The sealing up of the stores on an oversea arrival, the Queen Helena, on the 11th of November last, has created quite a storm in local Customs circles. The steamer arrived in the Bay towards 4pm, and in accordance with the usual procedure, the official on duty put her stores under seal. Whilst this operation was taking place the master, from his own statement, appears to have complained that there was nothing left out for his crew's toa and breakfast. He was told an officer would be at the town wharf, whither the ship was going, to break the seal and issue such stores us wore required. The vessel arrived at the wharf, after office hours and all the Customs officials save one had gone home, and he declined to loave his station on a China oF lend his seal. In consequence the crew of the Helena wore kept without food for some twenty hours. The master sent in a complaint to headquarters and some days afterwards, proceeding the meanwhile to another port, reosived the official explanation. The ship's agents, however, published the master's complaint with the result that the Minister took action, and called for an inguiry. As a result of the inquiry, the Minister finds that x deplorable want of intelligence has been shown by the officers concerned, and amongst them are one or two well up towards the top of the tree; thereby reflecting discredit on the administration of the department. The controller has been ordered to issu structions which will prevent a repetition of the circumstances. Probably the rook explanation lies in the fact that under the authority of previous Ministers, these petty Custos officials have been allowed to harry the unfortunate shipmaster totally unchecked, and it is only the arrival of & fair-minded ministerial chi of soving two sides of the question, that has brought these high-handed proceedings into the full glare of public view. Henooforth masters of oversea arriving in Melbourne may look for a more courteous reception.
Death of the Chief Medical Officer, By the death of Dr. D. Gresswell, the Board of Health has sustained the' loss of ita Chairman, and the department its chief medical adviser, whilst the prof sion loses one of its most prominent members, For nearly fifteen years Dr. Grosswell served the State, being appointed to the position in 1890. The science of sanitation was the late doctors chief study, and his employ. (the State) have reaped to the full ti benefits of his life-long research. His name came most prominently before the public in connection with the bubonic scare in 1900, but he had a bard in stousiog municipal and councils ton sense of their complete duty, in seeing that proper sanitary inspection was carried out. Owing to Dr. Grosswell's urgent representations, the Wine Adulterstion and Meat Supervision Acts were passed. He had also drafted a Food Adulteration and Milk Supervision Bill providing for closer inspection of dairies, but both these measures have been. numbered amo gsf the "slaughtered innocents" of the last session. The late medical chief died of jaundice, but so scrupulous was he in the performance of his duty, that it was only " fortnight before his death that he could be persuaded to love his official business in the hands of his subordinates. His death came as a great shock to the community, the majority of whom were scarcely aware that he was absent from his post of duty. incladeding the Premier, ary, the Governor's representative, and many members of the medical profession. Dr. Gresswell leaves a widow but no family.
The Cotton-Growing Industry.
Whilst on the subject of bonuses, the members of the Federal House have not forgotten to ask for a bounty for the purpose of establishing the cotton-growing industry in the Commonwealth. Northern Queensland has proved, in a small way it is true, that cotton can profitably cultivated, whilst in the Northern Territory the plant grows ud can be cultivated with little expense. The same conditions exist in various other parts of the continent. At present we import yearly about two million the face experiment is worth trying. Far more so in fact than squander £20,000 on a survey of a desert railway, which will never pay interest on invested capital, let alone working oxpenses. Of course in this connection the old yarn is duly hauled out again to do duty, that cotton cannot be grown Transportation Bill used to urge the same objection over the sugar industry. Statistics, however, show that the sugar production of Australia has in no way deorensed, since the transfer of the Kanakas back to their islands commones Planters have now only one more year, in which to send their coloured work-mon back to the Pacific groups whence they came.
A Marine Board Examiner's Stepend.
The local Marine Board has a vacancy for an examiner of masters trid mates, and in " recommendation to the Ministerial head the Board explained that the lowest salary hey could attach to the position was £150 per annum. This recommenda tion has been returned to the Board, the Minister stating that he cannot see his way towards allotting more than £126.10s, to the gentleman who is fortunate enough to obtain this magnificent billet. Candidates for the position would be required to hold an extra master's certificate, and the salary offered is rather less than would be earned as second mate of ocellier. The fees paid by candidates for certificates amount to about £120 per annum, so even at the former munificent rate, the Government would only be called upon to provide about £30 towards the examiner's salary. The manager of an Interstate Company has risen in his wrath at this mesnnoss, and points out that this miserably inadequate emolument is an insult to the mercantile marine of the commonwealth, calculated to bring the holders of Melbourne-issued certificates into contempt, both with employers and their shipmates. It is further pointed out that the salaries attached to similar positions in New South Wales and New Zenland sre £380 and £500 respectively. The Marine Board haa decided that the Minister be again addressed on the subject, and an increase urged on the grounds of public safety. This is one method of practising economy in the Civil Service of a Btato to the members
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.