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Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 301, 29 December 1897, Page 4

The " Star" will not be published on Saturday. (New Year's Day). All announcements relating to that clay or Monday should therefore be forwarded in time for insertion in Friday's issue. The paper will appear as usual on Monday evening.

Saturday (New Year's.Day) January Ist, being a Post Office Holiday, the Post Office will be closed. Mails usually despatched on Saturday will close at 7 p.m. on Friday Slat instant. The office will be open from 7 to S p.m. on Friday the 31st for the delivery of letters, including those usually delivered by letter carrier.

The Hon. T. Thompson, M.H.R., arrived from Wellington to * day by the s.s. Mahinapua.

At the coroner's inquest on the body of the boy Arthur James Harrison, who was accidentally shot at Motutapu.on Christmas Day,' the jury returned a verdict, " That deceased came by his death through wounds accidentally self-inilicted, and that no one was in any way to blame for the occurrence." •,

News received in Sydney by the Japan mail steamer Onii Maru gives particulars of the launching of the Japanese warship Akashi. With characteristic enterprise the Japanese Government placed this big order in the hands of their own. workmen, the designing and building being carried out in their own shipyards. Throngs of spectators assembled in Yokosuka to witness the launching, a prince of the Royal house and several naval potentates assisting in the ceremony. The new ship is, steel-clad, 90 metres in length, 12.7 metres in breadth, 4.3 metres fore and 5.3 metres aft in draught, and 2,800 tons displacement, with triple - expansion engines, of 8,000 horse-power; carries nine boilers, with an estimated speed of 19.5 knots, two 15 centimetre Armstrong quick-firing guns, six 12 centimetre Armstrong qizick-firing guns, 12 47 milimetre quick-firing guns, four machine guns,.and two torpedo tubes. Eastern papers by the mail steamer report of a terrible powder explosion, by which a whole village was reduced to ashes, and two lives lost. The powder was stored in a warehouse at Osawa. A fatal tire, in which 15 live 3 were lost, took place in Hongkong on the 23rd ult. The house was occupied by coolies, and was completely burnt out.

The New Year's Day number of the " Graphic," which is published to-day, will be found to be an excellent literary companion for those leisure moments which at this season of the year are more numerous than at other times. The publication has a good assortment of sketches and photogravures of a seasonable character with stories and a mass of interesting reading matter adapted to all tastes. Along with the issue is given away as a musical supplement a song—words and musicentitled "Until Then," by Geo. M. Vickers. In another part of this issue appears a summarised table of contents.

The 1898 edition of "Brett's Almanac" contains as usual an exhaustive budget of information on all commercial and industrial matters connected with the colony. Its statistical summaries are very full and recent. No book is so suitable for a New Zealand business house to send to foreign clients, or for a colonist to post to Home friends who are desirous of informing themselves about the resources of New Zealand.

The Auckland Chess Club's Championship Tourney, which was being played all*last winter, has furnished an exceedingly close finish, Mr Eyre (Hayman and Co.), Mr Lelievre (French Consulate), the Secretary, and Mr A. Jowitt being at one time equal with 13 wins, 4 losses each, and one game each to play. Mr Eyre had to meet Mr Harrison, a young player, and the latter won, so the struggle for the championship was confined to Mr Lelievre and Mr Jowitt. They played two games, which both resulted in a draw. On Monday they met as opponents in the New Zealand Chess Congress, and it was agreed before they began to play that whoever won the game should be champion of the Auckland Chess Club for 1897-8. After a prolonged fight extending to 52 moves Mr Lelievre resigned.

The Secretary of the Auckland College and Grammar School announces by advertisement in another column that there will be in February, 1898, an election to three Junior Foundation Scholarships and three John Williamson Scholarships, open to candidates from Primary Schools under the age of 12 years on Ist December, 1897, and to three Junior Foundation Scholarships on secondary subjects, open to all under the age of 14 years at the same date. Applications -will be received until FebruaryIs^ and the examination will be held on February 9th.

•ur -I • a^\ con? ert in connection with Waihi School; took'place on Wednesday evening last m Tanner's Hall, andjS well attended by parents and iSSelto During the year the school had, increased by about 100 of an average, chiefly by £ settling of workers with families in £ district, but partly, no doubt, owin«r to thl popularity and of Mr Benge, the head teacher. The annual examination a few weeks ago testified to the good work done by the teachers, the passes sivin* a percentage of nearly 90. The concert was very successful from every point of view The hall, decorated by the teachers and pupils, presented a more attractive appearance than it has for a long time. A dance followed under the conductorship ot Mi Baker. Miss Voss played most of the accompanimentsm her usual efficient manner and Messrs Hemus and Tyrell also assisted' The band played at intervals.

The Christchurcli Cinematographe Com pany gave another exhibition of their cinematographe in the Agricultural Hall last evening. The audience was very lar*e and enthusiastic, and many of the pictures were so much enjoyed that they had to be repeated. The pictures most enjoyed were "The Water Jump," "TheHaung Chamber" and "Babies." MrW. McKenzie and Miss Jessie Glover gave variety to the programme by their songs, recitations and dramatic scenes. Another performance will be given this evening. ,

The Cinematographe-Lumiere exhibited by Mr Wyberfc Beeves at the City Hall is attracting a full share of popular favour. •Thirty-five pictures are shown each even' inp,_ among the most striking being the Jubilee procession, and a magnificent picture of one in Buda Pesth. -The sea in a gale breaking over the r-ocks;is a splendid representation of the-j gramfeur rof natare. The effect of this picture :-is greatly enhanced by the singing of "Rockedin the Cradle of the Deep " by Miss Hope Nation. The boat leaving the harbour is another fine and most natural sea picture. The fire alarm, with its engine and galloping horses dashing across the picture, won an enthusiastic acknowledgment of its merits. There is great poetical beauty in , the burning weeds, with the most' natural effect of the rising smoke and the dresses of the women blown by the wind. Another admirable picture is cyclists and equestrians, and there are some excellent comic pictures that created great laughter. Mr Higgott is an excellent vocalist, and was warmly applauded in " The Old Brigade" and "The Romany Lass." Miss Hope Nation also added to the entertainment By her singing, and Mrs Gallaugher is a very finished pianiste.

The January issue of "The New Zealand Primitive Methodist" is published early owing to the holidays and the meeting of the annual conference at Dunedin at the beginning of next month. The contents are up to the usual standard.

The House Steward of the Hospital desires to thank the Auckland Fruit and Orchard Agency, Shortland-street, for a case of pineapples and bananas for children's ward ; Mrs .G. A. Kallender and- Mrs Smales for illustrated papers; and Messrs Hayman and Co. for books and Christmas cards for use of patients.

The Newton Brass Band hold an excursion on New Year's Eve in the p.s. Wakatere. The steamer leaves the wharf at 10 p.m. Among the attractions promised is a dancing competition.

Phyllis Perrier again kept an audience in laughter last night in the Choral Hall. The gestures of the imaginary scarecrow stuck in a potato patch are most ludicrous, and a very enjoyable entertainment without vulgarity is provided. To-night there will be alterations to the programme. ;>■

Tennis shirts, hats* kummerbund,s, sesjuft, ties, Collars, and white shirts at wholesale prices.— D.S.C.—(Ad vt.) ;-t:;W

Notice it—all wool tweed suit 21$, frhife shirt 2s lid, straw hat Is, collar andtiels, sox 6d. Total for Christinas outfit, 26s sd. At Ernest Moore's, 240, Queen-street:— (Advt.)

Ernest Moore, 240, Queen-street, has just received a large assortment of travelling trunks, Gladstone and brief bags, portmanteaux, rugs, etc., at very special cash prices, next Tanfield, Potter and Co. —(Advt.) . .•:;

Straw hats, straw bats, straw hats, 50 dozen at Is each, usual price 2s 6d.— Ernest Moore, 240, Queen-street.-^(Advt.)