NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 210, 1 June 1929, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

New records continue to be established year after year by the Public Trust Office, until to-day its business is represented by huge rows of figures, while its ramifications extend over the whole length, and breadth of the Dominion. It is a vast financial institution, involving a heavy responsibility in the administration of the great interests involved. There is no sign of diminution in the popularity of this State institution. Last year the estates under administration increased in value from £44,000,000 to £48,000,000, the highest increase yet recorded in any one year.

To-day’s news of the King’s latest indisposition is a little disquieting. The trouble in itself is said to be comparatively unimportant, but it unfortunately occurs at a time when His Majesty’s constitution must have been seriously shaken by his recent trying and dangerous ordeal. It is evident that it will be some considerable time before the King can afford to dispense with the strictest precautions against chills. Lord Dawson’s return to London a month before he was expected may have no particular significance beyond the possibility that he desired to be present at the Birthday festivities.

Mayor and Council are happily in accord on the question of removing the Corporation Destructor and yards to a more suitable locality. It is to be hoped that the matter will not be left at the point where Thursday’s discussion ended, namely, that it is a question of finance, and a task for the more or less indefinite future. This unsightly chimney, with its foothills of sheds, arid its depressing boundaries of fencing, stands at the entrance to the City’s most beautiful parade, one of the finest seaside promenades in the country, in fact. The citizens in recent years have shown unmistakable evidence that they are developing an sesthetic sense. They have put up with the presence of a dilapidated railway station, a morgue, and a rubbish destructor in the vicinity of their very fine promenade for a great many years, and they may probably, be allowed to put up with these excrescences for many more unless they take the matter up at the point where the Council has left it. One wonders -how a loan proposal for the removal of the Destructor would have fared last April.

As the Minister of Education remarked, the Boards’ Conference has taken a very round-about way of formulating the Board point of view on the subject of reforming the system of administration. The Conference seemed to be agreed on the point that some measure of unification was required. To ascertain the best means of achieving this, it has referred the question to a sub-committee of Board chairmen. Mr. Atmore apparently desires a speedier solution of a problem which he no doubt finds as difficult to elucidate as others have done. He now proposes to call a conference of all representatives of all educational activities in the country. It is to be hoped that he will not overlook the University when arranging the representation. At this late date it does not appear to be likely that this projected conference will meet before Parliament assembles, and the session will probably be well advanced before its conclusions are sent on to the Minister. It may even be too late for anything to be done this year, • for legislation which proposes materially to modify the local administrative side of the system will not have an easy passage through Parliament. Mr. Atmore says he has his own opinions about. what ought to be done, but he appears to be somewhat reluctant to tell the public what they are. Rather does he seem to prefer the method of taking wisdom from the multitude of counsellors.