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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 58, 9 March 1903, Page 4

The Hon. James Carroll, on his arrival at Taumaranui (King Country) on Wednesday last, was warmly welcomed by tlio native chiefs of the district. In reply to their speeches of welcome he made a forcible speech, in the course of which, he recapitulated the requirements which led up to tlio passing of the Native Councils Act. and explaining tho working of the Act and the benefits derivable from it. In the evening a meeting of ihose holding title in tho Taumaranui block was held in the hall, when the majority of ihe owners favoured the. township scheme, and expressed their willingness to expedite the selection and partition of the township by the Land Court. Mr. Carroll and party left for "Wanganui by river on Thursday morning.

The mail steamer Sierra left. San Francisco 28 hours late, ami is therefore not due to arrive hero until Wednesday. Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, the local agents, however, consider that should she meet with anything like fine weather she will put in an appearance on Tuesday afternoon.

There were in the Auckland prison on Saturday last 201 males and 18 female prisoners, including ISB male and 10 female^ doing hard labour, and three males penal servitude. Twenty-four prisoners were received and 15 discharged during the week.

At Napier on Saturday afternoon when the representative- of the Wanganui Fire Brigade were practising the ladder and hose event on the Marine Parade, a nasty accident occurred. Two of the loam named Sims and Halligan were on the ladder, one. half-way up and the othor near the top with the hose. When the water was turned on the high pressure caused the man on top to lose control of the hose, with the result that it performed a number of vigorous antics, eventually becoming entangled in the ladder, which it precipitated into the middle of the street, together with those who -were on it. Both men wore hurt by the fall and by the ladder striking them, and they were immediately sent to the hospital, whore it was ascertained the injuries' were not so serious as at first anticipated.

The eighth round of the cricket championships was commenced on Saturday afternoon in beautiful weather. The main interest centred in th" Parnell-Gor-don contest, as the defeat, of Parnell would place United at the head of the competition. Parnoll occupied tho afternoon in scoring 172. In the AucklandUnited match the latter loam scored 209, and Auckland lost a wicket in playing out time. Tho matches will bo continued on Saturday week.

Tho Bank of Australasia has declared a half-yearly dividend of _ 2 4/ per share, being at the rate of 11 por cent, per annum. Tho dividend will bo payable on March 27. the transfer books being closed from Friday next.

Eighteen tons of bullion, valued at £10,._50, will be forwarded to Sydney by the Waikare this evening, in transit for London.

The Governor and party returned to Timaru from Mount Cook on Saturday. They greatly enjoyed the visit, the weather being fine. The young men of the party climbed the Hochstetter Dome to near the top. but wore driven back by a gale. Lord Ranfurly and party left for Wellington on Saturday afternoon.

Ten berths were booked ou the Uniou Company's steamer Waikare, leaving Auckland for Sydney this evening for Madame Melba and party. Madame Melba had intended to travel by the Trisco mail steamer Sierra, but the report that this vessel had left San Francisco 2S hours late rendered it doubtfid whether siie would reach Sydney in time for Madame's proposed farewell concert next Saturday. The plans were therefore changed,' and berths were taken on the Waikare, due to depart at 5.30 this evening. Madame Melba's visit to New Zealand has been a big success, both artistically and financially, and the Auckland season was, as anticipated, a record for the colony. After singing in Sydney Madame Melba will give another farowell concert at Melbourne, and will there embark for Euglaud.

The flagship Royal Arthur with ViceAdmiral A. F- Fanshawe on board, accompanied by H.M. ships Ringarooma, Phoebe Wallaroo. Archer, karrakatta, Lizard and Sparrow, left for Wellington at a quarter past nine o'clock yesterday morning. The Royal Arthur steamed down the harbour at the head of the Squadron, the other warships following in single line. The fleet should arrive m Wellington to-morrow. On the 18th the warships are due at Lyttelton. The Royal Arthur. Eingarooma, Wallaroo, and Karrakatta leave the colo_y on the 2tJth. the remaining warships dispersing to the various stations. The Wallaroo ami Ringarooma will be recommissioned for a further term ou tlie Australasian station at Sydney towards the cud of May. The Lizard is expected at Auckland some time next month. The Archer is due back in Auckland about the 20th of this month, and proceeds theuec to the New Hebrides. She will be absent for about six months. The Mildura convoys His Excellency the Governor (Lord RanfurJy) and the ParliameuUrv party to our island dependencies, leaving the colony about the beginning of March.

Air Beatby, head gaoler at Invercargill, has been appointed to succeed. Mr Phillips at the Dunedin gaol, at a salary beginning at :»:300. Principal Warder Armstrong has been promoted to the vacancy at Invercargill. Both appointments date from April Ist. Mr Beatby has been .stationed at Invercargill for the past fifteen years.

The Gordon Bennett Motor Car Race Bill, which, a.s sLiteil iv our last week's cable news, passed -its third reading in the House of Lords, is to enable the prize offered by the proprietor of tlie .New York "Herald"' to be competed for. As the bylaws of the local authorities prohibited the race .being held, special legislation became necessary to enable the race to be held. Tho matter has excited much controvrsy in tlie Old Country. 'There was a strong desire to have the competition deckled in Britain, rather than on the Continent, and if the Bill is passed the race, will in all probability take pla.ee in Ireland ovor a course 131 miles long. The route is through Kildaro, Queen's County, and Carlow, and the course will be a triangular ono. The race will staid from _\aas, and pass through Maryborough, Abbeyleix, Stradballv. Athy, Kilcullenii. ."Junction, Carlow,' and Athy. and back to 2S Taas.^ Tho course to Maryborough Ls excellent', and will allow of a very high speed, and tha. bel.ween Athy and Maryborough will afford an opportunity for a fine finish. The race must take place between April and July. Last year the contest was won by Mr S. F. Edge, the course being between Paris and Innsbruck.

A number of New Plymouth tradespeople were victimised last week over tin/purchase of beeswax. Beeswax is rather a scarce commodity just now, and when a stranger presented a sample, which be offered at a tempting price in bulk, he received numerous good orders. The stuff was duly delivered and paid for by several traders, but xipon investigation it was discovered to be a composition made up apparently of mutton fat. resin, turpentine, and a small proportion of wax. Having been sold according to sample the buyers apparently have no redress, and will have to make the best of their bargain. \

Tenders have been called through the Wellington papers for tho erection of the Veterans' Home in the Onehunga district. Tho latest date for receipt of tenders is given as March 13. Surprise is oxpressijU at no public announcement of tenders' having been made in Auckland, especially in view of the fact that not only is tho building to be erected hero, but also that much of the money was collected in this city. The Auckland Builders' ynul Contractors' Association 4 elegraphed to His Expediency the Governor to-day protesting against the fact that local builders have been given no opportunity of tendering for the work. The City Council authorities to-day undertook tho demolition of a house in Short-street, occupied by J. T. Trueman, the building having been recently condemned as insanitary. A. Gillies scholarship of the value of £70 a year, tenable for three years, is offered "by tbe Auckland University College for competition in October next. A Grey scholarship of £50, tenable ror one year at the Auckland University College. is also to be competed for at the end of October.

On Saturday evening previous to the performance of "The Christian at His Majesty's Theatre, a little ceremony took place in the presentation to Mr Hazlitt (stage-manager) of a hand-somely-mounted and carved walking stick. The presentation was made by Mr J. H. Dowsing, on behalf of the supers, who in a few words eulogised Mr Hazlitt for his kindness, courtesy and tact. Mr Hazlitt suitably aeknov/ledged the presentation. On Friday afternoon a three-roomed cottage, owned and occupied hy Mr E. G-. Lowe at Tararu Creek, was burned down. With the assistance of neighbours a considerable portion of the furniture and clothing was saved, but the loss will be heavy, as there was uo insurance. An advertisement appears elsewhere in our columns announcing the postponement of the time for closing entries for the open events on the St. Patrick's Day celebration programme until Wednesday next, March 11. at 9 pan., at Mr. 'Preston's Newton Hotel, Karangahape road. Owing to several intending competitors being unable to attend lust Saturday the committee have decided to adopt this course in order to give those desirous of competing in the Friendly Societies' Handicap, 150 yds. and Hibernian Handicap, 120 yds, a chance of so doing.

New goods at Smith and Caughey's. Black dresses in plain and novelty lines, of all newest kinds., largest and most up-to-date black dress department in the colony. Patterns on application.— Ad.

The Postmaster-General of New Za ■ land has undertaken to bring _____+_? notice of the International Postal C ' gress at Rome next year a system __ vised by Mr C. H. Shatly, of HaS, t meet the difficulty of obtaining s tk_r_ for replies to letters sent to fiffl countries. The system is thus des-rih. by'the Napier "Daily TeWraph"._L«tl form of the suggested stamp is a ra £ large-sized square with five compartments. It is headed, 'International Pel ply Stamp.' On the centre of the Wfl side is a blank space, on which the loea* postmaster sticks the New Zealand stamp ot necessary value. One of _Z spaces is left for the impress and data stamp of the Moscow office. The Pi„ sian post office is, of course, only _Z as an illustration.; ifc is intend £ * -Jiglaiid.-American, and every place re, presented at the Rome Postal Confer, ence. .the mode of procedure would b_ as follows:-A person in Hastings woul* be wrung, say, io Moscow. He IZ_ apply to the Hastings post office for 1 reply stamp. This would be sold to hrra Cm the stamp would be stamped 'Is«Z» at Hastings.' and the date. \heS lent «i Moscow would take the letter to the post office there with, the New Zealand stamp unattached, but inside the letter. The^official then affixes Z other stamp with 'Issued at Moscow' and the date and it is then forwarded to New Zealand. The stamp ori-inallJ sent from Hastings would lie reCn J by the Russian Government to New Zea land, which would then transmit tha amount of postage received at Hasting to the Russian or other Government." Pure food! Wholesome drink! AnL cool room! Waiters that study t 0 Cafe.-Ad '' V* ThG Health Foo«