AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 13

AUCKLAND.

Dr Thomas, the new lecturer on music at the University College and conductor of the Choral Society, conducted the Choral Society for tlie first time on the 2nd. He was heartily "welcomed on behalf of the members by the Hon. J. A. Tole. Occasion was taken by Mr Henry Brett, proprietor of the Auckland Star, to present the society with the magnificent organ erected in the Choral Hall at the time of the Auckland Exhibition. The organ, Avlnch cost £786, <\ras presented with a proviso that other musical societies can have the use of it at a nominal fee. Dr Thomas has baen appointed organ'Lst at All feainls' Anglican Church. A poll of the ratepayers of the Borough of Devonport was taken on the 3rd on the proposal that the borough adopt the system of rating on the unimproved land values. There voted for the proposal 556, and against 109. The proposal was therefore carried, and henceforth the property in the borough will be rated qn the unimproved value.

The weak tone of the London flax market has had an important effect upon local prices, and buyers of the product are refraining from operating even at the low quotations now offering. The local manufacturers have reduced their price for manufactured flax rope £2 per ton, and for Manila lope £3 per ton.