WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12536, 25 June 1901, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[Fnoai Oub Coebespondbnt.] WELLINGTON, June 24. Mr F. Waite, who leaves Wellington next week forjOhristchurch, to take up-the position of, Railway Traffic Manager, was to-night presented with a valuable dressingcase by a number of citizens. Dr C. Prendergast Knight has been retained by the local representative of the Schultz family for the appeal to the Privy Council by the Wellington City Council against the Court of Appeal’s judgment respecting the amount to bo paid for the land required for the widening of Willis Street. Dr Knight will leave for England next Saturday. . _ _ The “ Post ” to-night in a leader on military matters says—“ Here at the antipodes, and with all our democracy, we still permit our country to be made the happy hunting ground of an Imperial military caste that first of all makes itself ‘ precious to society ’ and after condescends to misunderstand and mismanage the Volunteers it commands. The time has come do end this continuous farce, and in its .stead the country should insist upon a headquarters staff, that knowing its work will serve the country first as other responsible public servants and give itself to social functions, to polo, to the racecourse and the rest afterwards. If our citizen army is to become a permanent institution fit for the defence of the country, informed with the steadfast spirit of enthusiasm, it must be led by men well paid by the State, who will work hard and earnestly, not only to direct the Volunteers aright, but to first of all appreciate the ‘spirit and character of the men with Whom they have to deal, and plain kharki should be the only wear for commandant, staff and private. Let crimson and gold and feathers, with all other peacocky .trappings so dear to foolish women and ‘ smart society’ disappear, for they mostly only serve to minister- to the vanity Of arrogant incompetence.”