100 years ago — from our archives
First Governorgeneral
THE Earl of Liverpool is to be congratulated upon the fact that he is to be the first representative of the Crown in New Zealand who will be honoured by the title of Governorgeneral, the change in the designation of his office being made in terms of letters patent which were issued last month. The actual title of the office which his Excellency holds may not be regarded by some people as a matter of very great moment, but the fact that the representative of the King is to be distinguished by the expansive title of Governorgeneral, instead of by that of Governor, as has been the case since the time of Captain Fitzroy, who was appointed to the office in 1843, is one which may legitimately be regarded as a recognition by the highest authorities in the Empire of the growing importance of the dominion. It is officially announced that the change in the title has been decided upon as a mark of appreciation of the services rendered by New Zealand since the outbreak of the war. In that sense it is a distinct compliment to the dominion as a whole. It may be observed, however, that the designation of the representative of the Crown in New Zealand as Governorgeneral conforms to the system under which the occupants of the viceregal offices in Canada, Australia, and South Africa hold the title of Governorgeneral. The change in the title may be said, therefore, to remove an anomaly which has existed since the designation of New Zealand itself was changed from that of a colony, corresponding with a State in Australia, to that of a dominion.
Unregistered dentists
A deputation of unregistered dentists of Auckland waited on Mr C. J. Parr, M.P., on Friday, to solicit his support of a proposal for the amelioration of their position. It was explained that all the members of the association are men who have had at least five years’ experience on the practical side of dentistry, and are in the employment of registered dentists in the city. As against the rigid requirements of the Otago Dental School, on the theoretical side, they asked that they should be allowed to pass a practical examination in the requirements of their profession, and should then be permitted to practise. Mr Parr, in reply to the deputation, said that on the face of it the proposal seemed one that might be worth considering as a war measure. Without committing himself at present to any definite promise of support, he undertook to confer, early in the coming session, with Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., author of the present Dentists Act, and to see that the points raised received consideration.
1868 tidal wave
The violence of the weather of recent weeks is perhaps responsible for an inquiry from the country regarding a tidal wave that passed over a portion of New Zealand nearly half a century ago (says the New Zealand Herald). The facts, as supplied by Mr T. Cheeseman, are:— ‘‘A violent tidal wave reached New Zealand on August 15, 1868, stretching along the whole eastern coast, from the North Cape to Foveaux Straits, causing damage to shipping in exposed bays and inundations of lowlying flats. One Maori was drowned on the Chatham Islands. The cause was a submarine earthquake in lat. 20 S. and longitude W. at 5 p.m. on August 13. As the first wave reached New Zealand at 4 a.m. on the 15th — there were three altogether — and the point of origin was 6700 miles away, it must have travelled at the rate of 5.87 miles per minute. The eastern wave from the point of origin did enormous damage to all the seaports on the coast of Peru.‘‘
Grady art collection
The Minister of Internal Affairs has received a letter from Mrs F. Grady, of Wellington Terrace, widow of the late Mr Frank Grady, in which she states that it was her late husband’s wish that the collection of pictures he had made should be handed over to the Government for the National Art Collection. The Minister has made a personal inspection of the pictures at Mrs Grady’s residence, and has forwarded to her a letter expressing very high appreciation of the munificent gift she is making to the Government, and stating that arrangements will shortly be made to make a selection from the pictures. Special preference will be given to the pictures by New Zealand artists, among whom may be mentioned Barraud, Gully, and Kate Sperry, and also to pictures by leading English artists represented in the collection. — ODT, 28.6.1917.