PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 3

PASSING NOTES.

(From Saturday’s Otago Daily Times.) What more powerful instrument could there be than a Gentleman’s Agreement?—(Mr Coates on the Kellogg Pact). A Gentleman’s Agreement—happy thought and happy phrase! If the parties to it' are gentlemen there can be nothing better than a Gentleman’s Agreement, nor anything more binding. And bless’d be the tie that binds! The tie that binds is neither force nor fear, but honour, —just that, honour and the plighted word. The prayers that are asked for the Kellogg Pact must be prayers -that the signatories will honour their signatures in the spirit of gentlemen. That would cover everything. At a critical juncture in the past, the one man—as Fate would have it—on whose will and word turned the question of peace or war was the Kaiser, and the Kaiser was no gentleman. Marginal comments in his writing on despatches from the German Ambassador in London have come to light; e.g., “ British irn-

pudence,” “ scandalous Pharisaism,” “ I will never enter into a naval convention with such scoundrels.” Then, of Sir Edwin Grey when war was threatening: “Aha! the common cheat!” “ false rascal,” “ the common cur,” | “ Mr Grey is a false dog, who is afraid iof his own cheapness and false policy.’’ Again, “ the common crew of shopkeepers has tried to trick us with dinners and speeches.” Deposed and expatriated, the Exile of Doorn after ten years is still no gentleman,—posturing as “ His Imperial Highness,” to the disgust of the Dutch, who have given him harbourage, but now are hinting the possibility of turning him out.

That Socialism is the -ism of our Parliamentary Opposition, that Socialism means the confiscation of private property, and that the Socialist in or out of Parliament is a public enemy, are facts to which this column has borne uniform testimony. May it be counted to me for righteousness! There are illogical Socialists who would confiscate the property of other people whilst retaining their own. To go afield for a conspicuous example, take Mr George Bernard Shaw, who has great wealth, is of undoubted genius (though “ great wits are sure to .madness near allied”), and has published as his “last will and testament ” a book preaching Socialism. He is told in London newspapers that “if from the beginning of the nineteenth century the world had been controlled by Socialistic governments, there would to-day be no locomotives, no steamboats, no telephones, no telegraphs, no motor cars, no aeroplanes, no wireless, no X'-rays, no kinomas,” and that he himself, now a rich dramatist, “ would have got no further in the theatrical world than taking money at the pit door.” Moreover, anticipating, his epitaph has/ been written by a scholar of high distinction: George Bernard Shaw. Communist and Vegetarian. His Admirable Principles were That Nobody should Eat what he did not like: And that He should have all the Money he wanted While The Rest of the World should share In Strict Equality , Whatever Happened to Remain. E. F. Benson (scripsit et dedicavit). Here may come in some lines in imitation of Mr G. K. Chesterton, their subject sailors and sea-going, not socialism and confiscation; but they have a bearing:— Jim Jimson he was a sailorman afloat on the wallowing seas, And he flopped around on the slushy deck in bootikins up to his knees. And his bread was biscuit, his beef was horse, and his soup was water with peas; And he said as he tumbled into and out of his bunk of little ease, It’s a proper thing quite and entirely right that a sailor should go to sea, And I shouldn’t care what poor beggar it was so long as it wasn’t me.

Now the Union Secretary’s job is a job that is jobbed on shore, A nice soft job. and it’s Jimson’s job, so he plougbeth the waves no more, But may sit at his three square meals a day, and haply at his four, May loaf at the corner, turn his quid, and say as oft of yore— It’s a proper thing quite and entirely right that a sailor should go to sea. And I don’t care what poor devil it is, so long as it isn’t me. Thus the Socialist: It’s a proper thing quite and entirely right to clap a man under the harrow. Certainly, says G. B. S., I agree; and I don’t care who the poor wretch may be so long as it isn’t me.

There is talk of setting up in Dunedin a “ municipal orchestra.” Vain talk. Auckland with double the Dunedin

population has committea itself to a municipal orchestra and is losing money over it. Already we have in Dunedin two societies of instrumentalists, Wind and strings, membership in which, with its detail of rehearsals and concerts, is all for love and nothing for reward—the love of music. All honour to them! For the love of music let the two become one, artti we shall honour them the' more. But I have here a correspondent:— Dear “ Givis,” —Musical appreciation puzzles me. Why- is the power given to one and denied to the many, and that irrespective of culture and education? We all know Shakespeare’s dictum; but it cannot be that among the hundreds assembled in the Regent Theatre on Saturday night the majority were “ fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.” A tenor of good voice, and an artist, sang a sentimental ditty with a waltz refrain that irritated like the itch. He was tumultuously applauded,—l sitting glum. Next he sang with considerable dramatic effect from “ I Pagliacci.” The first chords on the orchestra proclaimed the real thing, and my thrilled attention was rivetted until the last note. I and some half dozen applauded gratefully. The restof the audience was but was , again moved to rapturpus applause by another itch-provoking sentimental ditty. I have no musical education whatever. How do you explain these things?

Why should I be asked to explain the inexplicable ? The foundation of all music is the drum—rhythm, recurrent rhythm; first the tom-tom of the savage; next stage, the stage of low civilisation —perhaps the picture theatre stage—the one-two-three of waltz time, most easily recognised of recurrent pulsations and the most catching. Limbs and lungs vibrate in sympathy. When melody is written above rhythm, we come to questions of taste, and questions of taste, as an old Latin adage warns us, are not for argument. There I leave the matter. In music, as in literature and in graphic art, de gustibus non disputandum.

On the importance of having the right kind of mother, in particular, a mother of the right nationality:— Dear “ Civis,” —In the leading article in Tuesday’s Daily Times Viscount Haldane was described as being “ Scottish in blood and temperament but his mother, who died recently after celebrating her 100th birthday, was an Englishwoman belonging to a well-known Yorkshire . family. It has oeen said that anyone knowing Haldane’s mother knew where his “ spiritual home ” was. During the dark days of the war she was a source of strength to .those of our leading soldiers and statesmen who were privileged to visit her. Is it not possible, too, that another so-called typical Scot, Earl Balfour, receives those qualities that have made him a great statesman from the family of Cecil to which his mother belonged? Granted that the mother of Lord Haldane and the mother of Lord Balfour were alike of English birth and descent. But both fathers were Scottish. Is there nothing to be said for the “ judicious blend ”? Among devotees converging on Sydney and the Eucharistic Congress is the Rev. Father Martindale, author of a volume entitled “ The Faith of the Roman Church,” one article of which faith is the infallibility of the Pope. ■ Orangemen from that part of Scotland called the North of Ireland will learn with interest that in clearing up this mystery for .the lay mind Father Martindale fairly gives the Pope away. As quoted by an Australian reviewer he says that His Holiness though infallible' “is not impeccable, nor omniscient nor inspired;

he may be privately a heretic; he may wish to teach false doctrine, he may not know what the true doctrine about a matter so far undefined may be.” A strange story this. His Holiness, if he hears of it, will pray to be saved from his friends. “Privately a heretic!” When the devil comes for the heretic what of the infallible Pope? Judged for intelligence, Father Martindale’s account of infallibility seems to me about on a level with Foote's Yard of Nonsense—- “ So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage to make’ an apple-dumping. . .” Or a stave from “ Father O’Flynn ” may seem apposite:— Don’t talk of your Provosts and Fellows of Trinity, Famous for ever at Greek and Latinity; Faix and the divils an’ all at Divinity;— Father O’Flynn’d make hares of them all! Come, I venture to give ye my word, Never the likes of his logic was heard, Down from mythology into thayology, Troth! and conchology if he’d the call. Here’s a health to yon. Father O’Flynn, Slaintfi an’ slaintfi an’ slaintfi agin! What is slainte? Presumably Father Martindale knows.

Thomas Carlyle, a provocative figure of which or of whom we have had recent glimpses, was once admitted by Queen Victoria to a private audience. Except at table, no one may sit down in the presence of royalty. Under Victoria the rule was strict, and the Queen merciless; tradition relates that often her ladies in waiting were kept on their feet till ready to drop. How did Carlyle comport himself ? According to one story he began bluntly, taking the initiative: “I am an old man and must sit down,” —the Queen in amaze and gasping. A more reasonable account is that he respectfully asked permission to sit and that permission was granted. Strange that these far-away trivialities of Court life should still be of interest; yet at this very time they are revived in English newspapers, and it is there I find them. By way of set-off I borrow from that excellent gossip Lord Frederic Hamilton a court story that has a different tang. The Hamiltons had lent to Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort their Scotch nouse for ten days, they themselves removing to a farm where quarters were cramped. On the day after the Queen’s arrival my mother took her four eldest children to * present them to her Majesty. . . . “ And this, your Majesty, is my second boy. Make your bow, dear,” said my mother; but my brother, his heart hot within him at being expelled from his nursery, instead of bowing, stood on his head in his kilt, and remained like that, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. The Queen was exceedingly angry; so, later in the day, upon my brother professing deep penitence, he was taken back to make his apologies, when he did the same thing precisely over again, and was consequently in disgrace during the whole of the royal visit. In strict confidence, I believe that he would still do it to-day, more than 75 years later. What?—stand on his head at a royal levee! Lord Frederic is a practised story-teller, and his gossipy volumes are probably among the best sellers, but he can’t have expected us to accept this outrageous “ stretcher.” Civis.

The city ranger was not verj’ successful in two out of the three of the charges which he laid in the Police Court on Friday morning in respect of unregistered dogs. In one case, in particular, he was only too glad to withdraw the complaint. Speaking of the animal in question, he indicated that it had undergone some very drastic changes since it was last registered. At that time it was three years old, but in spite of the lapse of more than 12 months it was still three. The most surprising achievement of this remarkable animal, however, was that of changing its sex. It was first registered as a male, but this year it was a female. A perplexed ranger greeted with obvious relief the suggestion of the Bench that the case should be withdrawn. In the second case, the prosecutor said he had been given an undertaking that the owner of a certain dog would be in during the week to pay the necessary fee, but when the magistrate announced that he had a written statement to the effect that the owner was deceased and had been for sometime a second withdrawal was hastily agreed to. The vital statistics in the Dunedin district for the past month are as follow:— Births. 110, deaths 92, marriages 57. The figures for August last year were respectively 128 births, 98 deaths, and 58 marriages. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that the vital statistics for last month were:—Births 200, deaths 149, marriages 83. The figures for August last year were 217, 118, and 86 respectively.

New Zealand mails which were despatched from Auckland by the Aorangi on July 31 for the United Kingdom, via Vancouver, arrived in London on August 29. A recommendation by the Gas Committee to come before the next meeting of the City Council is that authority be given for the laying of a 9-inch gas main from Anderson’s Bay road to Forbury road, at a total estimated cost of £4OOO. It will not be necessary to lay the whole length at once, but sections could be done as the demand warrants. The pressure records taken at St. Clair during the winter months show the growing necessity for this work, and, in addition, with the replacing of the small pipes on the flat with 3-inch and 4-inch mains, the granting of the authority asked for would enable the present reticulation work to be laid off without future alteration to the proposed new pipe line. Bands from Whangarei in the north to - Dunedin in the south have signified their intention of participating in the next New Zealand band contest, which is to be held at Wanganui from February 25 to March 2, 1929. The appointment of judges (says our Wanganui correspondent) has received careful consideration, and after lengthy negotiations Wanganui has agreed to share the expense with the Mackay Contest Executive Committee, Queensland, in securing the services of Mr T. J. Rees Wales, one of the most eminent adjudicators in the British Empire. Over £1,000,000 is involved in building operations commenced in Auckland since the beginning of the year (says our special correspondent). Permits to the value of £943,885 have .been issued by the City Council in the past eight months, but that figure does not include the contract for the building of the new railway station, the price of which is £326,000. In the corresponding period of last year the permits issued involved £884,818, so that, exclusive of the railway contract, the increase this year is £59,067.

Between periods of mild, dry weather, the Cromwell district (says our own correspondent) is experiencing some of the conditions that usually follow in the wake of a mild winter. For the first three days of the week there was perfect sunshine. On Thursday morning and throughout the day heavy gales raged, and in the afternoon rain set in. At once the atmosphere became chilly and snow fell on the mountains. The weather had cleared on Friday morning. While the snow remains there is some danger of late frosts in an otherwise forward season. A good warm rain is badly needed, as the warm days, light frosts, and frequent winds are leaving the country in a dry state.

In a letter to the Otago Harbour Board last evening, the business manager of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition (Mr R. G. Brophy) Expressed keen appreciation of the board’s offer of free harbour accommodation, and indicated that the advance guard of the expedition would arrive at Port Chalmers late in October or early in November. The letter read:—“We are grateful to you for your offer of free harbour privileges, including docking of the ships for the duration of the expedition. . . . We expect to have two ships arriving in Dunedin about October 15 or November 1.” An extraordinary position has arisen in the Wanganui Harbour Board’s claim for salvage of the Gale, which was concluded at Wellington on Tuesday, by the sudden death of the presiding judge, Mr Justice Sim (states the Wanganui correspondent of the Lyttelton Times). The judge had intimated that he intended to go south on Wednesday, and would not be able to give his decision before then, but would do so as soon as possible. The fates decreed otherwise, and it is highly improbable that the judge had completed his written decision before his death. This will mean that proceedings will have to be launched afresh. His Honor during the case appeared to be very pale, but) otherwise seemed to be all right, and he took a lively interest in the proceedings throughout.

Our Naseby correspondent states that a heavy fall of snow was experienced on Thursday, the ground being covered to a depth of 10 inches.' The Public Works Department has now almost finished the irrigation races in this locality, and the men have left for Ida Valley, with the exception of one or tivo local married men, who have been retained for the finishing touches. The closing of these works in the Naseby district will be agreat loss to the town.

The Post and Telegraph Department has announced its intention to combat the serious interference with broadcast reception by electrical leakages. The department has lost much tme investigating false alarms, and in future will co-operative with listed representatives, of the trade. The one nearest the locality will take steps to confirm the authenticity of a complaint, and the department will then locate the source of the trouble, and radio officials in a motor van will go out to inquire into it and stop it if possible. Now that the summer - months are coming, trips to the West Coast Sounds which contain some of the finest scenery in the world, are proving popular - once more (says the Southland Times). At present berthed at the Invercargill wharf is the Kotare, which inaugurated a series of excursions to the Sounds last season, firmly establishing the desirability of a service of the kind although it was late in the season before the excursion was underl' taken. In conversation with a reporter, Mr D. W. M'Kay stated that as a result of the experience gained, the .vessel would shortly undergo a careful overhaul. It is hoped that the first excursion' will be organised for November and at regular intervals throughout the tourist season. Some time ago, a well-known Dunedin business man was approached by a man, who, after explaining that he had work to go to in a country town, asked for enough money to pay his train fare. Willing to assist, but doubtful if the money, if it were passed over, would be put to its proper use, the business man gave the other a letter to the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, explaining that when it was presented, arrangements for his conveyance to the country would be made. This, apparently, was not quite what was Av anted, for the letter was never presented. Whilst in Christchurch a month or two later, the business man, much to his surprise, was again accosted by the same individual (who evidently did not recognise him) _ with a similar tale of W’ork to go to in the' same town as previously 7, and another request was proffered for sufficient money to enable him to reach his destination. A few pithy sentences reminding the 'mendicant of his previous effort, brought an indignant denial that he had ever been in Dunedin, but eventually, finding his protestations useless, he went off. Evidently, however, what he. lacks in industry the man makes up for in persistence, for, this week he again appeared at the business man’s shop, and, probably under the delusion that lapse of time had altered his features or weakened the other’s memory, made a further application for train fare. On thip occasion, few words were wasted on him, and mention of the police hastened his footsteps in another direction. The retailer’s experience may act as a warning to other business people in the . ®ity, and. his example in first referring the man to Mr Bryan King is one which might well be followed with advantage.

Mr L. B. Beale, his Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, at present in England, in the course of an interesting letter to Mr G. 0. Sutton, secretary of the British Manufacturers’ Association* of New Zealand, writes:—“ It will be difficult to convey to you the esteem in which New Zealand is held in this country, whether it is in London, in Liverpool, in Manchester, or in Glasgow. One hears the same expression of goodwill and admiration for the products which the Dominion sends here. Indeed, in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Cardiff, three of the greatest industrial and shipping centres of the United Kingdom, I had many deputations urging the desirability of still greater shipments of New Zealand produce, particularly dairy produce and lamb. To-morrow I am off to Cardiff at the invitation of the city to inspect their dock accommodation'and their facilities for the distribution of imports, dairy produce, meat and fruit. In the reverse direction, you will find an increasing earnestness on the part of United Kingdom manufacturers to give New Zealand what she wants at prices which are attractive and competitive with those from any other source. My trip over here this time has been one of the happiest experiences in my life, because I have come from a Dominion which is beloved by all as one which in the practical expression of Empire partnership, to my mind, has given a lead to the whole Empire.”

New Zealand was given the reverse‘of a good advertisement at the Los Angeles Exposition, according to Mr L. W. Hemmings,. of Christchurch, "ho has just returned from a visit to the United States and Canada. “It was the most disgraceful thing I have ever seen in my life,” he said. “We went out to the exposition as New Zealand was supposed to be represented, and found 7 an empty pavilion. The New Zealand representative who was there explained that the New Zealand exhibit had gone forward to Toronto and he had been left with nothing. The space had been booked and the pavilion built, but there was nothing to put in it.”

Expecting to find New Zealand "a struggling babe,” a party of American priests discovered that the “babe” had made great strides—so many that they were astonished, said Father Edgar J. Kennal to a Christchurch pressman last week. In fact, he said, it was one of the finest little countries he had ever seen. Father Kennal said that they had found hospitality personified not only among the clergy but also among the people. The cities were very nice and much in advance of what they had expected. All of them were amazed at the Christchurch Roman Catholic Cathedral. It was an architectural gem. The number of bicycles in evidence astounded them. They had never seen so many in use before, because in America traffic was so thick that to use a bicycle was dangerou

A correspondent writing to National Education, the official organ, of the New Zealand Educational Institute, points out some of the errors which have appeared in the School Journal recently. In the June journal a photograph of the British House of Lords is given as Henry Vll’s chapel, Westminster Abbey. In the same article, it was stated that Marlborough was buried at Blenheim, the scene of his greatest victory. The correspondent says he is not sure of his burial place, but it seems to him far more likely that he was buried at. or near Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, England, the seat of the Marlborough family. It seems very improbable that his remains were taken to Blenheim, in Bavaria. In the May School Journal, it is stated that the Royal George was immortalised in Longfellow’s poem, whereas the poem in question, “ Toll For the’ Brave,”, was written by Cowper. Some months ago, it was stated in the journal that Jean Inglelow was an American writer. She was, as a matter ot fact, a native of- Boston in England. The correspondent adds: The Education Gazette often is sarcastic over errors, some of them trifling, in English text books about New Zealand, yet the gross mistakes I have quoted appear in the journal. I must also protest against the hideous word “ Britisher ” in the article on Westminster Abbey. Why not use the correct form “ Briton.”

Mr R. S. Sampson, a Western Australian M.P., who is on his way home from England and America, stated upon his arival in Wellington last week that he was sure that New Zealand fruitgrowers would benefit by the work that Mr H. E. Stephens is doing in handling the fruit export business at the London end. Being in London, he had the advantage over the Australian shippers in that he was able to direct from or to any port such a quantity of fruit as, in his opinion, the need of any particular market justified. This gave him six weeks’ advantage, a period during which the whole market outlook might change. Mr Sampson hoped that opportunities would be given to the growers in the Commonwealth to secure the same advantage in regard to fruit for export as were enjoyed by the fruitgrowers in New Zealand. That view was supported at Corent Garden by merchants, who Avere strongly of opinion that the fruit industry in Australia would be assisted if Vie Commonwealth had a man in London carrying out the work in the same efficient manner as Mr Stephens.

The Provisional Committee of the NeAv Zealanders’ Association has met regularly since its appointment at a recent meeting of native-born New Zealanders. At the last meeting the honorary organiser reported that upAvards of 400 men and women born in Ncav Zealand had signified' their intention of becoming members. The committee has drawn up a constitution. It has decided to recommend that each applicant for membership must have been born in Ncav Zealand or on the voyage to New Zealand of his or her parents, and that the annual subscription be 5s for adults and 2s 6d for members under 21 years of age. The first of the proposed objects of the association reads as folloAvs:—“To honour and perpetuate the memory of the old pioneers, whd, in the face of difficulties and hardships that to the present generation seem to have been almost insurmountable, so well and so truly laid the foundation of Ncav Zealand as it is to-day.” The committee Avill recommend that the association should not affiliate with the NeAV Zealand Natives’ Association, OAving to the constitution of that body permitting other than native-born Ncav Zealanders to become members.

Dr Haden Guest, who resigned his seat as Socialist M.P. for Southwark, says in a letter to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Avhich Avas published in John o’ Groats Journal on June 29, that Avhen he resigned he determined not to join any other party until he had had the opportunity of observing the political and social developments in the dominions. A tour of Canada, Australia, and South Africa has convinced him that the Labour Party is leading its members not in a forward advance but on a side-track surrounded by political, social, and economic difficulties. He belie A -es that it is on the basis of a closer Empire co-operation that the foundations of a policy of progressiA T e social and economic improvement in this country must be based, and it is the Conservative Party that he sees as the guardian of political stability in Great" Britain and one of the developing democratic conditions of British public life. An effort is being made to establish a Ncav Zealand Club in Sydney, chiefly through the efforts of Dr Purdy, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Sydney and at one time of Auckland. Dr A. BreAvis, of Hamilton, who arrived at Auckland by the Maheno, said he had had a talk with Dr Purdy, and he was ■ A - ery enthusiastic about the idea. Dr Purdy told him that the feeling in Australia toAvards New Zealand was very friendly, and there was a general desire to bind closer the existing ties of commerce and friendship. Dr BreAvis will do his best to make the movement known in the Dominion.

That there Avas little prospect of success for educated Maoris, either in the medical profession or in the law, was the statement ,of Sir Apirana Ngata, in an address at the Auckland. University College on Monday evening (says the College. The speaker said* that both capacities, and considered the two professions the affairs of the pakeha. For a portion of their youth, however, the Maori people persistently advocated higher education, in the hope that a great leader would arise who would advise his people. Tf, by fluke, they could obtain one man so educated, the money spent in education would be fully justified.

The Minister of Justice (Mr F. J. Rolleston) has announced (reports our parliamentary correspondent) that it has been decided by Cabinet to increase the pay of sergeants and constables in all branches of the Police Force of the Dominion by one shilling per day. The alloAvances to all ranks in the detective branch have noAv been placed on an equal scale of three shillings per day. Acting detectives will receive an alloAvance of one shilling and sixpence per day, and plain clothes constables in the detective office one shilling per day in lieu of uniform. This increase is necessary to retain in and attract to the force men with the high qualifications necessary for the position, and it may also be taken as a recognition of the good work done for the community by those now in the service. An increase will also be made to superintendents, inspectors, and subinspectors. The question of amending the IaAV in regard to superannuation as it affects the Police Force is also under consideration .by Cabinet. “ I think Melbourne is a Avonderful place—the cleanest city in the world, and I have seen a good many of them.” This was the opinion expressed on Tuesday morning by Mr Thomas C. Wasson, United States Vice-consul in Melbourne, who arriA’ed at Auckland by the Maheno to begin a short holiday tour through New Zealand. It is Mr Wasson’s first visit to New Zealand. “I want to see your kauri trees,” he remarked, “so many people have told me of them. I am keen to examine your cities, too, for they are greatly praised by people on the other side.” Saying that he wished to forget all business affairs during his stay in Ncav Zealand, Mr Wasson carefully evaded any mention of official happenings. in Melbourne. The Consulate headquarters, he said, was a large one, and one of his chief duties was. the promotion of American trade in Australia. “ I will leave it to statistics to say whether or riot our trade is improving in the Commonwealth,” he added with a smile. = " '

The Ncav Zealand Bird Protection Society, with a vieAA 7 to instilling in our young the value of our forests and birds, is inaugurating a bird and tree competition, open only to those attending the primary schools. A handsome prize is offered to the writer of the best essay, not to exceed 500 words, on individual observations of any native bird with regard to its habits, etc., for a period closing Avith the school year, or of the uses of any natiA - e tree. The education authorities, being alive to the value of such teachings as inculcating a national spirit, a kindlier regard for the living thing, and a respect for Ncav Zealand’s heritages, have signified their Avillingness from every centre throughout the Dominion to further the competition.

Certain of the Australian claimants to the “ Hobbs Millions ” —a fortune that is said to have been left by John Hobbs, a Spitalfield’s silk Aveaver, to his brother, Robert Hobbs, who was transported in 1791—approached some of the New Zealand claimants, says the Sydney Morning Herald, w r ith a proposal that the docu-« ments and claims Avhich are noAv being prepared, should be pooled and the fortune, if obtained, should be fairly divided. Certain of the New Zealanders have informed the Australian claimants, of whom there are nearly 800, ; that they will not co-operate Avith the Australians, as they contend they are descendants of John Hobbs, the silk weaver himself, and not of his brother Robert.

In order to obtain information as to the amount of work carried out by the St. John Ambulance Brigade while on public duty at sports gatherings, race meetings, etc., returns were obtained by the chief commissioner for a recent Saturday afternoon, and from the particulars supplied 315 members of the various ambulance .and nursing divisions were shown, to have been on duty at 138 sports grounds, while the number of cases-of first aid rendered amounted -to 593. .On the corresponding Saturday afternoon last year, 250 members were on duty, and 411 cases were treated. It would appeal*; that the brigade is amply justifying its existence " . '