The Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1901.

Evening Star, Issue 11455, 24 January 1901, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1901.

It seems that the Hon, Mr Ward, on reaching Port Chalmers last evenWholly ing on his way to join the Cndfiscrred. steamer that is taking him northward, was the object of a hostile demonstration, the purpose of which was only too evident. Some small-soulcd individuals at the Port—wo refuse to believe for one moment that tho majority of the people had any sympathy with the course that was decided on—banded themselves together and took on themselves to make Mr Ward feel in a very unpleasant and decidedly offensive manner that tiiky considered that the Port had been slighted in having been prevented from participating in welcoming the returned troopers. It was much to bo regretted that the Port did not, after the

preparation made there, have the oppor- | tunity of honoring the men, but we would like to know what else the Acting-Premier could have done in the circumstances? Common decency demanded that everything approaching festivity should bo eliminated from the pre-arranged programmes, quite apart ftom the fact that the transport steamer was several hours late in making the Heads, and that consequently the total time available for taking the troops to Dunedin and back to their ship was greatly curtailed. It was only when Mr Ward was officially apprised that the men must be entrained at 4.45 for conveyance to Port that he agreed to take the troopers straight up to town. Those who wore on board the Tutanekai yesterday are aware that through iin unfortunate combination of circumstances it tonic more than an hour to tranship the baggage from the troopship to the smaller ship, and it must be, acknowledged that it would have been exceedingly unfair—apart from the untoward happenings of the morning—to have asked the troopers to have spent another hour iu handling their baggage by landing it at Port Chalmers, and again to have had it handled a second time on their arrival by train at > Dunedin. By going direct- to Dunedin the i difficulty of handling the baggage was over- ! come, because it was pub under lock and key * on the wharf, and then the men proceeded | there for it after the despatch of their com- I radcs, who had to go North the same even- f ing by the Orient. Dunedin was nob the | only place where all ceremonial observances [ were stopped by Mr Ward’s orders the mo- | ment the sad news was known ; he immedi- 1 ately telegraphed to Wellington and Auckland cancelling all public functions in con- i

nection with the despatch of the ,Sixth Contingent from these places. Wo repeat that the Acting-Premier did the correct thing in ordering the men to proceed to Dunedin direct, in view of what had happened, and his action will be endorsed by all right-think-ing persons. The disappointment of the hundreds of people who had assembled at the Port wharves to welcome the men was indeed vc it great, and they were to be sympathised with ou that account, but they were not the only ones:—not by many thousands who had to suffer in the same way. Great numbers of persons in Dunedin never even got a glimpse of the troopers through nob being made aware of the alteration of the arrangements for their reception. We also repeat our belief that the bulk of the Port people were too much affected by the national loss to harbor a thought that there was a desire ou the part of Mr Ward, or anybodv clsc, to do any iiiji;-'t:cc to their borough. Ou no account must ;hc thoughtlessness of a, few foolish pen-di's be aacribtd to the resentment of the community.

The San Francisco mail should reach here to-morrow evening. There will bo no performance at the Princess's to-night in consequence of the day having been proclaimed a day of national mourning. The pantomime ‘ The Babes in the Wood ’ will be presented to-morrow evening, and on Saturday there will be armatinee, when children will be admitted at a reduced tariff.

The passengers on a car -which descended the Princes street hill about 10.30 yesterday morning had an exciting* couple of' minutes, which fortunately ended without disaster. The brake failed to grip as the vehicle came down the steep gradient, and consequently slid forward on to the horses, which became restive and started off down the hill at a rapid speed. The car left the line, and crashed into the rear of a car in front. In the latter were several ladies, who attempted to alight, and one had a particularly narrow escape from being run over by the frightened horses, being knocked aside by them, but without injury. The runaway was stopped a.t the foot of the hill, and replaced on the line. A feature of the incident was the coolness shown by Driver Little, of the front car, who held the front door of his car tight to prevent his passengers from getting on the platform, where they would probably have been hurt by the horses. Little received a kick—though not a serious one—on the arm.

It is alleged that a burglary was attempted in the Dunedin Stock Exchange Building last night. The caretaker states that he went into the building by the Bond street gate about a quarter to nine, and saw a man standing just inside the back door. He made a rush at him and caught him. At that moment he heard a noise behind him, and turning saw another man coming at him with a stick. The man struck the caretaker over the left temple, and brought him to his knees with the force of the blow. The two individuals, whoever they were, effected their escape, and although pursued by the caretaker got away in the crowd out in the street. . An entrance to the building had been obtained by picking the lock and forcing the bars with a crowbar. The caretaker has a nasty wound on the left temple, which in itself is sufficient evidence of the

determined nature of the assault. The supposed thieves were not likely to have had a profitable mission even if uninterrupted, as there is nothing of value to steal from the building, unless it be the store of bicycles in the Dunedin Cycling Club’s rooms. * The matter is in the hands of the police. Sir Robert Stout returned from Australia by the Mouowni, reaching Dunedin yesterday, and, having partially recovered from an - illness caused by eating unsound fruit at ■ Hobart, he hopes to leave for Wellington this evening.

A notice to volunteers appears in our advertising columns.

Jam and jelly jars at Braithwaite’s.—• [Advt.] A notice to members of the Kaikorai Brass Band appears in our advertising columns. Xmas bargains; presents for cyclists; special prices; free wheels; novelties. AngloNew Zealand Cycle Company.—[Advt.] The Committee of the Dunedin Bums Club have met and resolved to abandon the proposed annual gathering.

Come and inspect our show of novelties. Lovely goods, suitable for presents; toys and dolls in endless variety. Montague’s.—[Advt.l The meeting of the Now Zealand Mica and Exploration Company has been postponed until further notice, owing to the death of the Queen. Ironmouldcrs should call and see the collection of tools at the City Hardware Store, opposite Bank of N.Z., Princes street. — [Advt.] The monthly meeting of the Dunedin and Suburban Carters’ Union will be held in the Trades Hall to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock.

Bon Accord.—Special value in ribbons, laces, gloves, hosiery, corsets, sunshades, umbrellas, blouses, and skirts, our own make. Bon Accord, 159 George street. —[Advt.] Special attention is called to the Queen’s memorial sendee at St. Matthews’, Stafford street, to-night, at eight o’clock. Hymns (special) provided. Address by the Rev. Curzon-Siggers.

Mr Morris, photographer, Princes street, Dunedin, finds it is not generally known that his charge is one guinea per dozen for cabinet portraits of children. Any extra charges are for vignettes, groups, large mounts, also the various methods of printing.—[Advt.j • Tussaud’s Royal Waxworks and Specialty Company open a short season at Port Chalmers to-morrow evening. There are fifty lifesize figures, including the late Queen Victoria and the present King and members of the Royal Family and celebrities of the day; also the Sleeping Beauty, a breathing mechanical figure who actually mocks life. The company include twelve variety artists, who will give a concert programme each evening.