Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Grey River Argus, 7 March 1918, Page 2

Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Delivered ?ver^ inorttlngr iv Gropninth Rinnan:, Hokitika, l)obson, 'Vallsoiii' l'liylorv.-Jii, Cronaduu, Ngnhevo, Blackball, Nclsou Creek. B:uuner, To Khifdi;i, Ivotonui-UH Poeruu, I> - ei.l><>iiiiie, Pati'.ro, Burn, Kaiumtii, Koh'kti, Mnaua, Aratikn, I'-mnuign, Duuollie, Colrtlen, Buxter's.-Kokm, Ahi'ura, Ikainutua, Stillwutcr, Wuiutii.au<i ReufUni THTRSDAY. MARCH 7rli, ISMS. v THE WAX BILL. YKSTJiKDAY- wo published ;i statement uf. \YI\V OXJK'HSCH UJjl to tllO 011(1 of last year, showing a total of over thirty-two and a half millions, wbieh, at the iirst glance, docs not seem inordinary large when all the circumstances ure considered. A glance at the details, however, gives one the impression' that in regard to two or three items a very considerable saving could have been effected, and the amounts seem so extraordinarily large that a detailed explanation is necessary to satisfy the public that there has been no avoidable waste of expenditure. There is a Commission now sitting to enquire into the expenditure and methods of th Dcepatment in this and other respects, so it is probable that the explanation will be forthcoming at some future date, and, without in any way touching upon the work of that Commission, it is pertinent to enquire how, without apparent extravagance, the bill for the "distribution of news and casualty lists" could have totalled the large sum of £200,000. It will be interesting to know also how the amounts are arrived at that are set opposite the itemrf "Hospital Ship, Maheno, £271,---704," 'and Hospital Ship Mamma, £258,850, " to whom the money was paid, and how much of it was handed to the owners, the Union S.S. Co. It would be nioru than interesting also to know what was the original cost of those ships, and what was the nature of the agreement under which they were chartered for use as hospital ships, what wove the stipulations if any, to cover their possible sinking in the danger zone, and were-they insured, if so, for how much, and Avith what companies; also what amounts Avere to be paid for the charters? A clear statement of those items may have the effect of clearing - away speculations that are now going on in regard to these items, or it may add zest to them, according to the nature of the details, of which the public know nothing. It is understood that the Union S.S. Co., has an insurance fund of its . own, and does not insure its boats, in which case, of course, the capital sum for insurance. avouUl not be a charge against the Department under the charter, while- the premium thci-eon would be, Avhile the charter lasted. But all this is merely beating the air in the, absence of the details, and Aye merely mention the matter to show the absolute uselessncss of Government Departments generally, as is their wont, publishing such figures

without giving the details. In regard to the item "Distribution of Avar news and casualty lists £200,000," it is perfectly plain that there has been woeful Avastc, and it is still going on |if it includes as it. probably does, Mr, Malcolm lloss's salary and expenses,! for the country is not getting anything like value for that expenditure; [and 'if what he sends avcio cut. out altogether, no one Avould be the worse ■ for it in this country. We do not want a football reporter on the battlefield or behind it at £1000 a year,-and as for Avar news from that source, ay» get nothing that is of value as news. The Press channels of information attend to all that, and. do it well, so Avhy he; is retained is a mystery. Then again there is the duplication of hoavs per High Commissioner's cables Avhich is another absolute waste, and if the High Commissioner and his staff cannot find something more useful to do than that it shows that he and they too are not earning their salaries. "Expenses of camps £570,718," is (another item about which something ■might be said. The item, no doubt, [includes the cost of the lands puri chased on Avhich to plant them, and the sellers of those lands may not have profited to any. large extent; but the planting of those camps has increased the value of the surrounding lands to an, enormous extent, especially the town allotments adjacent, and the owners of them have been thereby enriched to a far greater degree than can. be reached by war taxation under present methods. Thus it will be seen that the burdens of the war do not fall equally or fairly upon all as they should do. A little forethought and statesmanship might have adjusted those matters ati the proper time Avithout injuring anybody; but we have first to find the forethought and the statesmanship. . Where are they'?

Evidently Waverley girls are not going to be 'left behind, and are determined to protect the property of their •brothers A\ho have gone to the .war. In some cases they have put on their brothers' clothes and gone out into the air in them "just to keep the moths out" (says a Taranaki paper. Perhaps this' would be considered quite right, whilst assisting on the farm, but Avhen it comes to walking out in the streets in full dress, even to hats, it is little wonder the Territorials at a recent, parade broke into a run at the prospect of secuing a couple of Lefty recruits. In the recent prosecutions by the liodough authorities to secure t£e payment oi : outstanding rates, the total claims sued for amounted to £750 the amounts so far paid totalling about £200. .The main object of puttiug the claims through the court is that the judgment so obtained* makes the liability good on the books of the borough for 20 years, and takes priority to mortgage and other lines. In the case o f freeholds the rates are irrecoverable at law if the amount sued for has been outstanding for a greater period than tAVo years, and in the case of leaseholds four years. (Jut of 78 summonses 22 defaulters paid the amounts claimed (either into court or at the borough office), aud judgment by aehiult was obtained in 50 cases, leaving six summonses still to be served on those whose addresses or whereabouts are not yet known. The Hoisery x'roblem for Ladies is solved at W. McKay's aud Sons where a new shipment of superior lines is attractively displayed! The famous "Morleys" Black Cashmere Hose 4/6 vp — also Silk hose in greys, brown? and .fawns at 0/0 pair. Splendid value at the prices. Useful Books You May Want! "The Handyman's 1000 Practical Receipts," "Dynamo and Elcctrie Motor Building." "Wireless Telegraphy,'!. "Soldiering, Brazing and Welding," "Tick let Writing and Sign Painting." "Popluiar Poultry Keeping,." "Diseases of |Cago Birds," "Tomato Culture,'' i the Sonthern Stars,'* Price 3s 0(1 each post age So 1 , from •B. Dixou, . '. ;<'