TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3170, 22 April 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

SUBSIDIES AND MAILS, We admit, says the Auckland "Star" that from the patriotic or Imperial standpoint there is a great deal to be said for the "All Red" route. But it seems to us that the proposal to run a special service at an ex- j tremely high fate of speed on either j Atlantic or Pacific routes is not, under existing circumstances, financially sound, and that unless we can be content with a moderately fast service, and decline to follow the somewhat spectacular suggestions put forward by the promoters of the scheme, we are likely to find the experience of the Cunard and thej HamburgAmerica, and the Norddeutscher Lloyd repeated in our own unfortunate case.

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. When Mr R. McNab. was in Christchurch yesterday, ha was asked for an opinion on the question of the reorganisation of the Agricultural Department, of which he had charge during the last Parliament. He said that he did not know what alterations were proposed, but the department was one which, under stress of financial conditions, might be reduced enomroously. If It was proposed to reduce the cost only, that could be i done by abandoning a number of duties undertaken by the department n the interests of agriculture. In 14 bat case, of course, the farmers ! would have to forego a number of | luxuries tbey now enjoyed.

INTERESTING BALANCE SHEETS. At the ijieeting of the Masterton Hospital lrustees yesterday morning, the balance sheets in connection with the Masterton general Hospital and the Infectious Diseases hospital for the year ended March 31st were placed before the meeting. On account of the general hospital it was shown that the receipts during the year had amounted to £3,85(5 6s 7d, and the expenditure to £3,731 12s, ileaving a credit balance of £615 4s yd, which included £490 10s 2d carried forward from last year. Assets were set down at £13,562 10s lid, and liabilities £l6O 15s 111 In connection with the infectious diseases hospital, the receipts amounted to £449 ss, and expenditure £379 12s lid. The balance from last year was ss, and the balance at March 31st, was £69 17s Id. Assets were set down at £1,569 17s Id, and liabilities at £ls. The chairman (Mr J. B. Keith) was of opinion that the returns as shown were very satisfactory. 'lbe secretary was to be commended for having the complete details available at the first meeting after the close of the year. The annual statement of accounts and balance sheets for both hospitals were adopted.

NATIVE LANDS. The compilation of the latest reports by the Native Land Commission has just been completed. The areas dealt with embrace all the native lands within the Auckland province, and the information disclosed is of a jnost important character. The first; report deals with the native lands in the Manuka, Waikabo, Thames, and Ohinemuri counties. Specific recommendations are set out in regard thereto, and the total area covered by the report is as follows:

Acres. Lands leased 36,376 Lands for Maori occupation 55,483 Lands for general Settlement by lease 81,503 Lands for general settlement by sale 77,375 Grand total 250,737 This area comprises the bulk of the kands owned by the tribes forming the Waikato Confederacy, and acknowledging the leadership of the Hon. Mr Mahuta, M.L.C., but; not those of tribes which have seceded under Taingakawa.