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Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 12 February 1904, Page 4

The following is Captain Edwin's weather forecast- for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: '"Strong winds to gale from between north-east and north and west, glass fall soon, rain probable." It has been arranged that His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurlyl shall pay a visit to the Urewera Country and bid farewell to the natives at a great gathering. to be held at Rnatoki on March 15. His Excellency will travel via Waikaremoana, riding overland, and will afterwards take the steamer at Wliakatane for Aucklnd.

The value of imports at New Zealand ports during 1903 was £12.788.675, as against £11,326,723 during 1902. Auckland's figures for the last quarter were £978,410; Wellington's, £957,983. The experts for the year were £ 15,010,378, as against £13,644,977 for the preceding 12 month*. During the year 617 vessels entered inward. The Rangitoto Domain Board paid an official visit of inspection to the island yesterday in the Devonport Ferry Co.'s steamer Ruru. The party was as follows: Messrs. E. \V. Alison (chairman), C. C. Daere, C. .Murdoch, R. Logan, jun., Handley, F. Lawry, MiLR,, J. C. "Webster, sen.. Savage, foreman of works, and Mr. White. The members went over the whole of the island. The paths were found in excellent condition. It was decided to erect a shelter shed near the wharf, with an 8-ft. verandah on three sides; also a concrete tank alongside the house, to hold 500 gallons of water. Small repairs were authorised to be made to the tank at the top of the island. The committee are endeavouring to popularise the island, and with this end in view have decided to ask the Government for a portion of the grant set aside for improving the tourist and scenic resorts of the colony. The first young bird race of the season under the auspices of the Auckland Racing Pigeon Club was flown on Saturday last, February 6th, from Mercer, an airline distance of 35 miles. The winners were: Messrs Probert Bros.' N.F.C., 16, velocity 603 yards per minute, 1; Mr G. B. Lusk's AJR.P.C, 721, velocity 592 yards per minute, 2. A meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held in the Mission Hall on Wednesday afternoon, the president (MrsDewar) in the chair. After the business was discussed and finished. Nurse Harker, Auckland, representative of New Zealand Health Association, gave a very helpful and inspiring medical talk. A vote of thanks was accorded her, and the meeting expressed a hope that she would give other talks from time to time. The general secretary of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Union (Mr. J. Henry Mackie) has received the following communications from the secretary of the Agricultural Department, Wellington, re aid to co-operative canneries:—"With reference to your letter of 18th ult., forwarding a copy of a resolution passed at your annual conference, asking that co-operative fruit canneries receive the same financial assistance from the Government as fish canneries, I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture, to inform you that the matter will be considered before next session." "With reference to your letter of 18th ultimo., forwarding a copy of a resolution passed at your recent conference, suggesting further legislation in regard to the sale of New Zealand wines, 1 have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture, to inform you that the matter will be brought before thp Cabinet for consideration." The Builders" Association had a large muster of its members at the ordinary monthly meeting yesterday, at the builders' rooms, the principal business being consideration of the demands of the local branch of the Carpenters' Union for an increased rate of pay, and other alterations in the working rules. It was decided that the association should not agree to the proposed changes. Three new members were elected to the association, Mr H. F. Ussher, Mr D. I. Davies and the firm of Fortzer and Trevarthen. Not the least of tb* many good qualities which go to make '"the handyman" of the British navy so universal a favourite, is the genuineness ami practical character of his sympathy for comrades in distress. This is being excellently exeuiplilied by the officers and crew of H.M.s. Penguin now in' port, who have in active rehearsal a mimeter nigger minstrel and variety entertainment in nid of the widows and orphans of the Wallaroo disaster. Only those who have seen one of these unique entertainments by Jack can realise how capital a show is in store at the Federal Hall on Wednesday and Thursday next. The fine spirit shown in the promotion of the aifo*. and the excellence of the cause, ought alone to make financial success certain; but it may be confidently prophecied that there will be heaps of fun and an return for everyone's money. The latest Government publication, the "Municipal Handbook of New Zealand," compiled by direction of the Colonial Secretary, givee in concise form an account of the cities and boroughs of the colony, including their population, assets and liabilities, the various services which the municipalities carry out. the names of the Mayors, Councillors, and officials, the amount of the rates, and so on. For the convenience of exhibitors of goods from beyond the colony, the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition buildings in Wellington will be created a bonded warehouse. The larger title of "New Zealand" has been adopted in place of "Wellington" in respect of the industrial exhibition to be held in November next. Dr. Clark said in Ohristchureh that New Zealand was ahead of his own country (America) in the matters of female franchise and temperance and prohibition. The two subjects seemed to go naturally together, and he believed that the female franchise had a great deal to do with the colony's attitude towards the prohibition question. New Zealand had been giving the rest of the world a lead in several matters of economic policy. a.nd he felt safe in prophesying that it would soon lead the world in the institution of prohibition. The second cruising races of < r the "Victoria Cruising Club takes place to-mor-row afternoon, the objective point being Pine Island. The following are the handicaps:—Class I. (start at 2.30 p.m.). Oif thp wind: Horo and Olympia (scr).. Doreen (lmin). Arawa (Hrnin), Echo (2*min), Spray (3min), Rose (3min), Isafrael and Wishbone (3Jmin). Of a (•imin), Masher (6min), Maratana and Waireki (7min), Ivy (Smin). Orevra (9min), Anita (fUmin); on the wind: Horo (scr), Olympia (2min). Doreen (2*min), Arawa (3min). Echo (3£min), Spray (4mm). Isafrael and Rose (4mm), Of'a (6*min), Wishbone (Simm), Masher (lOmin), Maritana and Waireki (llmin). Ivy (13min). Orewa and Anita (14min)"' Class 11. (start at 2.15 p.m.).—Off the I wind: May Mone (scr). Sucess (3imin), I T.oma (4}min). Countess (7min), Venice : (.Smin). Ivy and Veldt (Oinin)', Rewi j (lOmin), Dolly Vardon (lOmin). Lolah and Vital Spark (12min) : on the wind: Success (scr), May Mone (2min), Loma (3imin). Count-ess (6rom). Venice and Veldt (7min), Dolly Vardon (7min), Vital Spark (Bmin). Ivy (9minK Rewi (lOmin), Lolah (llmin).

The committee who have had in hand the memorial to the memory of the late Miss MeLeod, for 15 years head mistress of the Ponsonby Infant School, have had a beautiful tablet made with enlarged portrait of the deceased lady, and an inscription on marble. The unveiling will take place at the Infant School, Ponsonby-terrace, to which all interested are invited. The Melanesian Mission meeting should be well attended by the public with such attractive speakers as the Bishop of Christchureh and Auckland, whilst the missionary Bishop himself is always a welcome visitor to our city. He promises some fresh limelight views, and the lantern will be managed by Mr Cooper. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency held their anaual sheep fair yesterday afternoon at Otahahu, when between 6000 and 7000 were offered, including about 300 rams, 3000 ewes, 1000 wethers, and 2000 lambs. Amongst the ewes offered were 40 purebred English Leiees T ers, and 20 purebred Shropshires. .Mr H. O. Nolan officiated as auctioneer, and bidding was spirited, the prices realised for sheep showing an advance of from 20 to 30 per cent, upon the opening rates last year. The best price for ewes was 17/6. The pure-bred Leicester ewes sold at 1£ and If guineas. In rams the top price for LAneolns was 3| guineas; for merinos, a line imported from Dunedin, 5 guineas; Shropshire, 3 guineas; liomneys, 4 guineas; Border Leieesters, 3 guineas; English Leieesters, 3£gns: and Tunis, 2 guineas. Mr Frank Tate, director of the Education Department in Vicftoria y who arrived in Auckland yesterday, in continuation of his tour of inspection of the ii thods of working the education systeii; in the colony, lost no time in making himself acquainted with, the schools of the city. Accompanied by Mr George George, director of technical instruction, he visited the technical school and the manual training schools at Newton East and Newmarket. Several State schools were inspected during the afternoon, Mr R. Crowe, school inspector, accompanying him. After completing his observations in Auckland Mr Tate will proceed South. While swimming in the Wade River on Monday afternoon a young man named W. Scholium had a narrow escape from being drowned. He had been in swimming with a friend named Sheahan,' who went out of the water before Scholium, and dressed. Shortly ' after Sheahan heard the other crying for assistance, but thinking that he wa3 joking took no notice. Scholium then disappeared, and Sheahan realising that something was amiss swam to the rescue, having to dive in order to accomplish this. Scholium was unconscious when brought ashore, but eventually recovered. An adjourned meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was held in St. An--1 drew's Church on Tuesday, the Key. W. Watt in the chair. The erection of a church in Whakatane was discussed and passed, but the question of a loan from the Century Fund was postponed until the next meeting. The Rev. R. Sommerville tendered his resignation of the active duties as minister of StPeter's, Arch Hill. The Rev. W. GrayDixon was appointed Moderator. A representative meeting of Hamilton business men was held a few days ago in response to a circular letter that had been issued at the instance of a number of those concerned, who. deemed it advisable to form an association for the protection of their interests and regulating matters generally concerning holidays, etc. The idea was approved of, and it was decided to elect a committee to draY up the rules and make suggestions for the formation of a Tradesmen's Association. A general meeting ia to be called to form the association. The No. 1 Battalion Band will parade in Newton to-morrow afternoon for the benefit of the shopkeepers. Common jurors who are summonded to attend the Supreme Court next Monday are notified that they will not be required. The Cambridge Polo Club's annual jports will take place on Saturday. February 20. The Auckland Provincial Polo Association's tournament will occupy the three preceding days. The visaing learns will -T)e ent<»Ttained at a banouet. The Little Sisters of the Poor intend to have the foundation stone of their new Home for the Aged and Infirm, in Shelly Beach road, laid by the Bight Rev. Dr. Lenflian, R.C. Bishop of Auckland, on Sunday, February 21. This is the first step towards the erection of a very large building for the relief of the aged and infirm of all denominations. Tho first part erected will cost over £6000, and be devoted to the relief of aged women, forty of whom are already, waiting. The money for the building Lbeing raised by the Sisters by door-to-door visiting. The tenth annual picnic of the Parnell District School will be held at Home Bay. Motutapu, to-morrow (Saturday). Special steamers leave the wharf at 9.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Tea, sugar, and milk will be provided. Herr Johan Wielaert, late musical conductor for Geo. Musgrove's Shakesperian Company, now residing at Devonport, has ooene-d a studio for tuition oi" violin- and piano.