THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1912. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13316, 17 January 1912, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1912. SUMMARY NOTES.

The Political Situation. Tho general elections last month left the Dominion awaiting an indicatien from the Primo Minister of the course of action he intended, to p»rsue, and while Sir Joseph Ward was revolving tho situation and consulting his party, the political atmosphere was heavily charged with rumours and conjectures concerning the turn events were likely to take in the altered conditions. Reports that were subsequently proved as groundless as others, though more colourable, ;. and more seriously discussed, implied that the Government would take no action until after the close of tho financial year, calling Parliament together in April or May; and that a reconstruction of tho Cabinet would bo effected before the House assembled, in an iffort to placate a few uncertain intmbers. Sir Joseph Ward, however, displayed a higher sense of tho responsibility resting upon him in such a.c > - juncture. Ho put an end to surmise early this mouth by an announcement that the Governor would be requested to summon Parliament to meet on February 15th, and the Government would leave the position unreservedly in the hands of. the representatives of tho people. Till the middle of ?ie:;t month therefore we must possess uir souls in what patience we may. C-inl-pricking has been a widely 'practiced occupation sinco tho elections, but as the party attitude of a few niembvs is a matter of some uncertainty, ,t is not a very profitable one. Only a \oi/: in the House can determine the | i.'-i----tion satisfactorily, but it seems'r.cm that neither party can have more thn:i an infinitesimal majority that will admit of no vigorous policy being pursued. In the circumstances it is nioro than likoly that tho new Parliament will be a short lived ono. Wreck of tho Jane Douglas. Tho Jane Douglas, a little .steamer that had boon a familial' object on the New Zealand coast for over thirty years, ended a somewhat adventurous career early on Wednesday morning last by striking Tower Rock and sinking. At the time of the mishap tho vessel was negotiating the channel between Stephens' and D'Urrille's Islands, on her way from Wellington to th« .West Coast. ' The rock oh which ■the Jane- Douglas struck had

bosn responsible for accidents to more than ono vessel usin<£ the passage. All seems to have been over with the litttu steamer in a very brief spaco of timo, but fortunately tho presenco of mind of tho officers and crew proved equal to the oincrgmcy, and tho Wreck involved no loss of life'; Tlio circumstances surrounding the casualty have been under investigation by a Court of Inquiry sitting at Nelson during the last few day's. Tho proceedings were concluded yesterday tifternuoii, and the findings of tho Court will be found, in another column; frk iishop ot Nelson. Having presided over the diocese of Xolson for a period of twenty years, the Right Itov. Dr Mules has fovwimlcd his resignation to tho fictitig-Pli-lntite. li tniiy safely lie said that the iithvs. will lie reteiveJJ with miibJi regret by ?ill the religious denominations in the district, •to whom the catholic Sty of tlio Bishop's views, and his ready co-operation in all li'elieficial movements of a religious or other nature have endeared him as much to tho members of his own Communion.. Bishop Mlibs (iesii'es to;.relinquish the duties oi' his office on June 30th., and it is understood that the election of his successor will engage the attention of the Diocesan Synod at an early ditto. Christmas and Nsw Year Holidays, 'die holiday season passed off with ttiiiisual <iiiletnesh as ftjv as Nelson was concerned, there being no public fixtures in tho city.' Unfortunately the usiial hbliday enjoyments v ere considerably marred by inclement weather, a most unseasonable spell of b'raken weather setting in towards the (Mid of Deebmbci1 and boiltiiiuing well into the present month. These conditions were not peculiar to NNelson, but on tho contrary appear to'have prevailed generally throughout the Dominion. The Davis Cup. Following the New Zealand lawn tennis championships the much talked of Davis Cup contest eventuated at Ghristchurch on January 2nd, 3rd and 4th. America was represented by iiar'necl, Wright, and, MeLougblin, and Australasia by Brookes, Dnnlop andHeatli. Contrary to general expectations Australasia -proved victorious, defeating the visitors in every match. This must have been very surprising to America, whose leading tennis journal referred to the United States' representatives as the strongest team that had ever left its shores, and ono which would probably win every match. On the first day Brookes beat Wright, and Heath boat Lamed, the latter being apparently affected by rheumatism. The second day saw Brookes and Dunlop, by superb play, gain the upper hand over McLoughlin and Wright. Wright's non-ap-pearance to meet Heatli on the last day has created considerable comment, and it has been surmisod that his inclusion will not again be countenanced in any team to contest the Cup in Australasia. McLoughlin played Brookes in place of Lamed, and a brilliant display" was given, Brookes beating his brilliant young opponent by 3 sets to 2. The surprising intelligence comes from Now York that America will probably not again contest tho Davis Cup unless the match takes place in the States, bvt the most likely scene of next yearn play will bo Sydney er Melbourne. Thy result of the Christchurch contest may be looked upon as a triumph for Australasian tennis.