GREAT CANAL PROJECT.

Evening Star, Issue 22709, 24 July 1937, Page 14

GREAT CANAL PROJECT.

It is announced from New York that the Nicaragua Canal project is being revived. The dream of a century, there seems every likelihood of it being fulfilled, for the reason that the United States is vitally concerned in the construction of another great waterway across the narrow part of the American continent. To the United. States tho Panama Canal is an asset of immense importance, but it is also a liability. Its blockage now would be a disaster to trade and commerce, and such an event is always a possibility. The construction of this canal was a triumph of skilful- engineering, but the hills on either side of it are on loose and unstable foundations, and the risk of slips is a constant cause of anxiety. The. channel was informally opened in 1914, but big slips occurred in the two succeeding years, the channel being entirely ■ blocked by slides in the banks of the Gaillard cut. The clearing of the debris and precautionary measures against further mishaps meant a heavy and expensive task, but in 1920 the canal was formally opened to commerce by proclamation of the President of the United States. There has been no interruption since, but the position is by no means secure. Central America is an earthquake region, and the risks of an upheaval in the Panama zone are obvious, with the chances of a dislocation of traffic that would affect the trade of almost every nation. Another consideration that affects the position is the possibility of the United States being engaged in a war, when an enterprising enemy might conceivably choke this invaluable artery. It will thus bo seen that the construction of a canal in co-operation with Nicaragua is to the Government of the United States a matter of the highest importance.

As the result of protracted, negotiations the Bryan-Chamarro Treaty between, Nicaragua and the United States was signed in 1916, under which America in return for three million dollars acquired the option for a canal route through Nicaragua, and also a naval base in the Bay of Fonseca, on the Pacific Coast, and Corn Island, on the Atlantic Coast. American army engineers reported to Congress in 1931 that a Nicaraguan Canal would cost 700,000,000 dollars, a sum that would have to be augmented under presentday costs. As an alternative it was suggested that a third set of locks on the Panama Canal could be constructed for 140,000,000 dollars. For the reasons above mentioned the Nicaragua proposal, giving an independent waterway, is preferred by the American defence authorities and the Commerce Department. Congress has had the matter under consideration since the beginning of the year, and now it is reported that the Nicaraguan Government is prepared to give treaty rights to the United States to transport troops and materials by the new railway from Lake Nicaragua to the Pacific Ocean in an emergency if the United States will provide three million dollars for turning fhe San Juan River from the lake to the Atlantic into a ship canal. To complete the whole job, as has been indicated, involves the American people in, a very heavy bill, but the plan contemplates a sea level canal of 173 miles, including fifty miles of lake. The Panama project, after the failure of De Lesseps, hung fire for a long time, but the canal has abundantly justified itself. There seems to be agreement in the American Congress and among the defence services on the practicability and usefulness of the Nicaraguan project, and as local interests are in line with those of the United States Government, it seems likely that the work will be undertaken in the not far distant future.

The Auckland-Springboks match (the opening engagement of the latter’s tour), and tho final game in the local Rugby competition will be features of to-night’s ‘ Sports Special,’ whiclx will bo sold on the streets from 7 o’clock.

The postal authorities advise that the Mariposa left Sydney at noon on Friday for Auckland with 43 bags of Australian mail and 21 parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail should reach the local office on Wednesday evening. In the Police Court this morning Harold John Carr (30) was charged with stealing a handbag and its contents, valued at £3, the property of Veronica M‘Donnell. Chief-detective Young asked for a remand until Wednesday next, and this was granted, the accused being released on his own recognisance of £25, conditional upon his reporting twice daily to the police. An elderly first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged. The work of maintaining the foredune stretching from St. Clair to Lawyer’s Head is of primary importance, and constant attention is necessary to prevent the formation of “ gaps ” and bare spots (states the annual report of the Ocean Beach Domain Board). The dune is increasing in height, and is consequently more liable to damage by the south-west wind. “ Gaps ” are covered with branches as soon as they appear, and when the branches are sanded over marram grass is immediately planted. Without such attention the dune would become broken, and the playing grounds at the rear would be quickly turned into a sandy waste. The final treatment of the dune would consist of the planting of suitable trees, and some of this work has already been done. Olearia Traversii and veronica have proved most suitable for such planting. Almost the complete personnel of the House of Representatives will be meeting at Wellington next ■week, as_ the party caucuses coincide. The National Party’s Dominion Council meets on Wednesday, when it is understood tho party programme will be practically decided on, and the parliamentary members are expected to hold a caucus during the two following days. At the same time the members of the Labour Party are gathering to welcome the Prim© Minister and to hold a caucus preliminary to the session.—Wellington correspondent. “ Jt is very indefinite whether this service will continue,”- stated Captain Schmidt, of the vessel Gera, which left yesterday after making her first visit for the Hamburg-Amenka Lin© to New Zealand. The difficulty is coal, there being / no coaling stations between Panama and New Zealand. This means that bunkers take up too much space. There is any amount of cargo offering, while the shippers in Gulf of Mexico ports are crying for space and more space.” The Gera was a full ship when she arrived at Auckland, her first port in the Dominion, having a quantity of cargo stowed on deck, the hatches being filled.

Heavy seas and Winding rain were encountered by the Shaw, feavill and Albion steamer Waimana for 24 liours on Sunday last, when the vessel was some hundreds of miles to the east of New Zealand. The Waimana, en route from Liverpool, was deep in the water with a full cargo, and south-south-westerly weather resulted in a heavy pounding being received. Deck fittings were damaged by seas sweeping the ship. The Waipawa. from Auckland to London, reported similar conditions. The Government has decided to buy an area of 78 acres of land! at Riecarton, from the Metropolitan Trotting Club - for building under the housing scheme, according to advice recived by ‘ The Press ’ last evening from the Minister of' Industries and. Commerce (the Hon. 'D. G. Sullivan), who was informed of the decision by Mr J. A Lee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary in charge of housing. The land! was purchased by the Trotting Club about 16 years ago to provide a trotting ground, but this project was later abandoned. The land has been leased for grazing and for building, two houses having been erected. The Minister’s telegram stated: The area is on the third section by tram from the city of Christchurch, and .sewerage and electricity are total of 335 sections can be obtained upon suitable resubdivision, and. allowing for the cost of the land and allowing a reasonable price for the houses taken over, the land fully serviced should! not exceed £97 per section.

A possible explanation of the venerable joke about the plumber going hack for his tools, was revealed by Mr A. S. Prime, or the New Zealand Standards Institute, to the technological section of the Wellington Philosophical Society. It was a result of lack of standardisation, said Mr Prime. A plumber would be called to put a valve on a tap, and the housewife would he incapable of describing what, kind of a tap it was. The plumber would arrive with one kind of valve and, finding it unsuitable, would have to go home for another.

A well-balanced- stag head, hearing 17 -points, a prize which several parties from all partg of the Dominion are said to have stalked unsuccessfully during the last two or three years, was amongst several heads secured by Messrs D. Hanrahan and J. Arnst, of Ashburton, on a deer-stalking trip at the head of the Rangitata River. The stag, which was shot near the junction of the Havelock and Forbes Rivers, was wounded at 600 yards, and was brought down after a strenuous chase over the hills. The head is said to be the largest taken in the district. It is thought that the stag was liberated, as it was earmarked.

A strong plea that steps should be taken in the South Island to secure legislative action aimed at preventing the farther loss of representation in Parliament was made yesterday by Mr S. G. Holland, M.P. Commenting on the findings of tho representation com r ■ missions, which have recommended steps involving the loss of the Chalmers seat in the south and the Oroua seat in the north, and tho gain of one seat by the North Island, Mr Holland declared that already the South Island representation in the House had reached a degree incompatible with the importance of the island. “I, think that our representation _in Parliament is already too low, considering the important part we play in the affairs of the Dominion as a whole,” said Mr Holland, “ and considering our area, our geographical position, and general productivity. We contribute our big share to the national wealth, and economically we play a far more important part in the affairs of the Dominion than our now meagre representation in Parliament would indicate.” A unique memento of old Dunedin was found during excavations on the sit© of the new Church of Christ to be erected in North-east Valley. The memento is an 1857 coin issued by Day and Milville, merchants, of Dunedin, and is dated 1857. Slightly larger than a half-crown, the one side shows Britannia, with the date underneath and the words “ New Zealand ” around the side, while the other is lettered as follows; —“Day and Milville, Merchants, Dunedin. Otago.”

The usual weekly old-time dance will be held to-night in the Early Settlers’ Hall. The Sports Band will supply the music. Residents willing to assist with accommodation during the football period iu Dunedin are invited to communicate with the secretary of the Caledonian Society, Dunedin. Notifications of Sunday services as enumerated below appear in our Sunday services advertising columns; —Anglican: St. Paul’s Cathedral, All Saints’. Presbyterian: First Church, Knox Church, St. Andrew’s, Musselburgh, St. Stephen’s, Roslyn, Kaikorai, Maori Hill. Methodist; Trinity, Central Mission, Mornington, St. Kilda, Cavershara, Dundas Street, Abbotsford. Baptist: Hanover Street, Caversham, Mornington. South Dunedin, Roslyn, Sunshine, North-east Valley, Green Island. Congregational: Moray Place Church, United. Church of Christ: St. Andrew Street, North-east Valley, South Dunedin, York Place Hall. Salvation Army. Playfair Street Hall. Christian Science. Theosophical Society. Spiritualists. Orange Hall. On August 19 the United Starr-Bowketl Building Society will dispose of £I,BOO by sale and ballot. The Southern Starr-Bowkelt Society announces the disposal of £I,OOO by ballot and sale in group Nos. 5 and 3 on Monday evening. The Otago Mutual Slarr-Bowkett Society will ballot for a premium loan in No. 3 group on Wednesday next. Particulars of the Railway Department’s train and fare arrangements m connection with the Otago v. Southland Ranfurly Shield match on July 31, and the pipe bands’ demonstration on August 1, are advertised in this issue. The Oddfellows’ ball will be held on Friday, August 13 in the Concert Chamber. The programme will include old-time and modern dances, to the music of '.the Savonia Band. The Plunket Ball, under vice-Regal patronage, will be held in the Town Hall on Monday, August 16. Laruach Castle Cabaret to-night. Patrons are requested to book early for - Southland night, next Saturday, The grocers’ hall, which, has been held annually for the past 10 years, will take place on Wednesday night in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. As usual, the decorations will be of an original nature, and the programme will include old and new dances.