TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4396, 29 June 1901, Page 5

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

- * HONOUR IS DUE. Before tlio Royal visit fades from the memories (if the People, and becomes a vagiio incident of tho past, it is fitting that thero should bo put on record a testimony of the public appreciation of tho exertions of that branch of the public service which contributed to a greater extent than any other to the success of the arrangements connected therewith. We refer to the Railway Department. It has been flippantly as. scried by critics of the New Zealand Railway Service that, being under Government control, its ohiecr.s, of all branches, do not in the natural order of things interest themselves especially ill its operations, ami that after they have done their day’s work all hands seek tho retirement of their homes and remain there at peace with themselves and all tiio worlu. Nothin" could bo further from fact. On the contrary it may be doubted if there will be found in any service in the world a more devoted, vigorous, and capable body of men than those composing llic stall' of our Government Hallways. One has only to realise the natural disabilities which these mmi are daily called upon to combat, and to see the determined way in which they confront every difficulty, to bo struck with admiration for tho Staffs with which the heads of tho various departments have surrounded themselves. The iinniciisn development of the railway operations in response to enlightened methods during the past few years, although it cannot fail to win culogiums for the pioneers of railway reform, constitutes at tho same time one of tho. greatest handicaps which tho executive officials have to carry. When tho emotional public jumped out of bed and ran to catch the train which would tako- it to the metropolis to soo tho Duke, it little realised tile strain it was putting not only on tho railway stock, but upon those who sat hourly at tho wires, and played tlouble-shulllo with engines, carriages and trucks. Tho average citizen cannot imagine the travail of the men at the holm if an engine breaks a piston rod or a carriage wheel “runs hot.” People who travel occasionally can haVe no cOilccpton of what “.shortness of rolling-stock’’ means to a harassed railway man at holiday time; therefore they do not kuow how sincerely tho whole service from top to bottom ought to bo thanked, in that it has, right throughout the Royal visit, in every corner of tho colony, run its trains without preventable accident and without unseemly delay. Those who have peep, cd behind the scenes have witnessed moil fainting at their arduous pests, but nowhere have they witnessed railway officials skulking or ’blundering. The Royal visit put all grades of the service to tho supremo test, and right nobly have they answered every call made upon. them. ORDERLY NEW ZEALANDERS. The detectives who cam* flocking to Now Zealand to keep watch and ward over the person of tho Duke of Cornwall have confided to someone their surprise at tho absence of what is known as a “criminal class” in the centres of our population. In fact tho event has proved that; though the elaborate precautions taken for the protection of the persons of their Royal Highnesses were justified for prudential reasons, the Duke and Duchess might have roarged promiscuously at large—as indeed they did at Rotorua —without fear of affront, insult, or molestation. This goes to prove that tho New Zealanders are a sane, sober and reliable peoples They gave the Royal couple a warm but not theatrical reception. They behaved with a quiet dignity on all occasions, as befitted a free, independent, homely, prosperous people. No obtrusive drunkenness offended good taste; no brawling or rowdiness, disturbed the smooth surface of the proceedings from one end of the islands to tho other. Appreciation of all those facts was expressed by the Duke of Cornwall and . York in tho admirably-phrased and dignified address with which he took a cordial farewell of the people of this colony. Mr Commissioner Tunbridge and the splendid body of police with which he has surrounded himself were ever on the watch for misdemeanants, but tho populace contented itself with admiring the constabulary without invoking its assistance or inviting an exhibition of its prowess. The proceedings throughout were characterised by excellent good taste and tone, creditable alike to tho colony and to its people. ROYAL FAVOURS. During their stay in New Zealand the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were most generous in thoir recognition of the services of all who were called upon to minister to them in any degree. Lord Ranfurly received at the hands of their Royal Highnesses a handsome silver bowl. The Countess of Ranfurly was presented with a diamond bracelet. Sir Joseph Ward was the recipient of a silver cigar and cigarette case combined, for table or sideboard, with his Royal Hhrlmess’s badge and crest in gold and < enamel raised oil the lid. The Duke and Duchess algo forwarded to Lady Ward their autograph, photographs. .Mr Seddon, as has already been, stated, received a silver inkstand. Lady Constance and Lady Eileen Knox received brooches To Captain Alexander their Royal Highnesses gave a very handsome gold cigarette case. The Hon Mr Hill-Trevor received a silver cigarette case; the Hon Mr Butler a gokl pencil; Captain Osborne a gold pin; and Captain Bes- ■ cawen a beautiful piu in enamel and gold. Mr Donne’s present was a pair of sleeve* links with diamonds. Police-Commis-sioner Tunbridge and Mr Holmes each received a silver cigarette case, Mr Carroll also received’ a souvenir of the Royal visit. Air O. Robinson, who was Government steward on the Royal train and at the veterans’ luncheons, received, a pin with a white rose in enamel. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. At the Missions to Seamen last even, ing the opportunity was taken of the presence of the Government steamers Tutanekai and Hinomoa in port to present to tho successful competitors on those vessels the prizes won in connection with the late aquatic sports. Mrs Soddon (and with her Mrs F. Dyer and Miss Ruby Seddon) attended at the Mission in order to present the awards. Referring to Mrs Seddon’s presence, Mr Moore spoke of her kind action in go. ing out of her way to attend at St. Peter’s Schoolroom on ■ last Friday evening to present the other prizes won at the sports, and thanked her on behalf of members of the mission for her presence that evening. Ho made a few appreciative remarks as to the action of the Government in organising the sports and providing so many valuable prizes. A very handsome basket of flowers was then pressnted to Airs Seddon by Air Aloore on behalf of the Alission. The coloured streamers to the basket bore the flag of the Missions to Seamen printed in gold on either end- Later on in the vening Airs Seddon presented the prizes, of which there were twenty-seven, valued at over £2O. Messrs Cassiu, Winter,

Williams, Aldlwain, Barker, Bonner, Shakespeare, Cook, McKinley, Quintal, Joss and Champion were the recipients. Air Betluino, in proposing a hearty vote of thanks from tho seamen present and tho Ali.ssion to Airs Seddon for presenting the prizes, said it was not the first time Airs Seddon had shown her sympathy with the Mission, and he was sore everyone was pleased to see her present. Air Cook, of the Hinomoa, seconded the proposition, which was carried by giving three ringing cheers. During tho evening a very enjoyable programme of music was provided by Air F. Hendry, assisted by Miss Gurnov and Alc-ssrs Inniss. ItfcElwam, Kennedy and Cain. AJr.s Dyer also sang at Afr Moore’s request, “The Old Folks at Heine,” for which an encore was demanded. The evening was one of tho most enjoyable in tho memory of the Alission.