TOPICS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4308, 18 March 1901, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY

INVALIDS FROM THE FRONT, i A considerable number of men inralided from 'South Africa through attacks of enteric fever have rc-onlisted or volunteered-for further service, with contingents despatched subsequent to their return. The Medical Board appointed to examine returned invalids: has, however, now advised the Government- that men who have suffered from enteric should not,he allowed to return to the Cape. The matter has been discussed Ly Cabinet,: but no decision has yet beep arrived at on the subject.

MUNICIPAL EATING. : Rating on the unimproved value principle appears to have taken a firm hold in the Auckland district, and, judging from: an interview - which a member of

oui staff has had with Mr F. M King, sejeretaty of the Auckland Unimproved Value Comniittco, there' is a prospect of the system "being adopted at an early date by Auckland itself. Mr King states that under the present system of rating ; n his city it is foiind that the

workers' dwellings pay seven and a half per cent, upon their value by way of rates, business places about five per cent., and unimproved sections 'about two and a half per cent. only. The association holds a petition of about B"il signatures, and a poll could be demanded at any time. The members are of opinion, however, that it would not be wise to go to the poll at once, seeing that the necessary data has not been placed before the ratepayers. It was understood that the City Council would supply each ratepayer with a statement showing, side by side, the effect of the two systems, or the amount of rates payable under the one as compared with the other, so as to produce a similar amount of revenue. The Council, chiefly through the influence of Mr Gcldie, the Mayor, to some 1 extent departed from its original position. Still the association persevered, and with the view of saving time, asked the Council whether it- would supply the information to the ratepayers if it was paid for by those desirous of bringing about the reform. This was agreed to, and funds are now being collected for the purpose of placing in the hands of each ratepayer a statement showing the effect of either system upon Mm personally. Mr King states that his association w-ill make no move until the required information is furnished, when the petition will be presented and the vote taken. The association has gone to, great trouble and expense to bring the question before the people of Auckland. The members have laboured

steadily, ill this'direction for two years, and during the last eighteen months a monthly publication, with a circulation of over 3000. and devoted entirely to rating on the unimproved .values,, has been distributed gratis, ’’‘The-system has given great satisfaction in Dcvouport. an extensive suburb of Auckland.

VICTORIAN POLO TEAM. The Victorian polo team took its departure for Australia on Saturday, after a most successful tour of New Zealand. Our visitors won seven of tho matches which they played, and then’ hu*. dashing display of the game, and their sportsmanlike behaviour on ana off the hole', popularised them not only in polo circles, but with a large section ok the public who love all those exercises which exhibit the prowess o' horse and man. The Victorians owed their success prfn- , cipally to their splendid combination in the held, and to the stamina and flect- . ness of their pcuc.es. Tho latter mid ; evidently been selected with particular care, and trained to groat proficiency bv their masters. Their performance made evident the fact that ponies ol tho peculiar class suitable for pole-play-ing are bred to a high standard of perfection by our Australian cousins. ■ Polo is a sport which as time gees on will grow upon the public, the more so if exponents of the calibre of our recent visitors can be onticod to visit these shores from time to time.

A HAPPY REUNION. The returned Mew Zealand troopers from Septh Africa by the steamers Monowai and Moaua wore entertained by the Government at the Occidoatai Hotel on Saturday. Tho Premier was hi the chair, supported on his right by Colonel Ponton and on his left by Mr MeCaig, now chief engineer of the s.s. moana,, but lately of the s.s. Monowai. Tho returned troopers wore given a hearty welcome back to New Zealand by the .Premier and a few guests who wore present, including Mr W. B. Patou, manager ler the Babcock and Wilcox Company, Mr Heeles, manager for tho Wellington Woollen Company, Messrs McNicol and McMurrich, of the Union Steam Shin Coinpanv, and Mr A. R- ilislop. The toast of “Our Boys” was proposed. I y Mr Sodden and responded to by tiro sorscant in charge of tho contingent. Several other toasts were duly proposed and honoured, amongst ibem being that or the “Father of Now Zealand,” who, in reply, stated that as i. -ad of the Government, he had made, up his mind that no matter what happened he, was prepared to back up the Motherland by sending the,necessary number of troops to maintain tho prestige of our colony and to support the Empire. In rclemng to what the proposer of the toast cf hi t , health had said, Mr Seddon made the admission that he felt ho was becoming an old man and at timcs > tired of the cares and worries of official .life. Referring to the Vancouver service, in which tho s.s. Moana is about (o taki part, Mr Seddon said it was necessary to the commercial welfare of this coiony, and ho felt sure would be successful. Oar country was in need of good communication, and those who had stood by them in tho earlier days of the colony wouM : nef suffer at "the hands of those |in power, who were going to !do what was fair and just. The health of Mrs Seddon and family having been toasted with musical honours;' the Premier proposed the heaUh of the chief engineer of tho Moana, Mr McCaig, and success to tho Vancouver ! service, which was drunk with on thus 'asm. The soldiers thoroughly onjoyc I ! themselves, and on leaving the room ware j accorded cheers, one poor fellow on ’ crutches being made glad by ‘a pass on the railways, signed by Mr Seddon, to enable him to visit Napier to soo. liU ! people.