NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 631, 7 October 1909, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

. . ———♦ ——' ■ One of the favourite arguments of those who defend political control of the /railways consist l ! of an assertion that under the Commissioner system there would bo oppression and ultimate stagnation. The history of the vast success of this Commissioner system in New South Wales has often been given in theso columns m refutation of this argument. It may be worth while bringing the figures up to date by quoting some very interesting statistics given by Me. J. Haßpee, the Chief Traffic Manager of the New South Wales railways, at a railway picnic the othor day. The Commissioner system was established in New South Wales in 1888. The Staff then numbered 9605; it now numbers 19,458. Tho tonnage of goods carried has increased from 3,331,671 tons to 8,862,273 tons, and the passengers from 15,174,115 to 62,051,566. The gross earnings in 1888 werfe £2,295,124, as against £5,028,540 in the last year. The net profit has increased from £764,573 to £2,075,626. The train miles run increased from 6,689,313 miles to 15,074,144 miles. Finally, the net profit amounted in the past year to £4 17s, Id. per cent, on the £45,683,484 invested in the system. But the growth of the New South Wales raiU ways, and the soundness of that growth, and the irrefutable testimony which it bears to the virtues of non-political control of railways, are matters of common knowledge. Those who visit the , State with an open mind . almost invariably come, back enthusiastic converts to the system of non-political' control. The opinions of : Messrs. John Duthie, Harold Beauchamp, and F; E. Baume, M.P., are quite uncompromising on this point.

■ One-of the littlo embarrassments stored up for'the return of the Prime Minister is the tagk of'selecting a succcssor to Mr. Hogg. The choice will not be an easy one. For" one reason • there <is no outstanding claimant. There are many eagerly awaiting a summons to the-ranks of tho Cabinet, but when their various merits and demerits are analysed there is very littlo to choose between at least half a dozen of the number. '> It can bo taken for granted that the Hon. T, Mackenzie will bi elevated to full Cabinet rank. He has given evidence that he is now quite in sympathy with the Ward Administration —his conversion appears to be complete. It is really Mr. : Mackenzie's successor, not Mr. Hogg's, that Sir Joseph Ward has to decide on. The name of Mr. A. R. Guinness at once presents itself—but he is " Mr.' Speaker and may not be inclined to make the sacrifico involved. Moreover, the Cabinet already has onfe West Coaster in its ranks. Mr. Laurenson; is,.. Government Whip and a leaschis' bden v mentioned'' on previous occasions., Mr. Wilford was supposed to have been given the Chairmanship 'of Committces'as a salve for the past neglect of his loyal services; while Mr. T. 11. Davey whom many' members would have liked to see.'Chairman, cannot be ignored. Then there are Mr. W. T. Jennings, Mr. G. W. Russell, .Mr. Graham, Mr. Baujie, Sir William Steward and even Mr. , Ell. Possibly the embarrassments of the situation may be accentuated by the question of whether a North or a Sotith Island member should bo'chosen. At the present time five Ministers (Sir Joseph Ward and Messrs. Millar, R. M'Kehziß, Buddo, and T. Mackenzie) represent South Island constituencies and ■ four (Messrs. Findlay, Fowlds, Carroll and Ngata are residents in the North Island. Other' things being equal a North Islander should certainly receive first consideration. _ IloWever, a vacant scat in the Cabinet is a very use; ful bait to keep dangling beforo , members at all. inclined to break away from party control, and Sir: Joseph Ward is not' likely to throw away this advantage by making the selection with 'any undue haste, ' Indeed the number of Ministers ij already so large that any further addition to their ranks is quite unnecessary.

••'.We.publish in another column to-day a most interesting summary of : Sir J. J. Thomson's presidential address at the recent. meeting Ibf tho British ,'Associatioh for the Advancement of.' Science which was held, at Winnipeg,, Canada, in August last. The address is from start to finish a most fascinating one, and affords an excellent example of. the proper use of the scientific imagination. These hardheaded scientists arc often the most daring prophets, who dream dreams and see visions that almost take away the breath of the average man who only occasionally ponders over_ these wonderful things. After explaining the electrical theory of matter, Sir J. J. Thomson refers to the properties of' the all-pervading ' ether, which he says is ,as essential to us' as the air we breathe and is the, medium through which all the benefits of tho sun come (to us. It probably at some points attains a density 2000 times greater than lead, and' lest it should 6eem inconceivable : that wo arc surrounded" by such - a medium, the lecturer : points out , that all matter ,is probably composed mainly of holes. 110 also predicts that before our . other supplies of energy are exhausted mankind will have learned how to harness the sun's power. Certain measure: mentsrhad been made which showed that under a high sun and clear sky tho heat derived from the sun is equivalent; to about 7000-hofse-power per acre,' and though this is not utilised at present he had not the ■ slightest doubt that ultimately it will be. The wholo address is characterised by . scientific optimism of the noblest kind,;and gives a good idea of the great enthusiasm which inspires: the work of the world's great scientists. In concluding his address Sir J. J. Thomson said: " Enthusiasm has been quickened, and thcro is a hopeful, youthful, perhaps exuberant; spirit'.abroad which leads men to make with confidence experiments which would have been thought fantastic twenty years ago. As we conquer peak after pear wo see in front of us regions full of interest and beauty, but wo-do not soo our goal,: we do not see-the horizon; in the distance tower still higher peaks, which will yield to thosei who ascend, them still wider prospects, and deepen the feeling,' whose' truth is emphasised by every advance in science, that 'Great are the worka of tho Lord.' " This is the attitude of the truly scientific inind, and it is impossible to set liiiiits to: the discoveries pf , men ..who approacli their life's work in this spirit ot daring, ,vet reverent optimism. Sir ,T: J. Tn'oMßftis'K reference to • university ideals and methods is of special interest in view' of the reeeht'discussion in the columns of The tlOMmok on university reform in New Zealand.

LOCAL AND GENERAL. • •• — 1 The spacious empty frame that'looks'with blank expectancy from its central' position on "the line" at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts Show is to bo filled to-day. The frame, as was announced, was reserved for a canvas that is being painted by Vaii iler Velden, ■ which was not finished in time for the opening of the show. It is not finished now, but tho distinguished artist'has consented to exhibit it for the remainder of the week in response to the request of many admirers of his work, i'ho subject of the picture is a mother, and child seated beside a fire. The picture cannot fail to arouse a good dtttl of interest.

, A gentleman in-Christchurch who had made a a appointment with a gentleman in Wellington to meet him on a certain day at a certain hour outsido the Government Buildings, found it impossible to roach Wellington in time to keep his appointment (says "l'ho Press"). Not knowing the. Wellington man's address, and desiring to let him know how things stood, the Christchurch gentleman telegraphed addressing his telegram to "Mr. Blank, opposito Government Buildings at 10 a.m., Wellington, from Mr. Dash, Christchurch." The telegram was duly dolivered to Mr. Blank, who was waiting at the appointed time under the verandah of n shop opposite tho Government Buildings, and who saw tho telegraph messenger approach several gentlemen standing in front of the Goverumcnt Buildings betore he discovered the person to whom the telegram was addressed.

A geutleman formerly somewhat conspicuous in Parliament now appears to be better—or at least otherwise—employed. The "Tcmuka Leader" remarks:—"Mr. F. K. Flatman had on view at our > Geraldine office on Saturday a cauliflower grown by hiin which weighed lOjlb., while the heart measured 12in. across. It was a fine specimen of a flower and would have made ft magnificent buttonhole for a giant." ■ ■

Mr. A. Hamilton,'director of the Dominion Museum, received yesterday through iho Consular- agent for Spain in this city (Mr. A. Turnbull) a communication from tho liector of the University in Oviedo forwarding a medal commemorative of the third' centenary of that university. Tho Spanish at Melbourne, in his letter to Mr. Turnbull, speaks of the medal as "a happy emblem of tlio fraternal Unship existing petween_ the anoient and classic seat ,of learning in Spain and' the justly celebrated museum in -New Zealand.'' 'In bringing the incident before the members of the Wellington Philosophical Society at'its meeting last night. Mr. Hamilton remarked that it showed how tho work of the late Sir James Hector, the initiator of the col-, lections' in the museum, was regarded m distant lands... V ,

One of the most largely attended funerals over seen in Feilding took place yesterrt ij afternoon, the occasion. being the funeral ot Fireman Williamson who was; killed at the i<'eilding , Hotel fire on Tuesday morniog. firemen, bandsmen, Foresters, and business men, and a large number of residents followed. The Rev. Geo.; Budd, who married the deceased .< just ; 12 months ago, was . the oihciatiiig clergyman. ■ The latest number of the "Katipo," the official .organ'of the New Zealand l'ost and Telegraph .Officers' Association; .contains the following piragraph from" its Gisborno -correspondent:—"iluch discontent prevails amonrst the Exchange staff owing to their being unable to obtain 'time off' for Sunday duty. A total of over 800 hours, is owing to thirtsiu cadettes, on? having to her credit eighteen days' in addition to her annual- leave."

Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., Inspector-General of Schools, addressing last nights meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society, dealt with different systems of preferential voting and methods ol counting votes.. Confining himself to systems in which only one member is to be elected for each constituency. (and thus excluding what is usually called proportional representation), Mr. Hogboii lucidly explained several- schemes that have been aevisca from time to timo with the object of malting sure of the election of the right candidate. He defined the "right candidate" as tho man whoi could .singly beat each of the others, or. the man whom a majority of the electors prefor. to any other single candidate/The failure of one system' After another to effect the object, iri view was explained by Mr. Hogben. The, second Fallot system as.in force in this country, was mathematically superiot'to these, but was not certain to effect tho desired result. Ware s system; of preferential voting, which was very similar to that of ,Majority JBill VliicK'ihfcl B^nSeVti , al\ti^& I ,be«v9Zealand'- PirlianieiiV whs. a failure. ;If there tvero several candidates, it would .ensure thnt, the least acceptable of all would not be elected, but the w?rsl but one might, be' -successful. Mr. Hogben himself had .-worked. out an '_ex-;. tension of ■ the principles' of Nanson s systemof preferential voting, so that only one counting would be necessary,. and injustico ■to the voter Who did not wish to-mark his ballot paper completely- as to preferences would beavoided. This system he: explained by means of diagrams. Mr. Hogben's-remarks were followed with interest, and tho thanks of the meeting .were expressed to .him. , ''

A paper of 'considerable length,' entitled "Early History of Rangitikei and Notes'oa tbo Ngatiapa Tribe," by Mr. T. W. Downes, of WniwanUi, was submitted'at tho meeting of the Philosophical Society last night, and was taken as read.' Tho writer described his paper as "o collection of scattered fragments, gathered by the oxerciso of much patience, labour, and cost." ,

' Tho ! efforts of. the Citizens' Relief Committeo to collect funds in aid of tho unemployed relief works by placing hospital boxes in tho various hotels, did not meet with the response that was only .£lO 10s. Id. being roalisedi Copper predominated when tho countout was- undertaken, and valueless ; coins were encountered occasionally. Tho hon. secrctaiy of the committee was lorced to engage a man to take the whole of the money to the scasido to clean it in the sand before, it could bo sent to the bank; Beer, cheese and otlior sundries from the bats found their way into some of the boxes.

Qncstibned on the subject yesterday, the Prime- Minister stated thatthere had been no inaction, of lato on tho part of tho New Zealand Government in connection with' tho proposal to; establish an service. He went on to say that the. Government. offered (subject to ratification by Parliament) a subsidy of .£75,000 for ten yeaTS towards tbo cost of such a provided that the : other Governments concefned,' viz., •thoso of Great Britain, Canada, and Australia, did thoir part, but ho offer whs made. by them. The offer was (he continued) not made public, so .that tbo various Governments could take united action in the event of tho:scheme being generally approved, Owing 'to the developments which wero taking plaea in tho nans-Atlantic service, 1 the matter had, , however, not been further advanced recently. ■ .

Tho lesson read by the chairman of, the City Council's Reserve Committee. (Mr. J. P. Luke) at the tree-planting operations on Arbour Day has .not been taken to heart, lit. Luke took special pains to point out to the youthful members of the community the enormity of the crime of plants and trees in tho public reserves, a'subject of all too-frequent complaint. , Some of • tho newiy-plonted trees oa slopes of; Kelbunie Park havo severely of late through being broken down and trampled ,on.

The .whole of' the formalities in connection with the building of the hospital for infectious diseases have heen completed. The District Health Officer, Dr. Valintine, has advised tho Wellington Hospital Board that in accordance with section 39, • Sub-section (1), of the Public Health Act 1908, he consents to the hospital board agreeing with the trustees of the Wellington Hospital to equip, and maintain the hospital for infectious diseases.

1 Awashing-up " .meeting of iho CitiKins' Unemployed - Fund Committeo is being called for next week when reports on the various relief worts will be presented. The five men who are still employed on the Mount Victoria Koad, and the two men who are. engaged cleaning up at Anderson Park, will be paid off to-night. The anniversary of tho battle of Trafalgar will bo celebrated by tho local Navy League executive at a dinner in thq Hotel Windsor on October 21. His Excellency the Governor has accepted an invitation to bo present.- ' Master butchers aro to be invited to have representatives on the committee of the .Wellington Operative Bntchets' Union. This was ono of the de'oisions of the annual meeting of the union, at which the following officers lver/) elected:—President, Mr. E. Parkin; vioe-presi T dent, Mr. J. \V. Dyer; minute secretary, Mr. J. Sherwood; treasurer, Mr.-W. It. Cole; committee, MessriJ. C. Hughes, C. M'Carthy, and T.'Lewis; auditors, Messrs. E. Parkin and J. Dingle; Trades Council delegates, Messrs. Q. Williams, A. 11. Cooper, E. Parlcin, and A. M'Artney. It was agreed, that the annual picnic should be held on the third AVednesday in November, The members decided -upon , the formation of a butchers'.cricket club, and set up a committeo to make arrangements there--for.- ■; . • .

Tho Government lias purchased the land in Sfissta Square from Mr. M; P, Uourke, which is to form thoi new entrance and carriage drive to the new Government House now being built oil tile site of-the old Mount View Mental Hospital. The threohouses on the section weresold yesterdaj for removal by. Messrs. A. Li Wilson' and Co, . realised Jsl. '

Sparrows are said to bo destroying the bloom of the peadh trees in their quest _ for tho saccharine to be" found there, and in consequence the prospective fruit crop has - been largely destroyed;—"Waimate Times. 1 Tho > fire brigado was called out twice yesterday/. alarm n-as given at 0.33 p.m. .from tho Empire Hotel, wuero a clothes locker had bocomo ignited. A cupboard was damaged, but the fire was Suppressed before tho brigade arrived. Tho second outbreak occurred at the Trocadero. at 9.47 p.m., a room on tho third floor being tho scene of tho firo, A bed and bedding wore damaged. ~ ■

The anticipated improvement in imports i«' ■ not yet strongly in evidence, though m somo quarters a more buoyant tone is reported. The dairy trado is becoming, ootiv'o and in another month or so tho butter money circulating give an impetus to country trade. Ih tho soft, goods branch tho season's .trade, bo far, his been somewhat quiet, but better in the country than in town, v;hero stocks ure still rather' heavy. Tho general prospects. of the produce season, however, are distinctly cheerful and a more decided improvement is looied forward to . with confidence.—"Trado Reyiow." ; Speaking to a Dominion. ripreEo'ulottfve, Mr. 'St v ' es ' who represented -the' Associated Chambers of Commerce of So'ith-Africa at tho v Empiro Chambers of in / Sydney, stated that tho business of tho con- / Kress, was done in, a very perfunctory manner.' UnljV two questions received respectful attention, said he, "preferential trado and Imperial defence. As. for tho rest-well, 48 resolutions . were disposed of in { less than fivi , hours.

A number of advertisements calling for tendors will, bo - found on Fago 3 of this issue. , A number of new cadets on the Government training ship A.mokura completed their first, cruise last evening, wlien, tho vessel retumod from Picton. Tho trip was undertaken specially to givo the now hands ft chance of finding their sea legs, and the Amokura spent two days in Cook Strait, and then put in to Picton, so that tho lads could attend church service on Sunday. Tho stay at Pic-ton was lengthened on account of a' slight accident to one 'of tho boilers, and, instoad of, tho cruise being oon? tinued towards Akaroa and Timaru, it ended in tho vessel being recalled to Wellington. The commander of the training ship stated last night that the cadets all shaped.woll on thr 'recent short trip. By the timo; they return from the 6carcli for tho Duco they should, be quite experienced sailors. The Amokura 1 left on this mission at ten minutes past'midnight, and will make iii tho direction decided, on by the Marine Department. She was well equipped for tho voyage.

. At last evening's parade of the Electric Light Corps, several recruits; woro sworn ini _ This •hew company is proving very attractive to, young mechanics, as tho instruction given by tho commanding officer, Captain A. G. Hume, who is himself an oxpert eiiginWr, is of considerable value, to them professionally. Captain Hume has approached tho Defence Department with a suggestion that arrangotaonts bo made whereby : time 6pent at the instructional parados be allowed to .count towards enginedrivers', certificates, and it is not unlikely that something may be done in that diroction..

The Shaw-Saviil steamer Arawa is to' leavi foi - London, via Cape Horni to-day. There art G3 passengers on her, list. '.

! The express train from Auckland was dft layed for We, and a half hours, yesterday, ow< ing to: a slip which occurred between 'Huntervillo and Silverhope;, Tho slip was caused by the recent heavy rains. Mr. :W. F.. Mnsscy,' Leader of thi Opposition, and: a number.of other- Parliamentarians, were on > board th« tram.- ■

: Mr.-Thomas Hugo, 'Government: Inspector of Fire Brigades, and several monlbers of tl-a r almerston'Fire Brigade visited tho scone.ox tho Feilding - Hotel fare yesterday afternoon. ;

The anuiial reunion of the officers, tion-oom-missioned officers,. and men of th6.Herotaun?a, Mounted'Kiilos was held in .the ' v sion'ed officers' club room,-Garrison Hall, list evening.' Captain Saimlel,' officer coinmnualnn tho squadron, presided 1 over a fairly good mm* tor', ot all ranks.- Everything: passed, off verj successfully,- and with music, recitations, nod, speeches, tho evening' proved to be:.a_ very enjoyable one. The principal toast °', , ' evening was "Our' Raiment (proposed. by the chairman aud responded to by LioU'eii« ant P. do 13. Brandon, adjutant of the regiment to,which tho squadron is attached-No, i Regiment, Wellington Mounted llitlcs). < la re. nlving to the toast, ■: Lieutenant' Brandon com< mooted on the fact-that,the, Kings Colour*,-, which were presented to the regiment, wen 'now in "tho custody of the Ekctahuna llountea . Rides.' As the- headquarters of tho regimentwero at' Welling ton,, and. tho Heretaungas -A Squadron); the senior. squadron, that the custody of tho, liag' Bhould M trails- . to the 'Wellinston'corß^

A. meotini of thoso interested, in tho institution. of Wednesday afternoon shooting, competitions on similar lines to.'the) prosent. :Saturday matches at Trenthnin, was; held the' Garrison Hall last evening. After discus sion it; was : decided; to ascertain from the various corps ,the number of ■ men likely ° take part ill' the competition,: ana.also whit, . arrangements could, with tho-iiaiiKO . Committee with regard to . trains. fha rat- ' lowing' fcomnlitteo was appointed to wojfort Cooper (Hutt Valley 'Rifles)r Sergeant, Smith , (Zealand!*' Rifles), Sergeants Baker, Elliott and Mitchell (Engineers) eol (Well'nstori Guards), and Gunner Williams .(Permanent Force Rifle Club. Sergeant Mitchell was appointed secretary pro tem. Matter* -ull r>o advanced 1 a' further stas».!>n Tuesday wmito*.-. : nest,, when representatives from each c?m- ■ pan? ..will bo invited.to be present. ; The necessity "61 having teachers of the elocutionary art has strongly , , impressed itself'upon tho' ment of Victoria, and sorao time ago an Lto Soli Advisory , Boatd was constituted on« ■ of the membtrs of which was Mr. J. ] lon Ross,'who has been adjudicating at the Duncdin competitions) for » the. pttrpcw-otjiftw.-ittff up a schomo of examination M teacher* who desired to be registered under tho depart , ment The bdard, Mr. the " Otago Daily Times, has decided that aw person'may be, registered as. a teacher ftf this : snecial subico.t of elocution> who ful- - ills the following Has passed in English at the senior public examination of tho University of Melbourne, or-somo ex. English of- equivalent standard, . and (2) has passed an examination satisfactory , to the board in the knowledge of and comnetency to teach tho elementary principles Sf. tho anatomy, hygiene, and of the social organs, the oi , resniration, thorough voice production (inciuaw P arKtuiation. ronunciation, pronunciation, correct emphasis, modulation, doportmcntiges- • turo?delivery, , attitude,; etc.) the examin-, ation to bo mainly practical. : v.. . v

it was ststed in i Prfcss Association teleirrinj the other dav that the Otago Sundny Scliool Union and the Presbyterian Sabbath Schools Association,' in conjunction, havo decided : to organise a complete interdenominational visita-*. tion of 1 everv homo in Dunedin ond suburbs, , with the object of enrolling in one: or other of the schools all tho boys and girls who nn not at'prose'nt attonding any. .When it is considered, says the " Otago Daily ( Times , that there is a .population Of nearly 60,001 in the'district to bo covered, representing norhans 12,000 homes; tho undertaking looks formidablo enough. Given! a' ccntral committeo, however, to control the policy, tho district divided into sections efcch in charge of .ft subcommittee, each section subdivided again into small blocks of 30 to 50 homes, and every school supplying its quota of volunteer visitors, the schemo is brought within the realms of the practicable. An initial meeting of, a com. mittco, composed of: representative from uotb tho bodies referred to above, was recently •held,'when preliminary steps were taken, and, it was decided to call a meeting of.Siindnj - school superintendents, Tho chairman (Mr. 1). Wright)-and a member of the Central Commit, teo will place the matter beforo them. It is proposed that ; tho visitation" sjiall extend, over a . week, and that it placo id. about tho month ,of March, 191 Di * •' _ The Minister f6r Mines (the Hon. K. M'Keiy aic) lias informed tho member for Hurtinui, Mr. G. W. Forbes, , that the Director of Geo-. .. logical Surveys has visited, tho coal , outcropi • at the Annan Settlement, and reports that coal, lieuitic in grade, occurs in a numb».r ni places, but never in any quantity, llie lisnito is of good quality, but Dr. Uell does nol hold out any hopo of a permanent coalfield,being found, owing to tho greatly disturbed nature of tho rocks, and also to the absenco 01 .'defiuito carbonaceous strata. :

It is stated that tho prediction of the Tramways Manager, Mr. Stuart Richardson,; thai tho new concession tickets would reduce: the - cost 'of offico work,' lias beep borne .out, also, tho prediction that the projected alteratiou'ia tho value of the tickets vail not add muterially -to the-present cost, as tho punch will:---, prevail in placo of: the old check. Th« sale* - .of concession tickets from September 8. to o<v . tober 1, show that 1550 tickets, valued at J'iM 175., wewi sold as under:—Manners Street to ■> Brooklyn, 3s,j 430; Lanibton Station to Island Bay; ss. Cd., 272; Courtenay,l'laoe to lCilbirnir South, 35., 238; Courtenay Plaoo to Island liny, 4s. Cd., 214; Courtenay Place to Lr.xford Slreo 1 West, Ss., 129; Lnmbton Station to Austin Street, Bs., 120; Botanical Gardens to Kel-i burne tram- terminus, 35.;\52s •Kelbunw; terminus to Aro Street, 3s.> 32; Lambton Stjfc. v ' tion: to Mirnraar, oitr boundaries, 5,1., 23. ..V'