OUR AUCKLAND LETTER

Evening Star, Issue 16352, 19 February 1917, Page 7

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER

February 14

MILLIONS OF SUBJECTS.

New Zealand posseses an emperor who reigns over millions of subjects, but as his subjects .ire rabbits they have not much in the way of constitutional government. A strange individual is occasionally awn on the Waiouri-Tokaanu road, blackwhiskered, long-haired, and thin-featured, and he begs matches from the travellers on the Taupo coaches. Me claims to reign over millions of rabbits, but appears to be quiet and inoffensive. Apparently he has a camp somewhere in the wild region surrounding Euapehu, Tongariro. and X.gruiruhoe, but how hj? lives and where'his camp is no one knows but, himself, and possibly the rabbits. It would be quite possible to hunt for the rabbit emperor's paiace for six months and then not find it in that country. AX UNUSUAL CATCH.

Russell, the picturesque town of the Bay of Islands, is always safe for a good fish story each r.casou." Tire latest concerns a porpoise and a mako shark. Four anglers—Messrs Thompson, Barrv. Irvine, and Campbell—were 'out after * kingnshj and on the way they sighted a school of porpoises. Irvine succeeded in harpooning one, and tile fish ran out with 2Covds ot line. Ihe launch having to lie kept at top speed to keep pace with him. A trreat tight lasted one hour and a-half before the porpoise, which weighed 3ewt. was secured. Later on some fine kingfish, one turning the scale at SOib, were "captured, and then Thompson hooked a mako'shark, tha strongest of the sharks. For nearhtwo hours the shark was played on the rod before it could be lvirpooned. It was 6ft long, and in sp!en.;ii condition. The unusual catch was exhibited at Russell by the proud fishermen.

GROWING BIGGER

The amalgamation of Epsom with Auckland City means that the boundaries ot the city now extend from the Waitemata to within a milo and three-quarters of the Manukau. There is now only one local body's district preventing Greater Auckland from touching the shores of both those great harbors. The township of Newmarket, which refused some time back to join the city, is now surrounded by the city on all sides except on the side bounded by the Domain, and the administration of the Domain is vested in Auckland City Council. Tho day has not arrived when the city and suburbs, stretching from tho Waitemata to -the Manukau, and from the Tamaki to the Whan, will be governed by the one central City Council, as forecasted by the late Sir John Logan Campbell, and frequently referred to years ago as "Campbell's dream," but it is rapidly approaching, and it is quite possible the next rive or six years will s-eo the city boundaries creep out until they embrace all that great area.'

MORE LIGHT WANTED

Everybody knows that war risk rates on goods on ships fluctuate, but a quotation received by an Auckland firm seems to show such a curious differentiation that a little more light on the subject would be welcome. For some years this firm had been receiving price lists from a New' York house known as Grossman and Sielcken, but since the- war the name has been changed to Messrs Smith, Kirkpatrick. and Co., and their Sydney agent is Mr Unnimell. By a recent-mail there arrived this communication from Mr Hummel!, dated January 31 last: "I am in receipt of a cable from my principals as follows:—'W;«r risks Lvckenbaeh, £ per cent. ; British, 2 to 5 per cent. Shipping Luckenbach unless otherwise instructed.' "

KAURI GUM TRADE,

Tho kauri gum trade is experiencing rery difficult conditions at present, chielly owing to the shortage of shipping. Vancouver lias been taking a little gum, but the quantity is ,1 mere bagatelle compared with the production. Transactions are limited to a few lines of the bett-eT class gum, and low-grado qualities ars it a, discount, and have accuinula-tsd in. stores till there is no more room. Gum- ' Jiggers as a rule uro men who have* no capita!, and they trust to their week's returns' paying their d?bt at the j-'tora. When there is no sale for the gum the clivers are placed in a very awkward position, and it is expected the Government will have to come to the rescue o,nd make advances against the gum, as they did just alter the outbreak of war.

A POOR SEASON

Auckland fruit-growers have experienced one of the worst seasons ever known. The spring was cold and wet, and tho summer lias been distinguished by phenomenal rainstorms, while February, usually a hot, dry month, has been so far cold, and rain has fallen almost every day. The pear crop has been practically a complete failure, and all stone fruits have suffered so severely that there has been little or no • return for trw labor. Peaches have bsen largely effected by Tip?-rot, and this disease, spreading rapidly over fruit even after it has been picked, has made buyers vsry cautious. One small grower, who is accustomed to t-ke £IOO to £SOO worth of fruit from hia orcJlard, ha» taken barely £IOO this season, and his case ia a typical one. The Hendorson, Oratla, arid Wr.ikumata districts all report poor -yrops. Birkdals and the districts behind Birkenhead, however, hnvs corne ofj better. They are well sheitored districts, and consequently did not feel tha v/eathpr so much. Still, even these favored localities repoot much •v.-L-.z-d yields this aatsaoc, tad altogether ii la f. JUua s*aa tat il«« Arai&i>KAx<m.

A POPULAR OFFICER.

Police Sub-inspector Jl'llveney, who is well-known throughout the South Otago and Southland districts, and who has nowbeen transferred from Auckland to New Plymouth, has been one of the most popular sub-inspectors Auckland has ever had. Tho police force and the public have joined in paying him special honor, and at a gathering last evening a very handsome present was made to him 'bv the police and a- purse of sovereigns' was handed to him for Mrs M'llveiiey en behalf of his friends outside the force. TOTALISATOE PERMITS.

The Auckland Presbytery since the outbreak of war have set 'their fee e against tho continuance of racing, and recently they asked the Government to suspend the issue of toialisator permits. Usur.lly these communications are officially " received," but a letter from the Acting Prime Minister, Sir James Allen, seems to indicate that the racing clubs may be brought- up with a round turn slio'rtly, and at any rate that the Government have been considering the matter. The letter staled' that the matter had been before Cabinet, and it was decided that as arrangements for the year with respect to the totalisator had been made it was best to deter the matter for three months. At that time the year's racing would be approaching its end. and it would be necessary to consider ihe issue of permits for the following racing year. The Governrrr.nt would then give very serious consideration to the representations made by the Fresbyterv find others concerning the issue of totalisator permits.