IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 6, 11 August 1909, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

A Teacher’s Memory. t> 7 F N interesting ceremony was perf I formed at the Grafton district school, Auckland, last week, when a memorial tablet and enlarged photograph in memory of the late Mr. N. D. Mac Kay, for ten years first the chairman of the Auckland Education Board (Mr. C. J. Parr) in the presence of the pupils and a number of parents and friends. Messrs. Purdie, Birriball and McKenzie (members of the Education Board), and the members of the School Committee, were also present. Mr. Burton, chairman of the School Committee, paid a feeling tribute to the memory and work of the late Mr. MaeKay, and remarked on the fact that the scholars themselves had first advanced the proposal to erect the memorial. Mr. C. J. Parr, in endorsing the previous speaker’s remarks, said he was glad that the children had not forgotten the memory of their late teacher, who had given twenty years of faithful service to the Education Board, and who had died on March 27, just after the Education Board had granted him extended leave of absence. No mere official record could possibly show the work done by Mr. Mac Kay during his period of service. The Board of Education felt specially glad that the initiation of the movement had been on the part of the children. In conclusion he asked that the work of the late Mr. Mac Kay be an inspiration to all to do their duty to the Utmost. The tablet and photograph were then unveiled by Mr. Parr, the school cadets presenting armsMessrs- McKenzie and S. I. Clarke, a former chairman of the committee, also testified to the esteem in which Mr. MaeKay had been held. The Waikato Sanatorium. When his attention was directed by your representative to a statement emanating from Auckland to the effect that retrenchment is to take place at the Waikato Sanatorium for Consumptives, the Hon. Mr. Buddo, Minister for Public Health, said there was no ground for making it. “I am firmly of opinion,” said the Minister, “that the Waikato sanatorium is the best place in the Dominion for the recuperation of consumptive sufferers, and that it is going to give the best possible results in regard to educating the public as to the treatment of consumptives.” The Minister said he had had no reports on the subject of retrenchment at the sanatorium, and it was not intended to carry into effect what the report alleged the Department was going to do. Sir Joseph Ward. - Sir Joseph and Lady Ward leave London on their return to New Zealand on August 23, returning via Canada, taking the Canadian mail steamer at Vancouver. Better Than Gold-mining. The proprietor of the Northern Wairoa Hotel was called upon by three Croatian brothers last week and asked for change of a cheque, the amount being (£721 18/6, being the net proceeds of eighteen months’ gum digging. Pakeha and Maori. 'Asked by a Wellington reporter if the native race is doing its share in that production which enables the Dominion to export over twenty millions’ worth of goods annually,” the Hon. J. Carroll said he was not prepared with statistics, but contended that the Maori did his part. “He lives, and must produce something that goes into the pool upon (which the State thrives,” Mr Carroll commented. “There are no Maoris who live upon the pakeha’s charity. The average European’s attitude is ‘Cut off reservations, and leave the Maori to his own fate. We cannot employ any machinery of State to assist you.’ Now, On the other hand, what do wo find? You have dairy experts, the Department of Agriculture, grading. State lending in-

stitutions, special loans, and special facilities for getting on to the land and cutting it up for settlers. All this is done for the pakeha. What the pakeha believes is,” he repeated: ‘ Cut off reserves and let the native take potluck.’ ” It was suggested to the Native Minister that the Maori was retarding settlement in many directions by his passive occupation of the land which could be turned to useful account. “Yes,” replied Mr Carroll, “the only time they have felt certain of consideration is when there is an extra pressure, an extra ptimulus for the possession of their land, because the European looks to the Maori to supply that want. The Maori wants to help the European in regard to land settlement and everything else,” concluded the Minister, “but he does not want to do it entirely at his own expense, and he the sole sacrifice; and who can blame himt” The Airship Invasion. A Waipawa resident gives a circumstantial, but uncorroborated, account of having seen an airship flying over Kaikora last week. He says it was grey in colour, torpedo-shaped, and contained three men, one of whom shouted at him in a foreign tongue. He watched the machine for some time. It appeared to be under perfect control, and it carried two bright lights. Labour and Politics. During the recent visit of Mr. Baume to Australia he had opportunities of conversing with leading Australian politicans, enabling him to make some interesting observations regarding the latest New Zealand political developments and the attempt to form a distinct Labour party. “Even those on the Labour side in Australia recognise that in New Zealand there is not the same necessity existing for a distinct Labour party,” said Mr. Baume. “Measures such as the Workers’ Compensation Act, which have been on our Statute for years, are yet to be enacted in some of the states. The Liberal party has done, and is doing, so much for labour in the Dominion that a distinct party, in my opinion, would only retard the true welfare of the employee.” The Champion’s Tow. The Auckland office of the Union Steam Ship Company was advised by cable that the tugboat Champion, with the ship Leicester Castle in tow, arrived at Newcastle from Auckland on Saturday morning. It was expected that the tow would be completed in ten days’ time, provided fair weather conditions were met with on the voyage. But this was a low estimate, and the tugmaster said before leaving Auckland that if he made the other side in from 11 to 13 days he would be well satisfied. The actual time taken on the journey of 1300 miles was about 13 days, which works out at about 100 miles a day, which is a very fair performance for this time of the year, when the weather in the Tasman Sea is rough and unsettled. Cricket on a Volcano. In the course of a lecture on volcanos and earthquakes, delivered at Canterbury Colleg last week, Dr. Marshall showed a picture of the Auckland cricket ground, which, he said, was the crater of a volcano which had been active in recent geological periods. Yet Aucklanders played cricket on top of a volcano, and took all sorts of chances, and they would probably be surprised and indignant ft some afternoon they went skyward. North Island Main Trunk. The express track from Auckland to Wellington, or that portion of it that traverses the King Country, or between such stations as Taihape, in the South, and Frankton Junction, in the North (says the “Post”), is comporting itself as a well and truly laid railway track should. As a general rule, it follows that a line may be expected, for ten years, to be somewhat unsettled, and subject to weather influences, especially as regards slips in cuttings and subsidences on banks. On the Manawatu

branch these were particularly noticeable, while during the late heavy and boisterous weather traffic between Wellington, Foxton, Napier, and through the Gorge, was held up because of the numerous slips, etc., brought down by the rain. But the Main Trunk, where, in the ordinary course of events, blocks might be expected, escaped any such accidents, so far as the department is aware. Further proof is advanced, in that while other branches of the service in the North Island were so delayed, the express between the two cities was always up to time. More Airship Stories. The manager of Mr. George Bayly*s Kaihu run (Thomas Ilazelhurst) informed a North Auckland “Times” reporter that he had seen an airship pass along the coast about five miles from the land. He watched it for 15 minutes, and on going down the beach, missed sight of it, apparently through the height of the cliffs. The Kelso correspondent of the “ Otago Daily Times ” has been informed by several persons that they have seen the “ airship ” which was recently reported to have been in that district, amongst the number being several Dunedin tradesmen working about six miles from Kelso. They state that on July 24 they saw an airship distinctly. It circled round several times, and then went in the direction of Hokonui Mountains, returning some hours later, and sailing towards the Blue Mountains. Lights were also seen on Saturday evening, and it is stated that the noise of some machine was also heard. Lord Kitchener. Information has been received by the Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. Jas. Carroll) that Lord Kitchener has accepted the invitation of Cabinet to visit New Zealand. Finance and Trade. ■ The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Industries and Commerce) passed through Palmerston North oh his way to the Moumahaki experimental farm. On being seen 'by a “Manawatu Times” reporter, regarding the financial position of the Dominion, Mr. Mackenzie gave the following figures: — £ Exports for half-year ended June 30, 1908 10.053,470 Imports 8,292,918 Excess of exports over imports 1,760,522 Exports for half-year ended June 30, 1909 12,292.444 Imports 6,783,882 Excess of exports over imports 5,508,562 These figures, Mr. Mackenzie said, constituted a record, the previous best increase being £3,689,310 in 1906 for the whole year. The effect of these figures had been felt on banking to the extent of nearly £1,000,000. The money market, which had suffered from various causes, was now relieved, and already money, at reduced rates, was available for all sound investments. He could say, unhesitatingly, that never before in the history of the Dominion had a firmer grasp been exercised by the Administration of the finances or a keener scrutiny kept on expenditure. This was causing considerable unpopularity in some districts, and threats of dire consequences, but he felt sure there was behind the Government the quiet, solid, appreciative public, who watched carefully, and who, when the right time came, would show that they valued what was being done. Following are the values of the principal products exported during July, as shown by the Customs returns, with figures tor July, 1908, for comparison:—

Butter 1909. £ .. 15.665 1908. £ 39,319 Cheese .. 13,604 3,577 Frozen beef .. .. 62,555 42.951 Mutton .. 74,603 94,518 I/amb .. 131,915 154,810 Wheat .. 140,920 60 Oats .. 121,942 13.613 Hemp .. 18,407 21.646