WELLINGTON NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 141, 25 June 1901, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(Times Special Correspondent.) Wellington, June 22. The public spirit of Wellington was galvanised into activity by the Royal visit, A local journal puts it very well :

“ Our citizens have hitherto been noted for phlegmatic apathy and critical enquiry rather than whole-hearted enthusiasm upon occasions such as this. But there was a spontaneity and a unanimity in the demonstrations o£ welcome that mark a keen appreciation of the proceedings and their bearing upon the life of the colony. People who have been living and working, joying and sorrowing, far from the centre of the Empire and almost beyond the influence of the Throne, suddenly had their late it sympathies with our monarchial | institutions, their latent pride in the past | history of our race and their buoyant trust in its future, commingled and intensified by a series of events which awakened time-lionored associations, and gave them a living force for modem use.” It might perhaps bo put in another way. We all dearly like a show, and this was the opportunity, though unfortunately the rain to a great extent marred the enjoyment. There is a good deal of quiet discussion here as to whether or not a professing democrat is entitled to receive a title. Some hold a strong opinion that to accept such a title is a breach of faith ; others whoso work for the democracy is unquestioned hold that if a man has done his work honorably and faithfully for the people ho is right in accepting any honors within the disposal of tho Crown, while monarchy exists as the constitutional form of Government. They say that the main objection to titles is that they are too often conferred on toadies whose only claim has been that they have played their cards in that direction. The Post, which usually has no kind words for Ministers, says: “ A faithful and strenuous leader of the democracy, tho Hon. John McKenzie has earned tho gratitude of the people and the approval of his Sovereign, and it is a wholesome sign of the breadth and strength of our monarchial system that, responding to its constitutional advisers, it is found ready and willing to confer titular distinction upon the author of so democratic a principle as the compulsory taking of private property for the public benefit. The Hon. John McKenzie was the first Minister of the Crown who had tho will,

the courage and the power to resume private estates for the common weal, and since the example of this colony will, in our opinion, be followed by every Englishspeaking country in tho world, we think wo see in the distinction conferred upon tho late Minister for Lands yet another sign that the time is not far distant when tho fetish of tho inalienable rights of property in big estates required for eloso settlement by the people will bo as irrevocably destroyed in the Old Country as it is to-day in New Zealand.”

The Post admits that it has said hard things about Sir Joseph AVard, but now' the tune is changed. “ AVe willingly admit that since his return to offico he has worked untiringly in tho interests of the people, while his courage and determination to retrieve his past mistakes have now the ungrudging admiration of all his political opponents. In the past we have been among the most strenuous of these,

and, as the hon. gentleman must know, purely upon public grounds. Looking back now upon what may be almost called the history of those times, we realise that Mr Ward was then perhaps the unwilling agent of men who held him at their mercy, and that he incurred much opprobrium that, had stern justice been done, would have fallen elsewhere. To-day he has the proud satisfaction of knowing that by his own efforts, and against enormous odds, ho has more than retrieved his former position, and as ono of his old opponents, wo willingly admit the courage, fine temper, and generosity that has marked the fighting power with which ho has won his battle.” WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.

In regard to the attempt to communicate with the Royal yacht Ophir by means of wireless telegraphy, it was very difficult to obtain the information which the Times sought. Everybody was agog, and it was like breaking out of gaol to get aboard the Ophir. I am informed that the Mayor of Gisborne and a councillor from your town went together. On reaching the wharf they found the officials most discourteous, ordering away everyone who approached the gates. As the Ophir was fenced off as well as being guarded by policemen, the ordering of people away was only the result of over-olliciousncss. The Secretary of the. Harbor Board was interviewed, and informed that the Mayor wished to delivor a letter for the telegraphist on board the Royal yacht Ophir. It was explained that Mr Townley was Mayor of Gisborne and Chairman of the Harbor Board, but where they have Dukes, Admirals, and Generals the respect due to ordinary officials diminishes. With some persuasion he was allowed to pass the barrier, his companion being left to eool bis heels at the front of the wharf, Policemen, sentries, and sailors blocked the Mayor’s way for a time, but then two sailors came to his assistance. They asked his business, and was told that he wanted to deliver a note to the telegraphist. “ There is no telegraphist aboard, was the reply. It was said that wireless telegraphy was referred to, aud the sailor replied, “ Oh, we have no instruments on board ; the men-of-war receive messages and signal us. I will see the signalmaster and find out if any were received.” The sailor went to the signalmaster, and came back with the enquiry as to who wanted to know. Mr Townley sent his card, and waited for half an hour. The'rc still being no response, an appeal was mado to one of the men, the watch having been changed. The man on duty escorted the Mayor to tho bridge, where the signal-master was signaling. Mr Townley was received rather abruptly, but on finding out the reason for the call the officer was most obliging. He told Mr Townley that he was just signalling to find out. He then signalled the St. George, the reply from which was that there was no one at the instrument whilst passing Gisborne. The Juno was signalled, but it had got so dark that the signals could not bo read, and in MrTownley presenco signals passed by flashlights, the signalmaster reading the reply that whilst passing Gisborne the instruments were affected, but not intelligibly, and as lighting was prevalent and often affected such instruments, they had put it down to that. The officer was most courteous in giving information and in taking trouble to obtain it. |