OUR HARBOUR RETURNS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 35, 10 February 1905, Page 4

OUR HARBOUR RETURNS.

The report on the trade and revenue of the port of Auckland for 19Q4 has now been published by the Customs authorities, and it provides a large amount of information that should be decidedly encouraging even to those of us who believe firmly in the commercial future of Auckland- In every department, our trade is expanding and the material returns that we gather from this progress are increasing. The receipts from Customs duties rose last year by nearly £30,000—a result due chiefly to the great extension of our import trade. The value of imports into the ■ port of Auckland for 1903 was £3,167,----185; but las£ year the aggregate value 'rose to £3,248,123, showing an increase of £80,938. It is noticeable that this increase is recorded in spite ot a serious falling off in our Australian trade, due to £he late disastrous drought. One striking feature of the increase is the growth of our Pacific Island trade, which fxnda a natural centre at Auckland. As to exports, the returns are not quite m satisfactory, but we can point to a substantial rise of over £11,000. Though our exports to Australia have decreased by over £50,000, thie reduction is more than balanced by an expansion of our export trade with the United kingdom to the amount of £ 162,193. 4-s we must expect for a. long time to come, our chief exports are the products of the extractive industries based upon our rich natural resources, Last year we exported butter to the value of £248,602 as against £105,433 in 1903, and cheese tv the value of £3,159 as against £683 in 1903 —a total inoreaee of over £55,000. Our i frozen meat export fell off to the i amount of £41,692, and our gold export, though it totalled nearly £800,000, was i £40,000 behind the previous yeai , . Flax showed a rise of nearly £57,000; and by far the greatest decrease was in kauri gum, which through uncertain markets and low prices fell off to the amount of nearly £130,000 as compared with 1903. The rise in wool during the last Half of the year gave Auckland a solid increase of £72,105 over the previous ye»i J 9 returns; and we will of course share the benefits that the re- : cent general rise in wool prices has conferred upon the whole colony. It should be observed that not only is the number of vessels owned in Auckland increasing, but our coastwise trade, both inwards and outwards, is constantly growing in magnitude. Every important feature of these returns points to the steady and unbroken progress of the city and tbe harbour; and he must be iadeed an inveterate pessimist who can examine these statistics without feeling a certain degree of pride in our achievements am! confidence in our i great commercial possibilities. The serial story which commences on page (J this evening is unquestionably one of the most fascinating narratives that Tias ever appeared in our columns. Smartly told, it has an excellent plot, and the action is never allowed to flag. The reader will become immediately interested, and the opening chapters should on no account be missed. "A Wife for a Day" will be published in daily instalments. The following is Captain Edwin's weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: "Moderate to strong southerly winds, glass riae." Fire practice was indulged in at the Veterans' Home on Wednesday night. An alarm was rung out after the fnmates had retired to rest. 'Hhe aiek were removed to a place of safety, horses were run out, and the appliances were made ready to extinguish a conflagration inside four minutes. After the practice Captain Archer, superintendent of the Home, on behalf of two members of the staff who were married on Wednesday, invited the veterans to drink the health of the bride and bridegroom.

The flagship Euryalus, with Vice-Ad-miral A. D. Fanshawe on board, and H-lSLsa. Phyche and Challenger arrived at Port Chalmers this morning from Hobart via Patterson Inlet. A Press Association telegram from Dunedin states thatthe secretary of the local branch of the Navy League will meet the Admiral, and after ascertaining his movements arrangements will be made for some functions. The warships proceed next to Lyttelton and Wellington, and will be due at Auckland shortly. The Euryalus and the Challenger are visiting New Zealand for the first time. At the usual weekly meeting of the Premier Picnic Committee there was a large attendance, Bro. W. Thomas, D.P.G.M., being in the chair. Reports from the various sub-committees were received and approved. The matter of getting a larger steamer to run between Panmure Wharf and Motutapu was satisfactorily arranged with the Ferry Company. It was pointed out that there is every prospect of the attendance from Panmure, Howick, and Turanga Creek being considerably larger than hitherto. Communications were received from the Right Hon. the Premier and the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward accepting the committee's invitation to attend the picnic on March 4th. His Excellency the Governor has also been invited, and he is expected to be in Auckland about the date of the gathering. Entries for sports events close with the secretaries tomorrow. The Official Assignee is advised that John O'Hara, builder, of Paeroa, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. The liabilities are £283 9/i, and assets nib A meeting of creditors will be held on Thursday next at Paeroa. Tenders were received yesterday by Mr J. Currie, architect, for additions to Mr J. Court's premises in Queen-street, as follows:—A. Pollard and Son, £2054; J. T. Julian, £2162; Fortzer and Trevarthen, £1949; W. Sands, £2065; J. Lye and Son, £2019; W. E. Hutchison, £1915; J. Farrell, £2075; J. Ellingham, £2449; J. A. Davis.. £2073. His Excellency the Governor (Lord Plunket.) having given permission, the Wanganui Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Criehton, will give a performance at Government House grounds on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., in aid of the funds of the Veterans' Home. The following programme will be played:— March.. -'B-B and C-F" (Ord Hume); waltz, "Over the Waves" (Rosas); cornet solo, "Alas Those Chimes" (Wallace); selection, "Gems of Sullivan's Operas" (Sullivan) ; cornet solo, "The Lost Chord" (Sullivan); fantasia, "In Coonland" (Bidgood); characteristic march, " Coloured Ragamuffins" (Henry); march, "Stars and Stripeg" (Sousa). The girls and boys of the Remuera Children's Home were given a picnic 9n Wednesday by a small committee of ladies belonging to the Bevonport United Christian Endeavour Society. About forty-five children under the care of Miss Carnie, Matron of the Home, some of the lady members of the Home Committee, and Mr D. McPherson, City Missionary, went across to Stanley Bay, where they were met by the Devonport ladies. The day was spent in amusing the children with games, races, etc., for which plenty of toys were provided. Then there were two good meals provided, to which all did justice. Just before leaving for home every child received a present, and went away well pleaded with the good time they had had. The committee wish to thank all the kind friends who gave gifts, and so helped to make the outing a good success. Special thanks are tendered to Mr Paul M. Hansen for carrying the little ones by special car to «nd from Remuera free, and to Mr A. Alison for free return fares on the ferry steamer. Beea are usually harmless unless an-' noyed, but when once thoroughly aroused they can do considerable damage. An instance of this occurred on Show Day at Warkwortb. A horse belonging to Mr C. Dibble, while feeding in a small paddock, knocked over a beehive. The bees at once commenced operations, and the unfortunate animal was so severely etung that it died the same day. . A bolting horse was killed by an electric car outside the Junction Hotel Manukau Road, last night A car was proceeding towards Qnehunga, when a hprse, which had bolted with an empty trap, galloped out from the Great South Road and on to the car track. Motorman Nicholson promptly applied the brakes, but a collision wae unavoidable. The horse was knocked down, and so severely injured that it died a few minutes later, while the trap, which belonged to Mr Moore, of Meadowbanks, was overturned and considerably knocked about, the car being practically undamaged. The pjwaeagers on the front of the car were considerably alarmed, hut no one was injured. Arrangements are now complete for observing "Settlers' Sunday" in the Auckland town and country churches on Sunday next. A special meeting for furthering the movement was held in the Tabernacle last evening. The Rev. A. Whalley of Otahuhu presided, and gave an address, and the "remainder of the evening was occupied in devotional exercises. Places both near and distant have had posters and circulars distributed, and the appointments are widely known. The keenest interest has been taken by the country settlers in the scheme. Many of the places to be served by the ministers will be between 100 and 200 miles away from town. The city pulpits, as already notified, will be occupied by lay preachers. The denominations talcing part are the Con* grepational, Presbyterian, Baptist, Primitive Methodist and Free Methodist. The annual picraic of the Auckland Sailors' Home will be held on Saturday, February 11th, at Howick. The seamen wfll leave in brakes at 9.30 a.m. The premises of the Phoenix Foundry will be closed all day to-morrow on account of their annuai picnic, which takes place at Waihckc. A band concert at Waihi last night was a great success, there being a very large attendance.

Ladies' linen or crash jackets, 3/11. At the Beehive sale.—Ad. 6d, 6d, 6d, Gd, Gd, 6d—all one price. See the 6d ties in Geo. Fowlds' Arcade window, all at Cd, 6d, 6d. Ladies' linen or crash costumes 4/11. —At the Beehive sale.—Ad. No reduction in the splendid value presented with goods purchased at Geo. Fowlds, Victoria Arcade. Value firm as a rock.—Ad. Men's tweed trousers, 3/11. —At the Beehive sale.—Ad. You've torn your trousers! Never mind, a pair can be purchased cheaper almost than mending at Geo. Fowlds, Victoria Arcade.—Ad# Kid gloves showing to-morrow at the Beehive sale, 2/11 reduced to 1/6.—Ad. The collar season! ! All shapes and sizes in stock at Geo. Fowlds, Victoria Arcade. Comfort and durability combined. —Ad.