CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS

AN UNPROFITABLE EXPRESS. The discontinuance of the extra, or " daylight ” express between "Wellington and Auckland has been announced by tho Minister of Railways. The much-advocated facility was not used by tho public to anything like tho extent necessary to pay tho expenses of tho train, while the low fares operated also as a bar to profitable running. On tho first trip out of "Wellington, the passengers numbered scarcely two dozen. Others were' doubtless picked up en route, but the result of this initial run was not auspicious in view of tho fact that a 420mile trip of a train of that class costs £l2O, but a second-class passenger could travel tho whole distance for «£X Is 6d. Tho long-distance rates will bo changed os from next week, so that any future experiments in extra facilities for travellers may have a bettor financial result than tho “daylight” express. CHURCH FUNDAMENTALS. It is expected that an interesting discussion will take place during the coming session of General Synod in Wellington this month upon the resolution recently passed by the Wellington Diocesan Synod dealing with the fundamental provisions of the constitution of tho Church of the province of New Zealand. Tho resolution, which was passed upon the mptjon of the Rev. T. H. Sprott, expressed the strong opinion “ that tho unalterable character of tho provisions in the constitution called fundamental, is injurious to tho best interests of tho church and a hindrance to its progress,” for which reason General Synod was urged to secure by Act of Parliament tho right to complete selfgovernment for the Church in New Zealand. General Synod is also being asked to seek legislation vesting all land in Now Zealand “ granted or conveyed for purposes in connection with the United Church of England and Ireland ” in trustees to bo held “ for the like purposes in connection with the Church of the province of New Zealand.” In asking General Synod to take this course, tho Diocesan Synod reaffirmed “ that " the Church of the province is in full communion with the Church of England,” and suggested that a declaration to this effect be placed in the forefront of apy resolution that may bo passed on tho subject of alteration of the fundamental provisions. “Provided always,” concludes the resolution, “ that no alteration in tho Book of Common Prayer, in the form and manner of making, ordaining, or creating of bishops, priests, and deacons, and in tho thirty-nine articles, gbn.ll bo made until it shall first have been proposed ill one General Synod, make known to tho several Diocesan Synods, and finally agreed to in the meeting. of the General Synod next ensuing.” The Wellington resolution has beau communicated to the other Diocesan Synods, from each of which an expression of opinion upon it will be received at the meeting of General Synod this month. APPLES FOR LONDON. Arrangements have just Been completed by a Nelson firm for the shipment to England by direct boat, leaving at tho end of March, of four thousand oases of fruit, principally applies (says tho “Marlborough Express”). Cold storage has been arranged for. An amount slightly above expenses is being advanced against the fruit to be Shipped. Three thousand cases have already been promised, and another thousand is a practical certainty, as the crops are heavy and the prospects of the experiment are regarded as excellent. Tho whole will be packed in oases similar to those in use in Tasmania, of regulation size, holding a bushel, forty pounds. Paper is being imported, so that each fruit may bo wrapped separately, while tho shipment will bo examined and graded under Government supervision, so as to quahfy for the Government guarantee of one penny per lb on all fruit exported. Last year Hawke’s Bay apples sold iu London at 9s fid per ease, about one shilling loss to .growers, but if the same price is realised for this shipment it .is estimated that there will ho 4s fid net profit. Twelve shillings per case are confidently expected. It is said that the shipment three years ago is nothing to go by, as it was badly graded and packed and on a much smaller scale. Tho recent heavy gales did no serious damage. NOT TAKING ANY. Proposals wore formulated "by Mr J. S. Palmer, president of tho hew. _ Zealand Licensed Victuallers’ Association, for an alternative compromise between tho No-licenso party and tho trade on the basis of (a) disicontinuing tho taking of a local noiiconso poll and siibsti tuning therefor a Dominion prohibition poll; (b) embodying a State control issue in tho ballot paper; (c) a bare majority to carry _ any issue; (d) six years’ notice to quit in the event of prohibition being carried. It was suggested in regard to present “dry” areas that votes for restoration should count for con-

tinuanco and votes for non-restoration for Dominion prohibition, and that in the event of continuance for the Dominion being carried all “dry” areas should revert to license. Unofficial views elicited by a “Times” reporter from prominent no-liconsq men indicate that there is no likelihood of the party agreeing cither to sacrifice tho local option poll or to put State control as an issue. Tho suggestion that an aggregate continuance _ and restoration majority should involve reversal to license, irrespective of tho nature of tho verdict in the individual electorates, is regarded with special disfavour. Opinions differ as to what ■would bo the effect on other votes of tho State control issue being put. One of those interviewed avowed his belief that more votes would thus bo lost to the trade than to prohibition, whilst others were inclined _ to think tho departure would ho inimical to tho party’s interests.

BIRD’S-EYE PHOTOGRAPHS. An interesting visitor tp Ixmdon just now is Mr Melvin Vnnlnaman, of California, who will be remembered throughout Now Zealand for bis remarkable “bird’s-eyo” phtatographs of the various towns (writes our Eoindon correspondent on November 26tb). Mr Yanmman while in. Australia and New Zealand took many of his photographs from tho car of a balloon, and tho results were so successful that ho afterwards took his balloon oil over the world, getting -nows from high altitudes. Then. Mr Van.lyiman decided that for his photographic work an airship would bo an improvement on his balloon. So he took up the study of -airships. In this way ho was brought in touch witli Mr vv ellman, the Polar explorer, who blannod a trip by airship to tho North Pole. So quickly did Mr Vanmman master his work that ere long ho became Mr Wellman's Chief engineer, and for four long years ho worked with tho explorer anti his party in tho desolate Arctic solitudes of Spitzbergen, preparing Jhe airship for its Polar voyage. The expedition, you will remember, came to nothing in tho end, owing to am accident at tho start in September last. Just as the airship was being bowed northward over the preliminary stages of tho route, tho heavy drug-rope, packed with compressed food, istruck tho water and swayed about so violently in the waves that it parted from the airship and fell into the sea. By that time it was too late in tho year to fit out the airship again, so the expedition was abandoned. But Mr Varmiman declares that but for this accident they could easily have got to the North Pole m twenty-four hours. And he is quite confident that there is nothing to prevent him talcing the airship successfully from London to New York. While engaged on aeronautical work the erstwhile phohas developed inventive gifts which resulted in several new patents connected with, airships. Onle of his inventions Is a moveable garage for airships; another is an envelope composed of separate compartments; a third ls a carburettor for the engine, and yet another is an improved type of propeller. Mr Vanmman is obviously marked out for an aeronautical career. NEWS NOTES The new steamer Buahine —the largest of the New Zealand Shipping Company's fleet—completes her maiden voyage today, when she is due in Wellington from London. She has about four hundred passengers. A picture and description of this fine vessel appear on page 6. A performance will be given by the Tramways Band to-morrow afternoon in the Newtown Park. Permission . has been granted to the band on this occasion to take up a collection in aid of the Bands Contest Fund. The. medical superintendent, Mount View, acknowledges with thanks contributions sent for the patients' Christmas festivities by Mrs W. Ferguson. Miss Coates, the British Empire Trading Co.„ PHjS.W./' Anonymous,"' Mr Brockett and Mr Evensen. A witness in a sly grog-selling case in’ tho ‘Magistrate's Court yesterday ' was asked by counsel, "Do you drink?" The answer was prompt vmd conclusive, "Yes, I do, and I'll got a drink now as soon as I get out of this Court, and I've got a drop in my house, thank goodness 1" The weekly meeting of the Star of Wellington Lodge of Good Templars was. opened by Bro. E, A. Goodger, Chief Templar. An enjoyable evening was spent with the question box, which ledto some very interesting debates. Visitors from various lodges, including the, Potone Lodge and H.M.S. Challenger were present. One member was initiated. " Old Identity" supplies the following’, statistics regarding the progress of the Upper Hutt Town Board District (as 1 separate from Mungaroa Biding, Hutt County) ;—On March 31st, 1901, the total 1 capital value of area now comprised in* tho Upper Hutt Town Board District; wag as followsOn ratable property ,£32,635; on exempted (Government non- 1 rateable), .£2340: total, £34,876. On* March 31st, 1909, capital value (including non-ratable), £211,826. The coal export from the Duller mines last year totalled 735,050 tone, being an, increase of 35,176 tons over the previous year. The Westport Coal Company's mines put out 560,336 tons, the Stockton mine 86,834 tons, and the Seddonvill© State collieries 67,686 tons. The Weetiport Coal Company's output shows & decrease of some 50,000 tons, due to tho fire at Min© Creek, but tho increased Output from the other mines gave the past year a substantial advance on the previous twelve months.

■ Thanks to the favourable weuther which has been experienced far the past few weeks, visitors to the sweet' pea and carnation show, which is to be opened in the Peton© l>rill Hall at 3 p.m. to-day, are assured of good-conditioned blooms being on display. The society promises that the sweet peas shown will be the finest ever exhibited in the Dominion. The holding of the show in Petone ia la the suture of an experiment, and residents of that town will have only themselves to blame if the patronage does not warrant a repetition. The show will reopen at night.

The Hotol and Restaurant Employees’ Union intends considering, at a special meeting to be hold next week, a scheme for the ap point men t of a female organiser (says the ‘'Otago Daily Times/') When. the union was first formed it consisted mainly of male members, but now the female members are in the majority, being represented by about 250 out of a .total membership of approximately 400. Should the union, decide to appoint on organiser, an effort will be made to get those _ employed in the various public boarding-houses in Dunedin properly organised with a view to having such establishments brought under the scope of an award of the Arbitration Court, as was originally aimed at.

Reversing the usual order of labelling, the higher the number of a teachers certificate, the lower the qualification expressed. "While "A" is the highest, "i> 5" is the lowest. Mr Owen, a South Canterbury delegate to the Educational Institute Conference, told an amusing story to illustrate the complications of this system of labelling. A country school committee, when considering the appointment of al teacher, selected a “D 5" certificate-holder, because, they argued. "D" must bo better than "A, and “5" higher, than "I." This reminded him of another upside-down incident in the profession. A pupil-teacher, getting .£3O per annum, "foundered'* twice in his examination*, and wa* regarded as hopeles*. So ho left, and, being appointed a x temporary teaohor, promptly obtained v tho increased salary of «£9O per annum. Bowlers' Hats, Shoes, and Trousers at Bowlere' prices, At Klrkcaldie and Stains. Ltd. ' •

The Warrimco, which left Wellington at sever, o'clock last night for Sydney, took only 93 passengers from New Zealand.

The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister of Railways) Und Miss Millar returned from Auckland yesterday, and will remain in Wellington for some days. The Minister felt tho strain of tho session severely, but ho is improving in health through tha rest.

Those who appreciate water sports are being catered lor to-day in a generous manner by tho Y.M.C.A. Swimming Club, who, at Te Aro' baths, are putting forward an attractive programme of racing, high diving, life saving, aquatic boxing, sea battles, etc. There will b© first-class music by Vitetta's Band, and afternoon tea is to be provided free of charge.

Instruction was blended with entertainment at the Missions to Seamen last night, when a largo audience watched witli interest practical ambulance work done by tho missioner and men, and at intervals listened to musical items arranged by tho Alisses Bonayn© and Mr Paul. Tho prizes in tho competition for carrying the injured and attending to tho burned went to seamen in port. The New Century Hall Spiritualists' Association, (registered) has engaged Madam© Patey, an English. Spiritualist lecturer, for three momtns, during which she will deliver a series of lectures. Madam© Patey has been lecturing with success in England, and was lately associated with Mr Stead's "Julia" bureau. She intends settling in New Zealand. Madam© Patey will give herfirst address in Wellington on Sunday night. Tho Hawke’s Bay Amateur Boxing Association intend holding a professional contest towards the end of the month. Gus DoVett (Wellington) will meet Arch. Leckie (Wellington) in a 15-round mill for a purse of £45 in the middleweight championship of New Zealand. Devett has won the middle and heavyweight Wanganui championships, > and Leokio fought a draw for the middleweight championship of Now Zealand with Clark, who afterwards left the Dominion. Crawford and J. Young meet in a 10-round go for a £2O purse. The Waikato chief Taingakawa visited the natives of the Tauranga district last week, says the Bay of Plenty "Times," concerning an important project ha has in view. The chief is interesting himself in land matters, and intends going Home to lay the question before the English Government. He interviewed Hori Ngatai, To Mete Baukawa, 1© Minihi, T© Waru, T© Kuku, and other influential local chiefs. It is his intention to return again in about a month's time for the purpose of interviewing the Bangatua and other coastal natives prior to his departure for the Old Country.

Questioned as to the dryness of the •decks of the turret-deck type of vessel. Captain Price, of the steamer Clan Macrfarlane (a turret-deck boat) said to a “Times" reporter that during seven years' experience on that vessel he had on only on© occasion seen a heavy sea oome aboard. “That," he remarked, "was during a seismic disturbance near Japan, when the sea was moving in all directions." The spar deck of the turretdock boat is not immune from sprays, but only under extraordinary circumstances does a green sea get on board. It is a strange sight to see the seas expending their force on the whale-back sides of the hulls of these vessels.

A rather startling incident occurred recently in the south bound train from Napier (says the ‘'Telegraph"), When near Takapau a lady in a second-class compartment lit a small lamp and used it to warm some milk for her baby. The lamp, which was filled with methylated spirits, was not held securely, and the spirit overflowed and immediately caused an explosion. The lady's hat caught alight, put a gentleman on the opposite seat promptly subdued the fire oy placing a coat over ’the blazing headgear. . Spirits which fell on the mother's dress damaged it considerably, and the lady was also burnt about the forehead. Her hair was also singed, and the result of the explosion will certainly put a stop to the growing practice of carrying spirit lamps in trains, at any rat© as far as the occupants of that carriage are concerned. An exciting incident ‘occurred on the Queen's wharf at 2 o'clock yesterday, when the Fateena was departing _ for Picton. A man who was seeing a friend off was leaning from the wharf with his hands against the ship's side. As the vessel moved, out he was unable to recover his balance and it was apparent to the onlookers that he was about to ■fall into the harbour. Just os the man dropped head foremost towards the water a man standing by grabbed him by the ankle. For a few moments there ’was a very alarmed' individual hanging upside down over the edge of the wharf suspended by one leg. He was rescued from an awkward position without losing his umbrella, and his hat, which was fastened to a cord. A few weeks ago a somewhat similar mishap befel a man who was standing alongside the Maori. E© saved himself by grasping hold of the open port and was earned to Lytteltom

' At a meeting of the committee which controls the. General Assembly library during the recess, held on Thursday last, Air William Fraser, M.P., was ‘elected chairman ’ for the current Parliumentary recess. It was decided that ■the library shall be open to properlynominated privilege holders from Monday week next, the 17th inst., and-that all ex-members of Parliament shall be entitled to use the library without any special application. Complaint having been mUde that certain privilege holders last year failed to return books upon the stipulated date, and in other ways did not comply with the regulations under which privileges are granted, it was decided that any departure from the strictest observance of all such regulations would be followed by un immediate forfeiture of the privilege. An official announcement respecting the library appears in another part of this paper.

In connection with the settlement of the State coal mine trouble, the Greymouth correspondent of the Christchurch "Press" says:—''Mr Smith, secretary of the local union; Mr Dowgray, the WestSort representative on tno Federation: [r E. Semple, president of the local union and iof the Miners' Federation, and Mr Armstrong, vice-president of the Federation, declare that the terms agreed to by the Minister, the mine manager, and the miners' representatives, are perfectly satisfactory, and .they do not fear the least trouble in the future, as all dissatisfaction . has now been removed. They are pleased that the Miners' Federation received official recognition dnring the time the negotiations for a settlement were in progress. Great credit is also duo to the Minister of Mines for the promptitude with which he attended to the matter, forfeiting his Christmas and New Year holidays to ensure a speedy settlement of the trouble, which ne saw only required the exercise of a little tact to Bring about."

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, a woman, who was found drunk in Eevans street, was convicted and fined 10a,-in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Joseph Wadley, convicted of having behaved in such a way os to provoko a breach of the peace, was fined 20s, or in default, seven days' imprsoument. For using obscene language, the toe defendant was fined or fourteen days' imprisonment. Madame C. M. Tutschka, & dressmaker, was charged with having committed a breach of the Factories Act, In respect of the fact th&t eh© had employed five needlewomen after 6 p.m. on the 34th ultimo. The offence was admitted, but the defendant explained that as she wa* extremely busy, the girls had volunteered to work overtime, and she had paid them 2s 6d extra, and also provided them with tea. His Worship, Mr W. G. Siddell, S.M., e*tid there was no doubt a breach of the Factories Act hod been committed, but in the circumstances a fine of 2te, with 7s costs, would meet the case. ,

The first chauffeur to file a petition m bankruptcy in Wellington did so yesterday, Reginald 801 l having that disUnction. The creditors hold their first meeting next Thursday.

Shopkeepers who desire to close their shops for the weekly half-holiday on Saturday of each week throughout this year must give notice to that effect m writing to the Inspector of Factories during tho present month, as required by the Shops and Offices Act. At a meeting of tho Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union on Thursday night a motion was proposed that £201) be voted to the Newcastle coal strikers relict fund. Objection was taken .to onefourth of the Union's funds being given for this purpose, and the vote was reduced to £IOO, in addition to £lO per week being granted as long as the men are out on strike.

In reply to a letter from Mr John Duncan, M.P., asking that the Harbour Master at Picton be, appointed an examiner of candidates for certificates ot competency as river master, tho Mims- - for Marine (Hon. J. A. Millar) states: .—"There will be no objection to makin,, •this appointment, but as it is propoeea to make similar appointments at other .-ports, and inquiries concerning tho perisons to be appointed are. now being made, it is considered advisable to let tho appointment of the Harbour Master ,at Picton stand over so that it may be made along with the others. There does not appear to bo any urgency in tn© .matter, ponding tho coming into operation of the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill."

Among the matters to bo discussed by General Synod when it meets in Wellmgton this month is tho question of altering tho boundaries of tho dioceses in tho North Island. A commission which was set up hy last General Synod suggested Up alteration of the boundaries between the Auckland and Wellington dioceses, the practical effect of which would be to create U new diocese, roughly corresponding in area with tho Taranaki distriot. Tho suggestion was considered by the Wellington Diocesan Synod at its authoring last year, when it was decided that the whole matter should really stand over for a while until it was seen what effect the Atain Trunk railway would have upon the distribution of population. The Lux Eight Company wish it known that the Lux Incandescent Kerosene Gas Lamps give the Cheapest and Most Brilliant Light on Earth. See To Aro House, Bates and Lees', Wardell Bros.', Leydon and Co., Caterer and Carey, E. Pearce and Co., R. Hannah and Co.. Petono Workshops (where Lux replaced the latest devices in lighting). House Lamps 22s 6d. Lamps up to 2000 candlepower. 35, 37, 89, Old Customhouse street (back of Opera House), Wellington. ' #