A Denial. TO THE EDITOR

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 19

A Denial. TO THE EDITOR

Sin, — '■ Constant Reader," whose letter appeared in your Tuesday's issue, discussing the Roxburgh-Heiiot railway question, makes this statement : "I am aware that a deputation went to Wellington on this railway question and that a portion of this advocated a railway to Edievale. therce tunnel through Spencer's Hill, via Moa "Flat, to Roxburgh." Allow me to £>vc this statement, an emphatic denial. The question of a railway to Edieville was never mentioned by any member of the deputation. For corroboration of my statement I refer the writer to Mr J W. Thomson, tbe member for Clutha, who was present in the Cabinet room when the deputation interviewed Ministers, and whose word will be accepted by all. — I am, etc., June 19. James Sim.

The member?, of the Undertakers' Assistants' Association in Melbourne are urging that cemeteries should be clo.«ed on Sundays, so a^, to afford them "the unknown pleasure of a six-days' week."

It is estimated that a sum of £20,000 will I just about cover the cost to the Victorian < Government of entertaining the intercolonial j troops in Melbourne during the Duke's "visit. An elderly Native, well dressed, with a ■'huia feather in his hat and luggage in. portmanteau, approached the stationmaster at Greytown the other day. "I go to Rotorua, see te Tuke," he announced, '•-Parata leafe ticket for me?" The official replied that it was so. "First class?" was the next query, and "No, second," was the answer. '' Oh, too long to sit on te hard teat," exclaimed the old fellow. "All te rangitira up there go first class ; Ino go." jind he turned homeward in indignation. — , Hutt and Petone Chronicle &

The statistician of the Victorian Customs department has prepared a return of the customs revenue of the State for the last year. The total amount is £2,555,429, made up as follows: — Customs, £2,121,617; excise, £210,679; miscellaneous, £21,930; ports, harbours, and wharfs, £71,203. Some of the privileges of members of foreign legislative bodies are xinique. Danish M.P.'s can have a free seat in the Royal Theatre at Copenhagen whenever they like. The lawmakers of Norway receive free medical attention and nursing if they fall ill t'uiiiig the session. Ths M.P.'s have extended this privilege to include courses of gymnastics, baths, wine (" medical comforts"), drawing and stopping teeth — all fii'fttis.