TABLE TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 99, 27 April 1903, Page 1

TABLE TALK.

English mail via Suez. : Supreme Court- to-day. -• ; . Zealandia for Sydney this evening. '\ King Echvard is to visit the Pope. -^ Big victory by General Manning. ~; Stoke Orphanage destroyed by fire. > School Committee elections to-night, \ Ladies' golf championship begins tat day. . ■.. ■• , ■.. ; .■. ;,• . ; ; .■,. ..'■■ ;-Quarterly- criminal sessions begin nex? Monday. .' The German papers support Russia ie « holding Manchuria. - Tenders. to be invited for Government freights to South Africa. . . "A Life's; Kcvenge" successfully pro* duccd at "His Majesty's." The R.M.S. Sierra- left San Franeisccj for Auckland on 23rd inst., at 3 p.m. The Supreme Court will only deaS with Admiralty business at sitting;; , ' ' ' ; ■'■ ,: '"' _ Iriieiise interest is being taken in thd immediate effects of the furniture tradi judgment. The Suez mail which left'here on 9thMarch reached London on the afternoon of 21st inst. Chamber, of Commerce conference, which was to have been held to-morrow, has. been postponed. Of the '938 factories in Christchurehj and vicinity only BG7 had been registered on tlie 22nd inst.

Efforts are being made in the South.' by the Bible in schools party to secure representatives on school , committees.'

The reception of the King by the Pope breaks a rule of the Vatican never infringed before, in favour of any sovereign.'

"Frank Y. Stephens Avas arrested "on; board the Westralia on Saturday on a' charge of stealing a cheque for £10 It. Sydney.

An English politician lias dropped "a' hint that Balkan 'headlines Vill'Soon disappear'in favour of those about the Far East

A Masterton goods train was derailed on Saturday evening by running into a' horse at the eenietery crossing, near Featherston.

'Threshing in the'Masterton district is complete, and the returns are satisfactory, tlie crops being particularly' clean and free from smut.

•Politicians in Washington are "already , ; giving a good deal of thought to the holding of the jiext Republican natlprial convention at San Francisco. ' ' :".. : '.]

A recent estimate suggests that there are 386,000 definite species of, animals. Other authorities,' however, 'hold there are 2,000,000 species of insects alone.

A dangerous situation has developed* in China, owing to the latter's refusal of Russian demands, arid tlie'l support of her action by 'Britain, Japan and America. '■ f--":;

The British Budget figures excited dolight and surjjrise in Auckland oil Saturday. The implied power of recuperation was held to be nothing short, of marvellous. .-"'" , • ": '

During the nine months ending MafeK 31st last it is estimated that over two thousand persons liaye called and obtained information at the Christchurclr agency of .the Tourist Department; , -, f TW tot.iL expenditure of the Timaru Hospital last year amounted to £,8,858, but £2000 of this was spent on buildingsat the Hospital and the Old Men's Home. Charitable aid last year, cost the Board £1,921. . ■ ."•. ' >

The Minister of Customs recently received an envelope containing English l stamps for eight shillings and a slip of bearing tlie words, "Conscience money, 7/6 (Wellington Customs),: exchange ,6d, total 8/." .

While in Wellington the Japanese war vessels will fill their bunkers with 1000 tons of Westport -coal, as was indicated! recently by the commander of ; the Australasian squadron, • and a further quantity will'be taken aboard'iii Auckland. [

The police authorities have directed the opening of thirty:f6ur, , -graves in Philadelphia, having; secured evidenjee which leads .them to believe that George Hossey, the negro herb 'doctor," is i*e-i sponsible for at least that many de&ths*

A correspondent, of j a Southern contemporary, condemning the action of local bodies in declaring ragwort a noxious weed, makes the rather startling statement that "it is a splendid plant when cut up amongst the horses' chaff, as ft is said to be a perfect cure for bot fly". y. , ~'■■ .-'<.'.,•

. Recently the Otago Institute made al request to tlie Government to prevent the destruction of native flora in, tlxe neighbourhood of Mount Cook. The' Commissioner of Lands in Cnristchurcii has been instructed to give notice ta runliolders that-they will be held respou-*

sible' for all trespass by stock.