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Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 131, 4 June 1901, Page 4

Captain Edwin advises for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: North to east and southeast gale, glass fall, heavy rain.

Post Office arrangements in connection with the Royal visit will be -as follows:— Tuesday, Uth, and Wednesday, 12th '.Tune: Money Order and Savings Bank Office will close at 11 am. on both days. Other branches of oflice will be open to business as usual, excepting betwe-h the hours of 1.45 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. on Tuesday Only one letter carriers' delivery will be made on each day. commencing nt 8 a.m.

The R.M.s. Mariposa, with the British mails of 18th May, left 'Frisco for Auckland at 10 a.m. on. May 30, winch is the due date under the altered time table. The Mariposa takes tip the running of the Sonoma, while the latter vessel is undergoing repair.

The civil sessions of the Supreme Court will not begin till next Monday, as the criminal business is expected to occupy all this week.

There is a scarcity of cattle in tbe Poverty Bay district at the present time. It is' estimated that within a few weeks 5000 cattle will be required there, as feed is very plentiful. The consequence is that large transhipments are being made to Gisborne. The Hawke's Bay and Wanganui districts are being ransacked,for supplies. There is every possibility that a regular stock route will be established from Palmerston North, via Napier and Wairoa, to tbe Poverty Bay district.

A fracas occurred last, evening about half-past six, among a number of sailors who had just come out of the British Hotel. Constable' Handcox noticed the affair, and, wishing to end the squabble, got hold of the man who appeared to be the ringleader and attempted to lead him away up a side street. The mnn-of-warsmen fancied their comrade was being arrested, and rushed the constable, knocking him down and kicking him. Some civilians near at hand endeavoured to assist the policeman, and the sailors, as soon as they had their man free, soon dispersed.

About half-past ten o'clock last night a man named William Katterns bad a narrow escape from drowning in the harbour, and but for the opportune assistance, of Constable A. McDonnell must have perished. It seems that Katterns went down tbe wharf to put a parcel on one of the coastal steamers, and somehow managed to walk over the edge of the wharf, between the last tees on tbe eastern' side of the wharf. Constable McDonnell heard his cries and pr<_> cured a boat. With the help of a young man the constable, after some difficulty/ succeeded in getting Katterns into the boat. Katterns was little the worse for being in the water, and went home shortly after getting ashore. .«., At the meeting of citizens re our Fire' Brigade, held in the Harbour Board rooms yesterday afternoon Mr.. T. E. Jackson stated that the wheels and other parts of the present Auckland hose reel thirty years ago were intimately associated with a cart of low degree, whose humble function was to remove the garbage from Queen-street.

Lieut.-Col. W. E. Gudgeon, the British Resident at the Cook Islands, who has arrived here fi-om Rarotonga on official business, will be amongst the distinguished visitors present at the Royal reception. He expects to remain here several weeks, and will go up to Rotorua next week, taking with him tbe two Cook Island Chiefs who have come, up und^r his charge. He wishes to give them ■an idea of a really big gathering of their cousins, the Maoris, and he will also renew his acquaintance with a number of his.old fighting comrades of the war times (in the Whanganuf native contingent), some of whom he has not seen for about thirty years. Colonel Gudgeon informs us that he expects the new auxiliary screw schooner now being completed at Whangaroa for the Cook Isands trade (to tbe order of the Government) to arrive here from the North about the 2Sth inst. •He is confident that tbe schooner will prove of great benefit to the Cook Islands, and more especially the outlying islands, such as Palmerston, which are at present in great need of regular communication with the outside world.

Messrs. T. H. Hall and Co., solo agents for Merryweather and Co., notify by advertisement' that they have a supply of Merryweather handpumps in stock. These pumps are supplied to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Osborne House, and it is .claimed that the first-named mansion has-been thrice. saVed. from destruction by tbe prompt use of the Merryweather hand-pump.

Tlte question whether Rudyai'd Kipling is capable of writing a really good long story has been -solved entirely in R.K-'s favour, says a Home authority. Those who have read his new tale. "Kirn" arc unanimous hi their expressions of praise. The tale carries u.s back to Mr Kipling's old hunting ground, India, and he is clearly bent on painting for us the varied' native life of the mysterious East in his best and most satisfying manner. If we mistake not, "Kirn" is pretty sure to prove one of the finest pieces of fiction Mr Kipling has written.. As has been already stated in these columns the serial rights of the tale have been purchased by the Xew Zealand "Graphic," and the first instalment is published in this week's number of the journal. A departure has been made in the case of "Kirn" from ihe usual method of serial publication. Very large instalments of the tale will appear weekly. This week for instance no less than 17 columns are published. Admiral's of Kipling and novel readers generally will we are, sure welcome this arrangement.

The popular series of winter concerts will be resumed by Mr. and Mrs. Hodges in the Choral Hall on Thursday, and they should, apart from the excellence of the artists engaged, draw a crowded house. Mr. Rupert Mantell, for many years leading baritone in the Brompton Oratory, London, will take part in the vocal items. Mrs. Queree, the wellknown pianiste, and Messrs Trenwith, Wright, Kogerson and George will also' assist. The box plan is open at Wildman & Lvell's.

The danger of reading in bed was illustrated once more on Saturday night, when a fire occurred in the residence of Mr. Sinclair, Kent-street, Grey Lynn. The reader fell asleep, leaving a candle burning, which ultimately set fire to the room. The alarm was promptly given, and Captain Fenton and a few members of the brigade being quickly in attendance, were enabled to put an end to all danger, with a few. buckets of water. The bedding was, however, destroyed, and a hole burnt in the floor of the room.

The following sums have been received for the Queen Victoria School (Mr. VV. S. Cochrane) since those last for Maori Girls by the hon. treasurer acknowledged: Per Rev. G. MacMur-ray-St. Stephen's schoolboys, £2 12/: Great Northern Brewery, per J. B. Mowbray, £3 3/; collected by a band of ladies organised by Miss L. Gillies—Miss Edie Kissling, £3 2/6; Miss Daisy Stevenson. £2 6/6; Miss E. L. Gillies, £13; Miss Rooke, £5; Miss Macrae, £5; "a poor man's mite," 1/: Mrs. Massey, 10/: Miss Snelling, 10/; Rev. H. *S. Davies, £1; Miss Runciman, 5/; thank offering, per Archdeacon Calder, £5 5/; Miss Woodhouse. 10/; X.Y.Z., 10/; Rev.

John Campbell, £1; Mrs. G. M. and Miss W. Picken, £1; Jotal to date, £277 19/2.

The usual weekly meeting, of the Council of the Cycle Roads League was held last night at the Sport-* Club. Present: Mr. P. A. Vaile (in the chair), and Crs. Palmer, Crozier, Davies, Pilkington, Coldicott and tbe secretary (Em. Boekhaert). It was stated that in response to requests copies pf the Cycle Boards Bill, cycle paths article and general literature had been forwarded to various States of the Australian Commonwealth. The secretary was instructed to ar*: range for a deputation to wait upon the City Council at its next meeting with a view to having the specific allegations of the League refuted or admitted and attended to. It was decided to entertain the members of the Legislature of the Auckland Provincial District prior to-their departure for Wellington, and also that the City Councillors be invited. It imported that work was well up to date, and much satisfaction was expressed at the results which have already attended the efforts of the League in getting our streets repaired and otherwise. •

There is in course of erection a large platform overlooking the Government reception platform in Queenstreet, on. which those desirous of having an tminterrupted view of the Royal procession on wharf and presentation of address may secure seats.

The Waipawa correspondent of a Napier paper says that a person who saw the body of the young man Andresen, who was killed by the.falling of a tree lately, describes it as the most gruesome sight he had ever seen. A two-foot hinau tree, struck by the falling tree, fell upon bis breast, scraping the flesh off the ribs, ahd carrying them down to the abdomen, and cntting the body nearly in two. The death must have been instantaneous. After the fall it was found that deceased was not about, and a search resulted in his .being found under the tree. It took two hours to extricate the body.

An application has been made to the Railway Department for permission to open a refreshment stall at . .-Pr Te Awamutu Railway Station. The want of such a place is frequently tbe cause of much complaint amongst travellers, and more especially those from the King Country, where their train leaves at an unearthly hour in the morning.

Strawberry growers are busily preparing for the. coming season. Many who took advantage of the unusually favourable spell of mild weather and got well forward with tbe planting of the new beds* are reaping the full advantage of the warm rain of Saturday, and are rewarded hy seeing thenplants starting" into growth. Some growers have already 20,000 plants set.' A large number of men, however, have been waiting for rain before, planting, and will no,w set to work in earnest. The new area planted will probably.be about the same as usual. The ordinary amount of friction —if not a little more—as to the style of box to be used is in prospect, and the advocates of the rival- square and chip boxes are already busy comparing notes.

Captain Grogan is expected to arrive on Wednesday or Thursday. Tickets may be had for his lecture, "From tbe Cape to Cairo," of Wildman and Lyell. Champtaloup and Cooper, and Upton and Co.

Mr D. T. Inglis, who left Coromandel recently to take up his residence at Paeroa, was presented with a handsome silver-mounted walking stick, suitably sinscribed, by the teachers and scholars of St, Andrew's Presbyterian Sunday School, Coromandel, of which he was superintendent, as a mark of their esteem.

Two tall men have just been added to the Wellington police force. One. of them (Constable Learmouth) stands 6ft s*lin, and the other (Constable Fitzgibbon) is about two inches less in stature. Both men went through the Police Training Depot at Mount Cook. Six others who were, m the. same class at the depot are. to be stationed elsewhere—three in Christchurch, two in Dunedin, and one 111 Auckland.

On Sunday night Mr James McVie died at Huntly at tbe comparatively early age of 51, of a severe illness. The deceased, who was a bachelor, started life as an engineer, serving his time to that profession in Scotland^ He joined the 14th Lancers, and on leaving the Service left the Old Country for the colonies, where he ha.s been for some 23 years, most of which he spent in mining. Of quiet and unassuming manners, and possessed of a rich fund of dry humour. "Mac" was a general favourite, and the great kindnesses which he received on his death-bed from .neighbours and acquaintances who nursed and waited on him with unflagging zeal show tbe esteem in which he was held.

The annual meeting of the Waikato Accident Society was held on the evening of Wednesday in the Volunteer Hall, the President in the chair. The annual balance-sheet showed that during the year £26 15/2 A had been disbursed in relief, and that after, all claims had been met there .was a surplus of £25 10/ to start the new year with. The history of the past year proved that the Accident Society was a great success, the membership having increased to 120, and the funds having proved more than sufficient to meet the expenditure. The committee of management was re-elected, the members receiving a vote of thanks and confidence.

The quarterly meeting of the Waikato Miners' Union was held in the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday last, the President (Mr R. Grundy) in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a surplus of £8 14/ for the past quarter. The inadequate supply of railway waggons was the subject of some discussion, the secretary (Mr J. C. Wallace) being instructed to write to the Minister informing him of the serious effect the want of rolling stock has on the earnings of tbe employees and on the dividends of shareholders of the- Taupiri Coal Co., and, at the same time, to remind him that he had informed a deputation at tbe end of last year that the rolling stock would from February, 1901, be sufficient to meet all requirements.

At the monthly meeting of tbe Ohatipo branch of the W. Farmers' Club the question of the establishment of a Farmers' Insurance Society, on co-operative or ordinary business lines, was discussed. Those present expressed themselves as strongly in favour of the proposal, being of opinion that it was most unjust that the countiy farmer in an isolated position should be compelled to pay increased" rates because of the frequent occurrence of fires in large centres of population. The meeting decided to support the Executive to the utmost of its power in the matter. Selling by live weight Wfts also discussed, and the members present expressed their approval of the suggested alteration. Similar views were expressed at a meeting of the Tamahere branch of the FarmersClub.

Mei> are now engaged in pulling down some of the more dangerous portions of the brick walls in the ruins of the Grand Hotel. It is not expected that any remains of the late Mr Ayres will now be found until the .debris has been removed.