NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11745, 29 August 1901, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

It is not so many years since our almost I total ignorance of the South Polar regions was justly regarded as a reproach to geographers. This has been ir part removed, and indications are that we shall soon be well informed in Antarctic geography. Writing in the American Montiuy Review of Reviews (July) on "New Phases of Polar Research," Cyrus C. Adams tells us that the most thoroughly equipped, most costly, and most scientific of all polar expeditions are about to make their way to the unknown Antarctic. He goes on co say:"Pioneer explorers will gather there the highest honours that are yet to reward geographical research. The largest unknown area on the globe awaits them. The diameter of the unknown region around the North Pole is only 1500 miles, but around the South Pole it is 4000 miles. The area which, so far as we know, has never been seen by human eye i? twice as great as that, of Europe. The most interesting of the discoveries to be made around the South Pole will be the determination of the question whether there is really a large continent at the southern apex of ttie world. Some of the leading authorities believe it is there, and that we are not likely to be much longer in the dark about it. Dr. John Murray, among others, has expressed the view, merely conjectural, of course, that the area of the Antarctic cor.tinent is about 4,000,000 square miles, or, in other words, as large as Europe; or a third larger than the United States, exclusive of Alaska." He points out, howevji, that the results of the various expeditions are likely to be almost, wholly of scientific interest. Even if large lands are found, they have probably no commercial value. No coal or other minerals have been discovered; if they exist, they are perhaps buried too deep under snow and ice to be ever available. Antarctic seal? and whales have had economic importance, but the useful varieties seem to have beoome practically extinct. Whaling, resumed within a few years past, had no results that encouraged further effort. There is little doubt that better knowledge of Antarctic meteorology will be of distinct advantage to navigation along the most southern routes around the world, and this may be the only "practical" issue to be served. The scientific basis for Antarctic exploration is, however, too substantial to need any bolstering. Physicists tell us that south of 40 degrees south latitude there is a gap " in out knowledge of the elements required for the complete expression of the facts of terrestrial magnetism." Scientific men like Dr. Neumeyer,, Sir John Murray, and many others say that "until we have a complete and continued series of observations in the Antarctic area, the meteorology of the wond cannot be understood." It is to find new lands and study the problems of biology, geology, and many other phenomena tc be observed in this vast area that four expeditions are to visit it. The money they cost will be well spent if they may add something tc our knowledge I of the world we live in.

The Paris Figaro publishes an account of a conversation between the late M. Felix Faure and a friend of his on the subject of Fashoda. In the course of his remarks, the late President acknowledged that he had believed that France was about to enter upon a terrible war, not on account of Fashoda, but owing to the disturbed conditions which the Marchand expedition had created between France and England. M. Delcasse held the portfolio for the colonies, and one day he announced to the Cabinet that the expedition should push forward as far as the Nile. This announcement, said M. Faure, attracted notice on account of the words of M. Carnot: " But if we were to follow the Nile we should be in e better position to begin talking about Egypt." At the same time no importance was attached to this remark. Once arrived at Fashoda, Marchand lingered there, and it 1? probable that he and his officers wished to remain there, but their wishes did not pledge France. But before we had received any direct communication, General i'vitchener had paid a visit to Marchand, and the latter had naturally replied that he only took his orders from us. At the same time the British Ambassador in Paris, in a verbal note, declared that Great Britain looked on the French occupation of Fashoda as an unfriendly act. That was r conver 1 sational phrase, and there was no ultimatum. J hose who say that we did receive on. calumniate that country. France would no more give way to an unconditional threat under the Republic than under r the old regimes. France made no concession in ordering Captain Marchand to continue his progress under the same conditions as prevailed before General Kitchener's intervention. All the reports we have received," continued the late President, "warned us to be prepared for anything. Unfortunately, on many points we were not prepared. M. Lockroy wanted coal, guns, and troops for coas*" defence, and especially for Bizerta, which was, he said, at the mercy of a sudden attack. Money was wanted for these preparations, and we bad

none. We could not ask the Clumber f„„ any without causing uneasiness Jr' land. The Minister had the couL t incur the necessary expenses without alth? nty. I 'L t necessary 7 ;rS re ,'™'« ; ' mated at from 70.000 GOO fm,? 80,000,000 francs, and'.the^il! * disposed of. There were fears of £ pT letan s opposition, but he, like the otwT and with even more alacrity, rS e S all considerations of form. 'It is T® . the right of Ministers, 1 he said, "it J£* duty to spare neithe. m on; no & responsibility in order to ward off dan 2er Before everything France must defend s self. Everything was rapidly done tW was necessary to resist a surprise $1 emerged from this terrible crisis caused by the mad polemics of newspapers vitho l war, and certainly with increased strength 1 'T, t hough hours filled with anguish '• concluded M Fanro. "and I do not & o go through those weeks a rain WS a universal calamity it would have C if war had I „ broken out, and what . » sponsibility! . ' B "

The African Review, which is one of the most influential organs of the Uitlandflr community, aftci adversely criticising Sir David Harbour's report, goes on to n l&k , its own propositions. "When (it says} w , dealt with this subject some month ago we stated that a sum of about £30,000 WO would fairly represent the Transvaal's" share - of ( the war debt, and to that opinion w adhere. But Were is nt reason ■* why Sir? David Barbour's proposal to free the Orange River Colony from all share of a . bility be adopted. Tlu Boers in tha Orange River Colony outnumbered , tha Boers of the Transvaal, and they are comparatively a wealthy community, and see" nig that they made a wholly unprovoked attack upon Great Britain, and arc responsible, if not for the war, for an onu' lay of at least £75,000,000, it is only reasonable that die 30,000,000 acres of fertile land which make up the Orange Colony should meet a part of the cost ot the war Its share can be fairly fixed at £10,000 000* making a total for the two annexed'Re! publics of £40,000,000. 'this is the maximum sum which can be raised with safety It goes without saying that all such war loans should be guaranteed By the Imperial Government, so that they may be raised at- a reasonable rate of interest." At the end of the three years we have mentioned the money market will'have resumed its & ordinary course« and it will be quite poa. • sible to raise these loam if guaranteed at 3 J per cent., making a total annual rent 1 charge of £1,300,000. . But in order- to avoid checking tin. growth of the new > State, the £40,000,000 we have mentioned should be gradually imposed in, say, four I instalments at intervals of two years each. Thus £10.000,000 would be raised by the .' colonies 1 at the beginning of ' 1905, , thL, amount oeing divided in the proportion of £7,500,000 for the Transvaal. and £2,500,000 for the range • Rive. Colony.. The charge for interest upon these loans would be £325,000, of which * £81,250 > would be paid by the Orange Rivei Colony.' At the end of 1906 a further £10,000,000 should be raised', and the remaining' £20,000,000 should follow in 1908 aid 1910. When fully imposed, the annual charges upon the Transvaal revenu would b. £975,000, or, in round figures, £1,000,000, while the share of the Orange - River Colony would bt £325,000 a year. On this basis, the White population of tha Transvaal, which may fairly be estimated at 300.000 in 1910, would pay. £3 per head annually towards the cost of the war,*! while the Boer population of the Orangs River Colony would contribute about £21 per head. The British taxpayer's annual f mite on this basi would be about Is 64 per head." ,

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS... The civil sittings of the . Supreme Court ' were commenced yesterday lorenoon before j ; His Honor Mi. Justice Conolly. The whole of the day was occupied in the hearing of / the divorce case Chas. Oas. Fox v. Matgrettp Amelia Fox and John Herapath,' in which the petitioner applied for a - decree , nisi for dissolution of marring , on th- | grounds of the alleged adultery of his wife •. with co-respondent (Herapath)." The re*' sponaent filed an answer denying the A charge, and alleging desertion ot herself and children by.petitioner and failure t, adequately provide for their maintenance.' Co', respondent also filed a denial of the charges of adultery. Several witnesses were called 1 on behalf of the petitioner, and the Court • adjourned at ? quarter to five p.m., to re- ? sume this morning at ten o'clock. 'Detail* •' of the proceedings will be lound in another part of to-day's issue. ' ;

A firs occurred in a six-roomed house in - Sale-street, Freeman's Bay, yesterday forfr" noon. The fire was first seen in the roof, but by the time the city fire brigade-arrived it bad spread through the building, and tad got a slight hold on the houses on either .. side. The brigade promptly saved the ad- 1 joining houses, but the house in which the fire originated was practically ruined, 1 lhfl bouse was tenanted by Mr. John Murphy, ; a carter, v hose daughter was in the house when tha fire started. Mr Murphy nad no insurance on his furniture, and will be » | considerable loser. The house belonged to Mr. J. J. Holland, and was insured for £185 in the Liverpool, London, and Globe Office. It is supposed the fire was caused _. by a spark falling on the-shingle roof. . His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. Kidd) yesterday wired to Messrs. W. J. Napier and J. H. Withefoid, M.H.R.'s, informing them that the foundation stone of Admir- ! alty House had been successfully laid, ana expressing regret that neither of them was able to be present in theii capacity as mem- ' ; bers of the Harbour Board. Messrs. Napier ■ ■ and Witheford both telegraphed expressing their pleasure tha* the foundation stop had been laid, and their regret at then inability to be present. Mr. Napier state that he would have been pleased to tove attended as the originator of the project.

Yesterday at the Supreme Court Willi® Murphy, for assaulting his daughter, came jg before His Honor Mr. Justice Conolly » or -ysentence. When called upon the prisontf : . said that he had been some 45 years in t I■colony, and this was the first' occasion o . which he Had appeared oefore a court■ law. The assault had been committed der great- provocation, and h" would <*• . ■ His Honor to admit him to probation as - first offender. His Honor said the ace , ■ was to bi. pitied rather than ■ blain » ■ though he would point out that the act c 5 ■ mitted was a very wrong one. The ac p peared to have been committed while un !. •' the influence or drink, though this was re ] • no excuse, and he trusted that; .P" 8 ° would bear that fact in mind, and in tu ,_ ■ abstain from drinking alcoholic. hq' ors ' . „ piisoner was a widower, and had been in charge of four children. The e daughters had conducted themselves in 1 , thing but a proper manner, thus giving father grea provocation. The repo:rt the probation officer was a favourable o / , . and in concurrence with the impression , tained by himself after perusing the d P"" sitions. It stated that the assault had ; committed on the spur of the moment, not with the intention of causing pi y' Accused was then admitted to probation six months. * N .

Reginald Smith, the eight-year-old ® ca of Mr. and Mrs. W. Smith, of Tcing' . recently had the misfortune to tread on * tea-tree stake, which entered the sole 0J foot and inflicted a slight wound only. " 9 was treated with every care and atte;iv » but on the eighth day he developed s) JJ , toms of blood poisoning and tetanus, te .. nating fatally on the ninth day. Vr. v ' „ of Whangarei, attended, but could not his life, as the poison acted very rap ,• The deceased was buried 011 tk -sot of August on his parents' farm, as the stat the roads would not permit removing the cemetery. The funeral was largely ~ •|J tended by friends from surrounding distn The service was' impressively read "J - • s|||| F. J. Snell, the Anglican lav-reader __ Maungakaramea. Much sympathy is sino for the bereaved parents.—{Own to j pondent.] ■

The Streets Committee of the Cfiy Coun cil met yesterday afternoon, and iißong» other matters discussed was the paving 0 Queeu-street. No decision oil_ this , was arrived at, its consideration beng ally adjourned for a week pending vie ■ ■ taining of further information*

The Boer leaders, heir replies to Lord ■ tfiener's proclamai, declare they will 3inne fighting- j* stated, however, rttf considerable difftce of opinion pre ; a. among the Boersjarding their course T / .Minn ; while the nber of surrenderee Tiansvaal border, at -eenigmg, on Satyrj*Ttwo members ofie .Seventh ContinS were killed and -ce wounded. The "Crs attacked a convnear Griqua Town, Vina of the escort, "fcianry, were killed jr j 23 wounded. Lc Miluer has arrived 8 Capetown, where {received an enthu- " fastic reception. T Kaiser refuses to 'teive princo Chun til the protocol is , fjgned. -A mining diser has occurred in Scotland. Our Hamilton corresndent telegraphed last- night as follows,-"Mrs. Reginald Jlasefiefd was thrown >m a baggy this afternoon when attendii this, meet of the hounds The wheel psed <yer her, and ° ne of' her ribs is broen, ;ifid she was somewhat shaken. Di Brevis attended ter and anticipates no seous results.'

The building trade is aid to be brisk at 1 'tie present time, and sems likiy to be so during the coining runner. imong the ' works, to be undertake! is a jiree-storey warehouse on the site c Firth'j Old Mill, jo the order of Mr. Diucar E. L'lerk, and { or which thr- plans haw been jjepared by 3fr. Ashley Hunter, C.I. Thewarehouse fjj to be 'occupied by Ml H. Ml Smeeton, I tie well-known grocer, and th| first and second flooi will be subdivided ilo offices. i J The building will have a frontageto Queen- ■ street of 6Sft by a depth of 60ft and will • rreatly improve that section of Qijen-street. ?j. Holman, architect, has also! prepared jlms for a three-storey building lithe order if Mr. Jarre tt, in Swanson-street, filiorough"are which has been greatly impjved with- - n the last two years by new [buildings.' tfessnl.E. Maliouey and Sons, Architects, ■ rill have the plans out next wqk' for the Ijrst wine of,the new Marist Bribers' Coljm on "the Richmond Road. The whole ."lock, hen completed, will ruuinto about *310,000. of which' only the first bet-ion will e completed at present, namelybne of the

" A few days ago, Mr. W. E. 'tidier sent he following letter to Sir J. (1 Ward : -"Tie late Henry George was a fink Yan--36 s ophister, clever at slinging rords to•tier, and *« bamboozling * the common fjople.'s:l exploded his theories eight or :;• years ago. and asked Mr. Witjiy to be re not to meddle with the chubheshe is lecturing to them, and doing niscliief. 3e very initial postulate of H. Geotae is an inninable fallacy. A crime for apian to br and own 100 acres of land ! George Fflds has ruined himself politicaly, by reiving and preaching Henry Geo'geism. Tire is a very strong feeling of itQignaJit here against it. 'They say.' & has jpt three-quarters»of his time at tflingto preaching and teaching Henry G-brge--1 & Land, light, and air must for ov\r be tally exempted from taxation. Engund slushed window tax 50 years ago. Income t&is the one proper tax." On Monday ilr. Safer received the following reply : —"Once of the.. Colonial Secretary, Wellington, Atust 21, 1901. W. E. " Sadler, Esj., Atkland. Dear Sir, —I have to thank wu fcyour letter of the 16th inst,, and to siy your remarks therein contained with rerence to Henry George have been rlad bjme with interest.—Yours verv truly, G. Jlbd."

"he following letter received by an Aicklri merchant, from Dunedin, is of interest :the present time, when so much is being 'ni about the proposed flour trust :"We Jet from one of our millers to-day that flour is.eing supplied to your market at £6 f.o.b, i:bjthe association. Millers individually do Bo suffer to any extent, as the difference be- . twen this figure. and the usuai shipping . pr.es is handed back to tham from the genelalfand. The object of this is to force the 'AcHind mills to join their association. To pices where they have no opposition the Baal shipping prices are being charged." , It is intended to make some extensive addt.»Es and alterations to the Star Hotel, Allert-sfn:etj plans for which "have 'been' {roared by Messrs. E. Mahoney and Sons, ; fcaitects. The additions will occupy 110 ft tatage to Swanson-street, of the same iqht and style as the present building. To diningroom is to be extended to 67ft ' fcy27ft, find a private diningroom 27ft by J:ls, a large new kitchen 30ft by 22ft, about 2flt in height, with lantern roof and firepoof floor will be built. It. will be fitted ~tj- with ranges, steam cooking apparatus, id with every modem convenience. There ill be suites of sittingrooms, with bedrooms ■ad bathrooms on the first floor. The stood floor is subdivided . into bedrorns, with bathrooms, lavatories with ted floors and walls, and each bedlam will have fixed lavatory -stands tith hot and cold water laid on to each, le building is to be lighted with elec- *} c 'ty, and each room will be fitted up 'ith a patent fire alarm. The general contraction of the building will be made as Ireproof as it is possible to make it. There ™l be iron balconies round the building as Jfflean3 of fire escape, with iron ladders. accommodation of the Star Hotel, when ®e additions and alterations are completed, ™! give 23. additional bedrooms and seveW sittingrooms. The whole hotel will be tt©l up in the most modern style.

■f.V n Stipendiary Magistrate held a sitting the Old Age Pensions Court yesterday, , *aich did not terminate until six p.m. The •Deputy Registrar appeared for the Government. _ Several petitions were rejected, in I>lolll6.cases1> 101116 .cases reductions were ordered, and had to be adjourned. Pension certi- ; mates were granted as under: Mary os- •*> £18 ; Esther Hastings, £18 ; * Mary Kiodee, £18 ; Ellen Laffen, £18 ; Mary £18 ; William Beadle. £18 : WilByrne, £18 ; and Ann James, £18; ™bert Nicholai, £15 : Christian Johannes£lo; and Richard Olney, £2.

;-V^ Auckland Main Trunk Railway gae We receiving considerable assistance ® the country. To show how determined .t!?- ttlers are ( 0 help the league, notwithJoad - l^ 6 wea ther aid the state of the , thtl' following is given as a sample fetiV many letters the league are daily jA-'Maungakaramea, August 24, ftlfaiivr r - R- R. Hunt, secretary Auckland Serf A!" 1 * Kailwa y League. Dear Sir, — lettlp • enclose the petitions signed by "tiae" t f'T aS man -' as - could reach at this Hot if . ' ae ear * You will forgive me for U[jrt ? In S better, but really the roads are ' PwniKr lm passsable just now, at the worst 'We I i sta ß e ' ' n f act they seem hopeless. a 5 meeting in the hall to-day, but '■ * fa' • Wea ther and roads prevented even T attendance - vWe collected £1 16s, ,:, 1 howl / nclose . in postal notes. Please acJ s „ ,8 e receipt, and favour yours truly, C ' L «wi3 Clarke." ■ It'' • . ' that there will be a large at t? ™ Ce u * ejects and the general public VJ nd '« imion mee *' n & 111 the .M. C. A. -'Thp j",'Knt, which is advertised elsewhere. isca," Cycle Roads League is much !<>l its'n Serldon's evasive treatment ft s-4 an d telegrams, and intends 't« oust '' anything, a little more than ing UD v 'gour. Strong motions bear- ?« u --^? em ' er ' s conduct in this and to bv m ■ ' w '" be submitted and spoken ' and others" 1 ' F ' Evvill o> I'- A - Vaile >

toKgi ° nson hy Choral Society's concert, %' iftiffht t ,' n All Saints' schoolroom toto he a distinct success. The fs "Una "- Presented is Gaul's cantata, ■X Herbert % me '°dious selection based upon ''tietv h nSer ' s " Faery Queen." The a, <i havp v- ' 3eiil . 1 assiduously practising, td a j,;,./ ' 3 believed, brought themselves t!te m Us ; proficiency in the rendering of H Action f C ' . , icl) augurs well for the prolog sin„° • Some of the best-known gera are assisting as soloists. It L i Master in another column that file i n "Utchers' Association notify a |%j'^uirino'i„t^ rice of beef and mutton. On fotatoyA,, , 01c of the master butchers, I <'ae va],. ff l ere is a groat increase in ®^^'fri^ Vestock ' and '' that it has the |J 8 scardt y of supply, owing loMrnfii for freezing purposes, pk!. 4? the price of wool at Home ' . I jric; ' °f sheepskins, hence l>la"cin/fi , meet that decreased value, tip loss upon mutton. fe'/-'--'

A large meeting of city and suburban hairdressers and tobacconists ■was held last evening above Waters' Coffee j-'alace, Mr. Coleman presiding. Letters were rend from Messrs. Geo. Fowlds, W. J. Napier, Witheford, Massey, McGowan, and others, agreeing, as requested, to support the Auckland hairdressers and tobacconists' wishes, in opposing the proposed legislation compelling the closing of their shops at six P o m . An association was formed, and Mr. Savers elected secretary pro tern., in place of Mr. J. Coles, who retired, and was accorded a vote of thanks. Votes of thanks were accorded to the wholesale houses for their support.

Our Karangahake correspondent telegraphs:—The new post and telephone and money order office, at Karangahake," has at last been completed, and as the various telephone connections have also been effect' the building is now being publicly used. Tt is a great pity that the building stands back so far, it being perfectly hidden from view by adjoining structures, "and even though it is in the main street a stranger in Karangahake would have difficulty in finding it owing to its peculiar position. The building, however, is a nice one of its class. It consists of two official rooms, a telephone room and public lobby. There is, however, no provision for private boxes.

A newspaper published in Weymouth contains a remarkable paragraph headed " Traitors at Portland," which states that most people k*iow by this time that Portland prison contains a number of soldiers sent back from South Africa for various misdemeanours, and that these convicts inlcude three ex-officers of the British army, condemned for giving treasonable aid to the Boers. One of them, at least, had sufficient influence in certain quarters to get the names of the three suppressed. .Even in prison life social distinctions can on occasion make themselves felt, and Bill Svkes at Portland does all be can to show his contempt for the "traitor lags," who while drawing their country's pay have sold their country to the enemy. The paper tried, without success, to discover the names of these officers, and the precise causes that led to their imprisonment*

A meeting of the Women's Democratic Union was hold on Tuesday evening, the president, Mrs. Kirkby. in the chair. It was unanimously decided that if the report which has been published of an inquiry held at the Costley Home with reference to the alleged ill-treatment of the inmates be true, it is the duty of the trustees to institute a searching investigation into the matter, and publish the result in order that public confidence in the institution may be restored. The welfare of orphan children is, or ought to be, a matter of interest to every mother in the community. ,

A Hartford (Connecticut) paper has the following: —" During the importation of 20 new men on July 10, to occupy the places of strikers in the mills of the Farrel Foundry and Machine Company, Thomas E. Davis, an employee of the Ash wood House and a sympathiser of the strike movement, was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Parmelee for calling "scabs" as the men were leaving the train. Without counsel this morning be appeared before Judge Bryant, who after hearing the case fined Davis 50dols. and costs. The judge, in imposing sentence, said that the next man brought before him for a similar offence would be given a gaol sentence.

Yesterday the Chapel-street school (Mr. Draffin, headmaster) had the flag hying in honour of the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British dominions, which is a novel but useful way of fastening historical facts in the memories and minds of the children.* A number of the children are getting technical instruction in basketmaking at the school. The teachers Have got a lantern for showing the children views, which was procured by themselves, acetylene gas being used. Every year the children are taken on a picnic to Lake Takapuna, and get each a present' Mr. Draflin has been able, to get all the sixth form boys employment when then time at school is up, and keeps a friendly interest in the old boys" even when they have left the school. Mr. Philip Newbury, of the NewburySpada Company, has arranged an attractive programme for the grand opening of the Federal Hall by the .Newbury-Spada Company next Monday evening. The box plan is now open at Wildman and Lyell's.