THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1912. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1912. SUMMARY NOTES.

Ministerial Visits.

During the;.month," through-tho representations of Mr Harry Atmore, M.P., for Nelson, two Ministers of tho Crown, namely, the Hon W. D. S. Macdonald, Minister for Public Works, and the Hon G. Laurenson, Minister for Labour, have visited this district. Tho former, who was taken. t!%3Ugh to Mur-cliison--by motor car, informed a local deputation that waited upon him in connection with the extension of tho railway from Glenhope, that ho was in favour of pushing the lino on to Murcliison; as quickly as possible, as ho believed, after what ho had seen, that the district had a great future before it. On his return to.Nelson a largo and influential deputation waited upon the Minister in regard to a number of mattors affecting the welfare of the district, including tho extension of the railway, and tho construction of a road from Apploby* by way of tho sea coast, to connect with the Moutero mudflat extension road. Tho lattov, it was stated, would not only provido an

almost level road, to Motueka, but would lessen tho, distance between Nelson and Motueka very considerably. It would also be the means of opening up somo thousands of acres of land in the Moutoro hills, which has been proved to bo admirably adapted for apple growing for export. The Hon Mr Macdonald was ovidently very favourably impressed with tho possibilities of tho district, and promised to give the matters which had been brought under his notico careful consideration. Ho admitted that Nelson had not had its fair share of public expenditure in tho past, and said that he would see in the future that this district was treated in an equitable manner. The Hon Mr Laurcnson was also shown round Nelson, and he inspected the fruit orchards at Stoke and the Moutero. Ho was greatly impressed with the possibilities of tho district, and promised to give his support to tho matters mentioned when brought before Cabinet.

Nelson Harbour.

Opportunity was taken by the Nelson Harbour Board to place before the Minister for Marine (the Hon G; Laurenson) on the occasion of his recent visit to Nelson, the positioja in regard to Nelson harbour. It was pointed out that tho Board had spent between £60,000 and £70,000 in providing facilities for the admission of ocean going steamers to the port, but that the Railway De» partinent, who owned, the wharves and to a line about 76 feet outside the whan had declined to dredge berthage of sufficient depth to float ocean liners at low water spring tides. The Minister said that personally he was of opinion that the Railway Department should do the dredging, and in this he was supported by the Hon W. D. S. Macdonald. Both Ministers promised to place the matter before the Minister for Railways. The deputation also urged that the Department should sell the wharves to the Board, as, the dual control of tho harbour aad the wharves was most unsatisfactory. It is the intention of tho Board to carry out further improvements to Nelson harbour by deepening the channel outside the Boulder Bank, and by dredging a larger area inside tho harbour, thus providing facilities for tho admission of larger vessels than have hitherto visited the port. Negotiations are now proceeding for the hire of the" Rubi Seddon, a self-propelling dredge owned by the Westport Harbour Board, which it is expected will be able to do the work in about four months. With adequate bert'hago accommodation and increased harbour facilities, Nelson should havo every reason to be proud in th© near future of its port.

Municipal Affairs.

The Mayor (Mr T. A. H. Field) who was elected to the Mayoral chair unopposed for a second term, was duly installed on May Ist in tho presenco of City Councillors and a number -or* leading citizens. In the course of his address tho Mayor quoted figures to show that while a progressive policy had been pursued, and the affairs of tho city well looked after, tho Council had succeeded during the year in reducing the bank overdraft by close upon £500. In speaking at the installatien Cr Hampson advocated farther progress, mentioning among other things that were desired, swimming baths and municipal tramways. In conjunction with tho City Council the Nelson Beautifying Society has done much useful work in adding to the natural attractions of Nelson by planting flowers*~and shrubs in various parts of the city. Tho work was done last spring, and already pleasing results are in evidence. Enthusiasm is being maintained, and this winter" should see a great deal-more work done in this direction. With the population of the city steadily increasing, and the close settlement of land in the country districts, there is every reason to hope that Nelson is on the eve of a period of progress that has not been experienced for some years past.

Obituary.

During the month death has be-on busy in our midst, and several well known Nelson residents havo passed away,, including Hemi Matenga (James Martin), a celebrated Maori chief, and husband of Huria Matenga, the Grace Darling of New Zealand, who distinguished herself by rescuing the crew of the1, brigantine Delaware, wrecked at the Maori Pa many years ago. A large numbeir of Natives:from, all parts of New Zealand assembled at the tangi which was ; held in honour of the departed chief, and the funeral on Sxmday last was attended by between 2000..and 3000 persons,. Others who have passed away are Mrs, Andrew Richmond, Mr J. H. Griffin, and Mr R. I. Kingsley, all of whom hay© been closely identified with Nelson during their residence in this district. Th© Hon J. McGowan, M.L.C, who was formerly in the New Zealand Cabinet, passed suddenly awya at the Thames. Two well known residents of Wellington for many years, namely Mr Wardell, exDistrict Court Judge, and Mr Joseph Nathan, merchant, havo also joined the great majority.

New Zealand's Population.

Frequently the statement is made that New Zealand is disastrously losing population, Australia and Canada being more attractive, specially to young people." An official return just published shows that, for the year ended March 31st last the arrivals in New Zealand numbered 43,097, and the departures 37,205, thus showing a gain to the Dominion's population for the year. The figures quoted should quieten the croakers who allege disastrous loss of population by: New Zealand.

The Titanic Disaster.

Tho news of. the; wreck of the White '.Star linor'.Titanic on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York by collision with .in iceberg in mid-ocean, and its.fittendant appalling loss of lifo, was rflf>eiycclHhroughout New Zealand witli feelings of the doopost consternation, aiul flaf>;s were half-mtistcd on all public? buildings in memory of thoEO who had perishod. One redeeming feature of the calamity was tho splendid heroism displayed by the officers and crew of tlw ill-fated vessel, their conduct being in accordance with tho bast traditions of the British-mercantile marine. Practical

sympathy with tho dependents of tho survivors who are left in distressed circumstajices was shown by tho prompt opening of subscription lists, and already a considerable amount of money has been cabled for the relief of tho sufferers.