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Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 35, 9 February 1906, Page 4

The following is Captain Edwin's •weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: "Strong winds to galo from between north-east and east and south. Glass fnrther fall, rain, probably heavy, rivers flooded." In Chambers on Wednesday Mr Justice Edwards granted the following probates: Edward Baldock (Mr. 91ison), Thomas Ball (Mr. Jackson), Emilros Leßoy (Mr. Newton), Thomas Turner (Mr. MeCormick), Betsy Froet (Mr. Alexander), John Mnir (Mr. McVeagh). Dr. Bamford J s motion for renewal of letters of adnrinistra.tion in the estate of Alfred Ernest droaatri, was granted.

A remarkable record in the way of rabbit-shooting is mentioned by a correspondent, ■writing from Blenheim to the Colonial Ammunition Company. After praising the quality of the company's ammunition, he says:—"Tirst day rabbit-shooting I shot eighty-two rabbits, and had five cartridges left ont of one hundred. Next day out I took another one hundred, and the five I had left that made 105, and I shot one hundred rabbits, and had six left. You see, that is more than one per shot. I shot two the last shot, and would not shoot again, for fear I would miss. The nest day I took another one hundred without the six, and I shot ninety-seven without a miss, and my two mates took my gun away, and said that was a record, and it was a_ pity to spoil it. These were Favourite cartridges, so you see they are not so bad when a man can do that with them. Out of 291 shots I got 279 rabbits with a 25/ gun." It has been generally supposed for some time that the white heron, one of New most beautiful birds, had become extinct. There are, however, several heronries of this bird in existence. A white heron is well-known at Okarito. It comes down, close to the township, and fishes in the water there. Residents have become quite well acquainted with it. There is a general understanding that it enjoys absolute protection. Sawmillers are now making their way towards the heronries, and it is feared, that some of the birds may be shot by thoughtless people. The Wanganui "Chronicle" reports a very uncommon performance in a shear-ing-shed at Tane. The shearers, anxious to ''cut out" before New Year's Day, started work at 2 o'clock in the morning and worked continuously until 2.30 the following morning, the tallies being 343, 352, and the boy, who fell asleep about midnight, shore about 200. Nine candles and a big lamp supplied the light. The shearing- would compare with the average daylight shearing in any shed. To relieve the monotony of the midnight work scrags and tales were given, and at the conclusion the boaxd was swept and an Jjrish jig, together with the Highland fling, were gone through, to show that there was enough "go" left for another 24 hours if required. Apropos to the reported boycott of [ the State Fire Insurance Department in the insurance companies annual picnics. Mr Smart, manager for Otago and Southland, writes to the Dunedin "Star": "The question having been asked mc repeatedly as to the truth of the boycott of my staff in connection with the insurance picnic, I regret',J(fci. it should be necessary for mc to eflHfcihat such has been the case. For w&aV'r'eason the Government office should be singled out I have no idea, and I refrain from commenting on the action of .ihe .Underwriters' Association in thia"'" "mAtter, knowing that the p°ople are the best judges of a "boycott." The Mangakahia Maoris are reported to be in sore straits for want of foodThe potato crops on which they relied for their chief sustenance, all failed, and in some instances great distress prevails. Representations have been already made to the Government of the position, and Mr Waaka Te Huia, Health Inspector, who has just returned from the district, is forwarding details of the distress to Dr. Pomare. The camp of instruction which the Countess of Kanfnrly's Own Battalion of Infantry has been holding in the Domain concludes to-morrow morning, when, if the weather is. fine, the volunteers will strike the tents and pack up. The camp in any case concludes to-mor-row morning. Last night the final stage in the course of instruction in battalion attack drill was completed, and to-night Colonel Davies, C.8., inspects the battalion and addresses the men. This camp has been particularly profitable in the way of practical instruction, and the benefit of it should be felt during the Easter manoeuvres, which are to be held in the vicinity of Howick. A meeting of the No. 1 Garrison Artillery Volunteers (the Auckland Navala), who are being resuscitated as a. corps, will be held to-night to elect officers and decide about going into camp in order to earn capitation. Recruits are called for to make up the strength of the company, and should attend tonight at the Drill Hall. It is an unfortunate thing that owing to regulation the work which the Garrison Artillery Corps do is not under public observation, as in the other arms. It is none the less important, and possibly is the most scientific of the lot. There is a great deal of interest and excitement in the working of the huge guna which it is the privilege of Garrison Artillerymen aJone to handle, but no one who has not been in the gjui-pit and watched the serving of the monster canon can adequately comprehend the chaxm that surrounds this particular branch of the army-. A meeting of dairy farmers held at Raupo decided to erect another creamery for which the milk from 140 cows was guaranteed, with a probability of double that quantity. At Thames on Monday the staff of St. George's Church presented to Miss Cordes, a valuable worker in the church for many years, with some wedding presents. Hobson County Council has been advised that Okahu loan of £5500 is available for expenditure A further grant of £100 for the Prie-Tokatoka-road is to be expended at once. Mr Stallworthy, M.H.R., is now in communication with the Marine Department with a view to getting removed some rocks in the channel at the mouth of the Helensville River. The following tenders were received by Mr P. W. Croker for a residence at Devonport:—G. M. Handeock, £598; J. Lye and Sons, £595; W. R. Pairweather, £592; W. G. Smith, £589; C. J. Orchard, £SSO; E. Morton, £565; Peacock and Hampton, £548; M. Beatam, £545; W. Maddiford, £540; J. G. Turner, £534; Bennett and Warbriekj £507; W. C. Johns, £493; Wyley and BagnalL £455; C. Frankham, £458 12/; A. E. Spraggon, £457; Grayson Bros,' £447. The Young Women's Christian Association will hold a garden fete and fancy fair in aid of the funds of heir association on February 21st, 1006, to 24th inclusive, in Dr. A. O. Knight's grounds, Severn House, Ponsonby-road, kindly lent for the occasion. A most attractive programme will be presented, and the committee hope the public will purchase freely the more substantial goods which will be offered as well as participate in the amusements provided. Reference to advertisemets in to-day's issue, show these to be both numerous and attractive. Contributions to the sale will be gratefully received, and can be aant either to Mrs Knight's house, Ponsonby-road, or left at Y.W.C-A. Institute, Wellealcy-streety opposite Public Library., not latex then. February 20th..

During Sir Joseph Ward's absence from the colony his portfolios will be taken by other members of the Ministry as follows: —Railways, PostmasterGeneral, and Colonial Secretary, the Hon. A. Pitt; Industries and Commerce and Tourists, the Hon. J. Carroll; Public Health, the Hon. J. MeGowan. Mr and Mrs Bradley, missionaries from Egypt, delivered their final lecture on "The Scenes in the Land of the Pharaohs" at the Baptist Tabernacle Schoolroom last evening, where there Was a good attendance, A vocal duet was rendered by Misses Ellingham and Hall. Mr and Mrs Bradley leave for the South to-morrow. The chemists of Auckland city and the borough of Newmarket have taken advantage of the Shops and Offices Act, which permits a majority in any district to determine the hours of closing for all pharmacies in that district. The hours fixed come into force on and after Monday next, February 12th, and are as follow: At 1 p.m. on the weekly halfholiday (except that pharmacies may be opened in the evening from 7 to 9 for the supply of urgent medicines and surgical appliances only). At 10 p.m. on one day in the week, which shall be Saturday in the case of those observing Wednesday as the half-holiday, and Frt day in the case of those closing on Saturday afternoon. At 8 p.m. on the other four working days in the week. The public are requested to observe that these regulations come into force next Monday, and to make provision where possible for the procuring of their supply of medicines before the hours specified. The position of a vacant puisne Judgeship of Westralia was offered this month to the Hon. M. L». Moss, M.L.C., jHon. Minister of the Cabinet, and declined. Mr Moss is a Dunedin native, a son of Mr Joseph Moss. After com> pleting his education he proceeded to Hokitika, and joined a legal firm, of which his uncle (Mr Lewis) was the head. Then he went to Western Australia, where he practised his profession, and going in for political life has twice been honoured with Cabinet rank. The Premier has promised to attend the liberal picnic at Masterton, which will probably be held to suit his convenience during the first or second week in March. On the same day he will open at Solway the new Home for Old Men, which has been erected by the Masterton Benevolent Society out of a grant of £800 given by the Wellington Benevolent Trustees. Tbe site of the home, consisting of three and a-half acres, was presented by the Mayor, Mr J. A. Kenall. Th annual report of the Napier Harbour Board discloses a most satisfactory state of affairs. The credit balance was increased during the year byover £700 in spite of heavy expenditure from general account. The revenue for the year totalled £23,955, imports aggregated 50,309 tons, and exnports 05,162 tons. There is now ample depth at the Breakwater wharf to berth ocean-going steamers, but the present drawback is lack of accommodation, which will be remedied during the coining year, the necessary contracts having already been let. The Westport Coal Company's balancesheet shows that the year's profits totalled £49,924. The interim dividend of 3/6 , per share for the half-year ended June 30 absorbed 14,000, leaving £45,407 to be dealt with. Of this £9407 is to be carried forward, and £SOOQ will be added to the reserve. The company declare a halfyearly dividend of 3/6 per share, besides a bonus of 3/G per share, making £28,000 distributed among shareholders. The year's profit on coal account in 1905 was £43,746, against £49,049 in the previous year. White Flannelette, 3/11 doz., at the Beehive, Karangahape-road.—(Ad.) At Smith and fair! Holiday lounge sac suits, 5/11, 7/11, 10/11, 12/6; flannelette sacs and trousers, 5/11. The suits are exceptional value.—Ad. Boys' knickers, 1/, 1/, 1/ pair, at the Beehive, Karangahape-road.—(Ad.)