Page 8 Advertisements Column 1

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 273, 17 November 1899, Page 8

An amusing incident, us showing the instinct of the homing pigeon occurred during the week. The G.8.P.A., in tlrrii1. service from Auckland to the Island employ all male birds, and"! from constunt travelli ui^ they are not'i 'permitted to .male. .This contingent .come from the Island, by steamer, in baskets* and. on arrival arc placed'in an "inclosure "in a large vinery used as a breeding loft. They can,-get .no | g-limp.se of: the outside world from' their prison, and when they are being despatched to the Island they are taken (again- in a basket) some distance from the loft to prevent them locating it. In the vinery are also a number of breeding birds, paired, but during the week an odd hen was placed there," and then the trouble began. The first bird was despatched last. Saturday, and went straight through j to the Island w.ith his message, which, | being removed, he was released pending his despatch on 'WednesJday (by basket) to Auckland. fie didn't wait for the steamer, but at-j 'o-itce■■cleared for.A-nckhind. and turned] up at the main loft, endeavouring- toi obtain admission to his fiancee. The | Sunday saw another despatched to the ( Island, .'.'Mid he acted precisely the same, taking his messages through and, then returning as nn extra suitor. The difficulty was solved by sending | the attraction to the Island. The! question arises, how did these birds j —neither of which had seen the loft j at .Picton-street —locate it?

The p.s1. Terranora, which left here on Tuesday night for Tauragna, has not reached that-port, having- anchored under the lee of Mercury Island, in order to shelter from the gale..'

Just ito hand ex s.s. Wakainni, our third shipment of lace curtains, these goods ai;e special value and good patterns from 1/ per pair at Sruith and Caughey.—(Ad,) ', V Prints.—Smith and Caiigliey are showing- light and dark print,! guaranteed fast colours from 2/11 .per doz., also 3§d, 4? ( d, sfd, ,6:] d, 7Jd, B|d, these are well worttoy of attention.—(Ad.) Dress Fabrics.-r-Smith and Caughey are showing latest novelties and colouring double width, all marked at specially low prices, 10§d, I/O. 1,, 1/21, l/4i, 1/OJ, 1/91, 1/114,3/6 to 4/9.—(Ad.") Geo. Fowlds is. selling men's tweed suits at 21/, 25/ and 29/6; men's colonial tweed trousers from 4/11 per pair. — (Ad.) .Lamb.and Smith, Newton, invite inspection of their showrooms, now replete with the latest in bedrvjm and dr'awingroom furniture at finest prices.— (Advt.) Smai-t parasols and sunshades, latest designs, all silk, at 4/11, 5/11, G/U, 7/0, a bargain.—Smith and Caughey.—(Ad) , Ladies' black parasols, needle point, exceptional value, at. 4/6, #711, 5/11, 6/6.—Smith and. Caughey .—(Ad.)