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Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 292, 8 December 1900, Page 4

Captain Edwin advised for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: "Moderate to strong southwest to south and west winds, glass rise, tides decrease, weather colder."

The Chief Inspector of Machinery, Mr. Robert Duncan, is at present on a Departmental visit to Auckland. Mr. W. J. Napier, M.H.R., and Mrs. Napier have accepted an invitation, from the Government of New South Wales to the ceremonials in connection with the inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth on January Ist next.

Dr. McArthur will shortly leave for Wellington, and by direction of the Hon. Minister of Justice inquests in ~nd will be held by Mr. Gresham, who has held the office of Coroner 1?? Waikato for over twenty years.

A petition to the Minister of Mines is being numerously signed by the Waihi inhabitants asking him to have the Loans to Local Bodies Act, IS3G, amended so as to allow Waihi to borrow under the said Act for the purpose of water supply and other public works. This question of the water supply, among others, of which the question of drainage is the most important, is one of the chief reasons why the inhabitants of Waihi are so eager for a borough.

James White and Frank Watson have been committed for trial at Dunedin on a charge of attempting to steal from a youth £ 10. Bail was allowed, accused in £100 and two sureties of £50 each. The evidence was to the effect that young Braithwaite went to the Bank of New Zealand with the money in his bag. As he was waiting his turn he felt the' leather bag containing the monpv, open, and, looking down, saw* White with his hand in the bag. He accused him of attemnting to rob him, and laid hold of his collar, when Wntson came tip and pushed between them. . White went out and Braithwaite followed The two men were afterwards arrested.

At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the following motion was carried: —"That the committee of this Chamber notes with pleasure the Government's proposals to call for tenders for a direct steam service to South Africa, and hopes that suitable tenders will be received, and that the Government will se*e their way to provide an adequate subsidy, preference being given to New Zealand ships'."

Messrs. Samuel Vaile & Sons' auction sale of properties in Shepherd's estate attracted a large attendance to their rooms yesterday. The following lots found purchasers: Cheltenham, Devonport, lot 75, £2 per foot; Dis-raeli-street, Mount Eden, lot 41, 5/ per foot; lots 5 and 6, 11/ per foot; lots 8 and 9, 10/ per foot; lots 12 and 13. 10/ per foot; lots 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36', 10/ per foot; lot 40 , 5/ per foot.

A telephone bureau has been opened at Smeeton's store, Mount Roskill Road, to be called Rocky Nook Bureau.

The Auckland Mounted Rifles and the officers and men of the "A" Battery will attend a church parade at St. Matthew's Church on Sunday morning. In memory of Corporal Devereux and other New Zealanders who fell in the recent engagement at Reitfontein the "Dead March in Saul" will be played by the organist.

Messrs L. D. and N. Alfred Nathan, agents for the s.s. Semorita,/ reoeived a telegram to-day from Dunedin stating that the steamer had arrived at Port Chalmers all well. She left London on Jane 25, and as the passage has been a long one there was considerable anxiety among* local merchants as to her whereabouts. It is pleasing to chronicle that all on board are safe and well. The steamer has a large quantity'of fertilisers on board. After discharging here she will load timber at Kaipara. Messrs Nathan will be glad to supply any information about the steamer to intending shippers.

A trade sale of teas will be held on Tuesday next at Messrs. G. Lewis & Co. s rooms.

Warren, Blyth & Co. will sell by auction on Monday superior furniture at the residence of Mr. J. E. Loveridge, Cheltenham Beach,, Devonport.

The members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Band of Hope, Coromandel, held a picnic at Tokatea yesterday. In the evening a monster temperance meeting took place in the Institute buildings, which was crowded. The Rev. T. A. Norrie presided, in the absence of the chairman, Mr. Alex. McNeil. A good programme was submitted, great, interest being displayed in the proceedings by the young people

At a meeting of ..the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association held last evening, the objections of the Wellington and Christchurch authorities to the dates proposed for the southern .pur. were considered, and it was decided to inform the associations in these centres that the original dates must, on the grounds of economy and time, be adhered to. It is expected Miss Alice Corriek will sing at St. Paul's Church on Sunday evening. -Advantage has been, taken of the presence of the Hon. J. G. Ward m this city to get that gentleman to address the electors. The matter has been arranged by the Liberal Association, and an advertisement in tonight's paper notifies that Mr Ward will speak, at. Abbott's Opera House next Thursday evening, when • the Mayor, Mr D. Goldie, will preside.

The presentation of prizes in connection with the Auckland Grammar School will take place in the Choral Hall, Symonds-street, on Saturday next at 7.45 p.m. Selections of music will be played on the grand organ by Mr Phil-pot. Sir. G. M. O'Rorke will preside. .. ..... ■

Birkenhead- ratepayers are invited to assemble at Zion Hall on Monday night to consider the question of- rating on. unimproved values, • •** -

At the meeting •of the Birkenhead B.oroUgh Council.on Thursday evening the Mayor.; (Mr; C. E. Button) stated the arrangements which had' been made for the polling on the land rating question next Wednesday." He ex-plained-that this: was a special election, and the arrangements were entirely vested in the Mayor. He had asked Crs. Gascoigne and H. P. Taylor to act on behalf of the respective . sides, and assist in the counting of the votes. Cr. Taylor suggested an additional polling station at the Post Office Store for the convenience of city business men. The Mayor said he had consulted .members of the Council on the matter, and it seemed to be the general opinion that one station would be ample. The Mayor added that an unofficial announcement of the result would be made by the Town Clerk immediately after the counting. It transpired that there are about 550 voters for this election.

An important transaction has been completed, by which Andrew & Co., the well-known 'bus proprietors, have still further increased their extensive business and increased their plant. On Wednesday next they take over-the omnibus service hitherto run by Mrs. Parker, on the Mount Roskili line, with conveyances •> and horses, and commence a faster -service, running 'buses from each end - every fifteen minutes, instead of every twenty minutes, as formerly. One result of this absorption of the rival 'bus service will be to have the unpleasantnesses associated with keen competition fjpne awax TV-ith, and it is the intention of Andrew & Co. to see that the public shall in no way suffer by the change. The additional plant secured as the result of this purchase is five 'buses, six gigs, three brakes, three laudaus, a hansom and. 53 horses.

In another cohimn appears the programme for the annual, carnival of the. Auckland Swimming Club v to be held in the Calliope Dock on Saturday, December 22nd. The programme consists of thirteen events, including a provincial championship 100 yds race, life saving drill, nnd ladies' races. G. A.. Tyler,.champion of New Zealand will compete.

A concert v is announced for Wednesday next, December 12th, in aid of the Ladies'. Benevolent Society, tendered by the pupils of the Beresfordstreet Public School, assisted by the pupils of Miss Carrie Knight and Mr Dunlop. The programme is a long one, and is replete with attractions.

The Auckland Railway Employees announce a picnic to Motutapu on Christmas Day A sports programme of 16 events will be run off on the island, and a band will be in attendance. Entries for the sports close on December 15th, at the Auckland Railway Station, between 8 and 10 p.m.'

The famous "Waterspray" brand (registered) -,of calicoes, longcloths and sheetings -has obtained; rfirst prize at-' the -world's •leading exhibitions, and' we believe.-:. it is the best, the purest and cheapest in the market. The "Waterspray" is thoroughly shrunk and absolutely, pure, and can only be obtained from, us, who are sole agents in Auckland.—Smith and Caughey.— (Ad.)