NEW ZEALAND'S PROGRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND'S PROGRESS.

TO THE EDITOB, Sib,—Your centenary leading matter in your late issues is a credit to this young and lovely country. The voice of the publio should rise and shout with joy that we have within our common oirdo the means to record our unprecedented advance in the world's historical light. We in New Zealand have travelled fast and. made many changes, and present occurrences show that the material changes have been for the good of the many; and very much credit is due to my friend the Hon. John M'Kenzie, whom I liopo to find soon in position guiding him that holdeth the reins that guide this young, hearty nation to the goal for weal or woe. Tho writer would just like to say in the kindest way possible that a drag is required on our State machine. With our Government yachts travelling full of Government guests, provisioned to the very depths of Bellamy's ability, any stranger may think we are Bedlam let loose. The Right Hon. Mr Reid spoko well when he referred to Mr Seddon as tho mighty Premier of Now Zealand. Yet, Sir, the poople of New Zealand will prove that bombast is not hard graft in reality,—l am, &c, fi'nos. H. Hodge.

— Vice-admiral Sir Harry Bawson bas a gentle way of reproving laxity, though he never overlooks it. Looking through hie book at Simonstdwn ono day, Admiral Rawson found that a great many of his officers had neglected to make ' the customary official call. He thereupon signalled that "All officers who liavo not signed tho visitors' book are invited to dino witli the Com-man'der-in-Cnief to-night." This being equivalent to a command, the laggards turned up to a man, eaoh expecting a wigging for his laxity. But Sir Harry gave them a good dinner, entertained them with some good stories afterwards, and thon sent them baok to their ships. Not a word about their omission did he say, but never after that wa6 his visitors' book neglected.