TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4428, 7 August 1901, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

WELLINGTON STREETS. The disgraceful condition of the prin* cipal streets of Wellington continues to be the theme of popular malediction. It is commented o n by our townspopale, by our visitors, and by the members of the Legislature, and all are agreed that the methods of our city managers are below contempt. But calling names breaks no bones, and, worse still, _ does not put streets and footpaths in repair. A City Council which bad any regard for its reputation would make a supreme effort to put Lambton quay—the broadest, best, busiest and worst-kept street in the city—into a fair condition for traffic at once. Even if it baa to neglect fot< a time some of the lesser thor“ oughfares, which are used by the few. the Counoil owes it to the reputation ol itself and the city, at least to replace portions of the footpaths which are being continually used by the many, and whicß axe in a disgraceful condition. THE CARTERS’ DISPUTE AT AUCKLAND. The Premier has reoeived the follow, ing telegram from Mr G. Davis, secretary of the Auckland Carters’ Union:— “ Just read your speech re Conciliation Boards. You state 400 employers cited in carters’ dispute here. Only fiftythree cited by Carters’ Union. Remainder cited by employers, who asked Board at first hearing to extend scopp of dispute. The Board agreed to do so, and the employers cited almost every person doing business here, whether they employed carters or not. A largo number were struck out by the Board at its' first sitting after the adjournment. Union was not at fault in this matter* - As your utterances were published here, would you be kind enough to make this information public, so 'mat public may; see both sides in the matter.” THE MILITARY “INQUIRY.” The farcical Military Commission continued its sittings at the Drillshed yes. terday. Colonel Penton was the principal witness examined, but as he could not be questioned as to Ibis actions by his inferiors in rank, and as bo apparently knew very little about the camp arrangements during the Royal visit, hi* evidence oan hardly prove to have been , valuable. It is understood that Colonel Penton denied some of the expletive* which he is alleged to have used towards the men at Newtown Park, and justified others, but as the extraordinary doctrine is held in official quarters that the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces is responsible to nobody but the King’s representative for his actions—and as, as far as can he ascertained, he has not been called upon to explain why he stigmatised colonial Volunteers as “ curs his evidence oan hardly help the Commission in its investigations. Other witnesses examined were Staff-Sergeant-Major Heathen of Nelson, and a colour-sergeant of a Wellington corps. The personnel of the Commission still maintains an optimistic attitude, daspite the unfair and ridiculous position in which it has been placed, and is quite hopeful that before the week is, up quite a number of witnesses will’ come and give evidence as to their own insubordination or the insubordination, of others of equal* rank. It has not yet been decided whether it will be’necessary to exhume for identification, the samples of rations which were exhibited on a pole on the occasion of the skeleton procession, and which were subsequently buried in Newtown Park. This, it is understood, can only he done by special order under the Defence Act, but as the participants in the burial service were sworn tj military secrecy, some difficulty will be experienced in locating the place of interment. OUR FISH SUPPLY. Some beautiful water-colour of New Zealand fish were exhibited at the Museum last night. The pictures, in addition to their beauty, have the merit of being accurate presentments of a number of rare fishes peculiar to cur coast. It is proposed to have the pictures published in book form. _ Sir James Hector gave an interesting disquisition on the fish which the pictures represented, in the course of which he urged that his hearers should take step# to add to »he sum of their knowledge on piscatorial matters. But they were not, he was glad to say, so ignorant of such matters as some newspapers and politicians would have people believe. It was useless to lament* because we had not the plenteous supply of fish that England aad. The Mother Country was much more fortunately situated than, many other countries. New Zealand had not th 0 breeding-banks all round her that existed on the coast of England, and hence could not hope to have a com, paratively inexhaustible supply such M

there existed. The difference was apparent in the Mediterranean. A herring was never got tliere—in fact, the limit of that fish was the Bay of Biscay. lls place was taken by the pilchcr. REPORT OP THE HOSPITAL INSPECTOR. Speaking generally, says the Inspector . of Hospitals in his annual report, local Hoards and their secretaries are doing their best to keep down the outdoor re. lief that leads to permanent pauperism. The Wellington Trustees are .singled out by tho Inspector for commendation. 'lhoy have, hays Hr MacGregor, shown them selves progressive during tho past two years. They have restricted a too lavish outdoor relief and improved the quality of tho rations given. In 1880 their expenditure on out relief was £5664 ;in the vear ending .‘list March, 1901. it was £3908. Dr MacGregor goes on to protest against tho huge sums of money being spent in sites utterly inadequate in point of extent. “The Wellington Board,” he continues, “propose to spend the money ' they have savedby careful management, in extending tho Ohiro Homo, which stands on a barren ridge of about four acres, and this in spite, of the certainty that tho whole building must shortly be abandoned; to make matters worse, th o land is not thoirs.” It is scarcely necesKary to point out, to those* who take an interest in our local charities, tho error made is describing so healthy and breezy a site as that occupied by the Home as a “barren ridge.” The soil is not noli certainly, but vegetables can be success, fully grown there, and the general health of the inmates is good. The Inspector is equally mistaken when bo says that Uio building must shortly be abandoned. Not the remotest intention is entertained of taking such a step. Again, far from the land not belonging to tho trustees, as the inspector alleges, they own the freehold of two acres, while holding the remainder on lease. The inspector concludes his report by saying that Mr and Mrs Purvis do everything in their power to make it bright, cheery and' comfortable for the inmates.