FIVE YEARS' PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 305, 23 December 1896, Page 5

FIVE YEARS' PROGRESS.

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL DISTRICT. Population (exclusive of Maori*). 1896, 1891. Increase. Auckland Provincial District .. ■- 153,56. 133.159 20,405 City of Auckland and Suburbs .. .. 57.616 51,287 6,329 Land Occupied and Cultivated. Holdings -. *11.2*_ 8,604 2.633 Total area, including sown gramas and land in fallow (acres) .. .. 1,506,528 1,165,441 341,087 In crops (acres) 100,611 70,038 30,573 In sown grasses (acres) . .. 1.400,531 1,060.741 339.790 In fallow (acres. 5,386 34.662 29,276 Live Stock. Horses tNo.> .. 53.093 42.826 15,267 Cattle (No.) .. 286,406 20^.662 83,754 Dairy cowa (included abovo ■ (No.) . .. 59.625 46,182 13,443 Sheep (No.) .. §1.744.566 1,466,986 277.580 Shipping—-Port oi Auckland. 1895. 1890. Increase. Inwards (ton_.aßo> .. ..' 267.983 185.444 82,539 i Outwards (tonx_as«) .. ■• 215.501 176.660 38,841 LEADING INDUS!RIBS. Chiese and Butter Factories. Auckland Fkovincial Distkict. 1895. IS9O. Increase. Hands (persons) 88 86 2 Wages (£) .. 5,999 4,609 1,390 Value of material used <£) 38.480 30,772 7,708 Bui tor (lbs) .. 1.659.7C3 679,891 979.812 Value of output (£) .. „ 71,416 40,052 31,364 Saw Mills. Auckland Provincial District. 1895. 1890 Increase. Mills (No.) .. 49 47 2 Hands (porso»s) 1.044 1.007 37 Sawn timber (ft) 79,464,526 70,006.749 9,457,777 Re-sawingr, planed, floor- __ ~,..,„ ing. etc. (ft. .. 20881.910.14.536,398 6.34a,512' Moulding, rim . . „,, ... (ft) .. .. 4.945.096 2,904.000 2,041,096 Doors aad sashes (No.) .. 21.592 21,162 430 Valuo of output „,„._■ (£) 430,913 416.973 13,935 ♦Holdings not enumerated for 1896. Figures for 11.95 and 1890. SFigures for 1895 (April).

The Registrar-General has issued a leaflet giving the census returns of Sunday-school attendance", which shows that these valuable agoncies for imparting religious instruction are doing excellent work, and are steadily enlarging the sphere or their operations. The returns show that thero were attending Sunday-schools in April, 1896, 104,934 as compared witb,32,184 in April, 1891. representing a Mumferical increase of 12,760, and an increase per cent, of 13"83. The Sund»y-*chool tescners in April last num bered 11,111, an increase of 1,320 over ti.e. numbers of April, 1891, amounting to 13*48 per cent. Upon these returns the RegistrarGeneral remarks :— M The attendance at Suaday-echool has increased by 12,750, or

1383 per cent)., in tho five years, which is greater than tbo ißcraase per cent, en tbe total population (12*24). The attendance at public worship, as previously published, showed increase from 177,055 to 209,731, or sb the rate of 1846 per cent., while in other tables ib was shown tbab the number of Freethinkers and Agnostics had decreased from 4,797 to 4,5.45, or ao the rate of 5"54 per cent."

November and December have been exceptionally dry months, bub the paeb tew days have seen several refreshing showers here and also in the South. The hiphesb thermometer reading ab th» Auckland Museum this month —83 degrees in the shade — baß nob been surpassed for bhe lasb ten years at leas., for the month of December. This degree of heab was registered for Sunday 12th. Tbe readings (which are taken each morning and therefore apply to the previous day) for the lasb week are as follows :— 9_b insb., 76deg . 10th, 7?dog ; 11th, 76deg; 12bh, 7Sdeg ; 13bh 77deg; 14th, 83deg ; 15.b, 78deg ; 16*h, 78deg. In Doceuaber of last year tho highest reading was 83deg, en December 31sb, while there were three other readings over SOdeg in that month. For preceding Decembers the following were the highest reading's in Auckland :— 1894, 78deg ; 1893, 76deg ; 1892, 78deg ; 189J, SOdeg; 1890, 78deg ; ISB9. 76deg; 1888, 75deg; 1887, 77deg. Hotter weather hart, however, • been experienced in January and February in previous years.

At the quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Presidenb, in tli* course of his address, stated thab tho committee were baking steps for tbe representation of the Chan-bar ab tbe Conference of Australasian Chambers in Sydney in April nexfc. Be referred bo bbc increase in local industries disclosed by bbc census, and to the Vancouver mail service. The outlook for bhe Canterbury farmers was more promising. A larger area than usual was in grain, and ib was looking well, and the lambing had been, on bhe whole, mosb satisfactory. Where shearing had been completed, tbo returns were good end the wool was in good condition. Extended provision was being made for autumn and winter feed, and with ordinary weather there should be a large output of sheep and lambs from the freezing work.. Touching upon bhe frozen meat brads, ho did not think bhe shipment of so large a quantity of lambs was tending towards deteriorating our flocks, as most ot bhe lambs shipped aro especially for thab purpose, and are fattened with foods grown for bhat special purpose. Bub for bhe slight interruption caused by bhe general election, business had been showing signs of steady improvement, although ab no very rapid rabe. Bankruptcies had been comparatively few, and for insignificanbamounts, thus showing bhab business was being conducted on prudenb and safe linos. Money was plentiful, and for legitimate business purposes can be readily obtained ab cheap rates, and there was no doubb whatever bub bhab, given an average harvest, an increase in trade will continue to be manifest, and theft tke year 1897 will baa prosperous ene for Canterbury.

The following is the official communique respecting the half million loan, offers tor which closed on December 7th:—" Tenders fer the half-million 3$ per cent. 10.25 debenture loan were opened thia afternoon, in the presence of the Committee, consisting of tho Colonial Treasurer, the Controller end Auditor - General, and Mr Henry Kember, the well-knewn accountant of Wellington. Ton tenders had been lodged at tho Treasury, and upon beiHg opened were found to aggregate a sum of £508,000, the average price being slightly over £100. Considering that the principal and interest aro both puyable in the colony, and that no real markeb exists for buying and selling securities such as these, the Government are to be congratulated on tho successful flotation ot this loan, which marks a wise doparburo in tho effort to retain interest within our own borders, and so save the drain which is always going on in having to remit our interest to English investors. It is a great many years since a Government loan was locally floated, and the price of tho issue then, in 1873 for £250,000, was £90 10s for 4 per cenb. loan. £40,900 was tendered for, about £30,000 being 10£ per cent, below minimum, and only £300 was allotted. The present successful result is therefore very flattering to the Government, and we havo the assurance thab no amount of the issue has boon allotted to Government lending departments ; the money will come from the public as bona tide investors."

Since the consecration of the Right Itev. Dr. Leniban as Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, l<ub month, he has received abundant evidence from every side of tho warm-hearted teeming which is cherished towards him throughout the diocese, and the profound reverence in which his high office is held among his flack. The pathway of a bishop elevated from among the local clergy is often a thorny one, and for this reason the Church of England in New Zealand has mostly followed the policy of sending abroad for men to fill vacancies occurring in the several episcopal sees. Dr. Lenikan's course has, however, been an excoption which we may hope will disprove the rule, and wake bim tho forerunner of many New Zealand bishops. It is an encouragement to the hard workiag fc clergy to know that the chief honours in the gift of the Church are within the reach of men of special ability who spend their lives in the often thankless toil of colonial parochial work. The fact that the Roman Catholics of Auckland had ab last realised the desire of their heart in getting a bishop of their own race appointed no doubt assisted in smoothing the way for Dr Lonihan, but much more was due to his many ostimablo qualities, which had won bhe esteem of his brother priests who elected him and of the great body of the people who come under bis ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The oflice of a bishop in a diocese like Auckland is no sinecure. According to the last census there are 23,523 souls belonging to the Roman Catholic faith in this Provincial District. These are widely scattered through aofctlemonca difficult of access, and much caro and thought are needed to supply their epiri.ua! and educational wants. In laying the foundations of an ecclesiastical edifice for the benefit ot these who come after, thero is. much to be done with scant meanß. The late bishop, who possessed a very methodical and orderly mind, achieved a great deal, and the buildings he erected will stand as monuments to his laborious ad__.i__istr&_ion of the affairs of the diocese. The new bishop brings to tbe task youth and enthusiasm, and backed by the cordial co-operation of his people, which is already assured to him, there is every prospect that he* will ba able to accomplish much good work for tho spiritual and moral welfare of hie flock. In doing this, we are sure he will have the cordial sympathy of all true-hearted citizens, for however men may differ in creeds and interpretations, every good man is ready ta cry out Godspeed to every cause and movement which works for righteousness.

In response to a deputation which waited ou him the Minister far marine decided tc issue a regulation empowering tbe Dapartment to granb licence to masters of foreign going ships to adjust the compasses of their own vessels upon tbe payment of a fee of ten shillings. Ib will not be necessary to licence the captain specially to adjust compasses before sailing if he is satisfied they are properly sdju.tod and the cortiScate will be sufficient evidence thai compasses are satisfactorily adjusted.

An extraordinary gazette further adjourn Parliament to February 18th.

The Governor and Lady Glasgow and parby lefb Wellington, for Picbon in bhe Governmenb steamer Tutanekai on Dec. 21. The vessel's movements are uncertain, but it is expected the party will be absent three weeks.

On Nov. 30 bhe Hon. J. G. Ward was presented wibh a purse of 550 sovereigns by friends in Southland as a testimonial to his public services. Mr Ward declined bo receive bbc money, stating bhab he was a young man, full of energy, and would rather fight bin own way. He had nob the least doubt he would be able to surmount the existing difficulties. The meebing appointed bhree brustees. direcbing bhem bo bold the money in trusb. Referring bo bhe Banking legislation, Mr Ward said thab afber bhe interval bhab had elapsed, and on calm deliberation, he was satisfied tbab bhe Government's aebion waa in the besb interests of the colony, and had saved thousands of people from disaster. The meebing, which was held ab midday, was large aud enthusiastic.

Ab bhe Auckland Wool Exchange, Queenstreet, on Dec. 9bh, Messrs A. Buckland and Sons, in conjunction with Messrs Frater and Sons, ottered for sale by auction, on accounb of the Assets Realisation Board, a large number of properties, including 103 freehold building allotments on tho Surrey Hills. Land froating Symonds-streeb, within a quarter of a mile of the hearb of tbe city, having a depth ef 125 feet, brought £8 10s per foot. In Hobson street, with a depth of 120 links, £5 per foot. A seven-roomed house in Nelson street on land having a frontage of 90 links and depth of 141 links. £535. In the same sbreeb two four-roomed cottages on land with 90 links frontage, £215. Land on Ponsonby Road brought from £6 bo £6 10s per foot, and seven acres close bo the Ellerslie racecourse £700, A leasehold in Queen-street (Owen and Graham's old premises), being parb allotments 11 and 13, of section 17, frontage to Queen-street 54*lfb by averago depth of 75fb, with righb-of-way ab back from Custom-abreeb. Leasebold expires 2853. Ground renb £104 per annum. Large building, portion occupied aa a coffee palace aad remainder as offices. Coffee palace lease expires Sepbember, 1899; office lease expires August*, 1898. Price £6,475. Land on tbe Surrey Hills Estate, slightly over one mile from town. Bold according to bhe situation from J2a 6d bo £6 per foot, tho labber facing Ponsonby Road. The average price was aboub £2 per foot. A fair proportion of bhe lots offered found purchasers.

The Rev. Mr Brodie, a native of Auckland, was ordained priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral on December 20th by Bishop Lenihan. There was a large congregation present. Befsre mass the Very Rev. Father O'Reilly (Thames) addressed she congregation. There were at the altar Very Rev. Father O'Reilly (assistant priest), Revs, Hickson, S.M. (Wellington), Skrims^ire, Purton, 0.5.8., Buckley, and Gillan (master of ceremonies).

By the Rimutaka, which arrived at Welling .on on Dec. 2nd there returned to New Zealand Mr Phillip Perry, a one-time resident of Auckland. He intends inaugurating a rather novel form of colonisation, which is thus described by a Christchurch paper: — "Mr Perry has been engaged latterly in connection with the management of a colonial training college ab Roilesley Bay, Norfolk, and has been so impressed with the merits and advantages of that admirable institution that ho desires to reproduce it at the Antipodes. With this view he has undertaken the charge and the leadership of a party of fifteen young men, all woll born and possessing a considerable amount of capital, and also strongly backed by moneyed relatives. The scheme is to start a model farm and a training college in New Zealand, where the young men will remain and work and learn colonial ways, manners and customs for two or three years, after which, probably, they may choose to settle for themselves on separate properties. Thoir destination is the Auckland province, and, if possible, thoir intended estate will be secured somewhere in the Waikato district. They have been tor some time in treaty with the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company for the Matau property, but the price asked was higher than Mr Perry felt warranted in paying. The negotiations, we believe, dually fell threuch, aud Mr Perry has either secured a suitable piece of land in the Waikato district, or has the virtual certainty of being able to do so on hi. arrival. Ib remains to be seen how the scheme works oub, but it certainly appears to have all the advantage of a good etarb."

At the Supreme Court in Chambers on Dec. 11 tbe recent disappearance of John Bancroft, manager of the Auckland Industrial and Provident Permanent Building Land and Investment Society, came up in connection with bankruptcy proceedings instituted by bhe Society. Mr Oliver Nicholson, acting for the Building Society, made an application, under the Bankruptcy Act, 1892, for direction as to service of summons to John Bancroft, of Auckland, accountant, to show cause why he should not be adjudged a bankrupt. Mr Bancroft disappeared aboub the time of the last San Francisco mail, haviag previously cashed cheques of the Society of which he was manager to the amounb of £1100. His Honor ordered bhab the summons issued with a copy of the petition in bankruptcy, and served ab bis last known place of cesideoce ; no limita tion aa to time.