AUCKLAND NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 31.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 52

AUCKLAND NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 31.

1 In the form of a letter in the correspondence columns of the Star, Mr N. M'Munn, a well-known Auckland journalist, mates the very interesting suggestion at an overseas dinner to the London poor at Chriafmas. Ho says: — "Walking through the street crowds in Auckland on Christmas Eve I could not but be struck once, more by the general appearance of comfort and prcsmas. He says: — At first I intended to pT<fpose a New Zealand Christmas dinner to the' children of London, but as I have reflected more on tho matter I became more ambi-' tious, and I now suggest tho foundation of- ' what ought to be called the overseas dinner^ at which each contributing colony should be specially represented by tables characteristically decorated to give the voracious little people a sense of more intimate acquaintance with their benefactors. Now, this little scheme of mine, which I am introducing to the press of New- Zealand, Australia^ Canada, and South Africa, with a retpiest for their co-operation, is going to be- quite inexpensive in comparison with the happiness which it will confer on thousands of | London's hungry little ones. I- am not i going to ask for pounds, or even shillings, i but simply little unassuming sixpences, of i which only the very poorest could feel the depnval. In one or two of the leading cities of each colony • either" the newspapers or someone associated with charity organisations will be asked to collect the money. ■ which, I hope to. be able^to arrange, will beI received at the offices of the various High' j Commissioners and Agents-general in London. I shall myself be in London next June, when I hope' to be able to obtain tne .support of these representatives of the colonies to this extent. Beyond that and ! some propaganda work I do not' pro.J pose to go personally. The whW machinery; for the distribution, of such a charity is ready to hand, and it will * be. only a matter of securing oversea. MJaifci in London to ensure that the dinner shall be a genuinely colonial event. -I should like, above all, to have the support of tho working men of the colonies, "than whom no class is more likely to feel the real meaning of such a charity, and I think ! that a sixpenny subscription should encourage a hearty and general support from ■ the workers of the whole Empire. I hopa to be able to place a, definite appeal before you by the middle of August. Meantime, I ask those knowing more of charity organisation than myself to take the matter m hand and begin to work towards a goaf ( that is surely worth attaining. While tha direct service of feeding- hungry children is itself commendable, surely there could be no better bond of Empire than the 1 cause of charity." The volume of business done m the poultry trade this Christmas eclipses all previous records. The demand, was- far beyond the supply, and much of the poultry prepared and graded for London was opened up and disposed of locally. Messra Kemp Bros., of JUangere, who had SQOf aucklings in the freezing ■ stores awaiting shipment to the Home market, were pre- • vailed upon by the excellent prices ruling' 1 m Auckland to dispose of the birds locally The whole 500 averaged Bid' per Ib, and* the same price could have Keen" realised for 1000 more if the Ma/ngere .poultry farmers had had them ready. - The same demand was everywhere apparent throughout: the Christmas season, and at the Government grading depot the etaff had th« greatest difficulty in coping with* the trade. Ihe- free-and-easy life of the Bohemian is the manner in which two- tourists oortsider they will meet enjoy, tho delights of a. tour through New Zealand. Orthodox methods of travelling have therefore been discarded, and in setting- out to acquaint themselves with the beauty of the country Captain Hope Johnsone (o£the British army) and his companion, Mr Earle, have hitman the novel idiea. of making the tour gipsy fashion. Captain Jbsnsone haa seen a good deal of active service, and no doubt ha» acquired a love for the camp fire and a nomadic method of travelling' while on various military expeditions. Thus It came about that a rather extraordinary-looking equippage left the Grand Hotel yesterday morning- for the overland trip to Wellington. The tourists had the caravan in which' they journey south specially constructed by Messrs Cousins and Atkin, of Auckland.. It is the first vehicle of the kind that has been built locally. It is well provided with windows. The walls of the caravan ara lined with New Zealand timbers. Looters run the full length pf the interior, and the. eushion3 and furnishings are in plash, while the walls are fitted with gun and fishing racks. Under the box is a cupboard in which all utensils are carried. Two tents axe provided, and are co made that they can be affixed to the sides of the caravan, thus, forming: one big- marquee. The tourists will spend their tin»e in quiethr visitrnnr all ths fishing and' shooting grounds and enjoying all that the various tourist resorts of the Dominion have to offer.