CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

A JOURNALISTIC MONTHLY. Journalists are always labouring to provide other popple with newspapers, and it is but appropriate that they should havo a new'spajjer for themselves, as a kind of private luxury. “The New Zealand Journalist/' official organ of the Now Zealand Institute of Journalists, has mado its appearance, and promises to come out at monthly intervals. The editor, unlike the orthodox editor, takes a modest plane on page twelve, and then omits to express opinions anonymously, for “The Journalist” is to be devoted only to signed articles and general journalistic news. Advertisements—except free ones regarding employment—do not appear in tho first issue, but it'is not ’stated whether this is regarded as ideal. The number contains a thoroughly useful article by Professor Hight, Lift. D., F.R.E.S., of Canterbury College, upon the proposed university diploma in journalism, and several suggestive contributions on the organisation of join nalists as a class* Various phases of press work are described usefully with u view* to instructing the unlearned, and there are numerous paragraphs of personal interest, THE IRISH ENVOYS. "You have been exceedingly kind to us in Wellington/' said Mr J. X), Donovan at last night's meeting of the Irish envoys. In travelling throughout different parts of New Zealand, he added, under the guidance of their marshal, Mr Martin Kennedy, they had beon phenomenally successful. They had on this occasion completely beaten the re> cord of Mr Devlin (<£sooo>. This spoke well for the people. Ho was glad to say that their meetings had beep largely attended, not merely by Irishmen by birth or extraction, but by young New Zealanders in no way connected with Ireland, who ahd assisted and supported them in every way. They wers deeply indebted to the young New Zealander for the way in which he had rallied to the different meetings conducted, thus enabling the envoys to carrv on successfully the_ final stage in this fight for their liberties. DOGS TO HELP POLICEMEN. . The new order of the Chief Commissioner of the Loildon Metropolitan Police sanctioning the use of dogs to assist policemen in the outlying districts of London is the outcome of a .suggestion made by Major Thomas Richardson, of Harrow-, but it is not contemplated that trained dogs shall be used for that purpose, Possibly they will be employed in. the rougher districts in tho heart of London, where policemen have to -walk in couples, and are always likely to be assaulted by hooligans (says a London paper). Major Richardson stated to a representative that . he cannot see that dogs would be of any value as assistants to the police-unless they are trained for tha-t purpose. Trained dogs are used in Continental towns with great success, and apinmls of the Airedale breed are used by the police of Liverpool, Nottingham, Sunderland, Rochdale, Glasgow' and by the County Constabulary of Berkshirev The major is certain that the London ■ police would soon realise the value of dogs as adds to policemen if they would havo them trained for the purpose. There-'would be from ten to fifteen dogs in each of the outlying suburbs, such as Tooting, Mitcham, Wandsworth, Putney, Hammersmith, Cricklewood,. Hampstead, Finsbury Park, Tottenham. East Ham, Woolwich. Deptford, and i Sydenham. Inquiry at‘ Scotland Yard elicited that if dogs prove successful in assisting in, the detection of crime a largo number of them may be employed throughout Lohdon. Provision is being mad© for the housing and feeding of about 100 dogs a f all varieties.

BOOTOR ON HEART FAILURE. Speaking on heart failure at the Royal College of Physicians London, Er James Mackenzie said that it was characteristic of the human mind to attribute to malign influences phenomena Which were obscure in their origin and which were assumed to be unnatural.'. The ' significance of the irregular action of the heart was misunderstood. Irregularities and murmurs found so frequently in the young wore evidence neither of disease nor infirmity, but of normal phenomena, and in many cases of a perfectly healthy heart. He had never seen in the twentyeight years he had been in general practice a single case of heart failure from functional affections of the kind with which ho was dealing. Regarding every day dealings with the subject, they found that irregular action of the heart was looked upon by the profession as evidence of a serious heart impairment. After watching such individuals for a long period of years he could say' that the great majority were in no danger, the irregularities were of no grave significance, and treatment was' unnecessary. The present day conception of heart failure rested upon an unsatisfactory basis. NOT VERY SERIOUS. "What shall we do ■on Coronation Bay?" asked the Mayor (Mr J. W. McEhvan) at last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council. “Hang up a Coronation flag!” promptly suggested a councillor. "Have a mock ceremony and crown somebody at Petone,” said another councillor, amid laughter. It was finally decided that councillors lend their patronage to any celebrations which may take place. TARANAKI OILFIELDS. The announcement that Mr J. B. Henry has cabled to the directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Company accepting the terms named by them in their cable dispatched to London on Wednesday night for the sale of the undertaking to Mr Henry's principals will be read with great interest (remarks the "Taranaki Herald”) That is all the directors are prepared to communicate to-day, but it is quite sufficient to warrant us in saying that it is almost, if pot quite, the most important announcement evermade iu connection with local business matters. Without betraying any confidence we may say that Mr Henry’s principals are a vT y powerful, influential group of capitalists who are interested in petroleum development on a large scale in various parts of the world, and especially wherever there are good prospects within the British Empire. ... Mr Henry has already intimated that ho is prepared to return to New Plymouth almost at onco in order to organise the extended operations of the new company which will be formed to take over the whole, concern. In the meantime it will be necessary;- for Mr Carter, chairman of directors, to go to London, in order to complete the transfer. ,He will leave, we understand, within the next three weeks furnished with the fullest powers to sign the necoasary document*, «to.