CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6768, 16 March 1909, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

WOOD-PULP INDUSTRY. During: Lis recent visit to Westland, the Under-Seoretary of Lands, Mr Kensington, inspected the area of Crown land which has been taken up by a syndicate for wood-pulp, purposes. The land is situated between Dcccxition river (which flows into the Otira) and Teremakau river, a few miles on the Greymouth side of the Otira Gorge. None of tho timber on it is suitable for milling, but is said to be well adapted for converting into wood-pulp. About 10,000 acres have been set apart, which may be extended to 20,000 acres if necessary. Owing to the moisture of the locality, any bush of this nature cut down rapidly grows again, thus any gaps made will bo restored within a year or two. The company has not yet entered into possession, but it is ifnderstood that the necessary capital to work the industry is being raised abroad. The conditions of the lease provide that within one year from the date of the signing: of the lease, a commencement must be made with the erection of machinery.

EASTER, MANOEUVRES. Wellington, military forces are lying low in regard to their forthcoming Easter work. All tho other districts are apparently telling the public the exact moment they will arise in tho morning and smite the enemy. But Wellington is vague. The local office has decided that in war conditions tho general would not know what tho enemy was going to do to-morrow; hence the vague-, ness. Though tho manoeuvres are to. bo on a email .scale, as far as the local forces are concerned, it has been decided that the troops will go into tho field without, any real knowledge of the possibilities of the occasion. It has been discovered, however, that tho engineering branch of the forces will be particularly busy during tho camp, and will show the public that New Zealand volunteers are quite, as adept in the arts for which they are enlisted as their famous comrades of the Royal Engineers. It is at least gratifying to bo assured that tho local volunteers when they go to Oringi will bo absolutely in the dark as to the exact spot whence' the enemy will strike.

SURVEYORS' EXAMINATIONS. What will probably be : the last meeting of the Surveyors' Board, as now constituted, was held yesterday, in connection with the reoent surveyors’ examinations. There was a full attendance of the board—Messrs T, Humphries, Sur-veyor-General (chairman), J. Strauchon, chief surveyor, Auckland; D. Barron, •chief surveyor, Dunedin; C. Hastings Bridge, Christchurch; and Hon. G. F, Richardson, 1 president New Zealand Institute ot Surveyors. Of the thirteen candidates who presented themselves, only eix passed. Following, five completed , their examination; —Messrs W. D. B. Collins, J, F, Porteous, and M. J. N. McCarthy, of Wellington; J. F.; Murray, Hawera; and H. C« Hooper, Hamilton. They will receive certificates of competency from the board. J. F. Sandford (Auckland) completed the written portion of his examination, but has yet: to be examined in practical astronomy. It is interesting to not© that yesterday s was the 101st meeting of. the board, and there was only one original member of the board present, Hon. G.'F. Richardson. With his retirement from the Government service at the end of this month, the Surveyor-General vacates his position as chairman of the board.

THE IMITATORS. It will bo remembered that when a fleet of Japanese war vessels was in Wellington its sailors were keen on acquiring any goods that typified the industries of the Dominion. A very large number of New Zealand travelling rugs, for the manufacture of which this Dominion is famed, were bought by officers and men of the fleet. Mr Charles Cleveley. formerly of'Wellington, but now of Kobe, writing to a friend in this city, explains the destiny of some of these; rugs. Saye he; —"'Fortunately, I have v a ' connection with the wool industry, and it has been - part of my business to watch any development that might lead to an extension of the wool trade between this rapidly expanding country and New Zealand. Japanese sailors' who visited New Zealand - each seem to have returned with a sample of a New Zealand rug. Almost immediately after the return of Admiral Kamimura's fleet to Japanese waters there were an enormous number of advertisements in the Jaj) arioso papers asking for New Zealand all-wool rugs. Advertisers ottered at least thrice the retail price • for these rugs, with the result that sailors cleared their stacks at a handsome profit. But you will be more interested in the ultimate result. I' have discovered that these ruga were bought by •woollen manufacturers in all parts'of both islands. They have been most carefully analysed in every other way known to the imitative science of our clever allies, the result being that many manufacturers in Japan are now turning out: rugs that are (at least as far as appearance goes) an exact imitation, of the best New Zealand goods. Tho needs of the average Japanese are exceedingly simple, but he is particularly partial to a warm nightcovering. 1 The ; result is that there is already a large business in these rugs in Japan, and the merchants are trying hard to get a big trade going in Europe."

THE MAOE.I LEGEND OF NGARUAHOE. The origin of the name Kgaruahoo is described in the legend of Tongariro (says the "New Zealand Herald"). It is stated that when the Arawa canoe touched the newly-discovered shoes of Aotearoa there was among the dusky adventurers a chief who bore the title of Ngatoroirangi, a name which signifies in the Maori mythology a high priest or deified man. After the natives had formed a settlement at Maketu, Ngatoroirangi was the first to sot out, in company with his slave, Ngaruahoe, to explore the new land. Striking inti the interior, he crossed the plains 'of Taupo, and then along tho lake, into which he oast his staff, which the natives state became a great totara tree. He also shook his; mat over the waters, and from the strips which fell from it sprang the inanga, a small fish which , now abounds in the lake. It was dark and stormy when Ngatoroirangi came to the lake, but suddenly, the clouds broke, and be behold for tho first time the giant form of Tongariro. With the keen instincts of a heaven-born explorer, the chief resolved to ascend the great mountain, in order to get a better view of the

surrounding country;, but the snow was deep, and the ice-bound summit of Tongariro was too much for the adventurous travellers, fresh from the sunny islands of tho South Seas. Prompted by the unpleasant prospeett of being frozen to death, Ngatoroirangi shouted, lustily to his sisters, who had tarried at Whakari (White Island), some 160 miles distant, to send him some fire. The summons was obeyed in quick time, and the sacred firo was entrusted to the hands of two taniwhus, named respectively Te Pupu and To Haeata, who conveyed-it by a subterranean channel which is yet supposed by the natives to connect Tougari.ro with tho still active volcanic island in the Bay of Plenty, It is related that the fire arrived iu time to save tho life of tho adventurous Ngatoroirangi, but when ho turned to comfortt his slave, he found to his horror that his trusty follower had given up tho ghost. At this juncture Ngatoroirangi took tho sacred fire and, casting it into tho extinct crater of Tongariro, the subterranean fires burst forth. On this account Ngatoroirangi named tho crater Ngaruahoe, iu honour of his slave.

THE TREND OP PROHIBITION. The Lyttelton Times," in the coursflr au article on the latest issue of prohibition statistics, says;—Tho figures for the prohibited districts that have had anj l - experience of no-license are not altogether encouraging to our prohibition, friends. Clutha, of course, has remained firm in its first decision, and Grey Lynn, after voting no-licenso by 63.35 per cent., has confirmed it by 71*23 per cent., but most of the other "dry** districts have betrayed some slackening in their zeal. Ashburton voted no-licenso by 62.05 per cent, in 1902, but polled only 47.90 per cent, for non-restoration in 1905 and only 46.07 per cent, in 1908, Oamaru's objection to the public bars declined from 63 per cent, in 1905 to 59.20 per cent, in 1908, and Invercargill's from 61.67 per cent, to 55.99 per cent. Matanra voted no-lioenso by 60.91 per cent, in 1902 and non-restoration by 59.38 per cent, in 1905 and by 56.04 per cent, in 1908. Bruce has been moro constant. After voting no-license by 61.36 in 1902 it voted non-restoration by 69.87 per cent, in 1905 s and confirmed nonrestoration by 61.01 in 1908. These figures seem to suggest that when no-llccnso is put on its trial it loses friends for a time and creates a moro or, less insistent demand for tho reopening of the bars. In Ashburton, tho chango of feeling is so remarkable that it can bo explained only by some special circumstances, Tho majority of tho electors, however, are still expressing their confidence in tho experiment, and even if tho no-licenso figures should grow in tho future no faster than they grew between .1905 and 1908 by tho local option poll of 1914 wo shall be standing on the very verge of Dominion prohibition. The electors should consider very seriously during the next two years whether this is the goal they wish to roach.

THE CONTRACT SYSTEM. At the hearing of argument at Mol* bourne In. the dispute between tho Broken Hill Proprietary Company and the Barrier branch of the A.H.A. V , in the Court of Arbitration before .Mr Justice Higgins, on ‘ interesting reference was made to the contract system. Mr Arthur, on behalf of the <*men/ urged that the matter of the contract system was within the words of the claim. Jlia Honor;,! do not wish to refuse it oh tho ground that there is no jurisdiction; but the Court may have jurisdiction and still see that it is not a matter ripe for an award. Assuming that the Court has jurisdiction, I find that the parties came here without any intention of . having the contract system contested, and then it was only on some suggestions of mine that attention was called to it. Thera being no proposals to get over the difficulties of tho system, I said that I would not deaT with it. Mr Arthurs X asked your Honor to consider the New Zealand award. It will enable you to see how it can be brought about. In tli© words of the agreement, the men shall earn 12s in regard to deficient places, and they have to work through mullock at the same rate as tho good positions. Tho Nerf Zealand award provides that when deficient places are reached tho contract shall cease and tho men work on wages. His Honor: Who is to say what is a sufficient amount?. Mr Arthur: That is also dealt with m the award—the deficiency has to extend to 33i per cent. His Honors You ask me to adopt some system based on tho New Zealand one that has not been fairly before tho Court. It has not been mentioned, and Mr Kelynack has finished his case. My proper course is to deal with what is before the Court. Mr Arthur: It has been mentioned, and Mr Kelynack brought evidence to meet it. His Honor: I do not think it was fairly pointed to in the case.

NEWS NOTES

What Manchester has got, and what New Zealand should avoid, is well disclosed to-day in an article from the pen of Mr C. C. Eeade. When a New Zealander thinks of Manchester he depicts a great prosperous city humming with industrial, life. Mr Reade paints quite a different picture. He show’s that out of a total population of 764,829, no less than 230,000 live in poverty and want. The deductions drawn from the writer's observations are very interesting. The steamer Tymerio arrived at Auckland last night from San Francisco. The southern portion of- the mails will arrive at Wellington by express to-morrow afternoon. Dr A. K. Newman, who is a candidate for the City Mayoralty, will address the electors at an early date. - The sittings of the Arbitration Court in the country districts will commence on the following dates Wanganui, Monday, 22nd inst.j Napier, 2ith inst., and Palmerston North on the 26th inst. The Paparoa, which arrived from Loudon yesterday morning, brought 169 immigrants, of whom 63 were f°r Wellmgton. 39 for Auckland, 23 for Lyttelton. 19 for Port Chalmers, and the remainder for Napier, Gisborne, Wanganui, Nelson, Westport, ; New Plymouth and Bluff. Many of them were women with » families, joining already settled here. Mr Hardy, of tho Immigration Department, met the steamer on its arrival.

The promoters of tho picnic to be held at Father Lane’s grounds. Lower Hurt, and the concert in the Town Hall in th» evening, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day (to-morrow), have made elaborate preparations to ensure the success of both gatherings. Tho Hibernian Society and the Catholic Club are running both undertakings. A, special picnic train is' to .leave, Lambton station at 9.52 a.m; for Lower Hurt. One of the attractive items at the concert—one of many—will be selections by the famous Canadian Kilties Band.

.ftoad grants totalling *£soo wcro authorised by Cabinet yesterday. Other Itojnw of oxpemlUun* included fttratford-Ongaruo railway construction Wm. mid Gisborne Kanaka railway WOOO. Tcmlpi-s were accepted for tho erection of a. |K>licc? station at Kaikoka, and tho building of post offices at Lptom (Auckland) mill Afaungatuuroto. It was decided to invito tenders ior tho construction of a post office at Ilolons■villo.

A rifle match has been arranged to lake place to-morrow between teams rcropre.sontativo of Palmerston North and the Wellington departmental offices, Tho following will represent Wellington; Lieutenant Hawthorn (treasury), Lieutenant Shelley (Tax), Lieutenant Honcho [Friendly Soidetios), Captain Hoss (lutornal Affairs), S.S.M. Hose (Defence), Low (Government Insurance), Ga/.ley (Health), Fisher (Treasury),. Eves (Tax), Roberts (Kaihvays), Henderson (Railways), Holliday (Valuation), Burns [Printing Oifice). The team will leave hv the 7.30 a.m. train from Thorndon Ration for Palmerston.

Tho Wellington branch of the Navy League looms large in "The Navy tor February. It is to be noted that the paper is no longer called “Tho Navy League Journal.” There arc excellent photos showing Wellington schoolboys by hundreds setting out in bouts to sample the wonders of Admiral I ooro s fleet. “The Navy" has also many pages of matter dealing with Lieutenant Knox a recent visit to this country, and emphasises tho interest taken by the majority of New Zealanders in the Navy. “The Navy” contains tho usual mass of information relative to the strengths of tho British and German, navies.

.That wins a naive letter which tho Rev. C. Smith, at Otaki, wrote tho Horowhemia County Council on Saturday (says a Palmorstou paper). Ho is troubled about several things in relation to cemeteries. In tho first place he has to. robe under the trees, which ho says is "most unpleasant in wet weather." Then ho wants tho cemeteries regraded so that tho bodies may bo laid ‘‘east and west, and not "north and south” as at Otaki, hut as lie admits that at . his first funeral, "being a stranger in Otala, lie did not know which was cast and which was west—"not being sure of his bearings," tho thought occurs that it the live clergyman could not tell east from west, was tho dead Otakian supposed to bo more certain of "his bearings" and more concerned about them? Saturday was tho fortieth anniversary Df the engagement at Otauto, when the colonial forces, under command of tho IRto Colonel AVJiitmoro, attacked the Maoris at their strong position on the louth bank of tho Patoa river (says tho (Vuokland "Star”). Among tho servitors of "Otauto” resident in Auckland may be mentioned Sergeant Shepherd, N.Z.C., who was severely wounded, and received tho Now Zealand Cross for. valour on that occasion. Mr Shepherd i* hi the employ of the Harbour Board, ind still looks haio and hoartv. Mr. M. 1. Gannon, of the Deeds Oflico, also took part as a volunteer in tho engagement. Mr E. Eyton, late sergeant, A.C., was one of the scouts engaged under tho lata Colonel S. John, who commanded the lorco operating on tho north bank of the Patou rivor. "Otauto” may he said to havo been tho last important stand made by the Maoris during the West Coast campaign of 18C8-1869. Riflemen who competed at Trentham will be interested to know what is done in South Australia in tho way of making provision for military camp training. It is proposed to afford members of rifle dubs an opportunity to take part in th« forthcoming Eastor training at New Brighton. This will, of course, depend upon sufficient members offering to attend. Tho proposal is that members shall attend camp daily at such an hour ns will enable them to take part in each day’s manoeuvres. The mem will be formed into companies under their mm officers, and tho whole will bo placed under the command of the senior officer of tho South Australian Infantry Regiment. If tho various clubs agree to tho proposal instructors will be provided to impart preliminary instruction to those able to attend, at convenient times between now and Eastor. It is a constant cry on tho Farmers’ Unions, and from political platforms, that tho Weraroa State Farm costs too much, and that' it should be made to pay. It has been pointed out that experimental farms cannot be expected to. pay as they have to prove things, but the late Minister of Agriculture determined to utilise as far as possible tho herd at Wereroa to help the Wellington milk supply and at the same time secure a profitable return for the farm. It paid' tho farm, and it gave Wellington babies good milk, but the Levin farmers who howled the other day that the farm didn't pay, are going to hold a meeting this week toprotest against it selling its milk in 'Wellington because they consider that it is opposition to them. Presumably they think the milk ought to be turned into the drains. Provided the drain would hold it, and you could dump this sort of objector in too and leave him there, it might servo.—Manawatu -"Times."