GENERAL LINIEVITCH.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13100, 27 April 1908, Page 7

GENERAL LINIEVITCH.

ST. PETERSBURG, April 24

The death is announced ot General Linievitch, formerly commandant of the Russian troops in,the Far East.

General Linievitch began his soldier's life in the Crimean War ? and was conspicuous by his services in the Turkish War twenty years later. Once during that campaign he distinguished himself greatly, in spite of severe wounds, by forcing the Turks to retire from a strong position. Linievitch served, too, in the Caucasus, and it was he who first led tho Russian Army into Manchuria. He raised the first battalions of Siberian Sharpshooters, the nucleus of the Siberian Army Corps, and had command of the Russian troops at the relief of the Legations in China. He was dashing and brave, but he was said to be cruel and unscrupulous. General Stoessel could not be induced to advance towards Pekin in July, 1900, but Linievitch, when he arrived, was disgusted at the delay, and concurred at once in the views of the British, American, and Japanese generals then at Tientsin. "Of the. behaviour of the troops under Linievitoh's command en rout© to Pekin it is needless to say more than that they showed the Chinese all the horrors of war,' wrote a biographer. "At the assault on Pekin, on August 14-ih. 1900, as his troops filed post him to the attack, he made an amazing speech to them, givi ing them license to behave like savages, and it was Linievitch, too, who, after having, at a conference' of the allied generals, decided that the 13th of August should be devoted to reconnaissance, tho 14th to concentration, and the 15th to the assault on Pekin, tried to steal a maroh on his colleagues, and, by a rapid coup de main on the early morning of tho 14th force his way into Pekin and snatch the laurels from those whom he had allowed to bear the. heat and burden of the day on the march up from Tientsin; but he found the Chinese on the look-out for him, and was rather severely handled.' After Kuropatkin's recall from Manchuria, Linievitch was placed in command against the Japanese, and it is believed that he urged on the Russian Government the advisability of a forward movement, but was over-ruled.

The death of Mrs Macfarlane, widow of the late Mr John Macfarlane, of Coldstream, removes one of the oldest of the Canterbury settlers, as Mr and Mrs Macfarlane arrived in Lyttelton about a month before the historic four ships bringing the to New Zealand. Mr Macfarlane, who was.a native of Perth, Scotland, arrived in Wellington in lo4i). and there married Miss Cameron, daughter of Mr Donald Cameron. The late Mrs' Macfarlane was kind and sympathetic and rendered help in many ways to many calls. She leaves 1 six sons and three daughters, who aro all well-known colonists. Mrs Wallis, mother of the Right Rev. Frederick Wallis, Bishop of Wellington died at Streatham, England, cany in March. News, of the sad event was received by the Bishop by cablegram at Colombo on his way Home. The deceased lady was the wife of tho Rev. J. .Wallis, M.A., vicar of St. Andrew's," Stockwell. Surrey. Mr Robert Fowlds an elder brother of the Hon. George Fowlds (Minister of Education and Public Health) died in Arco, Minnesota (U.S.A.) recently. Like his brother in New Zealand, the deceased emigrated from Fenwick, Ayrshire, fairly early in life. Americannewspapers show that Mr \ Fowlds was one of the best-known farmers in his county. He was actively interested in farmers' co-operative movements and in Christian effort.

Ronata Te Ao, the well-known Otaki Maori rangiatira, died at,his residence on- Thursday afternoon. Deceased was in his usual good health until about a week ago, after which he sank rapidly. The late Ropata Te Ao (says the "OtabTMail") was about .-78, yeors of ago, and had lived practically all his life in the district. He was, at the time of his death, the leading chieftain of the Ngatiraukawa tribe, and recognised as one of the foremost Natives in the Dominion. .For three years, succeeding the late Hoani TaiT>ua, he was Maori member of Parliament for the Western Division, being succeeded in this position - the present member. Henaro ivaihau. He was patron of the local Maori RaoingClub, and in all matters affecting the Native race was recognised as one of the foremost men in the district. Deceased leaves only one son, Mr Hema R. Te __o, one of the leading chieftains of the district, and a man, very widely respected among both Europeans and Maoris. The late Ropata Te Ao was a magnificent specimen of the Maori, being a man of splendid physique, tall, heavily-built, and of a commanding appearance.

CABLE NEWS.