DAILY NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7801, 4 September 1903, Page 2

DAILY NOTES.

The full extent of the loss the snow suffered by pasioraJists durtbibute. ing the recent snowstorms is still largely a, matter of speculation. Judging from the reports that are now coming to hand, it must have been very heavy. According to a statement published on Wednesday/ the total losses in Central Otago run into six figures, after " leaving out of account the loss of lambs which would ordinarily have formed part of the natural increase for the year.'* Another estimate calculates that 52 per cent of the sheep have perished. Probably this is an exaggeration, but, after making allowances for the natural tendency of the sufferers to take a- pessimistic view of their losses, we are still left with the, conclusion that in Otago a very large number of sheep must have been killed. Happily, in Canterbury the situation is not so bad. Some of our pastoralists have suffered, it is true, but their losses cannot be anything like as great as those sustained by the Otago farmers. The. possibility of Sir E. the federal Barton exchanging the Fedhigh court, eral Premiership for the presidency of the Federal High Court is again being discussed. Sir Edmund is a barnister by profession, a X.C of the New South Wales Court, and abler as a counsel than as a politician. It is probable that he would be a greater success as .» a Judge than he has proved as leader of the first Federal Government, although, of course, it does not follow that he would do justice to the high position which rumoun has marked out for him. Still, his nnaaa, as a politician is failing, and as his short reign as Premier has not ? it is said, afforded complete satisfaction to his own party, his elevation to the Bench may possibly be arranged to end a. situation which probably satisfies neither himself non his iriends. Young New Zealand, in A boxing the arrogance of lately won venture, athletic successes, is about to make another effort to twist the Kangaroo's tail. This time it is a team of boxers which it has decided to send to " the other side," with the object of picking another ash out of the Commonwealth's dust bin. Whether this object will be achieved is more than a little doubtful. Unlike football and cycling, boxing is practically in its infancy in this colony, while it has been a favourite pastime of Australians for very many years. Judging, too, from the displays given at last week's tournament, the boxers of this colony have a great deal to learn before they can claim 1 to bo scientific exponents of " the noble art. 1 " Still, wo wish them well in their venture. Even if they return unsuccessful, their trip will probably have been of an educational value to them. We hope- that the Minister kail way of Railways will consent to excursion" Mr Taylors suggestion to i'ARES. extend; the period of the issue of Christmas excursion ticket's for ajii additional twelve days. This is a step which we have ;e.j>iMte.;ly advocated. Under ike existing system the concessions I granted fa rtiilwj-.y tr.ivolk.Ts xeach but a very small portion »i ihtm. Tho cheap tickets issued at Christmas- time, for in- ! stflJioe-, can only V. enjoyed by a minority, and if the majority cl^re to travel at a latei.- period th--y aie compelled- to pay full fares. This arrangement is calculated to ben-falir. neither the Government nor the public. If th-e puricd of issue of excursion fans were- vxrcivjitd the result would be a marked increase in tie number of travellers.

an increase which we are sati.'-fied would mi.ro than coflipen.si/tc for (ho loss nri^'n-r fiom tho reduction i n fiiros.