OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 704, 3 February 1922, Page 5

OUR AUCKLAND LETTER.

THE VANISHED TERRACES. (From Our Own Correspondent). Auckland, January 27. The man convinced against his will remains (proverbially) of the same j opinion still. But (touching the pnik and white terraces, Guide Waibrick has not yet been convinced at all oftheitr destruction in the great erupion of 18G6, and still maintains; in spite of all that has been written, and uttered to the contrary, that they are merely submerged, not annihilated. To put his theory to the test would, he estimates, involve an outlay of £sooo|. But one of his critics declares it would take nearer ;.-50,000, “while five shillings would be too much to spend on such a project.” If ithe Government were not so terribly hard up it might possibly feel disposed to risk a few thousands in experimenting, because there is no doubt that if by any chance the terraces could be restored to us they would be worth millions to this country. But alas, the Treasury is‘as bare as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard on the historic occasion when “the poor dog had none.” A BARGAIN! One of the most interesting documents preserved in the archives of the City of Auckland is the original deed recording the sale of the 3000 acres on which “the Queen City’’ now stands. The vendors were the Maoris, the purchaser “the Queen of England,” the term “for even and ever,” and “the purchase consideration” consisted of “Fifty blankets, £56 in money, twenty pairs of trousers, twenty shirts, ten waistcoats, ten caps, four cases of tobacco, one box of pipes, one hundred yards of gown pieces, ten iron pots, one bag of sugar, one bag of flour, twenty hatchets,” The deed bears date “,the 20th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, 1840.’ Approximately the price paid for the site of the City of Auckland was £l5O. The deal was made 82 years ago. Wh at is the value of that territory to-day 7 Don’t know, but I reckon '|t must lun into millions, “The Queen of England” certainly got a bargain. “UNCONSIDERED TRIFLES.” A warning has just been ilssued to persons transacting business at our principal post office to keep a sharp look out for thieves, as the latter are known to have been much in evidence there of late. The caution was no doubt very necessary. People visiting the G.F.Oi. to despatch telegrams, address letters or newspapers, etc., frequently deposit their bandbags, purses, handkerchiefs, gloves, umbrellas, glasses, etc., on the counters or desks while (they are writing. That’s how the sneak thief is enabled to get busy and they often get away with the loot, despite [the vigilance of the officials, who are always on the watch. Talking, or rather writing, about petty thefts, I understand that the pens placed on the numerous desks at the G.P.O. for (the use of the public are. stolen so frequently that their value amounts to something considerable in the course of the year.

IS ANOTHER STRIKE COMING? 'My Wellington coleague writes “What does Auckland think of the demand made by the Waterside Workers’ Federation for more pay for the watersiders ? Local shipowners do not appear to regard the said demand with much enthusiasm. These watersiders are now geting 2s 3d per hour, with a bonus of a penny per hour. The Federation wants an advance of 4d per hour —2 s 3d per hour altogether. The employers of waterside labour don't see it. They point out th?(t the cost of living has fallen prettv considerably, and may he expeced to fall further. However no definite reply has been given to the Federation. Their demand will be considered at a special meeting of shipowners ,to be held shortly. If you ask me I should say the men have Buckley’s chance of setting what they are asking fon. They are much more likely, I think, to have their existing rate of pay cut down rather jthan increased, A mo-re inopportune time than the present for workers I fancy could hardly have been selected.” THE BULGARIAN BUG. Bulgarian Bug still maintains its popularity in this city. T,t is on sale at several of the city druggists, and some of the herbalists sell it. The price, I am told, is about ss. Oh. and one Auckland establishment is advertising “Bulgarian Bug Milk. 6d per glass.” That ad. does not look (or sound! particularly tempting somehow. But you can take it from me that sufferers from rheumatic affections mav find it wopth their w Hle to he in the fashion and give “B B.” a trial. I have been drinking the milk daily myself for several weeks now. and have certainly derived benefit from it. And hero is the testimony of another experimenter: “X v .f, s smhiect to neuritis in the right rn-m. W’th the least exertion the vain would return. Since I have

taken the sour milk I can use this arm the same as the other,,. Every morning I take the sour milk fasting. I stir the milk, which is thick, with a silver spoon and strain it through an aluminiuc gravy strainer, which is kept for that purpose only. I then wash the bug thoroughly in cold water, pour fresh milk on it and let i± stand until the next morning.” Simple as falling off a log, isn’t it ! Common metal must not come in contact with But if no silver spoon is handy a wooden one will dto. Don’t touch the Bug with the fingers. ,