TABLE TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 1

TABLE TALK.

"Star" mail summary. Outward 'Frisco mail on Saturday. Alameda from Sydney to-morrow. Country visitors flocking into town. Steamer Flora arrived from the South. _ Native attack oij a trading schooner IE the Solomon Islands. Members of Parliament have returned from Wellington for Christmas. Canterbury cricket team will arrive here from the South on Sunday next. Mr H. W. Northcroft, S.M., is spending his Christmas holidays in Auckland. A dingy race, open, has been added to the events on. the Auckland Anniversary Regatta programme. Prize-money totalling some £260 has been allotted 'for the forthcoming Auckland Anniversary Eegatta. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday of both the Christmas and New Year weeks will be observed as bank* holidays in Auckland. . '

A telegram from Wellington states that the National Bank declares an interim dividend at the rate of .5 per cent, per annum for the last half year. The Agricultural Department forecasts a medium harvest, owing to the damage to the crops in Southland and Otago by wet, and in Canterbury by drought. The North Island is not greatly affected by the weather.

The Agricultural. Hall, which has been specially fitted .up by the Christchurch Kinematographe Syndicate, will be open to the public for inspection on Friday evening from Bto 10. The Company show the following evening. Yesterday a whirlwind occurred on the road between Remuera and Green Lane, of a somewhat similar character to that witnessed at Mount Eden a few days ago. The phenomenon was seen by the passengers in.the incoming train from Onehunga. Mr McKinney, Secretary to the Auckland Cricket Association, has received s, telegram from Mr Raphael, of the Canterbury cricket team, stating that the eleven would leave Napier for Auckland on Friday evening, arriving here next Sunday morning. The New Zealand Swimming Association, Christchurch, has fixed the following dates for the Australasian Championship meeting:—February 26 and March 1 and 3. Competitors are expected from Queensland, New South Wales, and various parts of New Zealand. .

A Christmas carol service will beheld tonight in St. David's Church, Upper Symondstreet. The order of service contains a number of the finest ancient and modern carols. The proceeds of the offertory will be devoted to the newly formed Auckland Presbyterian Nursing Association. An informal meeting of the French Literary Society was held last evening in the Lome-street Hall, Professor de Montalk (President) being in the chair. Two acts of one of Moiiere's comedies were read, after which it was decided to adjourn until the second Wednesday in February.' Mr Wyberfc Reeve, who opens with the Lumiere cinematographe in the City Hall on Boxing night, was through New Zealand some years ago. with his own dramatic Company. In connection with the pictures exhibited Mr Reeve will lecture and give appropriate recitations, and Miss Nation, a contralto .singer of high merit, will contribute vocal selections. 1..

A number of competitors in the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Associati6n's.jChanii pionship meeting have arrived here from the South, including the Rev. J. M. Marshall, the present champion. In addition to the previous entries the follow, ing have been received : Rev. J. M. Marshall and Mr Baker for the Handicap Doubles and Mr D'Arcy for the Handicap Singles. The annual distribution of prizes in connection with St. Matthew's Parish School took place yesterday afternoon in the schoolroom in the presence of the vicar, Rev. L. Fitzgerald, and a number of

parents and friends of the pupils. The prizes were presented by the Countess of Seaiield. A number of part songs, glees, etc., were sung by the children during the afternoon.

The annual breaking-up treat to the children of the <kibilee Kindergarten School was given yesterday afternoon. The school children, together with the Committee and. friends, were kindly invited by Mr and Mrs Samuel Vaile, of "The Avenue," Newton, to their grounds, and the Tramway Company and Mr Martin, of Parnell, each gave a 'bus to convey the children to and fro, and a very pleasant day was spent, refreshment being liberally supplied to the little ones in addition to Christmas presents.

- A bazaar in aid of the Ellerslie Anglican Church vicarage fund was opened in Cairn's Hall Ellerslie, yesterday afternoon, "'Mrs D. Nolan, of Tutuila, declaring the bazaar open. There was a good attendance and a brisk business was done. The stall-holders are : —Fancy stall, Misses Amy Walker and B. Elliott; work stall, Mesdames Gillam, Ewen, Waddell, Porch, and Skinner ; refreshment stall, Mesdames Byliind, G. Wright, Peek, Stewart, Misses Ewen, Thorpe, and Taylor ; produce stall, Misses Esme Elliotc and Somerfiekl; toffee stall, Misses D. Walker and E. Percival; Christmas tree, Mrs H. Nolan and Misses McCullough, Devereux, and Carr. The bazaar will be continued this eveniner.

Bought a desperate job lot' of 50 dozen white, coarse straw hats to be cleared right out at Is lid,.well worth 3s 8d Ernest Moore," 2-10, Queen-street.—(Advt.) Christinas and New Year cards — a splendid assortment now on .view in Spreckley's new showroom, Victoria Arcade (Advt).

420 yds double - width fancy costume tweed Sfd per yard. Immense stock of other dress fabrics all marked at our wellknown low cash prices. — Smith and Caughey. —(Advt.) Reward books, annual volumes, immense variety of children's toy books, at Spreckley's, next the Post-office, Short iand-street. —(Advt.)

Picanniuy biscuits arc specially made for children and invalids by J. Bycroft and Co. Limited, sold in air tight tins. "Ask for them."—(Advt.)