TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9161, 10 March 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Astronomers have told us that the tail of Halley's comet will Halley's shortly swoeji the earth, Comet. and all sorts of opinions arc being offered as to the probable effect upon human life. Photographs taken by two astronomers show that the light of Halley's comet is largely due to the poisonous cyanogen, but it has been suggested in a Home paper that even if the comet contains traces of this deadly gas the thought need occasion no alarm. It is pointed out that even if the comet's tail brushed the earth it is too tenuous to cause any appreciable disturbance in the atmosphere. Halley's comet is now hastening with a constantly increasing speed towards the sun and earth. When it approaches perihelion on April 20, it will rush past the sun with a velocity of three to four million miles a day. Up to the present it has been observed photographically and telescopically in observatories all over the world, and soon it will be seen by the naked eye. It will be nearest to the earth between May 20 and 21, when a distance of but fourteen or fifteen million miles will separate it froni the globe. But long before that it will shine as the most brilliant object seen in the heavens for nearly a generation. For some time past it has been noticed that the gradual Timely deforestation of lands adAction, joining the Wanganui River has been having a very serious effect upon "New Zealand's Rhine." The denudation of the banks of their luxuriant growth of ferns and shrubs has been progressing at a rate that promises ultimately to quite destroy the scenic attractions of the river, and the destruction of the forest on the adjacent lands is resulting in the rainfall swelling the Hver abuormf lly, with a corresponding diminution of volume in the dryer months. The Maoris are said to be the worst offenders in the indiscriminate use of the axe, and representations have therefore been made to the Government with a view to saving the natural beauties of the Wanganui from the hands of the vandal. The Hon. T. Mackenzie has taken prompt action in connection with the native land abutting on the river. The Government has power to resume the land under the 'Public Works Act, and this will be done. Two surveyors are at present at work making the necessary surveys, and they are getting through their work as quickly as possible. The natives have discontinued cutting timber, and they have also been informed that whether they cut the timber or not the land will be taken, but they will not receive so good a price for land from which the forest has been cut as for untouched land. The Minister does not suppose that it would be possible, or even advisable, to set aside all the lands on both sides of the river, as some will be required for settlement purposes, but he has promised that the matter will certainly not be_ overlooked. This assurance is satisfactory ,and if there is no delay the result should be to preserve for niany years the beautiful river scenerv.