EVENTS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5832, 24 February 1906, Page 4

EVENTS OF THE DAY.

A CITTZEXS’ ART GALLERY. The inauguration of what may ultimately prove tlie finest asset of the city was effected at tho representative meeting of citizens hold yesterday afternoon in tho Chamber of Commerce in response to the invitation of tho Mayor. Tho creation of a free permanent public art gallery for "Wellington was tho praiseworthy object of a gathering that inc|udcd, wo aro glad to observe, many ladies. Some excellent and apt speeches were made, with the result that the meeting pledged itself to raise sufficient funds to enable full advantage to be taken of the Government offer of a £SOO subsidy. But it wo* made plain by the speeches that this represented but the beginning of a much greater effort; aa a mere £3OO to cover tho Government subsidy would go but a small way to provide an art gallery worthy of so prosperous a city. Mr H. S. Wardeil, S.M., made the excellent point that this matter was chiefly one for tho citizens; and wo aro cordially in agreement with his contention that the formation of a public art gallery should bo a municipal, rather than ji State, responsibility. Mr J. W. Joyut. too, In an admirable speech, deservedly emphasised the fact that contributions to 60 worthy a fund should not be confined to tho rich. Every citizen, rich'or poor, should foci and show an interest in his dry’s art gallery—even

though as yet it ho but an unrealised dream. But the way to realise that ideal is to contribute one's mite to the fund that the mooting pledged itself to raise. For this purpose the committee appointed—to which we won hi have likes 1 to see some ladies' names added—eons’Bts of the Mayor, the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C., and -Mr A. 1). Bilcy. late director of tlie Technical School.

MUNICIPAL. AUDIT.

The City; Council is to be congratulated upon its resolution to appoint a professional accountant to audit the tramways account and such other accounts of the Corporation as are not covered hy the Government audit. Kflective audit is a most important matter in connection with all municipal or collective undertakings, especially when allied with a proper system of book-keeping and a clear way of presenting the accounts to the public. One of the first acts of Mr John Burns, ns President of the Local Government Board in Fngland. was to order the preparation of a simple system of keeping municipal accounts, and it is pleasing to find our City Councillors' also alive to the necessity of reform in this matter. It has been decided to have not only the accounts, hut also tho responsibility and control in each of the departments oi the Corporation’s business kept separate and distinct. Tho change is one that will conduce to efficiency, to prompt despatch of business, and to a clear understanding of the exact position of the city’s finances. At tho last election of Councillors wo laid stress on the desirableness of having at least one expert accountant at tho Council board, so that bin special knowledge and experience might bo available in (ho management of the city's affairs The electors showed their appreciation of our advice hy returning Mr Biss, and we are glad to find that, ho has thus early justified the confidence reposed in him by moving the resolution for the appointment of an auditor. Tho Bpcoch made hy him on Thursday evening was an able and comprehensive one, showing that lie bad (riven careful attention to tho subject. We felicitate tho ratepayers upon the early prospect of tho inauguration of a system of keeping and auditing the Corporation accounts that will bo absolutely clear and satisfactory.

HOW TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS,

Some philosopher said long ago that “them aro no accidents,” moaning thereby that what aro commonly termed accidents aro generally produced by neglect or disregard of Nature's laws. The Queen of Houmanin, “'Carmen Sylva,” in “Sparks from the Anvil” (a scries of brilliant aphorisms), rays “God forgives; Nature, never." AM it is so, in small as in large things, when the inexorable law is unheeded or overlooked. An example on sea was recently given, when a coasting steamer was run into by another at Auckland and wrecked, with loss of life, because the red port light had been allowed to go out, nod its relighting was left to a hoy, who was sent too late, to display the absolutely necessary signal, and so prevent the fatal collision. Here, then, was a so-called “accident,” which wan really Iho result of neglect of the strict regulation, without tho observance of which no ships can i.ail_ tho sea in safety; and remorseless Nature avenged herself for tho neglect. How small a thing, therefore, may lead to a fatal catastrophe. '‘What great events from little causes spring”: and especially is this saying applicable to tho non-observance of vigilant regard for those seeming trifles which together tend to make up tho sum of human life and duty. Tho other night a lire occurred in Auckland and destroyed threo buildings. Tho hose-reel, it is stated, soon after leaving Ponsonby station, Wet with “an accident.” “One of tho bridles broke and a homo bolted, dragging tho reel against a tramway post. Foreman Copies:) one was thrown to the ground, badly shaken, and severely bruised”; another wan wiih thrown to tho ground, having an arm seriously injured, and an artery severed. Why? Of course these occurrences—the bolting of the horse, the collision with tho post, tho injuries to the two, o file-era, to say nothing of tho damage to the material, and tho delay in arriving at the fire—-aro all consequences of a cause: tho breaking of a bridle! It all shows thq neecciiity for preliminary and regular inspection. Weak harness and a nervous horso should have no place in a firo brigade. The recent fatal bicycle "accident” in Wellington was clearly a preventable occurrence, resulting, as it apparently did, from- inattention or neglect of the rule of tho road. It is pretty safe to assort that ninety per cent of tho “ accidents ” that occur could bo prevented by watchfulness, care, and a reasonable amount of forethought. “Accidents will happen” is a raiying, like “Ilctter lato than never,” that is responsible for a good deal of evil. It would he much better if people were habituated to tbink of accidents as preventable, and were brought to realise the need for constant vigilance in order to secure their own safety end that of others.