AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 59, 11 March 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND SPECIAL.

AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY. (Special to Times). Auckland, last night. The sixty-first anniversary of the founding of the colony was celebrated on Saturday by the annual regatta, which had been avoidably postponed from January last owing to the death of our late Queen. It was a beautiful sunshiny day, with a light breeze blowing. The West End Rowing Club, who have been first and foremost in rowing circles during the last five years, met a reverse on Saturday. Out of four gig events Graham’s West End maiden crew were successful in the Maiden, Waitemata Rowing Club won two, and St. George’s one.

PROPOSED TRIP TO GISBORNE. Mention was made a little time back of the West End Rowing Club sending a crew to compete with a Gisborne crew at Poverty Bay. The West End boys, who are very keen on the trip to Gisborne, are anxiously awaiting to hear if the Gisborne Club approve of their suggestion. Should the match be decided upon, the West End would be prepared to send a crew about Easter time. It, however, depends entirely upon the Gisborne Rowing Club’s approval. This would afford the Gisborne Rowing Club’s crew a splendid opportunity to have another go with the Auckland crew. It will be remembered that Gisborne were dissatisfied with their tests at the championship regatta of New Zealand, held here two years ago. They complained about not having a fair opportunity of showing their rowing powers. The rough water and the strange' oar that was utilized bysGisborne No. 2 handicapped the Southern crew, and they had not been accustomed to rowing on rough water. Should a match take place at Easter between West End and Gisborne, on the latter’s water, I would be inclined to fancy Gisborne. The race would be irrespective of class. THE MELBOURNE PICNIC.

Some doubt appears to exist in certain well-informed'quarters as to 'whether any contingent will be sent from New Zealxnd to attend the opening of the Federal Parliament. ANOTHER EXPENSIVE COMMISSION.

Owing to the diversity of opinion which exists as to the framing of a colonial scale of teachers’ salaries, Cabinet has decided to set up a Royal Commission to report upon the matter permanently. The Commission is to consist of five members, who will be representative of the Boards of Education, the teachers, the Government, and the Legislature. THE COLCHESTER MURDER, From Wellington, I hear that Lillywhite starts on the Mokoia to-night on his trip to the Old Country, to be tried for the Colchester murder. NOT DECIDED.

Word received from Wellington states that no definite decision, relative to sending a contingent to the opening of the Federal Parliament has been arrived at. Some of the replies are not in yet. Probably the proposal will be abandoned. ' • VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT.

The Government is not disposed to hold an Easter encampment this year, as it has been decided that when the Duke of York and Cornwall is in the colony, the troops of the North Isand, Nelson, and Marlborough, about 8,000, will be concentrated in Wellington, and those of the rest of the South Island in Christchurch, when two big reviews will be held, and the training usual in camps will then take place. THE SEVENTH CONTINGENT. The Seventh Contingent sail about the 27. th insf. in a sister ship to the Cornwall. It is probable that Lieutenant-Colonel Porter, of Gisborne, will command the Contingent. v --v THE STRIKE. '

Tho’mon on strike in Karangahnke are feeling confident tliat Mr Ssddon will sec . justice done. A meeting of the men was held, and it wa3 decided to return to work in the morning, relying on the Premier’s promise that they would be fairly treated. An unexpected difficulty, however, occurred yesterday. The Premier wired that Mr .Hales, the Engineer-in-Chief, was on his way from Wellington to adjust the matter in dispute, and the Engineer in charge refused to allow the men to go in the tunnel till Mr Hales had arrived on Monday. Mr Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., and Mr Potts, President of the Miners’ Union, were both at the tunnel yesterday. They met the men and inspected the work. Mr Palmer Jackson will meet the Engineer-in-Chief in Auckland. THE MAIL STEAMER.

The Hon, G. McLean, Chairman of the Union Steamship Company, had a long interview with Mr J. D. Spreckles, of the Oceanic Steamship Company, relative to matters in connection with the new San Francisco mail contract. Mr Spreckles is unable to see his way to visit the principle ports of the colony when he returns from Sydney, as urgent business demands his presence in San Francisco at an early date. • NEW ZEALAND AGENCY. The Union Company is to continue to hold the agency in New Zealand for the San Francisco steamers until Mr Spreckles-can arrange with a leading firm in each centre to act as his local representative.