OUR LETTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR LETTERS.

OUE SCOTCH LETTER. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Edinburgh, July 23, GLASGOW AND THE COLONIES.

Every now and then one meets with some fresh indication of the enhanced estimation in which the Colonies are now held in the Mother Country, owing, partly, to their now recognised importance from a commercial point of view, and partly to the Soudan episode. In fact, I believe that in the long' run the patriotic fervour evoked in connection with the despatch of the New South Wales contingent to Suakin, will be found to have carried with it more than virtue^s proverbial reward, As the latest instance of the increased interest of which I have spoken, I note the fact that at a meeting of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, held on July 14, it was resolved to petition Parliament in favour of the constitution of a Federal Council of .Australasia. The petition to be submitted to the chamber by the directors sets forth that the commercial interests of Glasgow and the West of Scotland are deeply interested in all measures tending to promote the prosperity of the British Colonies and the intimacy of their relations with the Mother Country. TRANSPORT OF SALMON OVA TO NEW ZEALAND. The accounts published in the Scottish newspapers of the successful transport of a large number of salmon ova to New Zealand by Mr Farr, evoked much interest among pisciculturists in Scotland. They were naturally anxious to know why this shipment had succeeded when so many others had failed. In answer to many inquiries, Dr John 1 Anderson, of Denham Green, to whose advice the success of the venture was largely due, published particulars of the plan adopted. The first important step in the procedure followed was the conveying of the ova to the hatchery at Linlithgow till they eyed, when they were much better able to stand the journey to the antipodes. The ova were then placed in bottles made for the purpose, having a wide mouth, and a tube through the bung to admit air without

changing the water. These bottles "were carefully hung with indiarubber rings, and the boxes supported on very fine chair-steel springs, on a plan never invented or tried before." In this way scarcely 50 of the ova suffered from the shaking of the train. In the refrigerating chamber the ova were placed in only one layer in shallow drawers and "a gentle stream of iced water" was caused to flow over them. Since the conditions of success are found to be so simple and inexpensive, it is to be hoped the efforts to acclimatise the salmon in your waters will be persevered with. THE CALEDONIAN CHALLENGE SHIELD. The annual contest for this trophy, coveted by Scottish Volunteers, has taken place at the Braid Range, Edinburgh, since I last wrote. The winner this year was Corporal Duncan, 2nd Midlothian, a young Dalkeith shoemaker. His score in the second and final stage was 66, for 15 shots at 600 yards. A Linlithgow volunteer, and R. M'Vittie, the famous Dumfries shot, came next with 62 each. The winner, in addition to having his name inscribed on the shield, gets the gold St. Andrew's cross of the association, value £15 15s, and £25 in money. Duncan has been a successful shot in local competitions, and last year he got into the 800 who fire in the second stage of the Queen's Plate at Wimbledon, but otherwise he was not known in the Volunteering world. His victory was very popular, and he was chaired in the usual fashion. As it was found he was a teetotaller, and would not drink in honour of his own success, his comrades formed a procession and carried him round and round the shooting ground instead, treating him to an extra dose of the bagpipes. At Dalkeith Duncan also met with an enthusiastic reception from his fellow-townsmen. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL. After a protracted spell of drought, which was- beginning to cause anxiety to farmers in some districts, some welcome rain has fallen. Much more, however, is wanted, and even should it come soon it is affirmed that it is now too late to prevent the crops being light in some important agricultural counties. Hay is a very light crop this year, and the yield of fruit is also expected to be small. The annual sales of sheep and lambs have begun, and prices shew, as it was expected they would do, a heavy fall as compared with those which were obtained last year. At the Inverness Sheep and Wool Fair, for instance, prices for wedders and ewes shewed a decline of from 6s to 7s, and for lambs a decline of .from 2s to 4s per head. At the similar marts' at Sanquhar and ' St. Boswell's, two of the principal sheep fairs in Scotland, prices were much the same as at Inverness, and even then there was little business done. As yet, however, prices have not fallen below those ruling four years ago. People whose interest in sheep is purely gastronomic, are grumbling that in spite of the fall in prices and the importation of frozen carcases, the price of mutton remains as high as ever. River Plate mutton is being pushed iri this market, but one does not hear much about it from consumers. Doubtless the butchers sell it as Scottish, and pocket the extra profit with characteristic imperturbability. Another item I may note here is the sale, last week, for 1000 guineas, of the Clydesdale mare Moss Rose, aged four years and three months, which has gained great celebrity throughout Scotland as a prizewinner at agricultural shows. The price named is said, to be highest ever paid in this country for a mare of the Clydesdale breed. As I write the annual show of the Highland and Agricultural Society is being held at Aberdeen, and is proving a great success, the weather, being all that could be wished for. INDUSTRIAL NOTES. Dull times notwithstanding, the manufacture, of steel continues to be a growing industry in Lanarkshire. Large new works, for instance, have been erected at Gleugarnock by Messrs Merry and Cunningliame, and are just beginning operations. They are noteworthy as being the first started in Scotland for the manufacture of pigiron to be converted into steel on the basic system. When they are in full operation they will be capable of producing 1500 tons of ingots per week. As illustrating the nature of the plant required in such establishments as this, I may mention that it includes a gigantic pair of shears— about the largest in Scotland-— for cutting sheets of steel, the weight of the said shears being 68 tons, and the blades being each 10ft Bin in length, The shears can cut steel plates 3ft long and l^in thick at one stroke. The surpassing magnitude of the undertaking, which is already known by the name of " the Forth bridge," has caused but little notice to taken of another bridge across the Forth, which is now ready for use, and which is a work of no mean interest and importance. It is situated at Alloa, and has been constructed by the Caledonian Railway Company in about three years and a-quarter. The bridge consists "of 17 spans, which rest upon 24 massive stone piers, one of the spans being made to swing back, in order to allow vessels to pass. The bridge forms the connecting link between thriving manufacturing, and mining districts, and hence is an important work. A gratifying incident falls to be recorded in connection with the shipbuilding industry at Dumbarton. A vessel was there laid down in the Leven ship-yard (Messrs W. Denny and Bros.) just to furnish work to keep the older hands together. In due time, when the construction of the vessel had made progress, the riveters and caulkers of their own accord held a meeting, at which they passed a resolution affirming that, "recognising and appreciating the motives of the firm in beginning this vessel under existing circumstances, the men in the above-mentioned departments agree to invite the firm to reduce their piece-work rates and wages on this vessel to the extent of 10 per cent. ; and, moreover, should it be necessary, they are perfectly willing to give the firm a fortnight's work on this steamer free of any wages at all." Such an incident is most credita,blo alike to employers and employed, and shows how, by mutual consideration, the relations existing between them might everywhere become cordial and mutually helpful. Another fine steel steamer "for the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand was

launched by Messrs Denny, at Dumbarton, on June 29, and was named the Mararoa, by Mrs John Darling. The Mararoa is 320 ft in length between perpendiculars, 42ft in breadth, moulded, and 26ft in depth. Her gross register tonnage is about 2500, and her engines are to be of about 2600-horse power. Her accommodation and appointments generally will be such as to make her worthy alike of her builders and her owners. Messrs Napier and Sons, the well-known Glasgow shipbuilders, have received an order for the engines for a large ironclad which is in course of construction in Russia, It is stated that they are to be of 13,000 indicated horse-power, and thus the most powerful engines ever made for a war vessel. Lady Gordon Cathcart has revived the manufacture of kelp on her estates in South Uist, much to the joy of her tenants there. This industry died out some 10 years ago, in consequence of prices having fallen from £4 to £2 per ton, at which latter figure it could not be profitably carried on. Her ladyship is now giving £4 per ton, in consequence of which a large number of persons are actively at work. As a father and of his children can easily manufacture two tons per week when the weather is suitable, and seaweed plentiful, the industry opens up a comfortable livelihood to many families when so good a price is given for the product of their labours. WRECKING IN TIREE. The Duke of Argyll's troublesome tenants in the Island of Tiree have again come before the public in an undesirable way. The steamer Cairnsmuir, of Leith, recently went ashore on the Island, and much of her cargo, which consisted chiefly of beer, wine, and spirits in cases, was washed ashore. The islanders flocked to the spot and grossly abused the customs officials who were endeavouring to salve the cargo, even threatening them with violence. Many empty cases and bottles were also found, the islanders having emptied their contents into vessels which they hid in the sand. At length a man was caught carrying off a case, which he refused to give up to the officials unless they gave him a portion of the contents. About 50 persons assembled and urged the man to strike the officers, and though, he was cautious enough not to do so, the crowd behaved in such a threatening way that the officers were compelled to allow Mm to walk off with Ins booty. The board of trade will doubtless make inquiry into the matter, all the circumstances of which seem to indicate that crofter ideas on the subject of property are, to say the least, not overburdened with honesty. OPENING OF THE ELDER PARK, GOVAN. There were great doings at Govan on June 26, in connection with the opening, by Lord Rosebery, of the Elder Park, the gift to the town of Mrs John Elder, widow of the shipbuilder who has made Govan famous. Mrs Elder had previously displayed great liberality by endowing, at a cost of £12,500, the John Elder Chair of Naval Architecture in Glasgow University, besides giving £5000 as an additional endowment of the Chair of Civil Engineering in the same seat of learning. Her latest gift, however, eclipses her former benefactions, inasmuch as the sum of £37,500 was paid by her for the ground, and the laying out of it has cost her some £12,000 more. The park covers an area of 37 acres, and very appropriately is situated opposite to Messrs Elder and Co.'s shipbuilding yard. It is tastefully laid out with grass, flowers, &c, and provision is made for music. There is a large pond at one end, the water in which, by Mr Elder's special desire, in order to prevent risk to children, is only 6in deep at the margin, thence deepening to 24ft. The town, in spite of the grinding pressure of the hard times, looked wonderfully bright and gay with countless Hags and other tokens of rejoicing, and the weather was beautiful. A procession, 8000 strong, j representing trades and benevolent societiea, marched to the spot from the Haughhead Park, carrying models, banners, and emblems of all kind. As the procession entered the new park, 5000 Sunday school children struck up a hymn. Mrs Elder's greeting at the hands of the immense gathering of people was enthusiastic in the extreme, and Lord Rosebery's welcome was scarcely less cor ; dial. The speeches were brief but happy, and everything passed off with eclat. In the evening there was a banquet in the Burgh Hall, to which 200 sat down, including Mrs Elder, Lord Rosebery. and other distinguished guests, the Provost occupying the chair. Three days later Mrs Elder entertained the Sabbath school children at tea, •and received from them as a souvenir a Bible, beautifully bound and suitably inscribed. Such events form a pleasant and much-needed relief to long-continued recorcjl of distress and anxiety in connection with the Clyde shipbuilding industry. THE SCOTTISH CONSTABULARY. The annual report, just issued of the inspector of constabulary for Scotland, Captain Munro, gives the total strength of the force at 3785, or 409G, including" extra constables. The detective staff numbers 110 — a figure which the inspector thinks should be increased. Edinburgh has 429 constables, or one to each 535 of the population. In Dunfcrmline the proportion of constables to population is lower than in any of the other burghs, being one to each 1483. Glasgow has 955 constables, or one to each 535 of the population. In the counties the figures range from one constable to every 757 of the population in Selkirkshire, to one to every 2341 in Banfrshire. The county of Cromarty is kept in good order with a "force" of only three constables. As to nationality, ninetenths of the constables are of Scottish origin, most of the remaining tenth being Irish. It will be seen from these figures that Scotland is still a law-abiding country in the main, in spite of Skyo, Lewis, and Uist, exceptions to the rule. It will be an ill day when the Scottish Constabulary'becomo as numerous and as -famous a class as their brethren in Ireland. I doubt not the military returns would testify with equal clearness to the different characters of the two countries. THE CLYDE ON FIRE. A singular phenomenon lias recently been witnessed in the Clyde near Both well Bridge, and lias attracted thousands of sightse6rs. i It is no less than the. issuing from the water

of a flame of fire, which frequently rises to a. height of four or five feet. It seems that for some time bubbles had been seen coming up in the river, but no special notice was taken, of them. An angler who was wading in the stream, which prolonged drought had made very low, struck a match upon a stone in. order to light his pipe, and threw it into the water when he had accomplished his purpose. Immediately a bright flame sprang up, and continued to burn for days, in spite of .all efforts to extinguish it. The phenomenon is due to the escape of gas from, mineral workings below the river. A similar occurrence took place on the property of Holms, in the parish of Cadder, also in Lanarkshire, in 1829 and several subsequent years. On different occasions gas has issued" in considerable volume from pits at Blantyre, and has burned for a long time when lighted. The terrible explosion which occurred there some years ago, involving a lamentable loss of life, will be within the recollection of some of your readers. It is to be hoped that the phenomenon under notice does not presage another calamity of the kind. OBITUARY RECORD. Sir George H. Scott Douglas, of Spring 1 — wood Park, Kelso, died on June 26, after only two hours' illness. Sir George, who was 60 years of age, was the leading spirit in. Volunteer matters on the Borders, and to him the annual meeting at Bowden Moor, near Melrose, mainly owed its popularity. He sat in Parliament, in the Conservativeinterest, from 1574 to 1880 for the county of Roxburgh, but was beaten by 10 votes at the last general election. He was much liked, throughout the Borders, and he received a large public funeral. His eldest son was killed during the Zulu War, and the title and estates consequently pass to his second son, who is known as a writer of fiction. Mr D. Macleod Smith, sheriff-substitute of the counties of Elgin and Nairn, died on July 4 by his own hand, his health having: suffered much of late years, owing to family bereavements. Mr Smith, who was about 64 years of age, was well known and much respected throughout the North, while his literary abilities made him known to a yet wider circle. The sad circumstances under which he has passed away have awakened widespread regret. Two well-known Edinburgh men have died during the month. The one was Mr James McFarlane, for the last 16 years chief reporter of the Scotsman, and in that capacity a manwho exercised a great, though not easily estimated, influence on Scottish affairs during that period. He was in his 52nd year and had suffered greatly from an internalmalady for two years. As a fine art critic he occupied the first place among living Scotch writers-.. The other gentleman to whose death I have referred -was Mr H. G. C. Smith, who had been mathematical master of Heriot's Hospital since 1858. As a teacher he was both successful and beloved, and he was also well known as a writer on mathematics and the kindred sciences. One of his works (on arithmetic) is now in its twelfth edition. Mr William Graham, who represented Glasgow in Parliament from 1865 to 1874, died on July 16th, aged 68. Mr Graham was much respected in Glasgow, and great regret was felt when he withdrew from politics, as his personal qualities and gifts as a speaker seemed to mark him out for a useful career. Mr Graham was a deputy-lieutenant of Lanarkshire. He died in London, where he latterly resided. Dr William Veitch, the greatest Greek scholar in Scotland, died in Edinburgh oa July 8, at the advanced age of 91. He was best known by his book on " Greek Verbs r Irregular and Defective," which is reckoned a standard work ; but he did a great deal of useful though little known work in helping; authors and editors of classical and Biblical publications. His immense scholarship and scrupulous care caused his services in these matters to be highly valued. Dr Veitch was also a very successful teacher of Greek, and as a man lie was much beloved ; but Ms retiring habits prevented him from becomingso widely known as his character and attainments deserved. His mode of living was almost Spartan in its simplicity. He received the degree of LL.D. from Edinburgh University, his alma mater, and subsequently was presented by his old pupils and other friends with s his portrait, painted by James Irvine. GENERAL NEWS. The personal estate of the late Mr James. Galbraith, senior partner of the firm of Patrick Henderson and Co., has been sworn as amounting to £246,000 ; and that of the late Rev. Dr Raukine, parish minister of Sorn, Ayrshire, at £50,871. The decision of the Lovat peerage case in. favour of the present holder of the title gave great delight to his tenants in Strathglass. Immense bonfires were lighted, balloons and rockets were sent up, and dancing, toastdrinking, and other demonstrations of rejoicings were kept up until morning. Such enihusiasin on behalf of a landlord is somewhat rare in the Highlands nowadays. At a meeting held at Kilmarnock on July 17, it was resolved to form a federation of Burns' Clubs throughout the world, and to. hold a centenary celebration in that town, next year. An executive council was appointed to frame a contention for the federation, and to appoint honorary officebearers. * An incident which was comical to all save the persons most immediately concerned occurred the oilier day at Annan. A baker was going- along the street carrying a, bag of oats in his hand, and bearing a trayf ill of loaves on his head. As he passed a travelling menagerie an elephant put out his trunk in the usual petitioning way. The baker responded by giving it some oats onfe his bag, on which the elephant, angry at not getting bread, came down upon him with its trunk with a force which sent him and his loaves spinning in different directions, greatly to the man's astonishment and the amusement of the spectators. The rcbuldino- o f Mount Stuart House, the Marquis of Bute's seat near Rothesay, is still i in progress, but part of the mansion' is temporarily furnished and ocenpied. It is said that about £200,000 has been expended upon it since the work of rebuilding began after the disastrous fire six year's ago. "The elec-

'trie light is the illuminating agent employed throughout. A gentleman whose name is unknown is '-exciting the curiosity of the people in the -districts through which he passes in a waggon drawn by two horses, and lined -with polished mahogany and handsomely burnished. He is said to be a literary man, who is thus travelling from Berkshire to Inverness, with a view to publishing his ■observations and experiences. His waggon lis named " The Wanderer," and his establish- : merit consists of a coachman, valet, a Newfoundland dog, and a parrot. A seal lately made its appearance in the Clyde at Govan, and was chased by a number of boats filled with men armed with harpoons and rifles. Great crowds lined the I liver banks to see the sport, but the seal, after giving its hunters active exercise for some hours, effected its escape unscathed. The Lauderdale peerage case was decided yesterday by the Committee of Privileges of the House of Lords in favour of Major Frederick Maitland. The other claimant of the earldom was Sir James Gibson Maitland, Bart., who is well known as a pisciculturist.