TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8134, 8 May 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

During the last few years a considerable amount of interest has been manifested in the colony re* garding the hardy catalpa tree of North America, which has the reputation of producing timber that is practically indesfciuotible in contact with the soil. It is a tree of exceedingly rapid growth, and transplants without difficulty. In regard to soils it seems to do best on such as are fairly rich and moistgrowing naturally as it does in river valleys, subject *to frequent inundations. Much difficulty has hitherto been found in procuring a supply of the true species, but the State Forest Department at Rotorua were fortunate in seouring a large parcel of excellent seed, from whioh were raised a considerable number of sturdy plants, varying from 12 inches to 24 inches in height. In order to test its suitability through out the colony, the Department have arranged to supply settlers and otheis with parcels 01 from one hundred to five hundred at a nominal price, meruly to cover cost of liEting, packing and despatoh. Bequests for supplies should be addressed to the Nurseryman in charge, Rotorua.

Startling reports are current in Vienna regarding the health of the infant heir to the throne of Russia, whose birth was signalled by the booming of many guns and much national rejoicing. According to these reports, the Tsarewitz is both deaf and dumb. Other reports describe him* as suffering from raiorosephalous. That his mental condition is such that he can never ascend the throne of Russia and rule is a court secret that is just leaking out, and is startling the monarcbs of Europe, who had believed that the child of the Tsar was healthy. His physical health, as well as the' mental condition is, bv rumour, said to be auoh that he may not survive many months. The reports have caused a sensation in Russia, and may affect revolutionary movements.

The age-limit is in force in America, in almost every avenue of employment. It is in a certain measure becoming general in New Zealand, especially as regards clerical employment. In offices there are few, if any, elderly men emplpy*>d. The great majority of clerks employed! are young men, and there is also an increasing tendency to employ young women as typists, shorthand writers and bookkeepers, To an ordinary individual it is rattier a puzzling problem aa to what becomes of the men who have grown old in clerical work. They all seem to drop off the scene unnoticed and unoared for. Should a position be vacant, the man of 50 or thereabouts has no chance whatever with the young man of 26. The remuneration of the ordinary rank and file is poor, and yet scores of parents are qualifying their ohildren for clerical work. I

At the annual meeting of the Marton branch of the Farmers' Union recently, Mr it. K. Simpson brought up the question of draft oharges on wool. Taking wool at an average price of 9d per lb the farmers of New Zealand lost £62,000 last season by allowing this charge to be made, His loss was £52 last year. The Chairman explained that in the early days toe vendor allowed the seller lib on each owt, which was called a draft charge, on account of the inaccuracy of weighing machines. It had been customary to make this allowance ever since, and there was no reason why this should be done. It meant a loss to the farmer of 41b of wool in every bale. It was resolved: "That this branch desires to draw attention to the unfair practice in vogue in deducting draft charges of lib on each cwt of wool sold " This resolution is to be forwarded to the Colonial Executive.

In the House of Commons, in reply to Mr Molteno, who asked the Secretary of State for War what has been tbe number and cost of eaoh year since the war ended of the troops maintained in South Africa, and the cost in each year of barracks and other military works, and what has been the amount of colonial contributions to these costs, a table was given by Mr Haldane showing: 1903-4 (31,000 troops), cost £9,190,000; 1904-5 (23,000), £4,140.000; 1905-6 (£20,000) £2,700,000. The only contribution towards the above cost made by the colonial administrations is an aunual payment of £4,000 by Natal. The Commander in Chief of the Australian Squadron has furnished the Defence Department with a report on the various matters concerning the squadron. The men enrolled in the permanent force are:—New South Wales, 148; Victoria, 109; New Zealand, 107; Queensland, 58: South Australia, 49; Tasmania, 30; West Australia, 24; total, 525. Of this number 267 are serving on the Challenger, 103 on the Pioneer, 90 on the Psyche, and 65 on the Pyramus. In a note attached to the report, Vice-Admiral Pawkea aays: —"The recruiting of Australian seamen iB of necessity very gradual, and it ia not possible to at once fill up to the full numbers authorised until those already serving havo received sufficient training to allow of them renlaoiug Hometrainel men. alho, as tbe men of the permanent force oamplete their five-year engagements they are free to join the Australian branch of the Royal Navy Reserve. It will, therefore be seen that in order to prevent subsequent excess of the numbers authorised it is inadvisable to enter many more Royal Navy Reserve men from other souroea."