South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1893.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7268, 22 July 1893, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1893.

TIMABU has many advantages of situation, and among them not the least is the picturesque western horizon, where the lower hills and higher mountains, whether snow clad in winter or rich brown in summer, delight the least artistic eye. These were to the first settlers always open to view, but now the multiplication of buildings and the growth of trees has shut them out from view except at a few favoured spots. One of the best things that could be added to the “attractions ” of Timaru would be a means of restoring, and even improving, the old time clear view of the mountains. We want, on the top of one of the best spurs in town, an erection something like the Mexican teocallis, a mound or pyramid, solid or hollow, with a grade road to the summit, high enough to give one a clear view over all the houses. It would be worth a great deal to the townspeople, worth something even in money, as it would be another attraction to the town, and worth much more iu its influence on character—unless there is a great deal of rubbish talked and written about the value of love of nature as a refining agent. The Harbour Board have done a aensible thing in deciding to give the harbourmaster discretion to drop dredged silt, where he pleases ; but it would have been more sensible to give him also a hint as to where they thought it would be diaareet to drop it; or at least they should have asked him where he would drop it, if it were left to bis discretion. The majority of the board evidently think it a

! mistake to take it so far as beyond Dashing Rocks, but what the harbourmaster thinks of it was not ascertained. However, Captain Clarkson can see through that grindstone as far as anyone, and as he must desire to get as much mud shifted out of the harbour as possible, he will, no doubt, send the Taniwha very short trips in future. To send the dredge so far as she has been going, to deposit silt, for the sole purpose of keeping it out of Caroline Bay, is the height of absurdity, seeing that the Taniwha could not drop the thousandth part of what is brought in by storms. The Board, however, should go farther, and direct that a good deal of the present long voyaging with loads of shingle shall be saved. The Waimataitai spit needs more ** assistance M than that at the Waihdyke, and for that reason, as well as to save time, the Taniwha should discharge shingle opposite the Waimataitai.

Among the extracts we have given from Colonel Fox’s report on the volunteers there are two statements which jar upon one particularly. His rough comments upon some of the corps and officers are bad enough, but these we refer to are worse, as one of them savours of egotism, and the other of something worse. After condemning the majority of officers for incompetency, and excusing them because they have never bad a chance of either example or instruction, he says “It will be absolutely necessary that I shall have a free hand as regards Inspection and command of the volunteer forces. . . When I have the command of the forces actually on my hands, which is absolutely essential for their well-being , the work will be more than I could face singlehanded.” The words we have italicised indicate that Colonel Fox has a “ guid conceit o’ himsel’.” Then as he will not be able to do much more than “ inspect ” {and find fault) he will require a staff officer to assist him, “ and take in hand the instruction of officers,” and “ help me in inspections.” “ I have entered in my estimate the salary and allowances for which I can obtain such officer , but I by no means lay down the rule that in future an equally good man will be obtained for the same money.” In the estimates the Staff Officer is set down for a salary of £450, and he would come in for a share of the £9OO travelling allowance. Now how is it that Colonel Fox can get an officer for that sum —(a “ tidy sum ” too !)—though probably the colony will not be able to get another so (!) cheaply ?