MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1901, Page 6

MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

OUR HOME LETTER.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., FRIDAY, March 1, 1001

The visit of the Imperial and Indian troops this month will rank as a memorable epoch in our colonial annals, and the picturesque, heart-stirring ceremonial of: February 16 which aroused the enthusiastic cheers of Aucklanders will be treasured up in memory as one of the most sig-niii-ctiiit and interesting occurrences in tin.' history of New Zealand. The In-1 dian Contingent, numbering1 100 olii-j eers and men, arrived on the 11th, | but the city's welcome to the troops j did not take place till the arrival of; the Britannic, live days later, with the Imperial Bepresentative Corps. The troops, to the number of a thousand, marched in procession through She city to the Domain amidst a .:eene the like of which was never witnessed here before. The volunteers, about a thousand strong, paraded with the Imperial and Indian Troops, and the procession that wended its way through the streets amidst the cheers of thousands of spectators was at once the most notable and the most brilliant ever known in Auckland;. The troops were entertained to lunch at the Domain, and in the afternoon a military display was held in the Cricket Ground. The great amphitheatre of the Domain was a marvellous sight that afternoon. It is estimated there must have been i'uliy forty thousand spectators present;. The Imperial and Indian troops paid a flying visit to Eotorua on Sunday, returning next evening after a pleasant trip. The Britannic left on Tuesday Cor Adelaide with the British Contingent, and the Indian troops sailed the same day for the South. The announcement that, a Seventh Contingent would be required for sexVice' in South Africa met. with a ready response in all parts of the colony, including Auckland. Since the departure of the Sixth Contingent, over 200 men had sent in their names to the Auckland Brigade Office, and as soon as instructions came from headquarters, these men were mustered, and 00 selected, preference being given to volunteers. The despatch of the Auckland draft of men was a smart piece of work, as the officer-command-ing the district (Lieut.-Col. White) only received final instructions on February 21st, and the men were on their way to Wellington on the 25th. The Contingent, numbering 300, will receive their uniforms and equipment at Wellington. It is understood that three further drafts of 300 each will be sent at intervals if required.

A word ing to present arrangements it is intended tl! it Auckland shall be tlic first place la New Zealand to be visiied by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, who will then visit Wellington, Christ-church and Dunedin in turn. Their Royal Highnesses will also ,if lime permits, go to Rotorua, that the itinerary will have to be altered if the duration of th«rir stay in the colony is curtailed, as seems likely from the news cabled. It is officially stated that an evening reception will be held at Government House during their Royal Highnesses" visit to Wellington, about the middle of June. Owing to the observance of Court mourning, no balls, levees, or drawingroom gatherings will be held in connection v/ith the visit.

His Excellency the Governor, Lord Kanfnrly, is expected to arrive in 'Auckland on the 14th inst., by way of the Hot Lakes District.

The Eoyal Commission appointed to enquire into the question of Australian Federation as affecting this colony eonchided its ?nvestigatiohs at Wellington yesterday, and commences its sittings in Auckland on Monday next. 'At the four centres where evidence has already been taken, namely, Invercarr'U, DuneduK? Christchureh, arid Wel:vigton, 123' witnesses have been called.. Of >ese 35 have favoured federation # 71 have testified against it, and 15 hatffc not considered the subject sufficient^;' fo come to any definite opinion. _.f!o far, therefore, the balance of Testimony lias been overwhelmingly against New Zealand • entering the Commonwealth.

The annual session of the Senate •of the New Zealand University has "been proceeding in Auckland for the past- ten days, under the presidency of the Chancellor, Sir James Hector. Amongst the members who have attended the . Senate are Sir Robert vStout (Chief Justice), Sir James Prendergast, Sir G. M. O'Eorke, Dr. IVtacgregor, and other prominent New Zealanders. A considerable amount of detail work in connection with the statutes of the University, the holding of examinations for scholarships, degrees, etc., has been transacted. Amongst other matters decided this week the Senate resolved to nominate Mr J. M. McLaren for the 1851 Exhibition Scholarship, which entitles the winner of the competition to a three years' scientific scholarship in England at £150 a year. The Premier, speaking at a banquet to the Imperial officers, said the time was ripe for asking the imperial authorities to strengthen the Australasian squadron. New Zealand would have to lead the way in this as in other projects, and if extra contribu-

tions were required the colony would willingly pay them. He repeated a former statement that he did not. approve of a standing1 army in New Zealand, but he would strengthen the volunteer system.

His Excellency Dr. Solf, Governor of the German Colony of Samoa, arrived in Auckland on Feb. 13 by the s.s. Manapouri on a brief holiday trip. In the course of an interview with a "Star" representative Dr. Solf, in reply to a question, said that all was working smoothly among the Islands. The opposing sides were living _in amity, and there seemed to be no difficulties between them. The inhabitants appeared to be contented with German rule, but he experienced difficulty with regard to labour, the natives being very lazy. Trade was flourishing.

Speaking at the half-yearly meeting of the Bank of New Zealand, liie Chairman (Air Blair) stud:— I With reference to the bank's position,, lio was glad to say his forecast at the' nnnu.il meeting was likely to be realised. Business had been extensive, and the bank was in a very prosperous | condition. He could not .give definite ii-uivs, but during the past half-year the public had shown every confidence in the bank, deposits having- increased ijr over £600.000. Advances, too. had iaraeiv increased, probably by over KoOO.UOO. Thr colony, he said, was never in a more prosperous condition than now. and he referred to the increase of products, every new one of which had its influence in the stability of the colony, as well as on the bankMarkets in 'South Africa offered a splendid opportunity for producers, which he thought would increase if we could only terminate the wretched war. He said that at the last meetin"- he mentioned that he did not thtnk land values would be maintained, but experiences did not support his opinion. As showing the condition of the colony he declared that a large amount of the bank's business was now cash where formerly it was on credit. On a ballot Mr VV. Watson was re-elected a direietor.

The value of imports at the several ports of Xew Zealand for the quarter ending December 31st, 1900, including £122.010 worth of specie, amounted to £2,999.235, as compared with £2,400,----4 GO for the last quarter of 1899. For the whole year the imports amounted to £10,046,096, as against £8,739,633 for the year 1599. Exports from the colony during the quarter ended December 31st amounted in the aggregate to £2,343,922 inclusive of £7,400 worth of specie, as against an aggregate value of fca,Y62,537. This amounts to a decrease, as between the last quarter of 1900 and of 1599, of £418,615 for the whole colony. This falling off is accounted for chiefly by deficiencies at twelve different ports and in value of parcels posted. Auckland shows an increase by £:)3,500 for the quarter; Poverty .Bay an increase of £07,500; Oamaru. £35.500; and Dunedin, £20,000. The principal articles of 'export were:—Mine products, £374,539 (ifol'l £338,957), fisheries, £4-!,SS2; forest products, £223,752; kauri gum. £146,058; animal produce, £1,274,810; agricultural produce, £331,770; manufactures, £80,070.

Statistics compiled under the direction of the Collector of Customs, Mr. A. Rose, show that the trade of the port of Auckland for the closingyear of the century constituted a record. Glancing at the figures of the trade of I'JOO, we find that the customs revenue exceeded that of the previous twelve months by £27,05G, amounting- to the large sum of £525,905. This amount was collected on imports valued at £2,617,215, against £2,211,672 in 1899. Exports, when brought into comparison with those of the previous twelve months, showed an improvement of £207,757, the totals being £2,068,351 and £1,860,604 in 1900 and 1899 respectively.

The past three weeks have been somewhat uneventful as far as mining" is concerned, as business on the Exchange his been dull and nothingout of the ordinary has been reported from the. mines. Another dividend of 2/0 per share was declared by the Waihi Company, but these come with such unfailing regularity that they scarcely require any notice. The roturn from the Waihi Company was also a good one this month, 12,908 tons of ore having yielded bullion worth £29,055. Values of shares in Waihi companies generally are, however, easier than they were at last report, but .this is purely a market fluctuation due to absence of speculation, as the prospects of the various mines are as good as ever they were . The Waitekauri Company had a satisfactory return of £5097 ,from 2578 tons, but this did not prevent shares falling to 20/, although slightly, better prices were paid subsequently. The Crown mines return was £4800 from 2900 tons. These shares have had steady buyers at from 12/10 to 13/. The Talisman Consolidated Company's next return will be from the wet process, and good headway is being made with the erection of additional crushing plant. Shares advanced from 20/ to 25/0, and there are still buyers at about 25/. Komata Eeefs have an upward tendency, as accounts from the mine are satisfactory. The Miners' Union have issued conditions of labour for the Waihi district, which fix the men's pay at a higher rate. It is probable* this will come before the Conciliation Board for settlement. The conditions also ask that underground contracts be discontinued. At the present time it is stated that the Waihi Company pays miners sixpence per day more than the rates ruling at Thames, and also that the underground contract system has not been in vogue in that mine. Mining is dull both at Coromandel and Thames, but at Gumtown two small batteries are in course of erection for the Kapowai and Welcome Jack companies, and at Tairua the Chelmsford Company's battery should shortly be ready to start crushing.

The half-yearly meeting of the Thames Gas Company was held on February 28th. It was shown that the amount to the credit of profit and loss was £711 12/2, which allowed the payment of the usual shilling dividend, and left £ 212 to be carried forward to next year. The.report and balancesheet were adopted.

The Standard Iterance Company's annual report shows that the income for the year 1900, including last year's balance, was £98,707, and expenditure £79,514. The interim dividend paid in June absorbed £2,812. The directors recommend shareholders to carry

£5000 to the reserve, which will then .stand at £25,000, devote £2.812 to the payment of a half yearly dividend at ihe rate of 7} per cent., and £ 1.57.1 10 the payment of a bonus, and carry forward £ 0,09:2.

The Shaw, Savill & Albion Company, the Tyser line and the New Zealand Shipping Company have combined to establish regular steamer communication between New Zealand and South Africa. The first vessel, the s.s. Otarama, leaves this colony about March 9th.

The ocean race to Sydney between the Union S.S. Go's steamer Mararoa and the American mail steamer Sonoma was won by the Sonoma, which estalished a fresh record for the run. A cable from Sydney announced that the Mararoa had "entered the .Head.-: at (i.|o a.m. on Saturday, while the Sonoma had reached the harboui at ■ -.:!'.> a.m.

The run is I2SJ miles, so that the Sonoma averaged close upon 17 knots, while tin: Mafi'.rnsi's average w:is :I<S 1-5 knots per hour. The previous record For tin- voyage was held by the Moana.. put up in December. 1807, when, averaging- -KM knot* ;hv day. she aecmplislipd the tli.st::n<'P in :; clays Jl. hours, the Sonoma having thus knocked •>.', minute- oft" that time.

A heavy sentence was imposed, by His Honor, Mr Justice Conoliy, at the Supreme Conn on February 3, oa .fames Patrick Long, a young man, who had for some time past carried on business as a commission and financial agent in Auckland. His Honor said this was one of the worst cases he had had to deal with. The accused had pleaded guilty to eleven charges covering- £330, but the evidence showed that the total amount of his forgeries came to some £2000. On sentence as a warning to others. On each of the indictments to which the prisoner had pleaded guilty, he would be imprisoned in Mt. Eden Gaol and kept to hard labour for a period of live years, the sentences to be concurrent.

The Rev. .Ino. Gow, Presbyterian minister, died at Opotiki on 18th insf. in his Siith year. He arrived in Opotiki from Otago about 20 years ago, and acted as minister for the district for about twelve years.

A disastrous fire took place al Feilding on February 22, and destroyed a block of business premises occupied by the New Zealand Clothing Factory; Mr M. Law, grocer; Mr F. Butler, boot store; Mr Whitelavv, saddler; Mr A. Williamson, tailor; Mr G. W. Bowles, watchmaker; Mr VV. E. Grant ham, refreshment-rooms —

these being all wooden building.:, which were all destroyed. The first four shops were owned by Mr .T. Hugli: Mr Williamson owning the one occupied by himself, and Mr Fowlcy the other. ' A two-storeyed brick building, owned and occupied by Mr E. Goodbehere and Mr 11. Mortonsen (jeweller) was gutted. The insuriii.ee companies were interested as .follows: —Phoenix, £'.)50; Imperial, £850: Standard, £750; Commercial Union, £800; National, £450; Royal, £300; Norwich Union, .C 250; >,««• Zealand, .£SOO. The total loss was eramated at £10,000.

A fire at Dargaville on February 16 destroyed the Kaihu Hotel and v cottage adjoining. There were a few lodgers in the hotel, and all had to escape in their nightclothes by the fire-escape ladder. Two men named Barry and Ommell were badly burned, and an old pensioner, .James Carmody, was burned to death in his bed.

A disastrous fire broke out in the Tramway Co.'s shed, Cumberland-st., Dunedin, early on February U, resulting in the shed being practically gutted, and in the destruction of a dozen cars. The Royal and London and Lancashire otlices each had £2250 on the ears, and the Imperial kl'MO on the building.

At the annual mooting of tlie Christelmrch Mont Company (Mr Gilbert Anderson, managing director, presiding), the report stated that during the year shares hud been allotted, increasing the: subscribed capital to £138,810 (balance of the £150,----000 capital subscribed since the year's accounts closed). The premium reserve was now £14039. During the year the company put through 083,24-1 head. Every satisfaction had been expressed In London with the quality of the stock frozen and shipped. After making ample provision for the future and writing off £0102 for replacements and renewals, the profit and loss account shows a profit of £10,984, which, with £10.208 from the previous year, gives a total net profit of £27,102. An interim dividend was paid on April 30, amounting to £4430, leaving an available balance of £22,75G, from which the directors reeomjHicnded that a dividend of 4J per cent., making 0 per cent, for the year, be paid, absorbing £4GG2, leaving .a. balance of £18,094 to be carried forward. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unani-

mously