SCOTLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 21

SCOTLAND.

(From Our Own Cotirespondt<nt. ) Edinburgh, August 3. THE SEASON.

The long drought is now but a thing oE memory, so far as Scotland is concerned — July having been quite a showery month, with a rather low temperature iv tho east, at any rate. The Scotsman has published its anuual agricultural reports from the principal farming districts, and their tenor is very favourable in most respects, except tbat si raw almost eveijwhere wi'l be light. The yield of grain, hoy - ever, is expected to be a good one, especially ou heavy lauds. Harvest is expected lo be a fortnight earlier than usual even in backward districts, and in some cases it will take place as much as a month before the usual time. Turnips and potatoes are particularly good crops, and the lattsr seem to be very free from disease. The great failure has been in the hay crop, but since the drought broke the pastures have recovered themselves and stock are doing well. It has been a specially good jear for lauibs.

The great annual show of the Highland and Agricultural Society of S 'Otland was held la&t week at Dean Park, ou tho north-western boundary of Edinburgh, and proved a very great success. The number of visitors — cxi Hiding fcicUt-fcholcWs, attendants, &c — during tho four (lays the show was open was 63,052, and the total dri.wings amounted to £4885, au amount which has only been exceeded three titnen ia the history of th." show, which Iris now attained to the venerable ogc of 109 year--. On the last day special eclat was given to the proceedings by a SWfce vi&ifc beinp p,;id lo the show by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, accompanied by the lady mayoress, two alderman, and the sword and macebearers. Special notice was fcakun of the Licb fcbafc the Union Jack wavorl over the building in which the dis'oinguihhi'd part? from Ireland wore onfce. t/iim-d at luncheon. The L«rd iVJsuor pud thv{, ever fiinca he harl Hcfc foot in Hfiot.lanii ho had received nr.thhur but nnce.ir.inft tokens of welcome, md kindness

The herring-fishing ser.son is now at ita height, ami at tho leading grounds the takes have been large, bringing the total take up to a liguro conrsidorably above the average. The quality

of the fiah is fair, bub prices rule disapp inbingly low. In Shetland bhe fishing has nob been so successful as further soubh owing to dogfish making their appearance in great numbers, and working such havoc among the nets that many of the boats left for more peaceful waters.

A tremendous hailstorm broke over the district of Latheron, Caithness, on July 24. Aftrr lightning and thunder the hail came down in the form of lumps of ice, many of which were an inch in diameter, and covered bhe ground to the depth of several inches. Much damage was done to bhe crops, and many windows were broken.

MONUMENT TO JOHN KNOX.

The proposal to erect in Edinburgh a statue in memory of the great Scottish reformer is meeting with strenuous opposition, partly because the memorial is regarded as being too trumpery in its character, and partly because of the difficulty of finding a suitable vacant site for it. The Town Council has agreed fco allow a block pedestal to be erected on one proposeel site — in the High street, close to the County BuildiDgs — to let the public judge as to its suitability. Most people, however, agree with a councillor who stated that auy monument erected to Knox in Edinburgh ought nob to be inferior to that which conserves the memory of Sir Walter Scott, but where is the money for such a monument to come from.

LOUD ROBERTS IN GLASGOW.

Glasgow was in a stir on July 28 on the occasion of the arrival of Lord Roberto to receive the freedom of that city, which specially delights to honour distinguished soldiers in this way. An interesting feature of the occasion was the formation of a guard of honour, composed of veteran ex soldier.-i who had served under Lord Roberts in Afghanistan. About 100 assembled in the quadrangle oi tho municipal buildings, dressed in civilian g<irb, but wearing their medals. Mojt of them were from the 72nd and 92nd Highland Regiments ; bub the 9th Lancers, 9th Foot, and 78th Regiment were also represented. The general was received with immense cheering en his arrival at Buchanan Blreet (station, and during his drive through the streets to the City Hall, where the ceremony took place. The Lord Provost's speech, though brief, was worthy of the occasion. Lord Roberts made a long and very interesting speech in reply. In the course of it he specially eulogised the Indian native army, now almost 150,000 strong. He also urged that India could not possibly exist as an independent State, on account of the want of cohesion among its different nationalities, which, he affirmed, " are more widely separated in feelings and ideas than are the English and Russians, the French and Germans, or the Italians and Norwegians." His lordship wenb on bo mention the opinion which "a particularly astute," intelligent native gentleman of Madras expressed on being asked what he thought of the theory of " India for the Indians." This native said: — "Go to the zoological gardens and open all the cages ; you will then see what would be the end of India for the Indians. There would bs a grand fight among all the animals, with the result that the tiger would walk over the dead bodies of the rest." On beiug asked whom he meant by the tiger, he replied, "The Mohammedan from the north." Alter the ceremony Lord Roberts was entertained afc luncheon, when he made a second and brief speech. He then proceeded to the quadrangle of the municipal buildings, where he was photographed along with the guard oE honour, to whom he addressed a few hearty words. The men then crowded round their old commander, and bhook him warmly by the hand. Lord Roberts then drove back to the railway station, whence he took train to Donne, as he was the guest, at Deanston, of Sir William Muir, formerly Lord Provost of Glasgow.

THE FKEB CHURCH SECESSION,

The agitation against the Declaratory Act continues to be prosecuted in the Highlands and in the Hebrides, but although one or two pretty large gatherings have been held, especially afc Sfcornoway, the movement does nob seem to succeed in kindling popular enthusiasm. A curious feature of it is that the principal movers are divinity students, who criticite the ministry with the frankness of Socialist orators. At Stornoway a scene took place on a minister trying to speak, alleging that his people were being misled by gross misstatements, bub he was refused a hearing, his own elders, precentor, and members siding against him. In Edinburgh a meeting held to further the movement was attended by the merest handful of people. A bond of union is 'being brought forw&rd for siguature at these meetings, but not many seem to have had the courage to adhibit their names to it thus far. The leaders, alike' of the Free Church as a whole and of the Highland section of it in particular, 'seem to be letting the movement s&verely alone, and this is certainly their wisest course. If the malcontents are allowed to talk themselves out in peace, the movement will die out of its own accord.

a murdtl-rer's dash for fbeedom.

The convict Laurie, whose murder of a tourist in Airan, with tLe long hunt for him which followed, creattd such a sensation in Scotland somewhere about two years ago, has been once more attracting public notice. He was sentenced to penal servitude for life, and has been confined in Pbterhead prison, where he earned a good eharaeti-r, and became a prisoner of the first- class, entitling him to some slight measure of freedom. He wa3 one of a gang of prisoners who were engaged in erecting scaffolding in front of an addition to a block of warders' houses, dobs to the high road. Watcbing his chance, when a dtnse sea fe>g enveloped everything, Laurie PC'lod a high paling and marie a bulL for s-Oiiio plantations not far oif. The guard on the road saw him and, as he alleges, tried to fire, but his cartridge would not go off, and before he could replace it with another Laurie had disappear, din the fog. The alarm wag given, ttud a warder started in pursuit on foot, and another on his bicycle. At the same time the sun dispelled the fog, and showed Laurie in full flight. The warder overtook him as he reached a clump of trees, where he showed fight desperately. Being a small man he had not much chance with the brawny warder, and three of the latter 's comrades also coming up, Laurie was promptly handcuffed and marched back to prison. Ou the way he is described as having relieved his feelings by abusing his captors in language quite iuconsis-tt-nt with his office of precentor in the prison chapel. The entire episode lasted lets than half an hou-\ It is stated that besides having his privileges curtailed, and his term of sentence lengthened, Laurie's attempt to escape will cause him to have a belt of iron rivebltd around his waist and iron bands put round his ankles, these being bound tog'-ther by iron chains, and he will have to wear these restraints by night as well as by day. An inquiry is to be made inf.o the conduct of tne guard whose carbine, according to his own story, failed to go off. Ifc is stated thafc t.ho carl ridge on which he c.T-.ij blame, «\u.s (iced off from hiq rifld without. f»ny difficulty.

CEITIC KRUOAriTY

The editor of the Highland Monthly, which has jußt ceased publication, fired the following parting shot at his too frugal clientele :—": — " Thero ia a certain class of Highlanders that will order anything, but piy for nothing, another that

will neither order nor Lay, but wa!k miles to borrow, while the stlecb ciicle that will order and pay, though not always to read,- is too limited to make any purely Celtic publication — • to say nothing of Gaelic — a permanent success." From this it would seem that the cultivation of literature in the Highlands is impossible, even upon the proverbial modicum of oatmeal.

TU.E EIGHT- HOUR SYSTEM,

Some two months ago, or thereby, an imposing demonstration was held in Edinburgh in favour of the eight-hour system of labour. Since then a firm of cabinetmakers in this city gave the system a month's trial. As the result was unfavourable both to employers and employed, the old system has been reverted to. It is_ to be desired that a similar experiment might be more generally tried, in order that this vexed question might be settled one way or the other. I may add that co-operation seems to be doing well in this part of the world. The established societies are thriving greatly, while at Bonnington a very large flour mill, to be worked on the co-operative system, has just been erected, and will be in working order before very long. It forms a prominent object; in the landscape, and its promoters are sanguine that it will prove an industrial success.

GLASGOW BRIDGES.

The Bridges Committee of Glasgow Town Council last week considered the tenders sent in for the pulling down of the present Broomielaw bridge and its re- erection at Govan street, with the construction of a new bridge at Jamaica street. The three tenders considered were for £242,275, £247,002, and £250,723 respectively, the work in each case to be done with British granite. If, however, Italian granite were used, the first tender specified would be reduced by £5000 and the second by £17,000. After a prolonged discussion, a subcommittee was appointed to obtain particulars regarding Italian granite before a decision should be come to.

Much disappointment has been caused in Glasgow by a mishap which has occurred to the bridge which spans the Kelvin at Great Western road, and which was opened for traffic less than two years ago, having cost £40,000. On fcLe afternoon of July 24 a loud cracking was heard at the bridge, and it was found that a fracture had taken place at the north-west abutment, smashing the iron parapet and causing other damage. It is supposed that, as the site is honeycombed with old coal workings, a subsidence in these has affected the foundations o? the bridge. Steps are being taken to ascertain the actual state of matters, and meanwhile i!< is not considered necessary to stop even tramway cars from passing over the bridge. It consists of two 91ft spans over the river, with two much smaller land arches, and is 60ft in width.

EDINBURGH SANITATION,

The British Institute of Public Health held its annual congress in Edinburgh last week for the first time. About 400 ladies and gentlemen represented its membership. Dr Littlejohn, medical officer of health for Edinburgh, was appropriately chosen president. His inaugural address gave an interesting account of th? progress of sanitation in this: city during the last 50 years. Referring to the sewage of tho city, he said that that of the Old Town in its course to the sea had converted a sandy waate into one of the most fertile spots in the Lobhians, which now brought in a rent of £40 per acre. The sewage of the New Town was conveyed to sea in pipes in auch a way as neither to interfere with the amenity of tha foreshores nor to injure the fish supply. Tho southern portion of the city was dealt with in the same manner. The daily removal of tho solid refuse did away with the necessity for ash-pits or ash-bins, which everywhere constituted such a fruitful source of annoyance and ill- health. The very perfection of the drainage, however, had so reduced tho manurial value of the refuse, that the farmers would no longer take it, even if it were delivered free at their doors. Consequently the corporation had erected a destructor, which would soon begin operations. Referring to the question of overcrowding, Dr Littlejohn said that Edinburgh was an attraction to the poor of Scotland, many of whom had told him that there was no begging ground in the world compared with Edinburgh. The example of Glasgow in dealing with overcrowding would have to be followed in Edinburgh. Besides this and an increased water supply, for the provision of which feteps are now being taken, Dr Littlejohn said there remained two blots on their civic life, which pressed hard on Edinburgh as a residental town. These were — the constant noise attendant on their street traffic, and the damage done to lungs and houses by the waste of fuel in the shape of smoke. As a sanitsrian, he thought that to deal successfully with these

constituted the most pressing fanitary problems of the future.

LION SCAHIS AT KIL3IVBNOCK

The good folks attending the annual fair at Kiltnarnock this week came in for an unexpected sensation two dajs ago. Among the various shows which seized the occasion to court public patronage was a, caravan containing liou°, b arc, and wolves. A tamer rather inconsistently opened the door of a cage ia which was a lion described as un tameable, int' ndiug t<> .-how oft" his prowess. The moment the door was opened, however, the liou sprang out into the midst of the crowd, which was largely composed of women and children. Needless to say, a terriole panic ensued, and the screaming and confusion seem to have frightened the liou hitruelf, for be crouched down in a coruer close to one of the vans. There he was promptly barricaded, and iiually with much trouble driven into his cage ag3.in.

LABOUR EIOTS AT PErEHIIEAD,

During the last two or three days Ptterhead has been in a state of great excitement, ia consequence of two vessels arriving from Sweden with barrels to be u=ed by the he rring curers, the said barrels having beea mado by machinery. One of the steam; rs was afraid to enter the hatbjur, but the other was the scene of a scrimmage which w^s more than ot.jCß renewed. Tbe women were particularly enraged, and flourished knives in the most menacing way. A mass meeting was also held, at which this invasion of their livelihood was bitterly denounced by tho -c engaged in coopering work. The next day the excitement was quite as intense, aud only quieted down when the steamers took their departure, after the amounts of their freights bad betu refunded to them by cheque. More will likely be heard of the matter.

OUITUARY HhCOliD,

A venerable citizen of Edinburgh has pas ed away iv the person of Mr George Barn, wholesale provision merchant, who died on July 23, jigi-d 96. He sat for some years in the Town Council, and also took part iv the aff-iirs ot the Mcrch-nl Company and other public bodies. Tie was for almost 70 years an older of the United Presbyterian Church. All religious aud philanthropic movements met with his hearty support. Mr Burn was a remavkable man, and was greatly respected.

Mr John Macrae, C.E., a prominent Ssot'i-h railway engineer, died in" Edinburgh on July 13, aged 53. Towards the commenc-met t of his career he was engaged in the construction of a part of the Suez Canal, and on his return to this country he became specially known as a tramway engineer, laying out the tramways in Edinburgh and other towns in Scotland. He also superintended the construction of the Girvan and Portpatrick railway, surveyed projected railways in the North of EDgland, and carried through water and sewerage works in various parts of the country. His services were constantly sought in arbitration cases connected with railway and tramway enterprises. A heart affection caused death, after a fortnight's illuefs.

Dr E. L. Lushington, ex-Professor of Gi'eek in Glasgow University, died near Maidstoue on July 13, agfd 82. He held the professorship named from 1838 to 1875, one of his competitors for the post being tho late Mr Robert Lowe, afterwards Lord Sherbrouke. In 1885 he was unanimously elected Lord Rector of Glasgow University. He was a brother- in-law of the late Lord Tennyson.

The Rev. John W. Lawrie, of Tulliallan, Kincardine-on-Forth, a well-known Free Church minister, died on July 12. He was a native of Kilmarnock, and began his ministry as assistant to Dr Thomas Gutbrie, in Edinburgh. He th^n laboured for a year in Carlisle, and ia 1862 was appointed to the tharge of Tulliallan. He was carried off by an affection of the throat, from which he had suffered for many years He took a frequrnt aiid influential part in the debates in the General Assembly of his church.

GENERAL NEWS

The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland were in a train which left the rails as it was approaching Dingwall station the other <?ay. Happily the platform prevented the carriages from toppling over, in which ease the resul's would have been serious.

Having obtained the necessary parliamentary powers, the corporation of Aberdeen are taking steps to light that ci: vby electricity. The total cost will be about £20,000. The work i^ expected to be finished by the end of this year.

The persoual estate of the late Mr J hn Malcolm, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, has been fiwornat £390,047 ; that of ex-Professor S mdeman, Perth, at £61.663 ; and tbat of Mr A. M. Montcith, of Broich, at £22,037.

The indiarubber industry in Edinburgh and Leith now employs close upon 3000 hands, and is in a prosperous condition.

A Strathaven correspondent of the Glasgow Herald avers tbat the parish of Avonca'e, Lanarkshire, contains more happiness than any other similar area in Scotland.

The wire rope used in Queen street tunnel, Glasgow, is about to be renewed. It is 4500 yards in length, and has hauled over 28,000 trains.

A firm of druggists at Castle Douglas has been fined £1 and costs for selling wine without a license. It seems that the article was called extract of meat and malt wine, and was sold as a medicine. Analysis showed that it contained 32 psr cent, of proof spirit, and was simply port wine with an admixture of flavouring matt< rs

The first detached hospital in Great Britain for the treatment of acute insanity was opened last wrck in connection with the Siding District Asylum ab Larberb It has accommodation for 120 p.i»ieufcs, aiul has co?t ££0,000.

The accounts of the Glasgow Police Board show that during the past 12 months tbe prevalence of scarlet fever, measles, and smallpox caused an extra expenditure £13,100 in connection with the sanitary department. The c-iscs of disease treated show an increase of about 3000 over the previous year's total.

A public park, 23 acres in extent, has been presented to the town of Dabry, Ayrshire, by Mr John Blair, W.S., Edinburgh.

The magnificent tower, the gift of Mr Charlo=) Mitchell, Newcastle-on-Tyne, which is to be erected at Marischal College. Aberdeen, will be the largest structure of f he kind ever attempted in Aberdeen granite. It is to b3 220 ft high and 39ft square, and will be handsome as well as massive, forming odp of the most striking features of Aberdeen Room for a peal of bells will be provided in it.

Steps are being taken iv Linlithgowsbiro to raise £5000 as a testimonial to Mr Peter M'Lagan, 23 years M.P. for tbe county, whose bankruptcy I mentioned in my last. As, however, a statement of Mr M 'Lagan's aff.iirs, lodged in the Bankruptcy Court show* a surplus of assets amounting to £28,114, it spcidr superfluous to collect money for the avowed purpose of enabling him to spend his remaining years in comfort.

A number of young men raided an ice-cream shop in Glasgow the other day, helping themselves to its contents. The proprietor, an Italian, defended his proptroy by UMng a knife, with which ho stubbed three of the raiders severely in Uiu head ;uid num. 110 wa'i arrested, a,ii«l ia now {.wilting Ula.l.

Juno is the yrt.at mo»i<h i\-r ii.t-iri igi-s in Scotland. This ywtr, att«r allowing )'<.i tbe natural increase of the population, the niurriagoa

in the eight principal towns numbered 122 more than in the s ime month for the previous 10 years.

The reconstructed viaduct over tbe Kyle at Bonar bridge has been opened for traffic. It is 10ft wider than the old one, and has three spans of 70ft, 105 ft, and Mo ft respectively. It has ci^st £12,581-. Lady K< ss, ot Balnagown, performed the opening ceremony in the presence of several thousand spectators.