POLITICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14188, 11 October 1909, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

A PROFESSOR'S PETITION.

CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. [by telegraph. correspondent.] Wellington, Saturday. A petition has been presented to the House on behalf of J. A. Gilrutk, Professor of Veterinary Science and Pathology for the University of Melbourne, and formerly Chief Government Veterinarian in New Zealand, In September, 1904 (petitioner said), whilst he was in receipt of a salary of £600 per annum, the Imperial Government offered him, through the New Zealand Government, the post of principal veterinary surgeon to the Transvaal Government at a salary of £1000, rising to £1200 per annum. Notwithstanding that his engagement with the New Zealand Government was terminable by either party upon three months' notice, the New Zealand Government declined to transmit the offer to hhn, and in consequence ho did not receive the appointment. Petitioner pointed out, inter alia, that the scope for scientific work was much greater in Africa than in New Zealand, and that the officer who had left the position offered to him went to the highest position in the Imperial Civil Veterinary Service. Mr. Gilruth further alleged that he did not receive the consideration which the Prime Minister assured him would be given to make up the loss in question. The action of the Government in not transmitting the offer to him had been construed bN- other members of his profession as a reflection upon his professional skill and character. He claimed compensation for loss of appointment in South Africa, and also for the loss of professional prestige which he had sustained.

PUBLIC TRUST BUSINESS. According to the annual return relating to the Public Trust Office, which was laid on the table of the House on Friday, the number of transactions increased in volume compared with the previous year, and the net profits for the year were £10,850. It is stated in connection with the new offices at Wellington that instead of paying rent as in the past a considerable sum will be received from the tenants. The growth of the business will necessitate more accommodation in the large towns, and it would be desirable to acquire buildings with a view to erecting offices when required. In the course of a few years the Department will be compelled to decentralise much of its business and this will mean more work at the various branches. STATE NURSERIES, The report on the State nurseries and plantations presented to Parliament on Friday makes feeling reference to the death of Mr. H. J. Matthews, to whom, it is stated, belongs the whole credit of the direction of the reafforestation operations. Reference is also made to the Department's indebtedness to Mrs. Matthews, who was her husband's constant companion, and who supplied most beautifully-developed photographs to illustrate not only her husband's annual reports, but also the scenic reports for the Scenery Preservation Commission. The report goes on to say that there is no diminution of out-, put from the various State nurseries, and that a full supply of prison labour is being utilised. The report suggests that the time has not yet come when the Government can afford the free distribution of trees to settlers. . • PRISONS DEPARTMENT. ■ Colonel Hume, who has been a notable figure in the New Zealand Public Service for nearly 30 years, has submitted his last report on the prisons of the Dominion to Parliament, A recommendation is made that a new prison for males be built in the country, surrounded by plenty of land, which would give employment to long-sen-tence prisoners who are found unsuitable for transfers to tree-planting prisons. New Plymouth complains that supposed lunatics and delirium tremens cases are still sent to the gaol, and Invercargill points out that there all such cases are at once sent to the district hospital. The Probation Act. has been working satisfactorily. There were 12 escapes during the year. SAND DUNES. A report from Dr. Cockayne on the sand dunes of New Zealand has been presented Ito Parliament. In New Zealand compara- [ tively little has been done to control the sand infested areas and render them producI tive, yet there are over 300,000 acres of land | in this Dominion covered with moving sand. Dr. Cockayne's report deals mainly with the scientific side of the subject. It is hoped that a subsequent report will follow dealing more specially with the economic aspects of the question, viz., the methods of afforestation, the kind of trees, shrubs, etc., to be used, and other matters of a similar nature. • POLITICS AND WORRY. The abnormal death rate among members of Parliament was referred to by Mr. Laurenson, M.P., , on Friday, when speaking to the motion in regard to the late Mr. Remington. Mr. Laurenson said that if the average age of members were taken as being from. 40 to 60 years, during the nine or 10 years he .had been in the House, the death rate of members was 52 per cent, higher than the average 1 death rate for those ages. He did not know what was the cause of this, whether it was the anxieties and distresses caused to men of highly sensitive minds by the criticism that was sometimes levelled , against them, not necessarily by political opponents, but by irresponsible persons. He did not say that such was the cause, but it was worthy of consideration that the death rate among members of the House should be over 50 per cent, higher than the ordinary death rate. Two Ministers, two Whips, and a large number of private members had died since he first entered the House.