Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 40, 16 February 1905, Page 4

The following is Captain Edwin's weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. this day: "Moderate to strong easterly winds, glass rise."

The official returns of transactions in bankruptcy for the northern district for 1904 have been compiled by the Official Assignee, Mr Gerard. The total number of bankruptcies in the districts under his jurisdiction is shown to be 85, of which number 41 come from Auckland, 18 from Stratford, 13 from Hawera, 11 from New Plymouth, and two from Gwborne. The total for the previous year was 54, of which Auckland contributed 31, New Plymouth 9, Hawera 6, Stratford 3, and Gisborne 5. The principal returns for the past year (1904) are as under, the first figures being those for the whole district, while those in parenthesis show the proportion for Auckland:—Assets (as shown by statements filed), £51,018 (£42,583): assets realised £21,444 (£18,813), liabilities as proved £65,435 (£53,160), amount paid in dividends £10,257 (£9206). The totals for 1903 were:—Assets (as shown by statements filed) £20,035 (£12,702), assets realised £7672 (£4248), liabilities as proved £30,018 (£15,674), dividends paid £4855 (£3172).

The executors in the estate of the late Mr Jacob Joseph have handed to Victoria College Council £3000 in Wellington City debentures, yielding 4J per cent., for the establishment of scholarships, in terms of the deceased's will.

Some rather startling disclosures were made during the hearing of a case against a "dealer" in the Glebe (Sydney) Police Court last week. He was charged with having goods in his possession supposed to have been stolen, and one of the incriminating features was the low price at which he was •offering them. A "three-pound" tin of tea. for example, was offered for a shilling. It was explained to the Court that many itinerant dealers were in the habit of buying tea of the lowest possible grade, condemned salmon and sardines, as well as other goods of various kinds, repacking them again with fresh labels, etc., and then selling them either at private houses or to small grocers in the suburbs. The police said the facts were known to them, and they were constantly on the watch, but rarely able to catch an offender. A wholesale dealer informed the Court that he had hundreds of cases of tea which he could profitably sell at 3d per pound by the case, but declared it to be sound and good. He added with pride that it had been worth eightpence per lb when the duty was on. The tea was put up in ';'three-pound" tins containing 21b 3oz net, and a printed label bearing the name of an imaginary firm pasted on it. Other evidence showed that a very large trade was being done in this manner.

As the result of an unusual case in tlie summons division of the North Sydney Poliqe Court, a man named William Holley was fined a shilling for horse-whipping Sydney Leister. The evidence was to the effect that the complainant called at the residence of the defendant to make some inquiries about a fowl fchat was missing. He was anewered by the defendant's little daughter, who declared that the fowl was not on the premises, and that she had not seen it. The complainant became annoyed and insulted the child, who told her father on his return in the evening. The latter thereupon procured a horse-whip, and committed the assault complained of.

A somewhat peculiar incident, and one which caused some little inconvenience through the stoppage of the post office dock, occurred during the progress of the storm early on Sunday morning (says the Townsville "Bulletin"). The clock had been wound up as usual, and all went well till 2.10 a.m., when it stopped, and brought to an end the life #f an innocent pigeon. It appears that tfce tower is. a favourite resort for pigeoms, which during the night perch on all the nooks around the clock. During the height of the gale the bird had evidently been blown from its roost, end in its effort to regain its perch it was driven on .to the hands of the dial facing Denham-street. The hour and the minute hands coming together about 10 minutes past. 2, the pigeon's head beoame entagled between the two, and becoming fast stopped the clock works. When released, about 11 a.m., the birl was dead.

An ingenious- contrivance is now on the market for keeping windows open without the fear or risk of intrusion by night prowlers, burglars. The new patent "lerio" window-fastener, which is a cheap and simple contrivance, admits of windows being left open either top or bottom to the extent of six inches or so with perfect safety* as it is impossible to open the window from the outside once the "Lorie" fastener has been applied. The "Lorie" fastener has the 'distinction of being a New Zealand patent, and is highly commended by leading architects in this city and elsewhere. Supplies can be obtained from the leading hardware houses £a Auckland. These fasteners have the tiflditional advantage of preventing the Irritating and annoying rattling of windows, wfcich so often interferes with light sleepers.

At the next meeting ©f the Victoria College Council Mr C. Wilson will move, "The Council regrets the decision of the University Senate that degrees in divinity he granted, and considers that it should not be girmx effect to until the Senate has coniwlttd the Councils of the various University Colleges as to the wisdom of the new departure. Mr Wilson, in giving notice, expressed the opinion that the Council, as the governing body of Victoria College, had a right to approve or disapprove of an action of this kin*.

The Efowick motor 'bus will leave from corner Victoria-etreet Friday evening, 11 p.m., immediately after hand contest. The c p.m. trip will not run that evening-—•A^,

Several tenders have been received by Mr A. P. "Wilson for the erection of the branch chUMh tat the parish of St. Mark's. Remuera. The church, which is to be called St. Aidan's, is to be erected in Ascot Avenue, and will be in charge of the Rev. H. W. L. Snow, curate of St. Mark's. . The tenders received are as follows: C. J. Brook. £687; J. Ellingham, £750; J. Lye and Sons, £774; R. Ross, £815; J. U. Jones, £859; J. B. Langley and Son, £887; J. Rowe, £879; Grayson Bros., £890.

The Auckland Swimming Club will hold its grand opening gala in the Al-bert-street baths to-morrow evening. Richard Cavill, the champion swimmer, will give an exhibition of trick and fancy swimming. Large entries have been received for all events. First-class seating accommodation will be provided, and a band will play selections during the evening.

In a fortnight's time the annual conference of the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association opens in Auckland. Delegates to the Council from various divisions of the branch will meet in Auckland, and also representatives of subscribers to the benevolent fund, and the medical defence fund. After these Councils have met the conference will be opened by the president, Dr E. Roberton, who will deliver an address. On Saturday, March 4th, the visitors will be entertained by Mrs Roberton, an excursion having been arranged to Waiwera.

The Mineral Belt Copper Company has been working for a considerable time with the view of proving the value of the deposits in Aniseed Valley, Nelson. In the No. 5 level on the United the lode lias been proved 10ft wide of solid ore. A low level tunnel to cut the monster lode is expected to reach ore in a day or two, and already stains of copper are appearing in the roof. This lode showed 32ft of ore in the face 125 ft above the drive now being put in.