MAIL SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 204, 28 August 1902, Page 3

MAIL SUMMARY FOR Europe and America.

OUR HOME LETTER.

AUCKLAND, August 28

Despite the fact that it is midwinter here in New Zealand, Coronation Day was beautifully fine. The occasion was celebrated in every corner of the two islands. All children,

rich and poor alike, were given some memento of the great day. What •will make the memory evergreen to school-children, however, beyond anything done locally for their amusement, is the thoughtful request of the King that they should be given a week's holiday. Processions were the favoured way of signalising- the occasion, with parades of all volunteer forces, salutes, and feu de joie. Many fl tree stands to-day in various parts of the colony as an all but permanent memorial of August 9. At Devonport (Auckland's chief marine suburb) a stone was laid as the commencement of an esplanade along the foreshore, which, when formed, is to be styled King- Edward's Parade. The New Zealand resolution of congratulation to .the King passed by both Chambers of the Legislature was as follows: — "That this House desires to record its respectful congratulations to the Kin°- upon his coronation, and to express the hope that the reign of His Majesty and Queen Alexandra Trill be a long and happy one." The reply from the Secretary of State for tU Colonies was in the following terms:—"His Majesty the King commands me to thank you and your Government, and the people of NewZealand, for congratulations on the occasion of the Coronation."

The Parliamentary session is exueoted to last about another six weeks. So far very fair progress has teen made in the House of Representatives and the Estimates have been passed with more despatch than has been the case in a good many previous sessions. A number of measures of importance introduced by private members have been thrown out, including Major Steward's Elective Executive Keferendum Bill, providing for a vote of the electors on the subject of an elective Ministry, and Mr Herries' Eating- Act. Amendment Bill, the chief feature of which was to compel Maoris to pay the same rates en their lands as Europeans pay. The latter bill was rejected on the casting vote of the Speaker, while the Elective Executive Referendum Bill was killed on the motion for its second reading, 19 voting for it and 35 against it.° The Public Works Statement, which is expected to be brought down in a fortnight or three weeks from now, is awaited with great interest by members. The principal feature of the Statement and Estimates will be the provision made for the completion of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, regarding which strong pressure has been brought to bear on the Ministry, the North Island members being "practically unanimous in their demand that a sufficient sum shall be set apart this session to enSble at least half of the existing gap to he covered.

The Transport Commission, under the presidency of Sir Wm. Russell. M.H.R., has been sitting at Wellington for some time past taking evidence concerning the alleged overcrowding of the troopships Britannic and Orient, bringing New Zealand soldiers back from South Africa, and other complaints in regard to the treatment of the troopers on board. The proceedings, which are not open *o the public, will last for about another fortnight, and the commission's report will then be presented to Parjliament.

One of those sensational discoveries which may be ranked amongst the romances of goldmining occurred within the last fortnight at Coromandel. It is about six years since a party of tr:buters in the Hauraki mine discovered Legge's reef, and contributed not a little to the mining boom. At that time a small area of ground adjoining the Hauraki was floated, under the name of Bunker's Hill, and ever since shareholders have heen paying calls, while their" manager hunted in vain for the run of gold. Within the last fortnight Bunker's Hill shareholders decided to wind up, and a liquidator was appointed, but before the meeting was held to confirm the resolution a couple of tributers started work, and it is stated while sinking- a winze for ventilation struck a rich gold-bearing lode, which is supposed to be a continuation of the famous "Legge's reef." Each day some parcels of picked stone and specimens have been secured, as well as a good lot of payable dirt, and the reef is reported to have now widened out to five feet. The effect of the discovery was soon felt on the Exchange, and Bunker's! Hill shares, instead of being unsaleable, were in strong demand, and ultimately reached 5/3. It is yet too soon to state anything regarding the prospects of the permanency of the run of gold, but so far the reef has proved to be a very rich one. Shares in adjoining- properties have all had a sympathetic rise, and all the vacant grjund in the vicinity has been pegged off. Waihi shares improved in Talue during the week, being now wanted at £5 6/. The return from the mine for the past month was a better one, the output being £38,061. Beports state that" a large' and valuable lode has been discovered in the "fraihi mine to the north of the Martha Hill, and in consequence shares & adjoining properties have been re r eeiving more attention. At Karangabake the Woodstock Company has rettnned crushing, while the return horn the Crown mines was £5044 this "'month. The Komata Eeefs Company had a larger output of bullion this time, £2230 being obtained from IOSo to.ns of ore. There has been fcnqtiiry for several Thames stocks at tow rates during the last few days.

The steamers of the A. and A*line between San Francisco, New Zealand and Australia, commencing with the Sierra leaving Auckland on September 19, will at intervals call at Fanning Island, fhe Pacific cable station.

The Auckland Harbour Board has received advice from the secretary, now in London, tihat the Admiralty has practically agreed to the new •proposals for the equipment of Calliope Dock, Auckland, as a naval repair station. This means the payment of interest and sinMng fund by the Admiralty on ia capital sum of £105,000, which it is now found the Calliope Dock works will cost, instead of on £59,300, which was the

original estimate. The sum required is £5000 per annum.

Further batches of the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth New Zealand Contingents from South 'Africa have arrived from Wellington from the Orient. The Monrtrose also arrived at Auckland with 1000 men. There was a great amount of sickness aboard. Altogether 55 patients were landed in quarantine at Motuihi suffering from measles, scarlatina, and lather diseases, and 15- others more seriously ill, principally pneumonia patients, were conveyed to the Auckland Hospital. The vessel was rigidly fumigated, antj much delay therefore attended the landing of the •troops. The Karamea brought 96 New Zealanders, and on Tuesday, August 26, the Wakanui entered Atiekland waiters with seven Aucklanders and K>thers for different places. The vessel was free from| disease. Practically the whole of New Zealand's contingents, with the exception of the men who represented the colony's forces at the Coronation, are now back again, and in process of being drafted imto industrial pursuits.