NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 62, 18 March 1902, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE.

In the cmrse of a leading a 1 tide on New Zealand the Wellington Sun says: We are destined to maintain a large population, and it is here predicted there will be millions of people in New Zealand in years to come. We have vast tracts of country unpeopled and therefore we know there is nothing which will be more certain to increase the prosperity of this country than the placing of people upon the land, thus increasing oua exports in time and also our national wealth. In that respect the Government are doing all that it [possibly can. First af all by throwing ripen Crown Lands on terms which en- ■ ables every man in the country to take upland. Then we are opening up lands for settlement and cuti i \g up all large estates and we are going in for closer settlement.. It is noticeable that our exports Jhave increa el, and as our people increase in numbers upon the land, so gradually and surely has there been increasing prosperity. With the climate, the land and the people we have in New Zealand there need be no fear of a slump, but we shall goon to our permanent prosperity.

The papers and a report of the de bates at the conference of New Zealand fruitgrowers and horticulturists, held at Dunedin in June last, have been published atDuneain in pamphlet form by the Department of Agriculture. At the Singapore Spring Meeting a local follower of the "sport of kings" had been doing very well at the totalisator, and as each winner rolled up he celebrated it by sundry "-fcengahs." Just before the last race a friend who had Jalso done well, insisted on him joining him in a magnum of champagne, the result being that when he leached the totalis-ator his arithmetic was rather mixed, and instead of taking live tickets on No. 9, whom he fancied, he took nine tickets on No. 5, which came home an easy winner, and he cleared 1800 dol. The moral is obvious. Go it blind, and trust to provide n^e—the Providence that looks after those who look on the wine when it is red.

Captain Buckworth Powell had a curious stroke of luck over the Cambridgeshire, which was won by Lozenge in the decider after a dead heat with Wolsey. He had had a legacy of LIOO from an old relative and, much disappointed at receiving so little, decided to have a "flutter" on the race. He selected Lozenge, and, placing his legacy in driblets all round the lists, he got LIO,OOO to LIOO and won it. At the conclusion of the ceremony of driving the first pile of the NgahereBlaekball railway bridge on the West Coist recently, the Premier was presented with a golden monkey, an ivory trigger block, and a gold-tipped miniature iron-bark pile as a memento of the occasion. Later in the day at a 1 anquet, writes a local paper, " a certain gentleman in the course of a speech, reminded those present that the Premier would go home this time with his pile in his pocket, a remark that seemed to cause some annoyance to the righs honourable gentleman. [ The speaker, of course, was only punr.ning on the presentation that had I*been made earlier in the day, but it was rather'an unfortunate pun in view of J present probabilities."—Post A movement is on foot in Westport to establish a building society on the lines of the "Star Bowkett Societies," on the other side of the Island. The Societies were recognised as valuable institutions, and subscriptions were speedily forthcoming. With good management, thare is no reason why a society of this k nd should not flourish 'in the Buller district. *** Subscription to MOTUEKA STAR : Three Shillings and Sixpmce a Quarter, which may bggin. at. any. tm.fr

Emperor William's new yacht which was launched at Shooter's Island, U.S.A., last week, vill cost L 50,000. She is what is known as fore and' aft schooner rigged, and is intended to replace the Meteor, which is a vawl. The Emperor has sketched the whole of the arrangements for the interior fitting, and has also corrected the designs and schemes of colour decoration. Of her type the yacht is the largest afloat." Her length over all is 160 ft, on water line 120 ft, breadth of beam 27ft, depth 18ft Bin,and draught 15ft. The masts, of Oregon pine, will be 105 ft in height, and the longest room 85ft in length. The deck-work will be of teck the capstans and winches of bronze, and the interior fittings in various hard woods. The yacht is to taken to Southampton for interior fittings. The Sheration period has been selected in the treatment of the main saloon amidships, and a novel feature, emanating from the Eirperor, will be the introduction of a spinet in lieu of a piano, designed to balance a side board taken from an antique but charming 5 model. Every consideration is to be given to the utilisation of available space to the best advantage. In the Emperor's bedroom the wardrobe fitments, dressing table, and washstand will be so arranged that the apartment can be readily converted into a sitting room. Again, in the bathroom the bath is to be fitted in the floor. The ladies' saloon and that for the use of the Empress will present a finely designed Adams interior, with the enrichments in low relief.