The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1901.

Evening Star, Issue 11664, 26 September 1901, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1901.

It is in every respect gratifying that there should hare been throughout The Robin the City and district so corPresentntion. dial a response to the proposal to show appreciation of Colonel Robin's services in South Africa by the presentation to him of a testimonial. A sword of honor is especially suitable in the case of an officer who has distinguished himself in the field, and such a presentation is entirely in accordance with precedent. Officers who have returned home after nobly doing their duty have been so honored in the Home Country, in the great European States, and in America, and they have acknowledged as the proudest moment of their lives when such presentations have been made by their countrymen, thus recording their names on the roll of fame. Admittedly the very highest distinction that can be conferred in England upon the .successful warrior by land or sea is the presentation of the freedom of the City of London, accompanied as it always is with a sword of honor suitably inscribed. Colonel Robin holds the position of being the first officer of the New Zealand forces to receive this valued gift at the hands of his fellowcitizens, and it must considerably enhance his gratification that they are the citizens of his birthplace, who have known him and observed his career from childhood. It is very properly realised that his career has been a credit to Dunedin, culminated as it has been by Royal recognition in conferring upon him the Companionship of the Order of the Bath—a distinction rarely granted hi the military division outside the Imperial services, and the first, we believe, ever conferred on a native-born New Zealander—certainly first on a native of Dunedin. His Worship the Mayor, in making the presentation, expressed himself very happily, avoiding exaggeration and verbosity. His fellow citizens, he told Colonel Robin, were convinced that he did his dnty as a soldier and a leader, and whilst not wanting in clash when occasion demanded, displayed a care and thoughtfulness in guarding his men from unnecessary danger which were, no douot, the means of saving many valuable lives. His Worship here struck the right note. Colonel Robin displayed throughout conspicuous gallantry, but it was more to the point, in his position, that he avoided exposing his Contingent to risks which it would have served no purpose to incur, and that he was sedulous in his attention to their material comforts and well-being. Such a distinction as the Order of the Bath, the Mayor declared, could never have come, except by pure merit, to a. man wholly without political or family influence. The words of the Mayor were emphasised by his predecessor, under whoso auspices the contingents commanded by Colonel Robin were despatched, and who was so prominent in the patriotic movements of last year. Mr Chisholm especially dwelt upon the good work the Colonel had done, and the noble spirit he had shown at the time when it was at least in donbfc whether New Zealaud would wake up to the occasion. Colonel Robin, he said, was one of the first to let them see the stnff and material that the young men of Otago were made of, and in South Africa had from nrst to last displayed judgment which would have done credit to one who had infinitely more experience. The fact of the matter is that he did no more than might have been expected from his antecedents. Diligence and thoroughness in the discharge of duty have ever been his leading characteristics, and his indomitable energy ha.s been regulated by keen intelligence. ° From quite a lad he was heait and soul in the volunteer movement, und displayed military instincts which under all circumstances were surprising, aud, pointed to the adtiexemeat

of distinction if ever ha should have the op-1 portunity. The opportunity did come with the war in South Africa; he seized it, and on it has raised himself to his present position. The former active member of the Otago Hussars is now' a C.B. and Commandant of the Forces in Otago". He has worthily won his spurs, and will, we trust, live long to wear them. Manifestly his opportunities of doing good service to the Colony- are by no means over. Much requires to be done towards improving the efficiency of the volunteers and the defence forces generally; and in this regard the experience and ability of Colonel Robin should be of very material assistance to the Government. We congratulate him on his new appointment, the duties of which, we feel confident, he will discharge in the most competent manner. Mr Justice Williams has reserved his judgment in the case of Mackenzie v. the Waimumu Queen Dredging Company. The Sierra, with tho colonial mails to the 7th September,' arrived in San Francisco on the 24th September, at 8 p.m.— one day and a-hnlf late. The departmental returns show that 2,185 persons (including' 705 from South Africa,) arrived in the colony in July, as against 897 in July, 1900, 'whilst 1,271 left, as against 988 last year. Mr Brent yesterday detained from the Supreme Court an order granting the Registrar liberty to amend the rolls of barristers and solicitors by altering the name of Henry Aldborough Stratford to Augustus Henry AJdborough Stratford-Henniker. At the City Police Court this forenoon an adjournment until the 3rd of October was granted in the case of Denmark Miller (inspector of nuisances for the Tomahawk Road Board) against the Ocean Beach Domain Board. In a maintenance case, tho magistrate, after questioning defendant (Thomas Gubbins) as to his means, adjourned the'case till the 24th October to give him au opportunity of making up the payments due for the support of his illegitimate children. Largo audiences continue at the Alhambra, and the latest programme is received nightly with much applause. On Monday next the four Rianos, the successors of Johnson, Riano, and Beniley, famous for their monkey sketch of 'The Fanner and the Monkeys,' will appear. They produce a. new sketch entitled ' A Scientific Experiment.' On the same night Mr Herbert Roberts, tenor vocalist, and Miss Lily Roberts, 'soprano, make their first appearance in Duucdin. Hurrah for Otago! She can hold her own sometimes, at any rate, in thei black trade. Mr Rawson reported at this afternoon's meetiug of the Harbor Board that the large cast-iron spur wheel of the dredge Vulcan had become cracked. This was, ho thought, the third time that it had gone. It was still in use, but another was wanted. He had an offer from Mr Macgregor to supply a steel one for £360 including all necessary fixings, and an offer to get such a wheel from Melbourne was at. the price of £385. Would Jhe Board instruct him? A steel wheel would be preferable to an iron one. Mr Robin asked as to the quality of the work turned nut at Mr Macgregor s, and Mr Rawson replied that, he had quite satisfied himself on that point. They could do the work all right. Tt was thereupon decided to authorise Mr Rawson to order the wheel from the Dunedin firm. Last night, at the opera, a nuisance appeared which will have to be suppressed. A party of lads took seats long before the performance commenced and amused themselves by calling out to people as thev walked to their places, apparently with the object of poking fun at the victims. Some said the alleged humorists were students. That can surely not be correct. Students are supposed to' have a sense of humor and to understand fair play. Last night's interruptions were destitute of either of these qualities. It is hardly a fair thing to skulk in a corner and hold up to ridicule a person who is in no sense lief ore the )iu!>'.!': and who has no opportunity of immediate retort ; and, moreover, the" guying " is apt to lead to the discomfiture of ladies, for, once started, []■■ • ;< no telling to what lengths the nuisa. J.i go. We hope to hear no more of si;.;;., exhibitions of bad manners. A military and musical enterta.inso.cnt. was given last evening in the new Drill Hall of the Wakari Rifles. There was a crowded audience, and the various items were cordially received, encores being frequent. The following is the programme:—Band selection, Kaikorai Band; bayonet exercise, team under Color-sergeant Wilson; song, 'A man's <a man for a' that,' Mr E. Eager ; reciting competition (for school children) — Grace Scott 1, Alice, Darling 2; selection, Bandmaster George, Dunedin Garrison Band; song. Miss Weir; naildriving competition (for school children) — Maggie Reid 1, Blanche Rowlandson 2; soug (selected), Mr Herbert Moss; recita- ■ tion, ' Wee Johnnie Paterson,' Mr W. Young; song, Mr T. Dickinson ; physical drill, team under Sergeant Willoughby; song, Mr J. Armstrong; selection, Bandmaster George, Dunedin Garrison Band; song, 'When the winds are breathing low,' Mr E. Eager; Tndian club swinging, by ladies, under Instructor Smith; song (selected), Mr Herliert Moss; and a singing competition—Mabel Dewhnrst 1, Christiana Aula 2. Mr Himmcl was the accompanist. The dismissal of Chief Inspector Lee by the Wellington Board of Education, which has given rise to comment in all parts of the colony, was referred to at yesterday's meeting of the Board. Several of the members upheld the action of the Board, but it was generally recognised that an inquiry should take place in order to satisfy the public mind. Mr Lee urged that the inquiry should be before an impartial tribunal, and the Board decided to ask the Mayor of Wellington to hear the evidence in public. It is not intended that any judgment shall be given, but it is anticipated that the publication of the evidence will enable the public to arrive at a proper conclusion as to the Board's action. During tho discussion there were some personal recriminations between Mr Lee and Mr Young, one of the members of the Board, who, it was alleged by Mr Lee, had many years ago been retired from the position of head-master of the Wellington Terrace School in consequence of reports by Mr Lee. Mr Young asserted that Mr Lee had not been competent to examine the scholars of his school. __ The inspector's laughing response was '"Nonsense." A meeting of the Federated Seamen's Union is to be held this evening. The Citizens' Band play in the Triangle this evening (weather permitting). Mr Henry Sulley will deliver another address in the Agricultural Hall on Sunday evening. Ritchie's, George street, for special reductions in ironmongery, lamps, and lanm fit-tings.-rAdTt.l V Tho Wakari Rifles hold their first ball m the now drill hall to-morrow evening. Particulars are advertised. Ladies are getting great bargains in household ironmongery at Laidlaw and Gray's salo of Ritchie's stock.—[Advt.] The Dunedin Bowling, Lawn Tennis, and Fives Club hold a smoke concert in the pavilion on Friday next, at 8 p.m. Frank Hyams is more determined than ever to clear his stock, so gives fresh inducements to tho public. See the 303 and 60s window display.—[Advt.] Tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Bowling Association will be held in the Grand Hotel on Tuesday next, at 7.30 pjn. A meeting of non-commissioned officers in tho Otago district will be held in the Garrison Hall at 6.45 on Saturday evening. The property and plant of the Taranaki Condensed Milk Company, Limited, will be offered for sale by auction on October 16. Humber cycles (1901-1902 models) just arrived; all latest improvements, including free wheels and back hub brakes. Inspection invited ; catalogues free on aplication. AngloN.Z. Cycle Co., 6 Princes street.—[Advt.l In the Choral Hall this evening Mr S A Palmer will deliver a lecture, ' Vitadatio and its Cures.' A number of lantern views will be shown, and selections will bo given on the graphophone. Admission will be free. 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.—TAdvt ~\