TOPICS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4258, 18 January 1901, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY

THE VISIT OF THE IMPERIAL TROOPS. As the object .of bringing the British troops to this country is presumably twofold, ajjd ia designed to give pleasure and information to the men as well as to the people of New Zealand, it seems to be ,desirable that some additions should be made to the programme that has been sketched l for the troops. ( Several suggestions in this connectionare made by an esteemed correspondent. “If time permits,” ho writes, “I would suggest that, in addition to taking the men to our main centres of population, and through our chief agricultural dis-. tricts, an effort should bo made to let them see something of the natural wonders of the colony as well. For example, after landing at tlio Bluff and visiting Invercargill, they mjighit -be taken by rail to Kingston, and thence per steamers to the head of Lake Wakatipu. This would give them-some idea of our mountain andl (cold) lake scenery .Again, on their passage from Lyttelton, Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound might be visited and Captain Cook’s favourite anchorage halted at. Leaving Queen Charlotte Sound . a course might be steered for Mount Egmont, and having obtained a good) sight of it, the vessel could be headed for this port. Again, when at Auckland, a trip to Rotorua might bo arranged, and sufficient time given for the men to enjoy a bath or two in that interesting region. A stoppage might also be made at some of the railway stations in the Waikato, either to see some of the native settlements (Ngaruawahia, for instance) or else to visit some of the old battlefields (near Mercer for example), where, within the memory of many still living, the British soldier fought the Maori. Tauranga and the site of the Gate Pa would also be interesting sights to the ‘Absentminded Beggars,’ who are ever anxious to pay respect to the graves of comrades; but I cannot see how to work it into any suitable scheme, unless tile transport should call off that port on the way North.” Another correspondent writes in the same strain, especially recommending the Hon Mr Ward to alter the plans so as to include a visit to the Hot Lakes district. We are sure that Ministers will give these suggestions favourable consideration.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER. - • ' The Acting-Premier (Mr- Ward) received the following cable yesterday from Air Scddon, who is now at Brisbane;—Our contingent arrived here safe, and well yesterday. The members of the Ministry met them. All wore overjoyed, and the party received a great reception. The Queenslanders and our contingent had been a great deal together during the South African campaign, and the leave-taking was very affdtiug. The Orient left at noon today. Four of “oor boys” were left behind ait Sydney skk. They came, through to Brisbane last night. _ Some of the sick have to remain behind. A dinner was given last night to the officers of the Imperial troops and the Queensland and New Zealand contingents. Colonels Wvndham and Ricardd spoke in eulogistic terms of the services rendered to the Empire by the contingents. T arrive at Sydney on Saturday, tnence to thence home. All well. A PUBLIC INCONVENIENCE. The time taken up by the Government Medical Officer in examining passengers who arrive in steafmers from Sydney is a matter which has of late induced much unfavourable comment. The s.s. Moana which "arrived here on "Wednesday, for instance, was detained in the harbour for nearly three hours before being al-j

lowed to l-.md her passengers «<t the Queen's Wharf." It ,is to the system, end not to Dr James, however, that vie blame must be attributed. The system demands that each passenger on the steamer, together with the officers an-.', crew, must be inspected. Where (hero are between three and four hundred people concerned —as in the ease of the .Vh)ana —Ibo process is uaim-aily a tedious one. even if the examination cnly takes, sav’ half a miuntc la each passenger. This system of individual inspection was no doubt an admirable precaution when Sydney was a plague port, but, happily, that day has gone by. Sydney is clean, and there is no necessity for people cowing from there to be regarded nun ■ a - nieiou by the Health Officer. That being the case, the authorities might wen revert to the old custom of accepting th« reports of ship’s copnuus on the general health of their passengers ami crews, reserving the right to make a close examination of those who raig.U In 1 reported tp bo ailing or in bad healtu. The presciH- system is not justified by results. It inconveniences travellers and the friends who have to wait ashore for them, sometimes for hours; it prevents the prompt landing of mails; and. in general, causes a great deal of inconi venicnco to the general public. This is , a matter which might well the attention of the Acting-Premier,and his colleagues.

THE STRAITS FERRY SCHEME. Mr Francis Rrndoy, a very old settlor , on the West Coast, and one who lias an intimate acquaintance with its shore*, through having done a grout don! of traveiJiug about in .sailing vessels in too olden days, is of opinion that it would be impossible In establish a harbour and whavfing at Titahi Ray. '1 hat locality . c.c says, is open to the full force of northwest v.'iuds, and he has been lucre at times when it would be impossible for n vessel to live in flic bay close in i>> shore, owing to the tremendous range or the seas which sometimes break into the bay. Furthermore, ho .states that it i would be impossible for vessels ot heavy ! draught to head out straight for Qaeea ! Charlotte Sound from Titahi, as a reef 1 ■which joins Mima to the mainland : makes an effective bar at lev,’ water. lOn the oilier hand, Mr JJradoy is of 'opinion that a splendid harbour exists at itho mouth tit Porima Ray, opposite I Plimmertou. This spot, he says, is ! well sheltered from the prevailing winds, 'and in the old days the whaling boats of S“Johnny Jones'*■ and others used invariably to make there lor shelter. Ii.M.S. Calliope anchored at that spot when the ■capture of the great fighting chief, Xt»nparaha, was effected during an early and exciting epoch of this colony's existence. !There is deep water close up to ihe. shore in this locality, and the additional 'advantage obtains of proximity to the iPlimmerton Railway Station, instead of a branch lino throe miles in length, such us would ho necessitated to reach Titahi Ray being required. It is worthy of remark, on the authority of Mr Bradcy, that a ferry service across the Straits Irom the West Coast was .ono of Sir Julius Vogel’s pet projects at the time when that groat colonial statesman’s star was in the us. Cendant.

THE FEDERATION COMMISSION. The first sitting of the Federation Commission was held at the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday afternoon. After a general discussion it_ was decided' to commence proceedings with a sitting at Invercargill on the sth proximo, and to gradually work up through the eo’o_ ny until arrival at ' Auckland; and to proceed from thence to Australia. H was decided to proceed uninterruptedly with the work of the as Baas possible, and to get through with the business and frame a report as soon- ns can 'conveniently be done. The press will not be admitted to the sittings of the Commission, but: reporters will bo furnished with a formal record of thu proceedings from day to day.

OUR TOURIST TRAFFIC-

Mr M. Cohen, of Palmerston North, who has just returned from, a worldtour, -iu the course of a talk with a “Times” reporter- yesterday, expressed great satisfaction at .hearing that through , the enterprise of the llon J. G. .Ward., Minister of Railways, a i Tourist Department, is to be added, to I tho New Zealand Public Service. .Mr Cohen says that in Switzerland bureaux are established at all the principal plaices, where tourists'may obtain-the fullest .particulars of the.sights to-be scon, the accommodation available, and tho means of transit. To encourage tile tourist traffic, sets of railway tickets to | last over a certain period are sold for : an inconsiderable sum ; avid illustrated pamphlets are issued broadcast .setting forth in tho most eye-dazzling manner the beauties and attractions of that remarkable country. Mr .Cohen is certain that if -some special means were taken of .advertising New Zealand scenery and her advantages as a health- resort , and -tourists-familiarised with the idea, ot periodically visiting the Antipodes, thousands of people would be attracted hern every year, who at present content themselves with making-the rounds of the orthodox tourist resorts._ Of late years the Canadians and Americans hare come into the tourist'business,_ and, as is their wont, have been “shaking matters up a little.” Hence at the Royal Agricultural Show at York bui'eaux were established by Switzerland, Canada end the- States, in which a practical exhibition was made of the produce, industries, scenery jmd general advantages of those various places, the idea being to favourably impress both tourists and the better class of settlors with the idea of visiting or residing in such well-favoured localities. Mr Cohen, emulating so excellent an example, made a practice of booming New Zealand wherever ho went, and he is now laying the flattering unction to his sou! that his patriotic edvo. cacy will in due time hear good fruit.