CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS

THE PEITBOLEOM IKDHBTBZ. Something like a crisis appetra to be imminent in connection with the nascent petroleum industry of New Zealand, and the first visible sign of it is tho inquiry received by Hi© XUranaki Petroleum Company as to whether and upon what terms it is disposed to sell its rights, eta (remarks the •'Taranaki Herald"). Ite inquiry wa« cabled from London, but there is nothing before tho directors, _ we believe, to indicate -whether its real source is British, American, Qenrtmn, Dutch, ot what. There is at the present time a keen desire ori. the part of the British Admiralty to obtain abundant supplies of crude petroleum for fuel for use in the Navy, and we may be sure that other if convinced that oil fuel is the good thing the Admiralty believes it to hi, will bo equally anxious to acquire supplies. . . . But the very fact th»t these people, American. Dutch, and German, as well as the British, are so. closely watching event 3 suggests cauvion in any negotiations for the sale <f boring rights on a large scale. It'would be unfortunate, to put _ it mMy, if the main source of supplies of oi. fuel in these waters fell into the hinds, say, of a German company, vbich would be in the position to suppt or 1 rofnse to supply, as it chose, tchslb,

whether of war or commerce, with the fuel they required. Under theso circumstances the question arises whether the Government of Now Zealand should not take some-thing more than an academical interest in the industry, nob necessarily to tho extent of making it a State enterprise, but in order to prevent from falling into the hands of foreigners a product which is_ of such vast importance to our own J'jiripiro. Tho Taranaki Petroleum Company would, at any rate, Ije well advised, to take tho Government into its confidence, so that the Government may acquaint the Admiralty with what is being done. POL-IOE SUPERANNUATION. Information as to tho amalgamation of tho Police Provident Fund with tho Public Service Superannuation Fund, lumd-er the legislation of last scfwion, was given yesterday by tho Hon. Dr Findlay (Minister of Justice). Tho Police Provident Fund, said Br Findlay, will, by operation of law, bo moTEed in tho Public Service Superannuation Fitnd on. April Ist next, and, thereafter, those members of the police force who have been contributors to tho Police Fund will bo subject to the provisions of the Superannuation. Act. "Under the Act of last session, ifchey aro entitled to elect b, member of tho Superannuation' Board, and tho election •will take ■place about May 31st next. It cannot very well take plaoo earlier, because certain preliminary stops have (to bo taken, such a 3 tho preparation of the roll of persons entitled to voto. Them, motioo of the date of election, ih'as to bo given, and 'tho candidates (have to bo nominated, all of which itakea up a certain amount -of time. 80 he considers it unlikely that the election can bo held before tho end of .May. UNITED DEFENCE. Commenting upon the question of Now Zealand defences, tho Melbourne "Argus" aays:—"From the question of united defence we come naturally to the greater question of broader (Unity between tho two parts of Ausffcraliisia. Before federation—even since federation—the question of complete union was considered in New iZealand, and immense political difficulties wore found to lies in tho way. fljord Kitchener 'has declared, what every statesmanlike mind recognised, that political difficulties must be overcome 'whom defence is involved. There is no appeal against absolute necessity. Such 'united action is bound to lead us further. In the Pacific Ocean a wide treahn of Australasian influence is growing'daily in importance, and will bo a sphere for great commercial (and perhaps naval) enterprise. As the South Pacific islands are developed it will be necessary for the Commonwealth and Dcmrinion not to become rivals for tho greater, (power, hot to be joint ■partners in tho predominancy which Australasia ihopes to olaim in those seas. Fiscal negotiations between Australia and New Zealand must soon be renewed, and long before political union is achieved—even while it is dismissed from the list of -things practically possible—terms of tariff reciprocity are sure to be anramged. -We and New Zealand have our futures linked (by mature, and the course of history will forbid us to stand apart from each other." AfOOKIiANTD TEIAMWAXS BOYAIi CXXMDVDBSION. A Eoyal CfemmMßion has been appointed, consisting of Professor Scott, of Ohristarrarch, and Mr A.'L. Beattae (chief mechanical engineer of Now Zealand Eaihraye), to incraire into the broking equipment of the Auckland tramways. This matter has been receiving the attention of the PmiHio Works Department for more than a year, a previous inquiry having indicated tho necessity of providing a more efficient system than that of bamd-brakes! Tie Auckland Electric Tramway Company has been experimenting with air brakes, and it is to advise tho Government as to the safest and most suitable uysUmi for use in Auckland that the Commission has ibeen appointed. Professor Scott, one of the commission, waa one of the experts who inquired last year into the equipment and administrative methods of AdirEngton railway workshops. NEWS NOTES The Mariposa, which left San Francisco on the 10th instant for Papeete, is bringing 173 bagß of mail matter for the Dominion. The mails are due here on April 6th. The mails which left Wellington on February 4th per e.s. Marama, and connected at Sydney with the Naples mails, per E.M.S. Ophir, arrived in London on the morning- of the 14th instant. , The sirttng of the Court of Arbltration was concluded yesterday, but the members will remain in Wellington \mtil the end of the week. The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister of Labour) has called a conference of the Conciliation Commissioners in Wellington this week to discuss the working of the new Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

Arthur Thomson, employed at 'he Dominion shoe factory, whilst working one of th© machines about 11 h.m. yesterday, had the misfortune to jet his right hand caught, and three of his angers were out off. He was admitted to the hospital, for treatment.

A Silverstream correspondent complains that the railway road bridge leading to the Silverstream station (about fifty yards avray) is, in, its present state, a menace to vehicular traffic and pedestrians alike. Portion of the bridge haa subsided, leaving a dangerous opening which, it "not immediately attended x o, may result in a bad 'accident.

In. connection with, the proposed industrial exhibition, to be field on July 27th hi the Harbour Board's U shed, a meeting of the finance' committee of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association was held yesterday. It was decided that a circular letter be sent to all persons, guaranteeing MO, £ls or .£2O. It was not considered likely that the guarantors would bo called upon, but the committee had adopted the stop wierely as a precaution.

Mr J. J. Devine announces in our advertising columns that he is a candidate for the new Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mr Devine is at the present time treasurer of the District Bospi*aJ Board, and is also a representative of the City Council on the expiring Wellington and Wairarapa United Charitable Aid Board, of which body he was for many years chairman. It may be of interest to note that as far back as 1897 (being then chairman of that board) Mr Devine brought about a conference in Wellington of the several Charitable Aid Boards of New Zealand, with the view to their bringing before Parliament the advisability of legislating that the body that made levies oh all contributing local authorities in pach district for charitable aid should have the direct expenditure of the funds. This alteration in the law has now beea made. Henceforth in each district the body that provides the funds will have the direct expenditure thereof for hospitals and other institutions, and so greater economy in administration is possible.

Particulars of excursion and Opaki race Urains are advertised. A meeting of players and supporter.-, of the WellLnsrtoii iVotba.ll Association interewted in the formation of a Wednesday comj)otition will bo held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Friday next. The Postmaster-General nus notified Mr Luke, Jf.P., that the Oove-rnnv-nt ha< ncoiiiieil a site lor a post office at Kilbirn'ie. at the corner of soatoun road and Lyall Bay road.

The police took into custody yesterday a young man on a charge of stealing a pair of engineer's plier.s, valued at £1 ss, the property of Mr A. Grabhum, Wellington. Other charges wilt probably be preferred.

About 1 o'clock yesterday Mr Frank McDonald, of Abel Smith streti. had »•;, Messrs T. K. Macdonald and Co. Dr Clay was summoned. Ah- MeUouald wa.-wu a rather serious condition, and was convoyed to tho hospital. As a result of police investigation on Sunday morning, ten persons will be charged on Monday next at the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court with being illegality on certain .licensed premises daring prohibited hours. The licensee will be charged with breaches of the Licensing Act. It is regretted that H. Kerr will be unable to. compete at the sports gathering to 1)C hold on the Basin Keservo next Saturday, owing to being unable to leave hir, duties in the Taranaki district. Nevertheless the sports will be attractive, .13 a diversified programmc has been, arranged. Included in the programme will bo' tngs-of-war, Irish jigs, Highland bagpipes in costume. A very enjoyable concert was given at the Wellington Working Modi's Chib la&t night, before a large audience, tiy the crab's band. Mr McCornish conducted, and was heartily congratulated upon the excellent work of the instrumentalists. They played, "With Sword and Banco," "lolantbe," "Hail to the Spirit," and

''Hearts Aglow," a very fine trombone solo by Mr Harry Cummings being introduced in the last-named item. Court Sir Geo. Grey, A.0.P., held its fortnightly meeting last evening. Tuere waa a good attendance of members. Bro. P. Roberts, C.R., presided. The use of the hall was granted for tho half-yoarly card tournament on April 7th. It was decided to send a letter of condolence to Bio Barry in his bereavement through tho death of hies daughter. It was agreed that the first court night in April be held as au open night to members' lamilies and friends.

Judging from the expressions of opinion at Thursday evening's meeting of the Invercarglil Council (says tho "Southland Times"), the idea of a muni-cipally-run picture entertainment nas been abandoned. It is, however, proposed to have a regular picture show in the theatre on unbooked dates, the venture to be undertaken by some show company connected with the corporation on profit-sharing terms. Already overtures on these lines have been made by the AisnuK-mcnts Proprietary,. Ltd., and West's Pictures Proprietary (Sydney), while the Mayor mentioned that a man who had purchased a moving picture machine (and whose name he vas not at liberty to divulge) had spoken to him on tho matter. The question was referred back to the finance committee, which will at nest meeting either recommend that one of these t - offers be accepted, or submit a recommendation that applications be publicly" invited from show firms for offers and terms, in the form of a tender.

An incident in cricket, interesting chiefly because of the personality of the two batsmen who figured in it, occurred at Brighton (Vic.) last Saturday week. Brighton and Camberwell Second Elevens were playing a match. Camberwell scored 132, and Brighton had lost their first three wickets, for 15 runs. At that etage James Thompson, who has played with the Brighton club alone for thirty-four years, was joined by a State school boy named Moray, fourteen years of age. Probably the oldest and youngest batsmen playing with senior cricket olubs were then together. They made the partnership yet more notable by scoring 270 runs for the fourth wicket. The veteran, who is affectionately known to every cricketer as "Jimmy," scored 112. while the dohoolbov got 161. They were both warmly congratulated on (riving such a substamtial refutation to an old theory that l&Vy and December can never unite.

It is probable that Victoria will shortly fallow South Australia in the adoption of a co-operative schemo for the collection and dfetributiooa of eggs. The South Australian scheme is said to have proved an immense success, and large quantities of trraded and certified eggs from that State are now reported to be findinjr a ready market in Victoria and New South Wales in preference to the local supplies. The 3£inister for Agriculture (Mr Graham) has been duly impressed with this fact, and ho says he intends to authorise the State poultry expert (Mr Hawkins) to proceed with a scheme which ho has prepared upon, the lines followed in South Australia. Arrangements will bo made for farmers in a district to send their* eggs to a central depot, whore they will be graded and tested, and then forwarded to Melbourne. Thero they will "be tasted again, and stored in cool chambers until placed on the market. It is hoped that the scheme will pay for itself. All .profits beyond the ■payment of expenses will be returned to tiie producers. Yesterday was the anniversary of what may be said to be tho last stand made by the Maoris in the war of 1868-69 (remarks the "Auckland Star"). This was ait Otauto, on the south bani of the Patea river. The force encased.was composed entirely of the Armed Constabulary and a few local voluroteors, the whole command being under tho late Colonel 'Wnitmore. After a short but sharp engagement, the Maoris were driven out of their positioai, and retreated northwards, never again to show any determined front. The late Colonel St. John, with a detachment of volunteers, occupied the north bank of the Patea river immediately opposite to Otaufco, where the river banks are high and precipitous. His intention was to intercept the Maoris on their retreat, or, if necessary, to reinforce those engaged on the south bank. Tho Maoris., however, apparently had information as to the ambuscade laid for them, and so traversed the river for some miles inland before crossing. The casualties at this engagement were numerous, considering the short .time the Maoris stood their ground. Among those present who are now resident in Auckland are Serjeant Shepperd (severely wounded) and Mr M. J. Gannon.

Some curious statsmeirts concerning the furniture trade were made by an employer at Sydney last week. He is a foreigner, and was being examined before the Wickerworkers' Wa#es Board. The witness said :—"Melbourne people cannot make chairs, and 'that is the reason why they have to set them from Sydney. (Laughter.) I have sent hun>dreds of pounds' worth of chairs over there, and find they have copied my chairs, and very poor imitations they are. They can make cheap stuff every time, but quality does not compare in one iota with the stuff turned out in Sydney. We are not allowed to advertise, because the shopkeepers want the publio to helieve that the goods are not made in Australia, but in England, America, or Germany. They do not want the people here to be so smart as themselves. I have repeatedly interviewed new customers, and figured as a shopkeeper's expert just from Germany. We are in the dark, but after this Wages Board inquiry people will know that this work is done here. If I attempted to get even a slight advance in price, the shopkeepers would run the public on ro something else —perhaps American wood chairs—with the object of starving me out. The Australian public will buy anything." The chairman, Mr T. E. Spencer (to the employees' representative).—"l can tell you wheTe yon can see best American boots beinß manufactured in. Sydney." ,

The Banks throughout the Dominion of New Zealand will close to-morrow rSt. Bat-rick's Bay).

Mount Hjraont iras never so clear of snow at this time of the year as it is at present (says the "Taranaki News"). The only snow vi>il)l« is in- the crater. I.a«t week tile caretaker (Uncovered a b'o-.v-hoie on the side 01 the crater. IBintends 10 visit; the spot again witn ainl a torch in order to ascertain the extent; of the hole.

At yesterday's meeting of Cabinet, road voUs totalling X'27,t'oO. arid rail-ray votes for X0il,0t)() were authorisid for expenditure. Other important items of expenditure which were passed will provide £31,000 for additional railway rolling stock, XHOM for railway stones, and X'SIOO for extension arul reconstroction of -Mount Eden (Auckland) railway station. The Pioneer Bodge, No. 11, 1.0.G.T., 1-elil its weekly session on Monday evening. Bro. 11. J. Mil lan, C.T., presided over a good attendance of menibers and friends. One candidate was progjosed for membership, and two were initiated. Bro. W. Johnston, D.1.C.T., reported that at the last meeting of the- Sunbeam Juvenile Temple, seventeen candidates were initiated, making a total of thirtytwo for tho two meetings hold.

"Tho Triad" is out again fexrico fourpence this time). Lovers of literature will delight in the contributions of Frank Morton, A. Gladys ICemtot K.A.S., Charles Wilson (who writes a special dolightfully illustrated article on Aubrey Beardsley) and others, while those who desire to familiarise themselves with tho higher criticism in regard to vocalists will read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the article "Whore tho Singers Keally Stand,'' by W. J. Henderson, music critic of the New York "Sun."

The meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Trustees yesterday was attended by Messrs J. Smith (chairman.). H. Cook, R. W r . Short. J. Wakoham, IBev. W. A. Evans, and Miss Richmond. The total number of inmates in tho Cfliiro Homo was reported as 116. There was a considerable falling off in the applicants for relief. Rations were granted in several cases. In two cases- the board expressed its willingness to take tho applicants into tho Home for.-a.few weeks, but they declined. Work on the railway is well in hand as far as the Ward township, says a Marlborough correspondent, .amd the settlers have been able to rail grain from tho south of Lake Grassmene The lines are now laid as far as Lake Jtllterwater, and as the bridges are now -well on towards completion, the plate-laying as far as Ward should be completed before many weeks are over; but tbe ballasting will take some considerable time yet. It is understood that three miles of new work southwards are to be .put in hand at once.

Farmers in the Wanganui district have recently become \try interested in land in the Whakatane district (remarks the "Herald"). We have been informed that several blocks of G-o----vemment land in the Whakatane district have recently been acquired by well-known Wanganui farnnirs, and that others are inspecting with, a view to purchasing. It is stated that the drained swamp land there is second to none in tho colony, and that land showing sixteen feet of black loam can be purchased for from iCIO to i£ls per acre.

The night staff of the* "Taranaki News" have been interested admirers during- the past throe nKotrnings of a beautiful star of consideiraiije magnitude and brilliancy, compared with which Mars is but a glimmer. The astronomical knowledge of our staff dremarks the "News"), however, ia sadly- deficient, so we are unable to say whetmcr the star we have "diECOvered" is Bradley's, or the Johannesburg comet, or merely a member of one or other of the lordinary constellatory groups whose orbit is at present nearer earth than usual. Eising shortly before i ajm. t it at once commands attention by its mla-gnitude and the intqnse incandescence of its light. Por at least am hour after- dawn, when the stars have ceased to reveal their presence by reflected light, the beautiful visitor under review is plainly discernible in the eastern heavens.

The Lux Light Company -wi6h it known that the Lux Incandescent Kerosene Gas Lamps give the Cheapest and Most Brilliant Light on Earth. See Te Aro House, Bates and Lees', Wardell Bros.', Leydon and Co., Caterer .and Carey, E. Pearco and Co., E. Hausnah and Co., Petone Workshops (where Lux replaced the latest devices in lighrHng). House Lamps 22s 6d. Lamps up to 2000 candlepower. 35, 37, 39, Old Customhouse street (back of Opera Honse), Wellington. *