MISTAKEN CRITICS.

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 4

MISTAKEN CRITICS.

A KKW hours prior to Sir Joseph Ward’s announcement yesterday concerning the vigorous prosecution of railway construction to bring unfinished lines to completion a northern contemporary, which took the defeat of the Reform Government in anything but a philosophic spirit, declared; “In the meantime the Government is having a kind of holiday, and the country is being administered, as normally it must be, by the permanent heads of departments.” The Government is having anything but a holiday of any kind. In his election campaign Sir Joseph Ward announced a bold programme of developmental work, and he is losing no time in getting it under way. Of the railway gaps that are to be closed that existing on the NapierGisborne route is the most important in the North Island, and that between Parnassus and Ward is the most important in the South Island In each case the precise route to be followed has not yet been definitely decided, but the necessary surveys are to be put in hand at once. Thus there will promptly disappear a somewhat hoary excuse for an inaction which at one time threatened to become chronic. It is particularly refreshing to hear Sir Joseph Ward speaking in the vein he adopted in regard to those who make dismal prophecies about the future of the northern section of the South Island Main Trunk line. He reminded those whose memories are not very long that precisely the same criticism had been levelled against the North Island Main Trunk line. How ludicrously astray were such forecasts of a non-paying future now needs no emphasising.

lie tom ng to tho vessels which had arrived direct from or sailed direct to London during tho year ended September 30, 15)28, tho annual report of the chairman of tho Harbour Board (Mr H. E. Moller) stated that four vessels—tho Matatua, Mahia, Port Dunedin, and Ruapehu—arrived direct from London, while seven vessels—tho Mahia, Port Denison, City of Winchester, Mamilius, Cumberland, Port Adelaide, and Tongariro—sailed direct for London. The largest vessel to arrive at or depart from the port was the G.A. Larsen, which arrived from Sandoj ford on November 10, 1927, drawing •‘loft lOin aft, thus creating a port record.

In liis annual report to members of the Harbour Board, the chairman (Mr H. B. Holler) stated that the total loss of revenue, arising from the exemption of Government goods from wharfage dues continued to mount up materially. During the year ended September 30 last the loss on imports amounted to £3,953, and on exports £423. From 1914 to 1927 the loss on imports amounted to £92,414, and on exports £3,405. At the conclusion of the meeting of the Harbour Board last night tho chairman (Mr H. E. Moller) took the opportunity of conveying the season’s greetings to his fellow-members of tho board. Ho commented upon the friendly relations that had always existed among members, and he thanked them for the assistance they had given him so willingly. He expressed the hope that tho coming year would find them all in the best of health, and paid a compliment to the officers and staff on the manner in which they hud carried out their duties. Messrs J. M. Dickson and C. H. Hayward responded on behalf of the members of the board, and Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie and Captain M'Lean on behalf of the staff. The Public Works Department has accepted the tender of Mr Malcolm Stevenson for the excavation of tho Post Office site between Princes and Bond streets. That is tho final preparatory operation until instruction comes to proceed with the building. Some of tho spoil has been sold to tho Dunedin Corporation for raising a portion of the Oval,

Otago Peninsula settlers and sightseeing motorists will be pleased to learn that tenders are now called by the Public Works Department for the proper making of four miles of the lower road to Portobello—the four miles next the city. This undertaking is part of the main highways scheme. Arrangements have been made whereby the local bodies are to contribute so much per annum, the work to he in the bauds of the department. Men are already put on to prepare the curves for super elevation. The full scheme embraces the intent to go on, as opportunity serves, with the further stretch of road to Portobello, ten miles in all. Skookums, one of the biggest dogs m the Byrd dog teams, is still on Quarantine Island waiting a passage to tho Bay of Whales. He is better known to the world at large as Bin Tin Tin. and lie missed the first trip through being engaged in America on a film contract.

In memory of tho six yachtsmen who lost their lives when tho Bute capsized off Quarantine Island early in November, a memorial service will be held under the lee of the island on Sunday afternoon. The service has been arranged by tho North-east Harbour Boating Club, of which the yachtsmen wore members, and a wreath will bo dropped on the water at the spot where the boat turned over. The Rev. Mr M'Artlmr will conduct tho service. To enable the general public to participate a special trip will bo run by the ferry steamer from Dunedin on Sunday afternoon.

The City Fire Brigade was called out at 5.17 this morning to extinguish a chimney fire in the residence of Mr J Roche, in Queen’s drive. No damage was done. A justifiable fatso alarm at 10.55 a.m. resulted in the brigade turning out to the Phoenix Factory in Maclaggan street.

There is one Dunedin sportsman who has pleasurable recollections of his meeting with AV. R Hammond, tho famous English cricketer, who played so prominent a part in England's success in the recent test. Ho is Mr Fred. Foster, treasurer of tho Otago Boxing Association, uho met Hammond on the train from Brisbane to Sydney after the first test, wliich tho Duncclmitc witnessed. On the same train as tho Englishmen, Mr _ Foster’s consternation may easily be imagined, when he discovered that he had lost his ticket, and was faced with the prospect of paying several pounds lor another ticket. *Tho guard, however, promised to wire Brisbane to sec if the ticket had been picked up on tho station, but in the meantime, .Hammond, the English cricketer, had found it, subsequently giving it to the guard. . Mr Foster made his way to the Englishmen's carriage and personally thanked Hammond for his action, also expressing the hope that the Englishman would make a century tho next tnne he handled & bat. Instead of which, ho went on and compiled 251! The Otago Hospital Board's Christmas cheer fund benefits further as under: —Lodge St. George, No. 1,128, E.C. (Lawrence). £2 2s.

Bignell Holmes’s garage, at .Tokomaru Buy* n. largo wooden buildingj was destroyed by fire this morning as tho result of a mishap in vulcanising operations. All the cars in the garage were saved, but material and plant were destroyed. A billiard saloon and shop, occupied by AA’i Pota, and tbo Native Trust Office adjoining were also destroyed.—Press Association.

Touring parlies require field glasses. The Octagon optician, Mr W. V. Stunner, invites inspection of the u Little Gem, £4 10s: worth £l2 10s. —[Advt.l Go to Todd's “White House,” George street, the dollies’ hospital and childrens rea l toy shop, tor all Christmas gifts.— fAdvt.] The ‘ Evening Star ’ Pocket Diary for 1929 is now being distributed to subscribers through the agents. It is a useful and valued gift. Season’s greetings received (and cordially reciprocated) from the Minister, General Manager, and executive officers of tho Kailways Department, and from tho Mayor and Mayoress of Dunedin. At the final meeting of the committee of the above it was decided to hold a competition for fancy dress on Wednesday and Thursday evenings of next week. The secretary reported having made satisfactory arrangements with tho Railway Department for excursion trains at cheap rates, and intending patrons are asked to watch daily papers for railway programme.