CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7989, 21 December 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

"POLITICAL PATIENCE.” The Prime Minister, speaking on the I night of the second ballot, did not anticipate that he could make a statement regarding the Governments intentions , the day after the Maori returns came in, ' but as there was a possibility of gleaning i news in regard to developments a "New ; Zealand Times" representative endeavour'ed to interview Sir Joseph Ward last night. The pressman found that the ! Prime Minister, surrounded by his family, ; had obligingly interrupted a game of j cards to receive him, but Sir Joseph was I not so ready to oblige with particulars | about the absorbing topic of the moment. Not even in the most oblique way could I the interviewer penetrate that armour of I reticence .set up by a smiling and appari ently happy Prime Minister. It could be observed that the interrupted game i was patience, and the interviewer ventured to wonder if that could be taken as an omen. Here again he drew a blank. ARMOURED VESSELS. The Commonwealth Minister for Defence (Senator Pearce), commenting on the cabled information that in all probability the South African Union would, owing to trouble with the shipping companies, build State-owned armoured cruiser's to carry on the mail services, said:— "When in London I had a long talk with Sir David Villiers Do Graaf on the proposal. Sir David was in London as a delegate from South Africa to tho Imperial Conference. He told me that they anticipated in South Africa that there would bo trouble with the steamship companies, and his proposition then was for a fleet of Government-owned steamers to come via South Africa to Australia. Sir David suggested that fast steamers of special build to carry guns, something after the type of the armed merchant- 1 men, and properly armoured on their weak parts, could be secured at a reasonable figure. Ho told meals.» that probably the South African Government would ask the Commonwealth Government's co-operation in the scheme. Sir David proposed, while in England, to obtain quotations as to the cost of the construction of these vessels, and also to consult the Admiralty on the subject. It is likely that more will ho heard shortly on the matter. - " - WIDOWS’ PENSIONS. Tho Widows' Pensions Act of 1911 oomos into operation on January Ist next. Application forms for the pension payable thereunder are now obtainable on personal application to the various Registrars of-Old-age Pensions throughout the Dominion. To qualify for the pension, an applicant must be a British subject, must have been resident in New Zealand six months immediately preceding the date of her application, and must have at least one child under fourteen years of age dependent upon her, of whom she is the parent. The rates of pension are £l2 per annum for one .child, £lB per annum for two children, J 224 per annum for three children 1 , and £3O per annum for more than three children—all under fourteen years of age. These rates of pension are subject to deduction on account of annual income, which is not deemed to include ‘wages or other personal earnings of less than £IOO, including tho pension. Any property* owned, however, will bo treated as income at the rate of not less than 6 per cent, of its capital value. STOCK FOR NEW ZEALAND, . An exceptionally largo consignment of pedigree stock was brought from London by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion. Company's steamer Delphic, which arrived at Auckland on Saturday morning. On tho afterdeck seven Ayrshire cattle consigned to the 1 New Zealand Government at Wellington were housed. Ten Clydesdale draught horses and a hackney stallion wore consigned to the Bluff, but four of the Clydesdales died on the voyage. The shipment also included thirty-five Romney Marsh' sheep'. Tho sheep were bred by Mr A. Finn, of Lydd, Kent, and were consigned to Auckland. : The vessel had on board four prize dogs for Lyttelton- Several pens of poultry arrived in excellent condition. Fart of the consignment was for Auckland and the balance for the Bluff. WORKERS' HOMES. Mr J. Lomas, Chief Inspector of Factories and Chief Advisory Officer under the Workers' Dwellings Act, reached Dun* edin on Monday from Invercargill,;whore, in company with Hr Temple, departmental architect, ho has been inspecting sites in connection with the proposed erection there of workers' . dwellings. Four sites in all were inspected, two being large areas outside the borough and two small areas inside the borough; A report on tho values of the different sites will bo obtained from the Valuation Department, and on receipt of this Mr Lomas will be in & position to'definitely recommend a site to the Government for purchase. : Xn conversation with a "Daily Times" reporter Mr Lomas stated that there was a keen demand in Invercargill for workers' dwellings, and that ho found conditions, generally there very prosperous. In connection with workers' dwellings at Dunedin, Mr Lomas stated that as soon as a total of six applications for workers' dwellings were received by tho department the erection of that number would bo proceeded with at Windlo Settlement. Mr Lomas proceeded north by the through express, and purposed making a stay at Oamaru, where he was to inspect some land Sn connection with the proposed erection of workers' homes there.

EXTENDING- THU FERRY WHARF. The Harbour Board engineer (Mr J. Marchbanks) hue drawn up plans for the improvement of tho wharf accommodation for tho forry service. These were considered by the Harbour Board last night and approved. Tho ferry wharf is to bo extended sixty feet so as to provide sufficient room for tho proper berthage of two ferry steamers. Tho approach is’ to be widened and turnstiles erected. There will also be, a cartway and a change , office. There will be a separate entrance for season ticket holders. In addition, a building will bo erected at the entrance to the wharf where offices will bo provided for tho sale of tickets and tho transaction of other business. Tho upstairs portion will bo .rented by tho Wellington Harbour Ferries for- general offices on a five years' lease at .£250 per annum. South of ; the existing wharf another jetty will bo constructed, S 5 feet long—this will bo opposite the "X” store. This wharf will be for tho accommodation of the Seatoun and ICaraka Bay ferry boats, and any other small steamers engaged in the harbour , service. Tenders for the work will be called shortly.