SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6490, 9 April 1908, Page 1

SUMMARY.

Tho Colonial Institute on Tuesday discussed a paper by Lord Strathcona dealing with the question of an All-Red mail route, from the Imperial standpoint.

Lord Strathcona emphasised the necessity for Britain maintaining a supreme, up-tn-dato merchant marine, particularAv in the \pncific. Ho did not claim that the scheme would be self-supporting at the outwit, but thought the route would create its own trade.

Sir John Colomb emphasised the comijiff struggle for supremacy in the Pacific. Mr W. P. Rooves 1 spoke in favour of the scheme, and referred to the unforeseen success of tlio Pacific cable. He admitted that Australia relied upon the Suez service, hut said the proposed AllBed route would benefit New Zealand and Queensland considerably. Manchester Conservatives arc strenuously preparing for an election in anticipation of the promotion of Mr Winston Churchill to Cabinet rank. There were only twonty-eighfc (not thirty) inmates in the two old houses which collapsed in London. Eight wora killed, three seriously hurt, and seventeen slightly injured. The South Australian Premier, speaking at Homo, gave his opinions on Englishmen generally. Ho said they only appeared to value Australia to the extent of /jetting something cheap, and had no thought for anything except what was commercial. Lord Kelvin's net estate is valued at £155.053.

Mr G. Barnes’s resignation of the secretaryship of tho British Amalgamated Society of Engineers has been accepted. Lieutenant-General Drury-Lowo is dead. Pour Japanese entered tho American sonsulato at Mukden, attacked and arrested 'the native staff, and had them sonveyed to tho Japanese Consul-General. ’No apology was offered for tho outrage, which was apparently committed out of private revenge. Spectators at the wrestling match between Gotch and Hackenschmidt consider that the former’s methods were somewhat foul.

'The opinion is universal, however, that Hackenschmidt was overmatched. Mr Pierpont Morgan has purchased the Aldrobrandini Palace at Romo. A lieutenant in tho Gorman army has disappeared from Mots. He is suspected of soiling military Kjcrots.

Ths disaffection among Indian telegraphists resulted in delaying forty thou sand messages, some for a week. Indian commercial men protest against the proposed opposition to a continuance of artificial code words.

The boats of tho Bega. which was wrecked on Sunday night off Tathra Hoad, took thirteen hours to effect a landing on tho New South Wales coast. Tho work of rescue was arduous, and in one case continuous baling had to ho done to keep afloat.

Fonr of the seamen behaved splendidly, never ceasing pulling for-twelve hours. The-women, after being landed, sang tw.o hymns of thanksgiving for their rescue.

A steamer conveying some of the castaways to Sydney was disabled by an accident to her machinery, and had to put into Kiams.

Tho acting chief officer of the Bega declared that the boats were fitted with everything necessary.

The statement that it was suggested by a seaman to out the painter of the teat in which the women wore is confirmed. All the passengers pay tributes to the bravery and coolness of tho women and children. .

Another steamer sent to the relief of the remaining castaways also mot with an accident to her engines, and was delayed for several hours. The Now Zealand bowlers played their second match against Victoria at St. Kilda yesterday. , The visitors won by three points, thns winning the rubber. The Federal OoTemment has made representations to the British Government that the ‘time has arrived for a reduction in the Suez Canal rates. A case of smallpox developed on a steamer during the run from Fremantle to Adelaide.

The Government hne received the report of the Commissioner., Mr Bishop, 6.M., appointed to inquire into the management of To Oranga Home, Christchurch.

The Commissioner, favours the suggestions for claasafication of the inmates made bv Mr Smail. the main point being the sotting up of a reception class under sympathetic supervision. Fault is found with tho manager for the way she kept the register of punishments, while the Commissioner expresses the opinion that certain forms of punishment should be absolutely prohibited. He finds that the work set the girls was neither oppressive nor degrading, ■juid that no fault could bo found with the food.

Praise te accorded the management for the much excellent work that is bdng done.

He recommends the adoption of a system of indeterminate committal in the n&se of tmreformod inmates. The Eon. G. Fowlds wn ho is »«r----prieed and pleased to find that eo little had been discovered calling for adverse nomment.

He indicated that tho question of making suitable provision for tho classification of the inmates would be submitted to his colleagues without delay.

.Attention would also he given, at once to the Commissioner’s condemnation of certain cf tho matters connected with the Internal management of the Homo. In his opinion the report proves that -eomplamte regarding the food and physical exercises of the girls were unwarranted.

A seed merchant named James Baxter, living at South Invercargill, attempted to murder his wife and family early. yesterday morning. The victims wore attacked with an nse while asleep. Three of the children are dead, and the wife and the two other children are in a critical condition..

Baxter committed suicide by exploding a detonator cap. The United States Government has accepted the invitation for the American fleet to visit New Zealand. Owing to lack of time, it will only be possible to visit Auckland.

Canteen establishments are to be attached to forces taking part in the Easter military manoeuvres in tho Wellington district.