CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

INSURANCE TARIFF EXCHANGED, Tito insurance conferences which have taken place in Wellington this week under the nusmecs ot the New Zealand Fire Underwriters’ Association ended yesterday, when the accident representatives held a meeting. This was followed by a brief gathering to deal with matters relating to marine insurance. There has been nothing of importance to communicate to the Press except the decision . to consider fresh rules for electric wiring. This lack of information is reassuring to those who might have anticipated increases in the insurance rates. A prominent member of the association was questioned on this point, and stated that the tariff had not been touched at the meetings. OPENING THE PIAKO SWAMP. The extensive drainage operations carried out by the Government upon the great Piako swamp have so far progiessod that a considerable area of the land is now ready to receive the settler. The Government is therefore throwing open, for selection upon the optional system, an area which aggregates 10,299 acres. The land is on the Ilauraki Plains and lies along the foreshore of the Firth of Thames between Waitakaruru and Piako rivers. It also extends some ten miles up the western bank of the latter river. The ■area is subdivided into 109 sections of varying size, the largest containing 299 acres, and the smallest 45 acres. The land consists almost entirely of very good alluvial clay deposit, on sandy pumice formation. The ballot for the sections for which there is more than one applicant will ho hold on May 18th. A REFORMER’S PARADISE. Load and currency reformers in New Zealand will be interested in the observations of Mr Finlay AloLeod, an ex-Wcllingtonian, regarding the stats of things in the Federated Malay States. There is no freehold land in that country, said Air McLeod to » “New Zealand Times” representative. All land is held on leasehold tenui* from the Government, and there;is ab« solute free trade, the small duty imposed on imported spirits and tobacco being hardly worth collecting, for e bottle of whisky may be bought in tha capital town, Selangar, for 2s 7d. Mr Hogg, M.P., would find further cause for delight in the Malay States, because the Government issues its own paper money, under the-direction of currency commissioners. ‘‘The people own the railways, the carriages of which aro most comfortable,” added Mr McLeod,- ‘‘and they aro in the proud position of owing no man anything. Instead of a public debt they have a surjilus of 33 million dollars.” “But what of tho paper currency ? L there no reserve for redemption ?” asked tho newspaper man. Mr McLeod’s answer was that ho had novel heard officially that there was a reserve, but the State was , in a very solvent condition with , its unmortgaged railways and its big surplus. ANOTHER NEW ZEALAND AEROPLANE. Another Now Zealand aeroplane inventor has come forward to seek financial booking and other encouragement from his fellow-citizens. The latest aspirant for fame is Air J. A. King, l a working ‘ engineer, of Auckland. Ho is at present visiting Wellington _ on business connected with Ids invention, and showed a ‘‘New Zealand Times” rouresontntivo photographs of the model biplane ho has constructed. It closely resembles tiro Wright Bros.’ machine, tho operator being placed between the planes, with a propeller and rudder behind him and another propeller in front. Instead of tho Wrights’ method of obtaining lateral stability by warping portions of the plane, Air King proposes to use small plane surfaces hinged to the main planes, called ailerons. This idea has apnoared in the Farman biplane. Sir King’s method of control is a wormgear, which will operate upon tho elevating planes and lateral balancers, and an automatic screw , gear operating the rear planes. His model is mounted on three , small wheels, arranged ■with springs so as to provide an effective cushion, to take up tho jar of alighting. In this respect Air King is probably original, bub .he frankly admitted his dependence on other inventors for the main features of his machine, though he claims to have made great improvements in operating. His invention has not been properly tested, even in the model stage, as the model, built of steel wires, was .too heavy for sustained flight. DIVIDING A SURPLUS., From a statement made during legal argument on “Wednesday in connection with the adjustment of accounts between the Wellington City Council and the Karori Borough Council, an impression has gained ground in some quarters that the city is_ going to great trouble to secure a share in the sum of 13s 6d. The Karori representative asserted that 13s 6d was the amount of the surplus of general assets, but at the hearing yesterday it was proved by tho city solicitor, Mr O'Shea, that tho surplus actually was £1240. This was admitted by Air Ii i.slop for the borough, but it was contended that Karon was entitled bo reduce the amount by £277, this being a sum of loam money which was stolen from tho borough offices some time ago. Air O’Shea argued that the £277 should be taken into account, stating that loan money could not be included in the apportionment, as Northland was still liable to contribute its share in respect to special rates. INSURANCE COMPANIES AND ELECTRICITY. The City Council is anxious that tha New Zealand fire underwriters should amend the insurance regulations so as to permit of the installation of electric lighting in houses under a new. system, of flexible wiring. A deputation from tho council waited on tha fire underwriters in regard to tha matter. It was abated that under the new method the wires, instead of being encased, were run loose about thf walls, supported on small porcelain <* metallic brackets. Both the Mayoi and the electrical engineer (Mr Rich-, ardson) urged the desirableness of being allowed to use tho new system, stating that it was in use in England, Germany, and Australia. Tho underwriters decided to arrange a conference of all their electrical experts in New Zealand in Wellington to confer with the City Council’s representatives. The experts’ recommen-, dations will bo considered by a committee of the Fire Underwriters’ Association, which ■null endeavour to make such modifications of the rules as aro

consistent with safety from risk of lire. OBKAT MISSIONARY CONFERENCE. People on this side ot the ivorld are scarcely realising a.s yet tin- eiginiicniicc of tho great niLssioiuiry conferente I hut is to In? hclil in Edinburgh iu ■?uii>*. Over 1000 niifniunury experts arc lo lie there. including ■!«> from America , representing 5-1 missionary socmfms. Forty-four English soeietiw will lm\e 394 delegate*. while Germany. J' ranee, Switzerland, Holland, .'-oruny. Sweden, Denmark, L'inlumi, SouUj ‘ tralia. New /..aland. .In|.an, Jw.xn, China, and fndia will haw- • heir i-pi nentativi-s. The evaiigeno.u ion i - world will bo the cenlnil sulij. et. lot two yearn past eight eoninie-.-ioik, n.i . been engaged ini «alhf-r...g lo;:.dii. i <l-ta for a acrii-is of n-porl.t N,a ' >l , phii'SOi of woik, .vikl on Jay of tin* conterwicc ouo o* tia« u*m-iinsy-cms will present jte ri- ( ,or. K;i <l--illusion. I t its claimed that j ‘l'/.f. 0 t li'nim-' is ■will provide somethin;,' to fa- -<> b^auti'n^eiA.elore friary litmaliiK . Jj- x* ■ • , ■ thcoami scholars. co-c/i/ci a-tod m a bluffy of missionary nork. WOULD'rf ntCiUEST DAM. Tho ilum in world is finjsliod , says . tin; “UiicaMo lAxst “ It is m the «orgc of Hi-* bkahcnio river, iu ch .s *0 nearly perpemlicukir hat tm- «» h men. who dnilod for tau iirM hhi-t-. • lo be loiverod by ropes hiuidi eUs ol Ka into tho canon. Only Bo nmu UiO bottom, the dum V; s** 5 ** The dam will create belnnd it the est lake iu Wyoming, with n -uiiace urea of ten square miles, and an average depth of TO foot. Hut instead ot a inversion canal along the banks ot th xiver, as it is customary to construct, it was found simpler to conduct the ’irrigation' How directly through the ineciiutous clifts in a tunnel three miles long. Colonel tVilliain I‘. Cod}, or Wild West fame, was the first man to SCO the possibilities of irrigating the fertile valley that stretches out below the rocky gorge ot tho bluish on e riyei. Mis works have been superseded by tlio-c of the Government, however, vdiick eoiitomplato the reclamation ot I-J-.IIWI acres. The extension of lateral canu... has proceeded with tho construction of tho dam, tho area brought under irrigation being extended as tho Hoed penned up in the storage reservoir has Increased. At tho present lime some 30,000 acres! have been brought under cult!vhtinn, and aftei tho expected opening of 50,000 acres innre there still will bo a like area to bo made arable by the extension of dit-licj. NO nxriiEY. In view of the c;ibJcj?rnin published yesterday, stating that Mr C\ hr. Vy' T^ e ’ Premier and. Attorney-General ot Aew South Wales, 'may bo appointed to the Supreme Court bench, the iolloiviug rioia Saturdays “Sydney Morning Herald ia IntorcHting: —Air Wado says thcie is no need to be in ft hurry about making the appointment of a successor »iv G. B. Simpson on. tho Supreme C-ourt bench, inasmuch as circuit work will ho going on for the next two or three weeks. In reply to a question as to tho probability of his acceptance of the position, tho Attorney-General would no. give any definite answer, but indicated that a selection had hot been made. “Can wo say that you will not take suggested tho interviewer. 'You can say what you think right,"’ was the curt response. “Docs that menu you will not?*' “I cannot enlighten you/* “Why?** “X can't say why; ‘can't* might mean 'won’t,* or 'unable.* Yjai can make what you can out of that.” There was a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, but this question was not further discussed, it being regarded as one for tho At-torney-General to deal with. THE COST OF GOVERNMENT. Tho cost of governing the United Kingdom for the year beginning on April Ist as shown in tho Civil Service Estimates issued Hi© other day, tho total of which is <£66,063,102, an increase of Xo, 179,800. Education in England and Wales costs •£14,064,677*, .£400,000 more, and old age pensions for tho United Kingdom have increased by •£•170,000 to *£0,220,000. Despite the increase of tho President of tho Board of Trade's salary from *£2ooo to *£sooo, tho total of salaries in his department has fallen by *£2-104. But Labour Exchange buildings will require ,£131,000, and other costs of the exchanges aod trade boards come to .£127,803. For advances to tho unemployed, *£2500 is allowed. There is no unemployed grant for next winter. Royal palaces and parks need .£189,500, and tho Secret Service £30,000. The police estimate lias jumped up from *£39,888 to .£110,312, but that for tho Public Trustee has fallen from .£6OO to .£lO, while for the Comity Courts only •So is required: Of course these departments have other sources) of income. The Uoverniment takes again •210,000 for hospitality, but only *£s-1,250, as compared with £60,000 a year ago, national advertisement at exhibitions, gthe new development fund amounts td When most of the items of filovernmenfc show an increase, tho Secretary for Scotlacd asks .£214 less for his ®ffice. SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS. In his vigorous denunciation of classics mental training/ Professor' Armstrong Quoted Ostwald's declaration that “the school is a machine for the destruction rather than for tho development ox originality. * Latin iuis long ceased to be the gato of culture; it has become the greatest obstacle in the way of culture.** And Osfcwald is an honourable man! Even in Russia there is a revolti against the classical system. Coming to existing methods of science teaching, X'rtcufesyor Annstnong protests strongly against confining elementary science to one subject, and equally strongly againac tho common error of mistaking demonstration for experiment. “No team of boys could ever succeed in cricket who merely watched masters play, and only now and then hit balls this way and that according to au instruction given with every ball. Under suck a system games would be as unpopular and ineffective as mos*t school lessons are.” Professor Armstrong insists that Latin should bo postponed until tho last two years of school life. NEWS NOTES The postal authorities advise that tho Waheno, which left Sydney for Auckland on Wednesday, haa on board English anil Australian mails, also an American mail via Vancouver, which should reach Wellington per Alain Trunk express on Monday. The Court of Appeal adjourned yesterday for a fortnight. The session is practically concluded, except that decision has yet to bo delivered in tho Hawko’s Bay will case of Holt v. Holt. His Honor Mi Justice Chapman will sit in banco this morning at 10.30 o’clock. An application will also be heard for adjudication in bankruptcy of Evelyn I. E. E. Winter, milliner, o't Wellington. , By the lonic yesterday nbonf 253 passengers left Wellington for Emdand. The season hag set in for Homs-trippers, ns tho lonio will arrive in London about midsummer. • Expectorating on tho footpath was a charge 'preferred against a defendant in tho AM. Court yesterday. A conviction was recorded, and defendant was ordered to pay seven shillings court costs. The St. John’s College Trust, Auckland, will receive applications till May 24th for a scholarship of A7O on the Marsh Foundation. The scholar will bo required to engage in theological study as a preparation for holy orders.

jupp’s Band will play at Jelaiul Bay to -mo r row a f tor noon.

“V Wiltshire Alan” writes to ask if Ib'crc is a uv t.-ha iicx-, in connection with the advent of our new Governor, to start a \Vil-diirc Society in Wellington. lie inviff-. correspondence to tne U.i .U.,

Convicted for the third time of playi,,.; hazards on tho wharf, John Doyle, a ‘ wharf labourer, was ordered by Mr \V i: Bidden, S.M.. yesterday to pay a lino of A.T, ill default to undergo fourtec3i di!vs’ imprisonment.

Tliis aHe moan Sir Joseph Vvard will perform the opening ceremony of the Wellington Golf Chib's sca-son, and hodv Wind will present the prizes. A -i|n-eial train will* Pave faimbton station a-rVho links at J. 50 o’clock. Silting in banco yesterday his Honor Mr Justice Cooper hi:-ard tho case ot A. and J. 801 l v. G. il. Sample an appeal from the derision of his Worship Dr A. Mi-Arluur, 5.. M., in an. action concerning lh" on-ction ot u house. Judgment wa*s i ('served.

Th?< inquiry umler tin? Civil Service ict nllV'.ling the a<lmillustration of the taxing (ViiuViiueutu by Mr Fctcr Hcyes v.ili int cfHnniencf until tho week alter next, as U.i- employment of counsel jMiivUitatos giving thorn time to prepare Clio briefs.

Tiic.ro was a slight falling off in the number of passengers leaving Wellington Ihis week tor Sydney. The Wnrrimoo lust evening hud ample room for many more than the number on board. She look 210 passengers, of which number 100 were in the saloon and 110 in the stccr-

A large .slicel-framed brick wool store, three stories high, is to be built on Thonulou quay lor tho Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., a contracv for its erection having just been signed, . TLi? contract price is *£18,500, and the store is to be ready to receive wool in tfmo for next season's sales. A witness in the Magistrate's Court at Nelson refused to bo sworn on the Bible that was handed to him. The Bible, ho declared, was very dirty, and evidently had been in use for a long time. No other Bible being available for tho moment. tho Magistrate said Unt tho witUfM could take tho Scotch oath, and this ho did.

Industrial unions liavo still a month iu which lo scud iu replies in regard to the suggested separation of a portion of tho Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne industrial districts from thois-o- of Wellington and Auckland IU-pecUvely, with tho object of forming a new district. Whatever course of action is decided upon will rest with the Minister for Labour.

Whilst a young lady was looking out of a window- of the mail train at Inglewood (*ays the “Taranaki Daily News”), some juvenile miscreant threw* a handful of cement fairly in her face, almost blinding her. She suffered excruciating pain, and on arrival at New Plymouth was conveyed to a doctor’s. The matter was reported to the guard, but no trace could be found of the offender.

Hearing of argument respecting the adjustment cf accounts, etc., between llio Wellington City Council and the Kavori Borough Council rendered necessary by the inclusion of Northland in tiie city was continued yesterday, Air W. R. ilaseldcn, S.MI, sitting as a commission to adjudicate in the matter. Air O’Shea represented the City Council and Mr 11 Is lop the Karori Borough. Th© commission adjourned until Friday next.

Tho annual smoko concert and reunion of the Thorndon Swimming Club was held last evening. Air T. Ronayne, president, beimr in the chair. Drs. Izard aud Anderson, and Alessrs J. W. Joynt aud L. W. Ludwig, vice-presidents, also attended. The championship polo banner, won by tho club's team list season, was presented, as also was the Sir Joseph Ward challenge cup. won by C. Brice* A long prize list (previously published) was gone through. The principal toasts honoured were “Our Patron.” “Our President,” and “Kindred Clubs:” The case of James Holt v, John Holt and others, was again before the Court of Appeal yesterday. The Court is asked for an interpretation of tho will of tho late Robert Holt. His Honor the Chief Justice stated . that the court wished to hear fxirther argument on one ,or two points which wore neglected while the case was last before tho court. It was arranged that counsel should write out their argument, and forward it to the registrar, to bo placed before the judges. On tho application of Air J. W. Afacdonald, solicitor for the Public Trust Office, tho .Supremo Court # yesterday granted probate 'of the following wills:— Thomas Henry Robinson, of Alakara, farmer; Alfred James Shaw, of Putururu, farmer; William Houghton, of Wellington, bank inspector; Neil William Campbell, of Westport, carpenter; William Daw, of Brnnnerton, coalminer. Orders to administer tho following estates were granted:—Lydia Barrett, of Wellington, spinster; and Isaac Smith, of Auckland, carpenter.

At a smoke concert held last night to celebrate the winning, by the Permanent Artillery eleven, of the Wednesday cricket competition, Alajor Hume presided. A long musical and elocutionary programme was gone, through, those ■contributing being:—Colonel Campbell, Alajor Hume, Gunners Stewart and, McKay, Bombardiers Somerville and Logie, and Messrs Kenny, Dykes, S. Clark, Twohill, Hobman, Kennedy, Newton, King, Wood, Jacob, and Aliller. During the evening occasion, was taken to present Sergeant AVcyboume, on behalf of the force, with xi cheque, in celebration of his recent marriage.

Touching on th© theory advanced by a Wellington resident when interviewed by a Christchurch “Press'* representative connecting the .existence of typhoid cases in tho city with the alleged contamination of oysters in Hvans Bay. the - District Health Office was informed by tho Wellington Hospital authorities yesterday that of the eight typhoid patients accommodated there seven had .stated that they had recently consumed oysters. Alessrs Gallate Bros, and F. Eoderique, owners of tho Evans Bay beds, asse.it that the Government Health Officer and others have not only never taken exception to the locality of tho beds, but on the. contrary were highly satisfied with their inspection, and that sewage contamination is less likely to take place in Evans Bay than elsewhere adjacent to the city.

The Lux Light Company wish -it known that tho 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. Pearce and Co., R. Hannah and Co., Pctono Workshops (where Lux replaced the latest devices in lighting). House Lamps 22s Gd. Lamps up to 2000 candlepower. 35, 37, 39, Old Customhouse street (back of Opera House), Wellington, *