THE WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 75, 29 March 1913, Page 11

THE WEEK.

THE DOMINION. j Tbe Governor has approved of the proposal that H.M.S. New Zealand remain in Wellington from the 12th to the 22nd April, leaving that day for Auckland, visiting Napier and Gisborne en route, arriving in Auckland on the 29th April and remaining till the lHh May. These proposals require Commander Kaiser's consent. The warship's further itinerary will be settled after i her arrival.

A great sensation was caused early on Monday by the loss of four members of a paTty which set- out from Ohaktinc on Saturday to ascend Mount Ruapehu. The party numbered six, and included Miss Cocho (a resident of Auckland and a tourist who has visited many parts of the world), Messrs. Schubert and Watters (of Auckland), and Bingham (of Obakunc). Two other Ohaknne residents (Messrs. Mclntyrc and Willoughby) were with them, but they managed to get safely out of the snow, and returned to the township in ivn exhausted condition. Search parties were formed, and spent two days in desperate endeavour to find the missing trippers. Kv-entniiTly alt were accounted for except Miss Coohc and Bingham. The former was met near Ohakune quite exiansted- She- had lost her companion, who fell into a stream flowing between precipitous rocks and was drowned, while she herself had had a terrible experience in making her way out of the bush. Search was continued until Thursday night, for the body of Bingham, which was found at the spot indicated by Miss Co-che.

There was a great rush for scctinnß iv the Hauraki Plains (ballot at the Auckland Crown l_uids Board Office this week, the number of applications being so great that proceedingK had to be moved to the Sailors' Mission Hall. There were no less than 4,257 applications pnt in by 1,002 applicants for the 112 sections offered. For 23 sections there were 700 applications. The Commissioner explained that tbe Board had to reject a certain number of applicant's, to give preference to married men with children. lie read a list of 250, mostly single men. and a large number of those in attendance left the room. A list of 30 names was also rend of persons whose applications had arrived too late.

The shipment of butter to be taken I from Onehunfra by the Corinna to-day for Wellington, there to lhe transhipped to tho New Zealand Shipping Co.'s Rua ' hine for London, totals 8.000 botes. Tho oonsijrnrnent shown a decline of about 3.000 boxes on the quantity taken by the Arawa for tho previons fortnight. The recent rainn have had a marked effect on the pasture throughout the province, and although the reason is on the wane the figures should be fairly strong for the early April shipment to Home pnrus nnd Viux-ouver. In addition to the butter shipment, tho Corinna takes 700 crates <.f <i«>cso. also for transhipment to the Buahlne. Latest reports from the High Commissioner stat* that the oherse market is quiet and unchanged. The annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association was held in Auckland this week, und was attended by delegates from various parts of New Zealand. Mr S. llritUiin-Bull was

elected president. Tho report of the secretary (Mr .1. B. Mcrrett) showed tho industry was valued at £2,000,000 per annum, and the standard of birds throughout the Dominion wns steadily, improving. During the year a trial shipment of poultry had been made to Vancouver, and had proved a suncess. During the conference a number of interesting papers were read, and much useful information relating to poultry was disceminated. Th-c conference concluded on Thursday, and on the f-jllowinp day the delegates left lor Rotorua. On Monday they visit the State poultry farm at Ruakirra, and 'then return to their homes. ———-— _T_P_Rli__~ Rea power has again occupied a central ; position in the politics of Empire, as the result of a firm announcement by Mr. Churchill that despite Germany's everincreasing programme Britain would achate no jot of her intention to hold an unassailaihle position on -the seas, against any reasonable and probable coalition again.-rt her. Mr. Churchill again offered tbe olive branch to Germany -by renewing his offer to take a year's holiday from building, thus saving Germany the cost of building three ships and Britain five, and nt the same time slijrhtly improving Germany's ratio as compared with England. The British shipyards arc now fully occupied, but the First Lord indicated that should Germany keep irp the pressure more Dreadnought ships will be provided. In Canada the Liberals have raised the siege on the naval bill to the extent of granting the Government snpply, though they still maintain the stonewall on -the bill.

Tho British Naval Defence Committee has recommended that in future all British warships be oil-driven. The Admiralty is expending £2.000,000 in oil fuel depots.

Mr. Asquith has reiterated his recent statement that Britain Ls under no secret obligation to send troops to the Continent in the event of war, thus indicating that Britain Is not hampered in her freedom -to range herself behind any Power with a view to rr_intarr_Tig the European equilibrium.

The activity of the nrilitant su-fTrn-gettes diminished -a little-during the week their only notable exploits being the locking up. with chains and padlocks, of the Independent Labour Congress at Manchester because it refused them admission, and the baiting of Mr. Keir Hardie, chairman of the congress. Lord Robert Cecil suggests deporting the militants to some -distant island for terms of at least a year. IN THE CO___OirV___LTH. The strike of ferry hands in Sydney which was declared without warning on Good Friday was settled on Wednesday, the demand of Hie strikers for a 48-hour week at the 00 hour rate of pay being conceded. Tbe Government ran an auxili-: ary service during the strike, and owners of launches reaped a rich harvest. Numerous messages have been exchanged between the cruiser New Zealand and the wireless station at Wil* linrastown Naval Depot. Mr. Fisher sent a message to Captain _alsey* "Welcome to Australia. We must live together. I , belierve we should work together for peace ami happiness, and to that end, if necessary, fight together." Captain Halsey replied : "Many thanks for your cordial welcome." Captain Davis, of the Aurora, has received a wireless message from Dr. Mawson, hoping that the oeeanographical work will be continued during the coming winter, or at least that the Aurora will arrive early next summer in order to undertake an extensive cruise after the relief of the main party in Commonwealth Pay. Professor David says that the funds will not permit of a winter cruise, but be is hopeful of meeting Dr Mawson. wishes regarding an early start

FOREIGN AFFAIRS. j The last eflective stand vi una lurks has been broken. Adrianople has fallen to the victorious Butgars, who captured the city on Wednesday after lierc. final I assaults iv which both they and the] Turks lost heavily. Forty thousand additional troops are now on their way to tho Chataldja lines. Chataldja village is reported to be again in the hands of the invaders, and tne inarch into Constantinople cannot now be far off. That consummation will uot avail the Balkan Allies beyond the bare satisfaction of entering tho capital of the foe, the European Concert having determined the extent of the territory to be annexed by the confederacy. Sir Edward Grey has stated that England and at least one other Power will take the field rather than sec the decision of the Powers departed froir..

A terrible disaster, comparable to the 'Frisco earthquake, overtook Ohio on Tuesday, a cloudburst, followed by terrible floods, devastating a tremendous area of -country, and costing over 2,500 lives. A quarter of a million people are homeless,, and the damage runs into millions j. Fires followed the flood in DayiopSancL'Franklin, and scores were drowncdftbjjSl leaping from the burning buildingswinto the flooded streets. The day before a terrific tornado struck Omaha, Ncbnisk.i. a hundred and fifty being killed by fall! ■_ timbers in a swathe four blocks wide cut through the town.

Germany is to raise a total of £50,000,000 for the army by her tax of 12/- per cent on all capital held within the Empire.. She also intends to take all intestate estates of the kinless dead for the Bame purpose.