Wo have much in directing special attention to the very able letter on-the subject •£ the gaoljnjmiry - and prison discipline, from Colonel Peacocke, which appears in another place. We will > take another occasion of referring to this valuable paper. We are sure 'it' trill nW &ke/our reaiiersl>y sur prise to learn that the claims sent in to the Native Lands Court for_lands in jfche' Waikato amount to, and even exceed^ the entire are* ot hind held con fiscated under the New- Zealand. Settlements Act and Suppression of "Rebellion -Act, 1863.- -In our. leading article in Wednesday's. impression we pointed out that the extensive tract of land which is to be'oflFered for selection the beginning of March next would ba, offer 44 Jnj*K# *° * n ® w *??" dition as regards the disposal of Government laud in - this province. All the lands ai» to be sold subject to native claims already sent in or which may here after arise, ,and,i as we hayefabovC. stated, it has, r been since found that claims •covering *^ c rr ' x( "^ extent of confiscated land.have^ been- already rer j ceived frotnu .Maoris who allege that they' have not been engaged, in the rebellion, nor aided ana assisted others ,jwho were so , employed. ; His.llonv.'^. «^x Superintendent, accompanied by Major C. He^pny.i left Auckland yesterday morning, at 11, o'clock, *& ; the Waikato r with, the, view of jmaking himself acquainted with the real' merits of the demand* > made ; and which in their present, aspect can only be looked upon as likely to. prove, an insuperable - obstacle to a successful gafot (being, held at- the. ; advertised date. : , The old stejjis in Custonvhouse-street, new the' L commencement of the road io the' breakwater, have r _ been taken down by 1 the City Board," and new on* i are now in course of erection. The new' steps will be considerably broader than the old' ones, and of heavier' material, and are expected to' continue in l good repwr'for a number of years. :He handrails are also to be very strong, and olosely fixed with l bara so ai t to afford little chance of anyone falling over the aide of the steps. 