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Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1917, Page 4

| — I Following is the official weather fore- ; cast for 24 hours from 0 a.m. this day: "Westerly, strong to gale. The weather will probably prove squally and changesiblc, and clouding over. Rain later "enerally. The barometer has a rising tendency, but falling after about twentyfour hours. Tides good. Sea rough off shore." I Soldiers' week-end (E.F.M.) telegraphs !to and from the United Kingdom, via j "Eastern," are now telegraphed through- | out. For some time past these messages ! have been posted for part route.

British supremacy was proclaimed over New Zealand on May 21st, 1840, in terms of the Treaty of Waitangi. Today being the anniversary of that proclamation was observed as a public holiday by the Supreme Court. Prior to British supremacy being declared, Captain Hobson had been appointed Lieu.Governor by Sir George Gibbs, Governor of New South Wales. The Lieut.Governor was conveyed to the Bay of Islands in H.M.S. Herald, and on November l&th, 1840, New Zealand was separated from New South Wales. On September 15th, 1840, the actual foundation of Auckland took place, and the first Legislative Council was appointed in 1841, The "Colonial Gazette" referred to the new capital as "Hobson's Choice, a desert spot on a small peninsula, where the only settlers ware persons supported by Government expenditure."

A letter received by the last English mail gives the current prices of loodstuli's in the North of England. The cheapest bacon procurable is 1/6 pcr L lb, butter is 2/2, cheese 1/8 and l/'J per lb, lard 1/4 per lb, tapioca 8d per lb, treacle 1/1 _ for 21b, prunes lOd per lb, jam is about I/O a pot, potatoes l_d per lb, dates are 7d. Sugar is unprocurable, unless you buy goods to the value of 5/ or 6/ in a shop. All the vacant ground around the suburbs of Manchester has been turned into allotments for the growing of vegetables, etc, 'Ihe newspapers have been reduced in size and increased in price.

Mr. A. Power, well known as a footballer and all-round athlete, has returned to Waihi after an absence of seven years. He spent several years in New York as one of the staff of the information section of the Belvue Hospital. Two or three weeks prior to the declaration of war Mr. Power left New York, intending to visit Berlin, but on reaching Paris war broke out, ami the visit was cut out. He then went to London, and while there offered his services to the military authorities, but his otter was declined owing to an injury sustained when a youth, resisting in the loss of the thumb and a linger of his right hand. He returned to New York, and resumed his former position, leaving for New Zealand in March. He says the pro-Ally feeling in New York was very pronounced, but that frequently huge demonstrations and bazaars were held to raise money for the German war funds.

The Farmers' Union annual provincial conference starts this evening in the Town Hall Concert Chamber at 7.30 'o'clock. From present, indications the attendance is likely to break all previous records, owing to the general invitations extended to fanners to be present at the conference. The subjects for discussion have a broad range, and a full report of the proceedings will be published in our cohiinns.

At a general meeting of the Waihi Miners' Union on Friday night, a letter was read from the Auckland Representation Committee, asking for monetary assistance in connection with expenses incurred in supplying meals to nine coal miners' officials while awaiting trial on the "go Blow" charges. The meeting voted 10/. The amount required was £50. The meeting protested against the proposed sale of the State coal mines, and urged that a State mine be procured in the North Island.

Amongst tho passengers "by the express for Wellington last night were the Hon. Arthur MTers (Acting-Minister of Finance), Mr. C. J. Parr (MP. for Eden), Mr. J. S. Dickson (M.P. for Parnelll. and Mr. J. H. Gunson (Mayor), who goes to attend a sitting of the National Efficiency Board.

The staff of Messrs. Hancock and Co., Customs Street, made a presentation to the members of the staff, Messrs. R. Thornea and David Ingrain, who are severing their connection with that firm. Mr. C. Robinson (secretary) made the presentation on behalf of the staff, and spoke of the high esteem in which the recipiente were held. He wished them success in their new sphere of work. Mr. R. Thornes received a silver-mounted mirror and ehaving companion, whilst Mr. David Ingram waa given a handsome writing-desk.

Privates C. Smrthson, B. MayaU, A. Warrington, and H. Bowker were tendered a pablic welcome home at Birkenhead Foresters' Hall under the auspices of the local Patriotic Club. The Birkenhead Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster C. Mason, formed a guard of honour. Brief addresses were delivered by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. McPhail), Rev. H. A. Sharp, and Mr. J. Gilbert, and musical items were rendered by various friends. Dancing took place later in the evening.

The unfavourable position of the Red Cross as compared with other patriotic causes was the subject of some remarks by Mr. C. F. Bickford, the local financial organiser, at the commercial travellers-' and warehousemen's social on Saturday nijrht. The Auckland province, said Mr. Bickford, had raised £612.000 for various patriotic purposes, including £396,000 for the provincial patriotic fund and other objects of a general character, £128,000 for Belgian relief, and £90.000 for the Navy League funds. The Rod Crews had received only £8000. He did not suggest for a mom_it that the public were not doing their _uty; he assumed that they did not realise the importance of the work which the Red Cross had done, and was doing, entirely without Government assistance.

The Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Minister of Munitions and Supplies, expressed the conviction, in speaking at the Commercial Travellers' Club social on Saturday night, that the tonnage difficulty, afthough now assuming a serious phase, would be cleared up in a ferw months. The British people were at their best when in a tight corner, and had a genius for surmounting all difficulties, he remarked, adding that the New Zealand Government would do its utmost to overcome the tonnage shortage. Meantime the Imperial Government had undertaken to advance £2.000.000 on account of meat now in store and awaiting shipment. On Sunday afternoon the opening meeting of the Australasian League 01 Honour week of prayer was held in the V.W.C.A. Buildings, in Wcllesley Street, Mrs. Smeeton presided, and a very able' address was given by Archdeacon MacMurray. The Archdeacon based his remarks on the League's badge—the Cross of St. George—pointing out the red cross of sacrifice on the white ground of purity. The speaker said there never was a time in -the history of the Empire when more was required from its women, of purity and sacrifice, for it was to them tha.. the men looked for inspiration, and strength. He also spoke of the necessity for the cleansing of the heart. In tie coming week continuous prayers will be offered. Mr. B. J. Batchelor, whose name appeared amongst the list of "defaulters" under the Military Service Act, which appeared in the "Star." was included in the "Gazette Extraordinary" by mistake. \lr. ''-.itchelor was absent from the city wi.rii first called up, but answered the second notic.