MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 5

MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE AND AMERICA.

.0 HOME LETTER.

; " : • AUCKLAND, N.Z., January 21, 1897. ujlrfP*** weather marked the Chrisf j boil .*■/« *" yean A light breeze, J* south-west tempered pleasantly' brilliant sunshine, and thousands [ boliday-makers took advantage of Jl f iT oarabe conditions to enjoy a Ltf day's outing- christmas Day Velfwas on the whole very quietly fretted. But on Boxing Day every--0 fflorc or less went a-merry-making. Lerous attractions were offered to 1 public, and one and all were Lndantly patronised. Over eight (ibtisana' people attended the races at Tlltrsli. while thousands more sought y r pleasure in the various water: Bcotsfow and seaside picnics fori which our pretty harbour is so welL "Led- F rora early morn the Queen- j X Wharf was astir with gaily-dressed exciiisionists hurrying towards the dij { er ent steamers, one and all on Measure bent. Trains, trams, and Les continued to bring down eager crowds from every part of the city and outlying suburbs, until towards ten o'clock Queen-street and the wharf jiesented a mass of moving life and MJour, with flags flying and bands claying, tbe whole making a scene of niety and animation rarely witnessed jo out modest thoroughfare. The month has been remarkable throughout the colony for the dryness of the weather and for bush fires, which luve done a good deal of damage in the destruction of standing timber and settlers' property. Heavy rain has recently fallen, however, and alt danger (torn this cause is at an end for the present. The bush fires were isolated, and did not assume very serious dimensions anywhere. - New Zealand, fortujately, is pretty free from drought. The Exchange opened to good

business after the Christmas vacation, the demand for mining shares being much stronger and the prices higher than was the case at the opening of 1J96. Since then prices have been «IU maintained, and there is a general feeling that the market will steadily improve during February and' March. On. the fields, developr meat'works are being pushed ahead with all speed, and during the next few months several of the batteries now being constructed for English complies should be in operation, and thus increase the output of bullion. Good iccounts come to hand regarding 1 the prospects of the deep sinking in the Coromandel district, a gold-bearing reef having been obtained at a depth of I,oooft. The Hauraki Com-pany-opened the year with another '■ satisfactory yield of .£6,362 from 330 tons of ore, while the Crown mines obtained £3,071 worth of bullion after a.three weeks' run of the battery. 'Representatives of English, mining syndicates are pretty numerous in Auckland, and the way in which suites of offices are being fitted up shows that these gentlemen are not paying a mere flying visit to our goldfields. Appended are the returns of gold won from mines in operation on the Hauraki Peninsula It is a little disappointing at first to find that the total output was less tban in the preceding year, the figures being respectively £333.8i6 for 1896 and £378,107 for 1895. This decrease may be accounted for in many ways without accepting it as an evidence of declining productiveness of the mines collectively. Several of the companies that were giving regular monthly returns last year have not been doing so during the greater part of the last twelve months. In some cases this was due to small batteries being pulled down ty English companies to make way for larger and more modem crushing appliances. The Woodstock battery was dismantled last April, and no returns have been obtained since that date, as the new WIIB plant wiil not be ready for working: until abouttlieendof January, ihifcalone represents a falling "off since April of from £900 to £1,000 per fflonth. As the n*W battery is four times the size of the old one the returns ?Wt year should show a corresponding increase. The Waitekauri Company, ■o* a similar reason, had no crushing ;«turns between August and October, Wen the new big battery set to work and fl»s already given ah output ot bullion jorth close on £17.000. Of course, Mh these batteries will be in full swing next year. The Moanataiari mine navingbe^n taken over by an English wmpany, work during the past year has wen of a development character, consequently the crushing returns have not oeen so i arge< As a f Itnongh a l arge staff of men is employed by this Company only about jaozeo are actually at work breaking jut quartz This battery is also ■gfg replaced by a crushing S, rep,^e Wlth ™<-crn improvehas _ /!om^ 12.000 to £14,000 J« already been expended in develop* Jjnt.work upon this property, and newb^ery is ready ample &_? quarlz will have been CMav UPOal kCeP ? e miU into_K Q„ Cen, mmehas also passed S t h h t handl 0f v an syndicate, £^ r _Balttbatlmraedi"e "turns Snor_Tnr. 6en considcrcd of so much ]xlaZlT^ _> ppies »lso'*° t^ £ hST 'S KurQo^ Caledonian f »teHMdbttkX- The work at the

Try Fluke mine during the year has been chiefly of a prospecting character, and since? the mine was purchased by an English syndicate for £50,000 no crashing returns have been furnished. Here again largely increased returns may be anticipated as a result of the development works now proceeding and the new plant which is to be erected.

Tbe erection of all" these new crushing mills and the carrying out of systematic exploration work on the mines will, we believe, enspre a largely increased output of gold in 1897. Although the output for 1896 shows a decrease upon that of 1895, still it is .£72,070 in excess of the total return for 1894. At the present time a large amount of money is being expended in development work' and tbe construction of batteries, and we be*lisve it is safe to predict that tbe gold yield in 1897 will be represented by figures so satisfactory as to require no explanation. The chief feature in the returns for 1896 is undoubtedly the large and increasing product of the Waihi mine. The total gold yield for the year from this marvellous property was £135,865, being an increase of £15,631 over the yield for 1895. When the big battery which is in course ot construction for this mine is set at work there will be an immense increase even upon these splendid returns. The various divisions of the Auckland goldfields have contributed to the total return in the following nrnnortiona :—-

The following are the returns from the varioua mines :— OHIKEMURI.

Among the Labour Bills of the Government which have been placed on the Statute Book, the Conciliation and Arbitration Act was the one that gave rise to the greatest misgivings in the minds of those who supported the policy of tbe Scddon Government It created an entirely new judicial organisation endowed as a court of appeal in trade differences affecting large bodies of men, with all the powers possessed by our civil courts for the adjustment of individual disputes. It was a bold departure, and probably its author was not without apprehensions as to its ultimate success. The hostility which the law encountered among "employers, even alter it had become authoritative ever them, was not a hopeful sign". In Auckland the Employers' Association refused to exercise their right to; .. V- iWiinijbatej. v'_ reprllln f aijves under its provisions, and the Government had to make the requisite appointment*, Initiated-under such adverse circumstances it says much for the care and wisdom with which the Act was framed that several disputes have already been settled under it to the satisfaction of both employers and wage-earners, aud no strike has taken place in New Zealand since the measure was added to our statute book. Perhaps no higher testimony to its efficacy could be furnished than tbe joy with which our morning contemporary, once inveterately hostile, now hails the existence of this Act in view of the serious dispute which has arisen between shipowners and the Federated Seamen's Union, which may affect the whole shipping trade of New Zealand. When proclaiming the completion of the treaty of arbitration between England and the United States, President Cleveland forcibly remarked that its first effect would be to put an end to those war panics which are sometimes almost as disastrous as war itself. So in New Zealand tbe Conciliation and Arbitration Act has obviated the disturbing dread of strikes. But for its existence, the rejection of the demand of the seamen, firemen and trimmers of the Union Steamship Company for increased pay would-probably have been fbllwved* by th% r»%tng^ of forces on both sides, the straining of long-existing friendly relationships,

possibly the dismissal of men, a waste of money and a disturbance of trade. Now nothing worse is happening than the preparation of papers for submission to tbe Conciliation Board, by whom we sincerely hope the whole difficulty will be amicably adjusted without even approaching the higher court established by the Act.

The interest fejt by the public when it was known that the Ruapehu bad gone ashore near Cape Farewell, speedily subsided on the vessel being floated off without having. sustained any material damage. Beyond shipowners and seafaring men generally, who would naturally follow closely the account of the mishap and would have much to discuss in connection with it, the inquiry just concluded in Wellington has excited singularly little interest throughout th_e colony. Satisfied that no lives have been lost, people seemed inclined to regard the examination as an official matter, bristling with technicalities, which is no concern of theirs. But there is another view to be taken, the view that would certainly have been taken by everybody had the accident been attended with the loss of the vessel and those on board. Reading carefully the evidence as given before the Court of Inquiry at Wellington, it is impossible to shut our eyes to the fact that the care and supervision which ought to have been exercised by those in charge on board the Ruapehu was not exercised, oj to repress the thought that the same negligence in other circumstances might have^. lead to a most deplorable end. If there has been any fault in the decision of the Court of Inquiry it has been on the side of leniency. This we are glad to see is the view taken by the Southern Press, and we believe it reflects the opinion of most people who have followed the evidence and carefully weighed all tbe points.

Mr Wardell, S.M., in delivering the judgment of the Court, which has been published in our columns, made very clear two things:— first, that the usual practice of prudent captains is to remain about the bridge when approaching land, and second that on such occasions—in fact on all occasions—"clear and distinct terms should be used between the commander and his officer." Captain Stuart was guilty of negligence on both these points. He went below when under the circumstances he should have remained «n deck; and he went below without having given clear and unmistakeable instructions which would insure the navigation of the vessel being in the hands of the chief officer. As it turned out the ship was left in charge of the fourth officer at a time when, according to our reading of the evidence, there was occasion tor the utmost vigilance. We do not concur in the justice of the treatment of either the first or fourth officers. In bath cases tfe ..think. it ihould have been more severe. We §ay this baying regard to all that can be brought forward in their favour. Apparently there was a misunderstanding between the captain and the first officer for which the indefiniteness of the former's instructions was to blame; but it was the business of the first officer to make clear himself beyond a shadow of a doubt what waa expected of him, and this we do not think he did. The fourth officer was, as Mr Wardell said, *' placed in a false position," but he should have acted more promptly and on his own responsibility in the moment of danger. Some interesting facts have been brought out in a census leaflet issued by the Registrar-General. From this return it appears that the proportion of adults to the total population in New Zealand is steadily increasing, and one-half of our population now consists of persons over 21 years of age. The exact figures are: Under 2r years in April last 350,735, and over 21 years 35i,7 83. besides 842 unspecified as to age, but nearly all adults. The aged people have also shown a steady proportionate increase, as will be seen from the following figures giving the numbers of persons of 65 years and upwards per cent, of population :—- 1864, 0-63; 1867, o-86; 1871,1-08; 1874, 122; 1878, 1-29; 1881, 1-41 ; 1886, rßr ; 1891, 229 ; 1896, 2-95. With regard to the population under five years of age, the Registrar - General remarks : "The increase on the population under five years of age since 1891 is only 455 persons. But comparing .88. apd- i§.m iSmlmitmM the period of o—s years was 3,624 persons, although the population at all ages only increased 8*33 per cent, against 12*24 per cent, for 1891-96." Thus in 1886, with a population of 578,482 persons, there were 18,355 children under one year, against 17,070 children o( that age in 1896 to a population ot 703.36.0 persons. The births registered in 1885 were 19,673, against 18,546' in 1895. Deducting 1,637, the number of deaths of children under one year registered in 1895, from 18,546, the number of births lor that year leaves or within 161 of the living children under one year at the time of the last census."

The statistics dealing with the manufacturing industries and manufactured products of the colony, as ascertained by the last census, have been issued by the liegistrar-Genera!. An analysis of the table dealing with manufactures alone shows that there has been a steady increase in the number of factories and in the number of hands employed. In March, 1886, the numher of factories and works iv the colony was 1,946, and the number of people employed 22,095. In April, 189^ the number of factories had increased by 308 and stood at 2,354, while the number of hands employed had risen to 25^33. an increase of

3,538. Five years later, in 18*96, the factories numbered 2,459 anc- the total hands employe d 27.389. A fact worth noticing in connection with tbe increase in employees is that while during the quinquennium ending 1891 the increase in male labour was 3,063 and the increase in female labour 475, tbe quinquennium ending 1896 witnessed a perfect reversal of" matters. The increase in the number of males employed during that period was 322, while the increase in the number of females was 1,434. The tables only give the wages paid in the years 1890; and 1895, no information being available for 1885. During the first-mentioned year a sum of £1,705,641 was paid in men's wages and' £102,999 *n women's wages, and in 1895 the respective amounts were .£1,776,076 and £131,516. These figures when worked out show a slight decrease in the average wages of men during the last five years, and a much larger decrease in.tHe wages of women. The former have declined about £2 per annum, and the latter about £5. The annual wages now are respectively about £77 odd and .£29 odd.

According to the tables the approximate value ef manufactures or produce, omittTng Government railway workshops and the Government printing office, was iti 1886 £6,711,376. In 1891 it had increased- to £8»773,837» .nd in .896 it stood at £9,549,360- The approximate value of land in the same periods was £r,477.996, £1,286,735 and £1,063,989; of buildings, £1,446,082, £1,483,902 ,and £1,743,073; and of machinery and plant, £2,172,852, £2,491,189 and £2,988,955. The figures suggest many comparisons for which we have not room here.

The table with which we conclude tbis brief notice of the industrial statistics treats of details which are more interesting, as they show at a glance the main avenues in which our energies are directed, and the increase or decrease there has been in the value of the output. In studying these figures, we should again point out to the reader that they are not a reliable guide to the quantity of the output in the various industries, they merely indicate the differences in values.

Total value of all manufactures or produce including repairs.

* Not including Government Railway Workshops. ~._»_« f Not including Government Printing Ofiice. The decline in the manufacture of New Zealand flax has given rise to a good deal of discussion in the South lately, and it is oi no less interest to us in the North, where the industry at one time flourished at dozens of mills. In 1891, the colony exported fibre to the value of £382,000. There were 177 mills at work in various parts of the-colony which employed .3,204 men and boys. In 1895 the export was only valued at £2r,000, and tbe total production of our flax mills, including the fibre taken for local consumption, is returned in the census of April, 1896, at .£32,546. We have little doubt that the cause of this decline is the competition of other cheaper or better fibres. New Zealand hemp is too well-known among the rope makers of the world not to command its fairmarket value. The flax millers of t_e Wellington and Marlborough districts, however, are not satisfied with tbis explanation. They believe that there is still a large market abroad in which New Zealand hemp could cpmpclf successfully against all-comers, especially as a material for binder twine, for ' which the fibre is particularly well adapted, and Ihey think that an expert should be sent abroad at the public expense to introduce our hemp to the manufacturers. They point out that in the United States alone 60,000 tons of binder twine is used every year, and Canada consumes 25,000 ton*, and they are convinced that if the colony only pushed its wares vigorously this industry might be revived to such a degree that employment would be found for 5,000 of our population in utilising a natural product at present going to waste, and our exports would be swelled thereby 10 the extent of £500,000 a year.'

Meetings of mill-owners have been held and a subscription list started tor the purpose of sending Mr John Holmes, a gentleman well acquainted with the trade, to investigate the fibre markets of the world with a view to assisting the New Zealand flax industry. The Government has been approached and Mr Seddon has promised that £*$o will be contr! buted towards the mission if « like amount is raised by private subscription. To sreure the fulfilment o** the latter condition . public appeal is now being made, and the Bank of.New

Zealand has undertaken to receive subscriptions towards the fund at any of its branches. The HuddartParker Company have promised to give the expert a free passage to and from Canada, and have supplemented this liberal offer wijth a donation—an excellent evidence of their faith in the practical utility of the project. It is pointed out as an additional reason why an expert should be sent on this mission that one who understood the preparation of New Zealand hemp could, on his return, consult and advise the various millers in New Zealand as to the best style of dressing' most suitable to the requirements of each market. And further, that he could make known to engineers throughout the world the terms and conditions of the £1,750 and £250 bonuses now offered by the Government for an improved machine for dressing the fibre and utilisation of the tow.

The dairy and timber industries have undoubtedly been stimulated by Government assistance, and it is possible that good might be accomplished in the manner suggested by the Wellington flaxmillers- At any rate, the ■ interests involved are so large and the amount asked for is so small that the project is well worth trying. A great many people in Auckland are directly interested in the flax industry, and if they approve of this movement they can give it practical help by forwarding their contributions to the Bank of New Zealand*

The balance-sheets issued yearly by the Auckland Savings Bank arq always certain, as they are deserving, of public notice. From the popular character of the Bank, they must) command, afc least in our city and suburbs, a much larger number of interested readers than do the financial statements of much more imposing institutions; and we might add that) they aro very often much more satisfactory reading than these latter. The bank is a people's bank, and with a good deal of justice it has come to be regarded as a sorb of barometer, marking the rise and full in the financial condition of a large secbion of the community. A very exacb barometer it may nob be, bub we think ib affords a fair index of the economy and prosperity of the wage-earning classes. Regarding ib as such, ib discloses a very healthy condition of affairs both as regards its patrons and its own management. Although the rate of interest paid to depositors is considerably lower tban ib was in the old days—a fact inevitable in the universal fall in the price of money—-the popularity of bhe Bank has nob waned, bub has increased very materially during the last .year. The amount of money on deposit at the Bank at the close of thab period was, including interest, greater than it has ever been. Nob only so, bub thab amount represented a larger increase for the twelve months than any of the saven previous years can show. At the close of December 1895, bhe amount of deposits including interest was £508,019, while at the close of December. 1896, the amount v.as £543,798, or an addition of over £35.000. When we consider thab since 1890 the annual additions have never exceeded £7,000, we can understand the large increase in the Bank's businosa last year—an increase that we think undoubtedly reflects a great improvement in trade generally. lb 13 to be oxpected that with a larger volume of business, the charges ia .connection with the Bank should have increased, and they have ; bub ab the same time the surplus profit has also increased, and now stands higher than ib ever did bolore. With a greater amount in the way of deposits for the year than has ever been chronicled in bhe history of the Bank there has also been a greater increase in the number of depositors over those of 1895 than has token place in any previous year. The figures are as follows : Amount deposited in 1896, £399,339, as against £365.627 in 1895 ; increase of depositors over previous year, for 1895, 984; for 1896, 1,550; number of deposioors ab the close of the year 1895, 19,526 ; 1896, 21,076; number of new accounts opened during the year 1895, 2,821 ; 1896. 3,417. The interesb credited to depositors during the last year was £17,145, and bhe balance, after withdrawals amounting to £380.705 are deducted, stands ab £35,779. The last sum represents bhe clear addition to the savings fund in the Bank's hands. The reserve of the Bank now stands at £30.000, and this, with its funds, is invested chiefly in mortgages and Government securities. The sum of £220,015 is lenb oub on 411 separate mortgages and £150,000 is invented with the Now Zealand Government., About £123,000 is in current account) with the Bank of INew Zealand, whilfs £21,000 is on deposib with the same institution aud eimilnr amounts with the National Bank and Bank of New South Wales. These amounts with a few other items makeup a total of £558,456. Appendix 1 containing on analysis of the classes of depositors shows that of a total of 21,076 clients, 14,465 aro represented on the bank's books by sums of £20 and under, and the total to their credit is £59,015. Of depositors bofcween £20 and £50 there are 2.466 with funds amounting in all to £50,866. The number of depositors between £50 and £100 i _ 1 997 and tho amount bo their credit £144,527, and the number having upwards of £100 is 2,148, and they represent the sum of £251,139. Tho Penny liank, that most useful institution, continuos to progress, the number of accounts remaining open ab the end of Inst December being 8,224, or lartrer than ab any previous time. Tha total cum at credib of depositors on the same dale was £8,250, and the number of deposits 16.523. The t>umb3r of accounts opened during tho year was 1,250, the largest figure., since 1888.

Though the returns of public revenue for the quarter ending December 31st are nob quite complete, tho indications ure that if the revenue for the last quarter of the financial year is proportionate to thab of tbe past three quarters there will be a clear surplus ot at least £200,000. During the period from the 31ft March to 31sb December, 1896, the receipts from railways have increased enormously, whilst the Customs revenue has also substantially increased consequent on the improved prices in the Home markets for colonial produce. Ib is expected that the receipts from the income tax will at the end of the present financial year amount to between £120,000 and £130,000. . .

According to the " Wanganui Chronicle," there is a largo meeting of natives being held ab Waibobara. The main object of the meeting appears to be an attempt on the part of the followers ot Te Whiti, ecme of whoso family are presents, to convert the natives on this const to their religion. The different sects are quartered in different pa^s of the Battlement. The British ensign floats over the headquarters of Waitotara people, whiUb bhe flags of the local tribe and thab of Te Kooti are hoisted by bhe visitors. Some exciboment was caused by certain followers of Te Kooti, who advocate complete severance from the European community, and restoration of the old Maori customs, persistently endeavouring te lower the British flag, some of them averring that they would not addreee tho paople while the flag waa flying. Thi« aotempb, howover, was reeolutely opposed by the Waitofcara Maoris,

The Premier, hearing that Messrs A. C. Hermann and Chas. Zizelsberger, two Austrian gentlemen who represent several large Austrian importers of frozen meat, were making inquiries in the Australian colouies respecting the supply and price of frozen meat, sent an iuvitation to them to visit New Zealand and make themselves acquainted with its capacities as a frozen meat-producing country, and promising every assistance from the Government in their inquiries. A reply has been received from the gentlemen mentioned, stating that they are nnable at presenb to fix a date for visiting this colony, bub accepting with thanks tbe Premier's invitation, and promising to communicate the date on which they will leave for New Zealand. On the arrival of .heae gentlemen in ..the colony, the Government will give them every facility to procure all possible information on the eubjecb, as the importers represented by these gentlemen are interested in the supply of frozen meat to many of the large centres of population in Austria Hungary. The acquisition by this colony of such a large markeb would be of incalculable benefit.

On Jan. 6 Hod. T. Thompson, Minister of Justice, forwarded to Inspector Hickson a memo, embodying the decision he has arrived at as the outcome of tbe inquiry into the recenb case of tho police v. George South, sharebroker. The police, ib will be remembered, charged Mr South with being drunk and disorderly, and with resisting Constable McCarthy in the oxecution of his doty. The charges were dismissed, the magistrate . commenting severely on the action of tho police concerned in the case. The Minister, after, going repeatedly through bhe papers relating to the case, has come to the following decision on the matter :—First-class Sargonnt Gamble to be requested to send in hia resignation; first-class Sergeant MucMahon to bo requested to send in his resignation ; firsbclass Constable Timothy McCarthy to be dismissed from the force : third-class Constable Quirke to be dismissed from the force ; firsb-class Constable Clark to be reduced to bhe second class and to be transferred from Auckland to another district as soon as arrangements can be made. Inspector < Hickson was requested to give immediate* effect to this decision. Mr Thompson has alao forwarded a departmental memo, to the Commissioner of Police, Colonel Hume, with remarks on the circumstances which led him to the above decision.

The health of Sir John Thurston, Governor of Fiji and the Commissioner for bhe Pacific, has for some time past beon such as to give- cause for considerable anxiety. Dr. Hugh Murray,, of Melbourne, was sent for last month to consult with His Excellency's local medical attendants, and a letter received in Melbourne from Dr. Murray speaks of Sir John Thurston's condition aa being far from fatiefactory. Sir John proposes to obtain lengthened leave of absence, and as soon aa he can travel ho will come over to Melbourne. Dr. Murray advises this, and thinks that if tbe patient can be brought away from Fiji, where the climatic conditions this season are very trying, it will give him a chance of recovery.

Tbe Agricultural Department has issued ft circular stating that a letter has been received from . the Premier of Queensland invitiDg delegates to attend the proposed Fruitgrowers' Conference to be held in Brisbane, commencing on February 4th nexb. Besides one or two of the officers of the Department being sent, ib ia suggesbed bhab two delegates nominated by tho fruitgrowers should also attend. The Government proposed to pay the actual travelline expenses of tho two representatives, ib being- important thab only thoroughly practical men should be chosen. The Secretary for Agriculture aak» for .nominations by wire, and on receipb of them a selection will be made. Societies are quite ab liberty to send other delegates. A fruit show ia to be held in connection with the Conference, and the freight and expenses on exhibits will be borne by the Department.

On January 4 at the Auckland Industrial Exhibition the Ronbge i_ X rays were utilised for the first time in Auckland by the medical fraternity to locate a bullet in the hand of a patient." The sufferer was Mr J. A. Mitchell, of Remuera, who some four years ago accidentally discharged a loaded revolver into the palm of his hand. Two operations were performed for its removal neither of which were successful, bub the wounds healed and lit.le or no inconvenience resulted. Recently pain and stiffness had been experienced in the hand, but the bullet could not be located, and last evening, ab the suggestion of Dr. Lewis, it was decided to endeavour to find it. whereabouts by meanscf the RontgenX rays. By the kindnessbtMrC. E. Mackiethe X rays now on view ab the exhibition building were utilised for this purpose. The patient's hand waß exposed to the rays, and Dr. Lewis almost immediately located the bullet in its position, firmly embedded between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones. The outlines of the bullet, and also of the bones, were perfectly clear and distinctly visible to others who were then shown the hand. Dr. Wine was present during the examination. The X rays apparatus was imported by Mr S. C. Mackie.

The numbor of touiista visiting Mount Cook district is on the increase since the Hermitage has been taken over by the Government. So far this season no expeditions of any importance have been undertaken, but on Jan. 20 a well-equipped party lefb Titnaru with the objecb of climbing one or more new peaks and photographing the scenery. The members comprising the party are Dr. Norman Cox, of Titnaru, Mr and Mrs Malcolm Ross, of Wellington, and T. C. Fyfe, of the Hermitage. They expect to be joined later on by Me J. J. Kineey, of Christchurch, an enthusiastic Alpine photographer, and Mr W. ,1. Hodgkins, Invercargill. Dr. Cox and Mr Ross will ] subsequently attempt a passage to the. West Ooasc by one of the high Alpine passes. The Premier, recognising that we have in our magnificenb Alpine 6ceaery a very valuable asset, is inberestiag himsolf in tho expedition, and has arranged wibh Mr Rosa to write an illustrated Alpine guide descriptive of the scenery along the east and west routes of the Alpino chain. A paragraph which recently appeared in the New Zealand "Times," giving details of a remarkable flying feab accomplished by an Antwerp homing pigeon, one of two which had been presented to a member of the Premier's family by relatives in Victoria, has caußed considerable comment, and has boen in ceroain well informed circles considered incredible. The facts, briefly, are, that the pigeon in question on a certain date failed to return to its cob, and nothing mora was heard of ib, though every possible inquiry was made. Some time afterwards the Premier received a letter from his Victorian relatives announcing the safe arrival of the missing bird ab its original home. According to bhe date when the bird was missed, and of its arrival in Victoria, ib covered tbe dis tance in three days, which would necessitate flying at a continuous speed of from 18 to 20 miles an hour. Of the identity of the bird there is *aid bo be no grounds for doubt, and the only difficulty experienced in crediting the narrative is thab no such feat has hitherto been performed.

A mining bureau is to be established for tho purpose of col'.ecbing and distributing Information relating to the mining industry in this colony. Tho Governmenb ba» decided to send homo monthly returns of bhe ontput of gold and bho number of minors' rights issued.

Lord Glasgow and party arrived ab Dunedin in the. Government) steamer Tutanekai on January 16, and left at midnight) for Akaroa, proceeding to Lyfc. telton on Monday morning, the 18bh, They stay in Chrisbchurch for ten days, thoace proceeding to Wellington. They leave for England by tbe s.s. China from Sydney on February 15th. Lady Glasgow is very much improved in health by the Sounds trip. His Excellency speaks in the.higheab terms of the Tutanekai.

A team of Queensland cricketers, including S. P. Jones (a me_nbeioDf the 1886 Australian Eleven), J. H. Donahoo, W. Bradley, and Dr. Mac Donald, all wellkuown players, arrived in Auckland on December 20, bo make a tour of this colony.. Their first match was played ab Auckland on December 22 and 23, against) eleven local representatives, and resulted in a drawn game. Queensland scored 252 (Bradley 63, Jones 58, Donahoo 44, Mac Donald -33, not out), and 21 for one wickeb. . Auckland scored 131 (G. Mills 33, J. A. Kallender 28), and 253 (L. A. Cuff 80, Kallenfler 55, R. Neill 39, D. Hay 23, VV. Stemson 20). The match against Now Zealand was played at Wellington on December 26 and 28, and proved an easy victory for New Zealand by 182. runs. New Zealand making 207 (H. B. Lnßk 59, W. Pearce 52, and J. Baker 36), and 241 (Caff 41, Holdship 69, Ridley 30. and Lcisk 23); and Queensland 146 (Donahoo 70, MeGlinchy 25), and 120 (Mac Donald 30). Against Hawke's Bay, whom the visitors defeated by an innings and 102 runs, Queensland made a record score for New Zaaland. their one innings realising 492 (Cowley 135, Mac Donald 114, Jones 85, McGlinchv 45< Donahoo 34). Hawke's Bay made 173 (Lusk 57,"Gore 42) and 217 (S. Taite 54, Marshall 49). . The visitors played Canterbury on January 6th, 7th and 9th, and af cer a tough and interesting struggle Queensland were returned victors by 47 rune. Queensland made 188 (Jones 43, and Bradley 34) and 221 (Donahoo 59, Mac Donald 40), and Canter, bury scored 220 (Demaus 55, Keese 55, Wbeabiey 53 and Sims 31) and 142 (Sims 37, Laurence 30). Against Ob&go on Jann* ary 15th and 16th, the visitors effected their third win, defeating the local eleven by eight wickets, the scores being: Queensland, 194(Hoare 44, Lewis 43) and 50 for two wickets ; Otago, 95 and 149 iJohnstone 32).

Since bhe reoenb cr option of Tongariro a party accomplished, the ascent of Ta Mare, and found bhe surroundings in a state of desolabioD. strewn witb large quantities of mud, stone and sand. _ The erapbions had formed a new crater higher up the mountain, blowing up some overhanging cliffs. Rocks estimated ab about four and a-half tons have been hurled up, descending 600 feeb above the mouth of the crater, and over half a mile distant. The old crater has beon filled up with the debris, bub ib continues to steam. Liquid mud has flowed into Laka Roboaira. Other parts of Tongariro are in their normal condition, aa also Ruapehn. Ngaruboa was emitting a good deal of eteam, after comparative quietude for Borne days.

Tenders were opened Ab the Dunedin City Council on tho night of January 13th for £5,000 of debentures of the abattoirs loan, bearing 4 per cent, interest. Tho whole of the loan was taken up by Arthur Al!6o, aba premium of £1 10a 6d.

A number of American laidies and gentlemen high up in the Theosophical movement are at present in Auckland, on a crusade round the world in, the interests of the Theosophical faith. The "'Crusaders" movement) was begun by Madame H. P. Blavatsky, continued by Mr W. Q. Judge, and is now under the leadership of Mrs Kabherine A. Tingley, of New York. They have been on a tour of the woild, and lefb New York on June 13th last, visiting Great Britain, Ireland, France, H^JanJ, J3e-|-. many, Austria, Switzerland, at^y.Greece, Egypt, India, Ceylon, and Aniisralia. They arrived here by the e.s. Rotomahana on Jan. 18 from Sydney, and will leave Auckland by the R.M.s. Alameda for San Francisco on Saturday.

ihinemuri .. . .. loromandel 'hamcs .. ■-.. .. _uaotunu ■Total output _ .£ 8. d. .. 200,103 17 . .. 87,131 18 . .. 32,149 4 . .. 14,431 13 ( «. 333,816 13 .

tVaihi 36,992 .. 135.865 9 10 STew Zealand Crown ... 7,641 .. 26.951 0 0 Woodstock .. .. 496 .. 2,145 0 0 raliaman - 285 .. 1,461 0 0 SVaitekauri ... .. 6.126 .. 22,041 3 10 PVaihi Silverton.. .. 5,831 .. 11,356 0 0 ___-Kh_m _____ .. _ _.. 2f_ _ _

Total 57.374 .. 200,103 17 2 COROMANDEL. tons £ . s. d. Hanraki .. .. f . 4,421 .. 81,358 0 0 Progress Castle Roce 1 ., 19 0 0 Portuna .. .. -.. 3 .. 90 0 0 Hauraki North .. .. 82 .. 646 5 0 Pride of Tokatea ... picked stone 50 0 0 Hauraki Associated .. 10 .. 471 12 0 Success 100 .. 324 0 0 Pukewhau .. .. 7 . 19 5 0 Kapanga.. .. ~ — .. 1,256 10 4 Tokatea of Hanraki .. 16 ... 130 19 0 Scotty's Hanraki __. 70 .. 199 7 9 Big Reef, Kennedy Bay 1 .. 2 3 8 Welcome Find .. .. 2721b .. 887 11 0 Kauri Gold Estates .. 2 .. 675 0 0 Native, Mania .. .. — .. 6 5 0 Waikoromiko ,. .. — .. 6 10 0 Albion 4 „ 123 0 0 Royal Oak.. ... .. 31 .. 826 10 0 New Tokatea ..... 17 .. 40 0 0

Total.. £.,/.'. -. 6,27211)8 .. 87,13118 9 . • THAMES. tons £ 8. d. New Alburnia .. _-. 235 .. 150 0 0 Adelaide (tribulers) .. 12 .. 44 12 0 Broken Hills CTa_rua)_ 18cwt(trial) 69 3 4 Cambria .. .. .. 109 .. 492 18 6 Cardigan .. .. .. 10 .. 15 2 3 Darwin 22 .. 101 17 8 Devon Castle _. .- 1 (trial) 6815 Q Freedom 10 .. MOO Hazelbahk .. ... 302 .. 1,720 10 0 Karaka Queen _ .. 5 .. 17 10 0 Little'Willie- .. .. l?81bs 312 16 0 May Queen „ .. &(&';. Mg 18 \& MayQa^. Extended.. *r*3a .. - 3? 1. _ Moanataiari' -"+_ • '..' .,_*. ,. •, 6,112 18 10 Moanataiaii (trflbutersl 337 .. 393 7 5 Monowai .. .... 31 -. 90 0 0 Napier .. .. .. 10 .. 125 0 0 Nonpareil.. ..... 20 .. 25 00 Occidental ' i 78 .. 474 12 0 Orlando .. ... .. 22 .. 35 1 6 Scandinavian '.. ~ 80 .. • 133 0 0 Sheridan ...... .. ■-. .. 200 ... 616 11 9 Victoria .. .. .. 1.244 .. 6,417 11 3 Waiotahi 2.136 .. 7.156 0 0 Tararu Creek .. .. 2,363 -• 3,398 13 11 Waiotahi Extended ... 64 .. 109 10 0

Total- ... .; 13.81* .. KUAOTUHU. . .tons Kauai-Vermont .. 2,959 .. Try Fluke.. .. ... 1,958 .. Great Mercury .. .:;... 1,773 .. Irene .. .. ... 70 „ Golden Link .. ,•'•".. o ...-. Ainsworth ... .:' « le .. Great Barrier ■ •.£-• 2j •-.' Total_ ~ % •- 6.784J 32,149 4 3 £ s d. 8,475 0 0 2,060 5 5 3,364 6 4 420 5 0 50 0 0 37 10 0 24 6 9 . 14,431 13 6

Moat F; eezing and Preserving Works (1891 and 1896 figures include boiling down works) Bacon curing establishments Butter and cheese factories Grain mills .. Biscuit factories .. Breweries and malt honses Aerated waters .. Soap and candle works Chemical works .. Sawmills .. Flaxmtll. .. Gai. works .. Iron apd brass f<jimdries, boilormntcIhg, machinists,* etc A gricultural implement factories .. Coach building and painting wor_s .. Tanning, fellmongering and wool-j scouring .. Woollen mills Clothing and oootl and shoe factories Other industries in which the value of manufactures was under £100,000t I 1896. I I 1891. | I 1886. ' I £ £ j I £ J 1,615,219 1,464,659 543,878 I. 86.C22 i 83,435 58,799 501.274 874,656 118,979 150,957 991,812 127,147 43,094 754,830 47,784 418,830 93,609 380,849 91,961 421,197 94,098 152,298 75,320 898,807 32,546 199,025 155,714 41,568 832,959 234,266 178,947' 130,745 34,283 1,177,713 20,059 194,653 r - | 302,815* 403,635 . i I 368,9.9* i 102,054 144.472 111,823 j 148,969 139,660 128,346 1,237.252 302,423 1,026,349 279,175 634,915 194,311 I 616,153 570,315 514,505 1,768,104.! 1,476,227. 1,237,426t ! 6,711,379 Totals '.. ..I 9,549,360 8.773.837