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Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 88, 15 April 1887, Page 4

Aucklandera still keep well to the fore in the matter of inventions. John James Haslam, of Wharf Road, Avondale, has applied for a patent for an invention of his for tipping eartli and other material. It is designated " The horse-power earth elevator and selecting tipper." Arthur John Smith, cabinet-maker,- Auckland, has likewise applied for a patent for an invention called " Smith's Patent Telephone Holder," an appliance which is estimated to'facilitate greatly the use of the telephone.

A project is on foot to erect a tombstone over the gravie of the late Mr W, Lankham, so well known.as one of Auckland's representative cricketers. A sum of about £20 will be required, and several of the leading knights of the willow are now engaged gatheringsubseriptions towards carrying, out this project. Is o doubt after this intimation many of the comrades of the deceased will voluntarily forward their contributions

About noon yesterday, a most distressing, accident occurred at Arch Hill, by which the little daughter of Mr Holmes, a labourer who resides iv Home-street, was very severely burned. It appears that she wa's playing near •where a fire was being made, and unfortunately fell into the tlUmes. The poor little one was fearfully burned about the arms and breast. As quickly as possible medical assistance was obtained, Dr. Dawson being the first in attendance. He did what he could towards alleviating the child's pain, and upon ascertaining by examination the serious nature of the injuries sustained, had her removed to the Hospital.

During tho Easter holidays six members of the W aitemata Bicycle Club, Messrs A. Stewart, S. Hunter, J. A. Cooper, H. Hammond, H. N, Bell, and W. Johnston, rode on their machines to Drury, then took train for Hamilton, and from thence 'cycled to Te Aroha, where ascending the mountain, rowing on the river, etc., occupied two days. They 'cycled back to Hamilton, and returned home from the Waikato metropolis by train.

Tho Mammoth Minstrels maintain their popularity at the City Hall. There was a very fair attendance last evening, and tho programme was well received, the new farce taking .immensely. An entire change of programme is announced for this evening.

Complaints are now being made by the contractors who tendered for the_ erection of the new Custom-house for thife city about the delay which has taken place before any tender has been accepted. This delay is naturally very inconvenient for the^ contractors, who have been compelled to looge kr<ro deposits, and are thus kept in a per r turned State of mind owing to the uncertaintyastowhowillbethesuccessful tenderer. One of tho tenderers yesterday spoko to Mr Hobbs, M.H.R., upon the subject, and pointed out that since the estimates were submitted there had been an upward tendency in building material generally. Mr Hobbs at oncecommumcatedwith therubhc Work? Department, which vouchsafed the information that the matter had been referred to the Cabinet for decision.^ As the tenders wero stated to be well within the architect s estimates, the necessity for referring them to the Cabinet is not quite apparent. Under the circumstances, the contractors must be content to wait until the usual routine of the "circumlocution ofhee has been gone throuo-h and bear in mind the old proverb that '''Everything comes to him who can wait." The many friends of Cr. Charles Atkm will be sorry to learn that he lies at present in an exceedingly critical condition. For some time past lie has been in .bad health, and this has now culminated in a dangerously large carbuncle at the back of the neck. For tho last few days, two doctors have been in attendance, and it has been decided that it, will be necessary to perform an operation to-day. As Mr Atkm is now in a very exhausted condition, the ultimate success of the operation cannot be assured by the medical attendants. Mr Waller informs us that he has determined to run his steamer Oreti (Captain Robertson), at intervals of a month, to the inland harbour of Whangape, at present the port of the now well-known Herckino special settlement. Ho purposes attemptin f what can be done afc Herekino harbour itself shortly with a smaller boat.

Notwithstanding the continued cry of bad times there are already evident signs of improvement. Building material has advanced in price, -which should augur a corresponding increase of labour in the build-; ing trade. As an evidence that people have faith that the clowll of depression is fast passing away, it may be stated that one financial agent in this city has had £30,000 remitted to him under injunction that it must be invested in Auckland properties only. A gentleman who wished to raise money on property situated in one of the big Southern citieswas blandly informed that they had no money for investment in the Smith. He visited other offices, but only to meet the same result, and he finished his labours under the conviction that liad his securities been situated in Auckland the money would speedily have been forthcoming. Other instances of rich gold returns at Coi-omandel beyond those mentioned in our article in yesterday's issue have reached us. Allan McDonald and party, four in all, have been working for some time on part of the Pride of Tokatea grounds, and have banked since Christmas 400oz of gold. Bennett and McLeal have also a part of the Pride of Tokatea ground, and now known as the Bucholius claim; they banked last week loloz gold and in January last 70oz gold. Maine's tribute, Royal Oak claim, have banked over 900ozs from four tons stuff during last twelve months. Mr Maine has lately bought the old Corby Battery, and had it done up in good style, with new flumes. Anderson and party have a tribute in the old Golconda mine, adjoining the Beach claim, for which they pay 10 per cent. They banked 140 ozs gold in December, and 10107, last week. There are many others getting fair quantities of gold, and there is not the slightest doubt but that all around the Tokatea Hills and Waikoromiki Creek there .is plenty of good payable ground, The average of Coromandel crushings is 12oz to the ton.

New Zealand appears to have lost by the movement of population during last month the figures being as follows:—Arrivals: United Kingdom, 243 ; New. South Wales, 483 ; Victoria, 437 ; Tasmania, 60 ; other places, 60; total, 1286. Departures: United Kingdom, 233; Queensland, 1 ; New South Wales, 600; Victoria, 442; Tasmania, 38 ; othei places, 89 ; total, 1,403. The arrivals at different New Zealand ports w - e ,- e -.—Auckland, 462 ; Wellington, 312 ; Lvttelton; 1 ; Dunedin 11 ; Invercargill, 487 : other ports, 13: total, 1286. Departures : Auckland, 725 ; Wellington, 116 ; Lyttleton, 77 ; Dunedin, 2 ; Invercargill, 471 : other ports, 12 : total, 1,403.

At a meeting of the committee of Auckland Burns' Club last night arrangements were made for the forthcoming concert on behalf of the Dunedin Burns Statue fund, it was resolved that the concert take place in the City Hall during the nrst week in May next and sub-com-mittees were appointed to arrange details and secure fresh musical talent etc. for the entertainment. A musical practice was therefore held, when about 40 members were present. Songs were rendered by a number of ladies and gentlemen, and Mr Simon Fraser played several national airs on the bagpipe. The proceedings, which were marked by great enthusiasm and accord, closed with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."

Mr Sydney Williamson, son of the Hon. Jaa. Williamson, has been appointed Judge's Associate to Mr Justice Ward vice Mr Larnach, who left Auckland on Tuesday last on a trip to England. Mr Williamson entered upon his duties on Wednesday last.

Professor Kirk, of the Forestry Department, has forwarded an important report to the Commmissioner of Forests, which, anibngst other items, contains an interesting analysis of New Zealand grown limes as compared with the production of other subtropical climates from which limes are either leading articles of export or are manufactured into citric acid. The fruit dealt with by Professor Kirk was grown on the estate of Sir F. Whitaker, M.L.C., at Lake Takapuna, in 1880, and although the limes were grown under disadvantage, the frees having been neglected for some years, still the results showed that New Zealand grown limes returned the same percentage of citric acid as the best European, are superior to the best fruit grown in India and Tahiti, and are only excelled by fruit from South Asia and Jamaica. The fruits subjected to analysis were grown at Palermo, West Indies, Jamaica, South Africa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, that is, Takapuna, near Auckland. The following are the results 'of the analysis : Specific gravity, Palermo 1044.86; West Indies, 1041.30 ; Jamaica 1044.09; Tahiti, 1041.20; New Zealand, 1044.40. Percentage of citric acid : Palermo, 813; West Indies, 796; Jamaica, 860; South Africa, 850; Tahiti, 775; New Zealand, 893. Percentage of ash • Palermo, 289 ; West Indies, 321 ; Jamaica 401; South Africa, 364; Tahiti, 845; New Zealand, 672. As the demand for lime juice is constantly increasing, and with proper _ appliances the fruit yields 50 per cent, of juice, the matter is one deserving the attention of our local fruit growers.

In Chambers this morning, Mr Justice Ward granted probate in re James Joseph Mackie and Donald Campbell (deceased), ■while letters of administration -with will annexed were ordered to be issued in re Thos. Edward Abraham (deceased). On Mr Rigby's application an order was made to review taxation of costs in ro Official Assignee v. Halman, directing the Registrar to allow the costs of the defendant's witnesses, which he had erronously taxed off. On Mr Buddies motion, the list of contributories in the Devonport and Lake Takapuna Tramway Company (Limited) was settle^ • -."»•,

The cricket .competition for tte ](V^6J.§i| housemen's Challenge Cup is proving v^J close and-interesting. Owen* arid "GrahjjJ-g are leading at present, having lost «mti-S match; McArthnr and Co., and Maoky. 1 Logan, Sfceen, and Co. come next; ffcgjfc || having lost two matches. On April 23rd^Si Owen and Graham play the return m&tcVlH with McArthur and Co., and if McArthurypl win, it will place the three-named waraiMi houses equal—McArthur and Co., Owed, si. and Graham, Macky, Logan, Steen.'ati'iSi Co. ;;•. , Those who have nob seen " Nita'g First»f|| at the Opera House have missed one of tlii P funniest comedies ever staged in thig city.j pi The fun all through is of the most rollickinwf nature, and it is impossible to sit and look :; at it with composed facial musgy^J 41 Betsy "is announced for this evening. 5H Mr Foley had a splendid reception $%k Whangarei in his variety entertainmenufe^ After playing four nights to good houses,)*'^ he left for Waipu, where he opened <hi|Jh Wednesday evening last. He goes neit tojp Kawakawa, where he is announced to apJpi pear on 18th and 19th inst. • ■•• r There was a good attendance last eyeriing-fp at the Acromantia Temple of Wondres, id |*f the City Hall. The performance appeawfk I to plcifv:; the audience immensely, | The Albert Football- Club will hql£ Jg practice match on Domain Hollow ■to-mortal row afternoon, when all the membe'rsafo|ti| requested to be present. Teams will ba s| picked on the ground. ■ • - ~'|fl's In the course of his lecture upon « Luek '■* S last Tuesday night, Mr Sp'urgepn gave «jj fi amusing instance of belief in the. significance '§§ of dreams. A young lady told him she. had ffi had a dream about him, and in consequencd' Ip? she warned him to be very careful during S the next three months. Mr Spurgeooi'^jj wished to know what tho dream partended, ■ and the lady informed him that m her ||j dream she had seen him wheeling a peram- mi bulator down Queen-street The inferenos If; was obvious, Mr S. being unmarried. How. f|i ever, said the lecturer, while thousand! had fallen (i.e., got married) on Mb right1 I and on his left, he remained untouched.] I After this, it is surprising to mwj Mr^ilw asserting " there is no such thing ailjjj|| One of the Queen-street fruiterers has iaj his window, offered for sale, a quantity ;(»i|| Aupkland-grown chestnuts. As the modeafllß sum of 3s per pound is asked for those nuts,! i it would appear as though a good ,£eld «|Hf here offered ! for prchardists to open up B a new line. Auckland - grown walnuts! E| also realise from la 6d to 2s per lb, and a i! there is no fear of Codlin moth in this line,! a little attention to these trees should iwHS the end prove highly remunerative. 'tH An ironbark pumpkin, weighing 1141t»JH is now on view at Messrs Hesketh and':; Aitkin's shop, Queen-street. * | Mr W. Murphy, the champion ".li^lH weight," announces that he is open to grw ■ lessons in boxing. ' ' , ••. - I A somewhat amusing entertainment' ii B announced to take place in the City Sail on B Monday evening next, when there will be a H baby show, musical and dancing competi- ■ tions, &c, for handsome prizes. o ■;,• H The Ellerslie and Remuera AthletiaL Sports take place to-morrow (Saturday), on II the old Ellerslie Racecourse. The first race B is to start at 11 a.m. ; ■ 9 The allotment at Takapuna of 27 acres, g with cottage and outbuildings, advertised @ for sale by' Messrs Hesketh arid Aitkea 11 to-day, has been withdrawn, and will'beg offered by them on the 3ad prox. Pajrticu- ra lars in future advertisements. • ''"'"')■ To-morrow (Saturday), at 2 p.m.,a sale of fi work on behalf of the funds of Chrisi ffi Church, Ellerslie, opens in the Di^tric^iH School-house. In the evening, a concert for' H the same object takes place in the school-, B room, at 8 o'clock, ■ --iB Madame Weigel's Dress Patterns anil B JcmriKila. -SUnkcatiear & Co« Sole Agents. | ■