Auckland Gossip.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1167, 18 December 1879, Page 2

Auckland Gossip.

(Compiled toe the * Waikato Times'.) Auckland, Wednesday Evening. aODDEFBOI FAILURE. The news of the failure of John Goddefroi, sen., of Hamburg, has not proved very acceptable to some' of our merchants, and already there are rumors that several of the principal houses, and more especially those doing business in the South. Sea Islands, will be heavy losers. It is generally known that the "paper" of the company with which Goddefroi was connected is held by firms in Auckland, but the probable loss is only surmised, and opinions on the subject differ very widely indeed. The company did a very large trade through the islands, and a number of their Vessels were supplied from the Auckland ship-btulding yards. However, it is an ill wind that docs not blow good to somebody, and this is illustrated in the present case. The trade between Auckland and the South Sea Islands has fallen off considerably of late, and the withdrawal of some of the opposition should give it a new impetus. OHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. The rapid approach of the Christmas holidays is giving a better tone to business generally. Things have been exceedingly du l ! of late, and trade almost at a standstill. Numbers of country settlers and others are now coming to town, and the proceeds of the "annual clip'' are being invested at the various stores. The scarcity of employment during the last three or four months has exercised a most depressing effect upon the laboring classes, and it is hardly to be expected th&t the season will be a very pleasant one to them, when compared with the same periods in more prosperous years, when money was not so scarce as it is now. I ' DEMPSEY'S BRITOMART CONTRACT. The public have of late been greatly exercised over tho troubles in connection with the contract for the removal of Point I Britomart, and the filling in of the space | on the Westei.i side of the Queen-street Wharf intended as the terminus. The i men, who have struck several times through the non-payment of their overdue wages, have now Anally left the work, and at the next sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Dempsey, the contractor, will be sued for the recovery of various amounts owing to his employes. Considerable indignation is expressed at the conduct of the contractor, and steps are being taken to bring tbe matter again before the House, and having the law in respect to the payment of men on Government contracts made more severe than at present. In the case alluded to, the men will doubtless have judgment recorded in their favor, and wi.l receive the money from the Government. But there are, many others entitled to smaller sums who have not the wherewithal to sacrifice their claims, and these will lose the few pounds which they have earned by hard labor. Tho question is a vexed one, and further legislation, and that of a most severe nature, is absolutely necessary in order to prevent impecunious Contractors from undertaking large works, and to compel them to pay their laborers regularly. WOOL AND GUM. Shipments of wool from the country settlements are now coming in steadily, and the first wool ship of the season — the Waikato — is nearly ready to sail. The demand at the most recent sales has been firm, and the prices realised at the opening wool sale of the season have not declined, and from latest advices they are not likely to do so. There is also a steady demand for kauri gum, and the high prices which have been ruling during the last month show no signs of falling off. COAL DISCOVERY. The discovery of coal at Bedell's Brewery, New North Road is an event of considerable importance to Auckland. The consumption of Bay of Island, Waikato, and Wangarei coal has rapidly increased of late, and now the discovery of a new seam of coal within a mile from the city will prove very valuable. Specimens are now being taken out for testing purposes, and the result will shortly he made known. I observe that the Pacific Mail Steamship Company are now calling tenders for a regular supply of coal. Their vessels have been in the habit of taking a limited quantity at each call during the last six months, and it is to be hoped that tho result of the present invitation for tenders may be the appointment of this port- as a regular coaling station for the Company's steamers. This, would have th.3 effect of considerably increasing the demand for local coal, and would afford more employment for coal miners.