TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7957, 6 February 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

Tbe imports for the year, ended December 31st, amounted to £12,826,691, against £13,291,634 in tbe previous year. The figures for tbe principal porta are:—Wellington, £3,837,724; Auckland, £3,156, 470; Ohristoburcb, £2,093,451; Dunedin, £2,016,340. The exports for tbe December quarter were of tbe value of £1,996,315, against £3,014,359 for the corresponding period of 1905. Tbe figures for the principal ports are: Auckland, £765,495; Wellington. £647,019; Gbiistohurob, £2"i0,982; Dunedin, £269,669. For the year the exports were of the value of £15,655,947, against £14,748,348. The figures for th 3 principal ports were:—Wellington, £3,035,803; Auckland, £2,643, 495; Christchurcb, £2,459,034; Dunedin, £1,533,814. News by tbe last mail state s that there is every possibility of an amicable settlement of the existing Chinese boycott on American goods. A conference was in progress when tbe mail left hetweou representatives of the American merchants and the Canton Chinese fchyoott Committee, and there was every prospect of the boycott beiDg removed absolutely. Notwithstanding that the United States has somewhat relaxed tbe anti-Chinese legislation, there still exists a good daal of feeling against America among tbe Chinese, as Ibey are of opinion that tbe Chinese should be admitted on the same footing as other nations, and not singled out for soeoial legislation. It is with the object of removing this feeling that the present conference is being held. During tbe hearing of a compensation case at the District Court, Greymouth, last week, counsel for plaintiff rather plainly hinted that tbe acoident insurance company in which defendants were insured had really brought tbe case and was behind it. This brought from Judge Haselden the remark that; while it was not easy for a mere District Court Judge to do so, the Supreme Cour'-. might have something to say condemnatory of these companies. They might be the greatest blessing; but .they might also be the greatest pest. It was quite right to defend in some oases, but if they presented teohnioal defences that might press unduly they would be the greatest pests, and would have to be got rid of. He did not think tbe companies really meant it; be thought it was due to the zeal of their agents. A remarkable reoord in the way of rabbit shooting is mentioned by a correspondent, writing from Blenheim to the Colonial Ammunition Company. After praising the quality of the company's ammunition, be says:—"First day rabbit shooting I shot 82 rabbits, and had five cartridges left out of 100. Next day out I took another 100, and tbe five I bad left that made 105, and I shot 100 rabbits, and had six left. You see that is more jjtban one per shot. I shot two tbe last shot, and would not shoot again for fear I would miss. The next day I took another 100 without the six, and I shot 97 without a miss, and my two mates took my gun away, and said that was a record, and it was a pity to spoil it. These were Favourite cartridges, so you see they are not so bad when a man can do that with them. Out of 291 shots I got 279 rabbits with a 25s gun." The official estimate of the population of tbe colony on December Sislast, according to statistics, appearing in the Gazette, is 937,892, comprising 496,853 males and 441, 03y females. These figures, however, include a Maori population set down at 43,143, together with 12,292 inhabitants of the Cook and other Pacific Islands. The estimated population within our own shores (excluding Maoris), was, therefore, 882,457 on the date mentioned, an increase of 24,918 in the twelve months. The increase was made up of an excess of births over deaths amounting to 15,616, and an excess of arrivals over departures to the extent of 9,302. The birth-rate for the colony in 1905 was 27.21 per 1,000 of mean population (the highest on record), and the death rato 9.26. The deaths (8059) were fewer by 28 than the number registered in 1904. The number of marriages (excluding those contracted between Maoris) solemnised in 1305 is estimated at 7,234, or 8.31 per 1,000 of the mean population (a reoord).

A gang of fifteen burglars, who' lived in great luxury in a house in its own grounds in St. Maur have been captured by the police (says a Paris journal). They owned three motor-cais, victorias, broughams, buggies and a couple of smart American trotters. The furnishings of the house were most elaborate though erring slightly on the side of the ornate. The cuisine was admirable, an accomplished chef being kept at a large salary. The wines were irreproachable. Everything in the house was the proceeds of rob beries, and besides the articles in use enorrhous quantities of stolen property were packed away. An adjoining building was also used as a store for the stolen articles. Nearly £IO,OOO worth of property has already been found, and the examina,. tion of ; tbe place is not nearly concluded. The thieves went odt on their foraging expeditions in their motor-oars, which they used to convey back the stolen goods. Their specialties were stealing Icom parcel delivery vans and pantechnicons, and in removing the furniture from houses into which new tenants had not yet entered.