has suffered a decline of fully twenty-five per cent. Caledonian, £20; Thames,'£s 17 6; Ontral Italy, 18s : Golden Calf, 30s ; Black Angel, £2. In Coromandel stock there is a slight improvement, and a slight though perceptible indication of a revival generally of things in the district.