AUCKLAND, SPECIAL,

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 99, 6 May 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND, SPECIAL,

EVENING DRESS EOR THE DUKE. (Special to Times.) Auckland, last night. Referring to the approaching visit of the Duke and Duchess York, in a speech delivered at Hokitika, according to a special telegram received, the Premier said, “ Already, I believe, tho question has been raised that no one will bo permitted to enter thoir presonco unless attired in evening dress.” On tho West Coast the interpretation of evening dress by many of our housewives would be such that it would permit them to enter tho Royal presonce. Looking back at tho good old days, I can speak personally, and say that I onjoyod a social evening and a dance much better in my moleskins and Crimean shirt and nugget boots than ever I havo done in Windsor uniform or dress suit. Our sons in South Africa aro of the bull dog, and not of tho clawhammer breed, and it is not clawhammer coats or dress suit wearers who uphold the British Empire.

THE CAPE SERVICE. It is understood that the proposed sixweekly steam service between New Zealand and the Capo, to be run by the New Zealand Shipping Company, the ShawSavill Company, and the Tyser Company, cannot be successfully carried out. It is believed that the interval between the dates of sailing are too long, and that the amount of space reserved for perishable goods will bo inadequate, so that it may bo necessary to hold over from time to time quantities of theso goods which would probably miss thoir market. The service, it is said, would be unable to really rely upon regular shipments, inasmuch as many of the merchants doing business on a large scale would prefor to charter a steamer or sailing vessel on their own account. Another handicap, it is alleged, is that if the Government ran a line of steamers to South Africa they would havo to fill up their cargo space with coals or ballast for the return journey. They can get coal here at about 25s a ton, but at the Capo it costs 80s. This practically means that the cargo taken one way would have to pay the cost of the steamer both ways. SPORTING. Ivan did not accept last night for the maiden pony event, to be run at the Auckland trotting next Saturday. Considering the squibs that Ivan was competing against the Gisborne pony was well handicapped, and I think the owner might have done better if he had accepted for this event, winch was considered a certainty for him. Cannongate, the hyrdler and steeplechaser, leaves for Wanganui tomorrow to fulfil engagements at the Wanganui meeting. I recommend my sporting followers to watch Cannongate. I expect to see him win the double (100 to 40 offered), hurdle and steeplechase. The racehorse Moment, which has been scoring many victories of late, died at Hamilton on Friday.