THE MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 141, 15 June 1892, Page 4

THE MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS.

We have received from the Town : Clerk the municipal accounts for the year and halfyear ending 31st March, 1892. We are glad to observe that the debtor balance on the general accounb is being steadily re. duced. Ib had decreased from £13,654 on the 31sb- of March, 1891, to £8,955 on the 31sb March. 1892. The Mayor seb before him as one of the chief objects to be attained during histerra of office the reduction of this debt, and its complete extinction is undoubtedly necessary to place the Corporation finances on a thoroughly1 sound footing. If bhe revenues were relieved from bha paymenb of this heavy, burden Of inberest left as a, legacy from past: years of extravagant borrowing and'squan-. tiering, bhe ciby services could bo carried on efficiently and a moderate amount of permanent work.be carried oub each year from revenue. - Even upon the reduced a'mounb last year the Corporation paid £717 in interest. . ■;= .. • --.

The work.of the year has been_maf_ly confined to. keeping the streets in good order and carrying on the regular city services. ( The cost of the abattoirs for the year was £244, and the revenue £298 ; of the Fresh-water Baths, wibhoub reckoning waber or inberest, £134, and the revenue, £291; at .the 'SateWateu B^bha. * thereceipts? wiere £109, and the expenditure £80 ; the Albert Park cosb £46G ; the Western Park £184 ; and -rthe /reserves £86.; The Fire Brigade cost the city £968. , . - The water supply exhibits, a steady growth of revenue and from this source £7,769 waß transferred bo the interest accounb. There is sbill a balance of £3,941 to the credit of the Waterworks Extension Account and £3,763 to the credit of the Waterworks Conservation Fund..

The Free Public Library,-thanks toy the Costley bequest, is in a healthy nnanci&l position. i The revenue from Waikomiti Cemetery still fails to pay. ats.expenses .[(including, interest), but some of the work charged* is in tho nature of permanent improvements. Taken as a. wholo, - the tinances of the Corporation may be regarded as very satisfactory. ... The city services aro well performed, and the streets compare favourably with those of other cities in any part of the world. With economical administration during the next few years, with a growing revenue from rates and endowments, the Council should be in a position to carry out a'progressive policy without resorting to further borrowing, which would inevitably mean an increased rate.

There was a very long list presented to Mr Justice Conolly at the Supreme Court Banco sitting to-day, but the majority of the cases set down for argument were adjourned by consent. The adjourned cases included Taupiri Extended Coalmining Company (Limited) v. the Queen, for argument as to the-'denomination of certain cylinders imported by the Company for purposes of duty : Waipu County Council v. Cook County".Council, adjourned-for a week ; and argument of a special case under the Native Land Act, 1886, re the Umukapua block, adjourned till next Banco sitting. In an adjourned application by Mr Button to call upon tho District! Land Registrar to show cause why he should not register an order of. the Native Land .Court i 0r,.2,011 acres io'the Maungatautari'blOck, in favour of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Mr Cotter appeared for the District Land Registrar. , It was agreed by consent that this case should stand over till the first sitting in Banco after the next Civil sittings, costs Of the other side upon adjournment to abide the event. The object of the adjournment is to have the order applied to be registered amended by consent of the Native Land Court Judge, if such consent can be obtained.

In reference to some damage boing done to fences at Mangere, such as wire being cut and a number of posts drawn and thrown away, it appears that there is some dispute as to the ownership of the land. It is said about five acres belong to the Mangere Board,, or the natives, and the destruction of the fence, it is stated, was a protest against a certain farmer fencing in property, the title of which is disputed.

The ironworks at Onehunga are now in full going order again, a large quantity of iron ore. from Nelson being in process of testing. The s.s. Poherua, from Brisbane, has just landed at Onehunga the first consignment of 1,200 tons old iron rails for tho Ironworks Company, which were purchased by the management from,the Queensland Government as old iron at £2 per ton. The Queensland authorities are replacing their old rails by new steel-ones. Tbere are still several thousands of tons of rails awaiting shipment from Brisbane to Onehunga. Tb is anticipated that when remanufactured the iron will be disposed of at about £8 per ton.

The Government of New Zealand recently extended the close season for seals. A Southern,paper says great deal of poaching: goes on amongst' the seals during close season. Several recent yisitorsjt'otihAuckland Islands report that those Islands are of little value uriless tlie seal fishery car. be re established there. A suggestion ia. made that the Government should endeavour to experiment with what is probably a hardier breed of seals from the Northern Hemisphere,

A severe accident occurred to Mrs Scotb at Pakuranga yesterday. Whilst reaching for. an article-of. clothing from a clothes line her foot slipped and she fell, breaking the bone of her leg. Dr. Bewes was at once sent for, and she is now doing aa* well as can be expected. : -

Dr. Giles, R.M., presided at the Police Court this morning. Two first offenders were each finedss and.cosbs, or 24 hours' in defaulb, for drunkenness. Kabe Hinch, for being drunk, was fined.2os; and cosbs, or in default 48 hours' hard Jphn McCafferby, for abreach of the Police Offences Act, 1884, by driving an omnibus round a street corner on the wrong side of the road, was'fined la, and- cosbs lis. • - William McKenzie,- of Devonport; was fined 21s, and costs 9s, or in default 7 days> imprisonmenb wibh hard labour," for permitbing seven cows bo graza in a public place at North Shore. .

' " W.D.■". thinks the Governmenb should have Mr W.. H. Clarke's scheme for State farming published my pampbleb form. Ec says-: **■ Whab Iyundersbandlby Mr Clarke's .scheme is this, bhab he nob oiily fids work for all surplus laboursbut.proyides a home for bhe aged, infirm," orphans and widows, ahd\Bo doing away wibh all charitable.aid.; and further, 'fie. makes his State farms' selfsupporting.". -^ ,''.: " \.' .»-, :,,\

: Mr. H. Ferguson, the. local agent-in charge of the Government; Labour Bureau, reports that the agency is finding work for quite a number of unemployed in "one way or another. He states that he has now an opening (in Fiji) for two good bullockdrivers, whose passage will bepaid to Fiji by the nexb steamer, and who will be guaranteed:good wages.

"Theyfiew Council' Chambers'.,will ~soon show their" graceful proportions side by side with obher noted buildings in Onehunga. The site chosen 'is by the side.of the Building and Investment Society and tho Salvation Barracks, and bhe erection of the Chambers upon ..this unsightly allotment will be a great improvement to thß general.appearance of bbc town. ;';'. ..

, The installation of Bro. Faucus as W.M. of Lodge Cor'cmandel, N.Z.C., will take place on -Friday evening. As, the G.M,, Bro. Malcolm Niccol, and a number of Grand Bodge officers are going., down to take parb in the ceremony, special arrangements have been made with the Coromandel Steamship Company ior, bhe, conveyance of Masonic visitors from Auckland... . r .

Aba meoting of creditors of Arthur McDonald, woolbioker, of Dunedin, yesterday, the bankrupt -said thab in 1890 he was w orbh' £20,000.: He lost £40,000 by a fall in the wool market. The meeting lasted frOm eleven a.m. to half-past six p.m. A iosolubion was carried granting the ba krupt five guineas per week for four weeks.

The annual social given by the brethren of Lodge Manukau, No. 24, N.Z.C, was one of the most enjoyable. The Publb Hall was basbefully decorated with'flywers, ferns, and banners, and the tables heavily laden with a well-arranged repast, the viands and the Vases of-bouquets making a gay and pretty picture. Over 100 guesb3 and brebhren sab down to supper,' and afterward; indulged in '..the -mazes ofc the'dance Until-'an early hour. A number of songs were given by the members and guests, and a very pleasant evening was spent.

The steamer. Archer, of Sydney, under tho well-known circular saw flag of Messrs Henderson and Mapfarlarie, makes periodi cal trips from Sydney to various groups.-.of islands in. Polynesia, and to many of the outlying islands both north and B.onth of bhe Equa'bor, nob visited by another trading vessel from Australia, yShe has jusb'returned, to Sydney from another island trip. Her steaming, trip' bhis rime has oocuied jusb four monbhs, and in ,bhab period she haiimadfe^rV^imrainsßo calling ab 34 islands, carrying trade and passengers from island to.island, and in the meahVimC nlting up with prodt»ceyf6f'this market.. With'theexceptidttof the AI'U.S/N. Company's steamers Birksgate arid'Rockton, thab/run to Noumea, Fiji, ahd/the New- Hebrides, the Archer is the only steamer hailing from ,an Australian, port, employed regularly; in the.; trade with. the coral-Wreath'edisletsof Oceania-^-indeed,she may be said to be the' only "steam jtrader from "Australia engaged" in the copra, pearlshell, and' beche-de-uaer business with the- Marshalls, Gilberbs,-Kingsmill, and •other groups. Until the advent of tha Archer whab business was.done with those 1 ijflands'an'd-'Sydney-'!waa:i: by -sailers *mlyv hence it will be seen that the communication wibh bhose distant groups was neither co complete nor.so speedy. ;-

Our London correspondent says the "' Daily Graphic" achieved a novel journalistic feat in connection with the University boat race, which a portion of its staff watched from a captive' balloon in telegraphic communication with Fleetstreeb. From the balloon the- entire race was visible, and' $s it progressed the positions of the boats at various points were wired to the editor. Within half-an-hour a special edition of the.Daily Graphic " showing." tho boat race at a glance," with the relative positions occupied by the rivals at Craven "Cottace, the Soap Works, Hammersmith,. the Oil Works, Barnes, and Mortlake were selling by thousands in the Strand; ~ [

.' The" monthly meeting of f'e United Methodist Free Church Band of Hope was held last night, and there was a good attendance. The president; Mr J. Bouskill, presided-. After a few introductory remarks, the programme of songs, recitations, and piano solos, was creditably gone through. The contributors. were. Misses pollings, Knight, Tudehope, Pickard..Vinnicomb, Hill and West, and Messrß Clark, Derbyshire, Gould, Goldie, and Vinnicomb.

The Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association met on Monday evening, when an interesting paper was given by Mr J.yHunti the subject being, " Anti-Phrenology."' A spirited discussion ensned, the following members taking part:—Mrs Walker, Messrß Dick, Sturges, Muir, Steele, Hall, Allen and Shepherd. A very pleasant evebingwas spent, although the attendance was small owing to the boisterous weather.

The. service of song given by ;th.e Onehunga Band of Hope choir in the Wesleyan School on Friday evening was most successful, the solo 3of Misses Harris and McAlpine and Mr. C. McAlpina being much admired. ,*. ~ .'..'.

Last evening the Rev. It.-S. W Test delivered his lecbure on " Scottish Humour " in the North Shore Presbyterian Schoolroom. The Rev. J. Hill i resided. During the evening the choir under the direction of Mr F. J. Bennett sang "Caller Herrin' " and " Will Ye no Come Back " as glees. Scotch songs were also given by Mis 3 Hume and another lady amateur.

Last eve. .ing a largely-attended concert in aid of the Parnell Convent was given in St. Bonavenfura Hall, Parnell. An excellent vocal and instrumental pror gramme was contributed to by Misses Fitz, O'Sullivan, Maxwell, Stone, Mrs Maxwell, Mrs Raynes, Messrs Hartwell, Hiscocks, Morath, F. C. Parish and Hay. A dance concluded the entertainment.

An open meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, 1.0.0. T., is advertieed. The programme will comprise a good selection of vocal and instrumental solos; recitations, etc. Admission is free.

The annual recital of sacred music in St, Andrew's Church (Lower Symonds-street) takes place to-morrow (Thursday) evening ab 8 o'clock. The programme appears in ;^r^|^ay!a"^B_a%"«s^ trust" thatltFTe^-: tendance will be as satisfactory as it was last year. A full orchestra with the organ will accompany the part music, band parts having been expressly arranged by Mr J, H. Phillpob for the occasion. The admission is free, but a collection will be taken up in aid of the building fund.

In reference toMr Thome's objection to valuation of property at Great North Road,which came before the Board of Reviewers on Monday last, we :hear that Mr Crombia has agreed that MrThorne musb be assessed for the whole £300, allowance being made for the £200 in the agreement The Boawioi Reviewers, under the' Land and Income Assessment Acfy sib on Mon" day next to hear objectors against valm, tions in the North, Ponsonby, Karanp-ha™. and Grafton Wards. ; y 6*Hapa Five handsome'sets of gold medals, pre, eented by Mr John: Marshall to the City Rowing Club, are now oh exhibition in i the window of Mr Ivil, tobacconist, Queenstreet. 'The medals are to be presented ab i bhe Club's social in Sb. George's Hall, New* I ton, on Friday evening nexb.

Madame Goldenstedb, the weli-knowo Auckland vocalist, returned here to-day from Wellington-via the West Coasb: coming up to Onehunga by the s.s. MahinaJ I pua.--.,---: .-':.:,-, , ■ :■ ■;■'-'•'.

We notice that Messrs Garlick and f Cranwell have imported an improved machine for making woven wire mattresses enabling them to weave more rapidly and at less cosb than •in the past, so the greab reduction in price they have made: on allsizes will enable every class of people to purchase and 6njoy the " mattresses of the time."

We remind the numerous friends of tha Young. Meij?B; Christian Association yof the! opening evening - oi the winter course of lecbures, etc. MrJ.- H. Phillpot is an« nouhced to conduct the concert on Iriday evening, which is a sufficient guarantee thab a first-class, entertainment will: be given. The tickets for bhe course are very reasonable in price, being four shillings ta admit two, and , nalf-a r crown for single admission for the season.

An • Ata&ican -^ woman died lately; frem the effects of eating cucumbers germinated from, seeds distributed by the Department of Agriculture in tha United States; The widower is evidently a philosepher. Ha has written to the Secretary for Agriculture, saying, *• Your cucumbers robbed me of my wife. So, instead of sending me cucumber seed thidspring, send me another wife."

Of the entire human race, it is estimated that 500,000,000 are well clothed—that is, they • wear- garments of some kirid — 250,000,000 habibually go naked, and 700,000,000 only cover parts of bhe body; M 500,000,00U live in houses, 700,000,000 in hubs and caves, and 250,000,000 hay, virbually no shelter ab all.

Everybody has been surprised tha y wonderful value in boy's' clothing given by> ; Geo. Fowlds'. . Boys' tweed suits, 3s lid, worth 6s 6d ; overcoats, with"capes, 6s lld B worth. 10a..6c1..-~{Abv_,4.) . '.

Owing to the depressed condition ol i trade io Melbourne, Smith and Caughey have secured allarge shipment .of blankets intended for thab market. Being, extra stock they are marked ab unusually low prices, viz., ss. lid to 21s per pair. 790 pairs colonial...and /imported .blankets ia stock.—(Advt.)

Special reductions all round ab Fowlds sals of assigned stock. Mackintoshes, with capes, reduced from 60s to 35s ; umbrellas,. 8s 6dj,. usual price . 10s 6d; good whiter blankets, Bs. 6d, well' worth lis 6d.-<----(AbvT.)' ,•'.";, .*.' . '.;\i

- Applications for shares in the Auckland , Co-operative Butchery still continue to ba m sent in rapidly, so with its large quantity^ of members-, it should make a saving of from ~ £s*ooo to £10,000 per year in the meat bill";----of the shareholders. . It is to bhe advantage - ol everyone to join ;_t once, for the share lisbfj willsilortly close.C(Advt.)„ '^ < ~.r f .^ W ff ?: Think of it ! 'DrfMsflt ftg_&fc SnUGx-" ford; shirts, ls lid, worth 4s 6d ; colonjal knit .socks,. Is,, worth v ls,6d ; neckties, 6 foe is ; silk Imndkerchiefs,' Is lid, worth 2s-6d, ' at Fowldij'sale.-—(Advt.) ' ,; From the way applications for shared ini;y I the Auckland .Co-operative Butchery con* j^" tinueto pour in, ib will probably start buai-* ness. with:.6,ooo; shares- subscribed for in« stead of 4^ooo. ': Everyone should join; Prospecbuß can be obtained from Reginald yy Beaumont and Co., accountants and finany y cial agents,'Shortland-street.—(Advb.)