Douglas Island news., 1903-06-24

North are owned by Mrs. Yager, of No. 3l5 Second avenue One brood was hatched April and another last We'd nesday says the Dawson News. There are six birds altogether. The canaries are the pioneers of their species in this country so far as being native born is concerned. The little songsters are doing we'll and promise to become healthy ones of their tribe. Two were matched out in the first brood and four in the second. Mrs. Yager is naturally proud of the songsters. They are ex- citing much curiosity.
 To test the cruising efficiency of the ships and familiarize our officers with North Pacific waters, it is intended that Rear Admiral Glass, commanding the Pacific squadron, will leave San Francisco late in June for trip to the Aleutian islands. The squadron will stop at Dutch Harbor where coal depot of 5000 tons is to be located. This will be the first time that an Amer ican fleet of this size has visited the Aleutian islands. The Boston has been ordered to dock at San Francisco for six weeks for repairs and the Con- cord will take her place in the squad ron.
 A report was submitted to the coun- cil last Monday night showing the h. nancisl condition of the town, and the monies received and paid out since the town was incorporated, says the Valdez News. The report shows that the two property assessments which have been made amounted to S4,72507. All but S7S4.5l of this was collected, leaving that amount delinquent. Dog and poll tax for the two years was collected to the amount of s3S3s0. There are now outstanding warrants amounting tol Sl ,529.3O with cash on hand in the treasury of only $65S6.
 Actual construction work began on the Valdez, Copper River & Tanana k. R. last Tuesday morning says the Val deg News of June 9th. Chief Engineer Baldwin and a corps of assistants sur yeyed for the trestle work along Front street and gang of men followed close at their heels and broke ground for the foundation of the trestle. Con- tractor Baggs also had number of men framing the timbers and already many bents are up and ready for the stringers and ties. The trestle is being built in curve from line on Front street to the dock. The track will cross the dock and run to deep water along the west side.
 The Oregonisn speaks of the grand effect of mirages in Hsrney valley, that state. It's descriptive writer should come to Wrangel to get something to write about says the Wrangell Sentinel. Nanks island is eight miles away. At times it looks as if one could throw a stone onto it from the beach of this island. and at other times it is mere speck in the distance. Only last week as the large steamer City of Seattle came from the south, there was much speculation as to what vessel 1t was, as she appeared no larger than small launch until we'll into port. These ef- fects appear often and make grand sight.
 Anticipating a demand for lumber from Valdez and other points in the Tanana district, W. P. Mills is making additions to his saw mill at Sitka which will more than double it's out put. The new structure is now we'll under way and shows that when com pleted it will be the largest mill any where in this section, if not in all AL sska. Gov. Brady is also putting his mill in shape and hopes to land logs in Sitka at the rate of s4 thousand. This is g per thousand cheaper than what has been estimated ss the cost of logs in the past, but as the governor is bringing his rafts from point only fifteen miles away it is possible that the lower figure may be reached. Should this prove true Sitka will be- come an important factor in the de- velopment of the Copper River dis trict.
 "The Alaskan oil fields will mean