BREVITIES.

Evening Star, Issue 11683, 15 February 1902, Page 1

BREVITIES.

Madaren, with his proverbial luck, woa tbe toss at Sydney yesterday, and made a good start, which, however, was not maintained as the game progressed. Two wickets for 179 at four o’clock, and six for 266 when stumps were drawn. The features of the day’s play ware the fine batting of Madaren (32) and Tyidesley (79). Saunders was in fine form with, the bafi. The Labor party threw in their lot with the Federal Ministry, and carried an amendment to the duties on metals and machinery, under which such industries may be established under the direct control of either the Federal or the State Governments. At the expiry of the bonus period the duties on iron, steel, etc., will be 10 per cent., and on reapers and binders 15 per cent. Mr Chamberlain received a great ovation on going to London to be enrolled as a Freeman. The Colonial Secretary justifies the banishment of the Boer Irreconcilables—“tiro worst enemies of South Africa ” —who are thirsting for another opportunity of sweeping the English into the sea. Britain will not treat with them, nor touch their property. Mr Chamberlain eulogised the Imperialism and patriotism of the colonies, and quoted approvingly the famous dictum cf the late Sir Henry Parkes; “One people, one destiny.” Mr Balfour acknowledges the commanding position of his colleague. He says that the Colonial Secretary is second to no British statesman that the age has produced. The Germans are excited because the military authorities at tbe Cape refused to allow a German relief medical mission to visit the Boer concentration camps. Food and dothing, however, may be sent. A British officer concerned in the remount scandal has resigned, having refused to answer specific charges. He will be court-martialled. The Anglo-Japanese Treaty was debate ! in the Imperial Parliament yesterday, lu the Lords the Foreign Secretary explain'd that there was nothing in the document that, did violence to the policy of any friendly Power, whilst it applied to the integrity of Manchuria. The Treaty meets with the approval of Lord Rosebery, but “ C.-B.” thinks that the aims of the negotiators might have been obtained by the exchange of diplomatic Notes, instead of a formal document which carries great obligations. One immediate effect of the Treaty will be to “revise” colonial legislation affecting the Japs. Already the Canadian Premier has been informed that the legislation of British Columbia exduding tbe Japs from, that part of Canada will be disallowed unless it is materially modified. Australia to follow'. The Russian representative at, Washington says that the Treaty will neither hasten nor retard the evacuation of Manchuria by Russia. Prince Cbing (the Chinese Imperial Chancellor) declines to further discuss the Russo - Chinese Bank agreement, under which that financial institution was accorded preferential mining, industrial, and commercial privileges in Manchuria. The Anglo-German agreement relating to China is not affected by the Treaty. According to Mr Balfour, the Treaty wdl prevent attack on Japan, and it is aimed against any adventurous policy in China. Mrs iSeddon was presented with a gold, derrick and chain at Hokitika yesterday, in memory of the driving of the first pile of the railway bridge to Ross. W. Jdttlcjohn and Son, of Wellington, are making large docks for the post offices at Oamaru and the Bluff. Each of them is to be of the same size, as far as the works are concerned, as the WeDington Post Office clock, which was manufactured Ire the same firm, but the dials will be slightly smaller, and the striking and chiming on four bells will be the same. Each dock will cost about £750. A daring robbery was carried out cm the Pam-Maraeilles Railway. Three colonais were chloroformed and robbed, the thieves effecting their escape, A pitched battle between, a sheriff's posse and a saloon-keeper in Kentucky (United States), who had defied the law, resulted in the deaths of two constables and seven sympathisers of sal&mAeeper, whose establishment was burned down. De Wet* has some Krupps dill buried. He was contemplating a movement when the big drive upset all his plans. Canada intends to have a cut into die South African trade by establishing a line of State-subsidised steamers. The Boer prisoners say that the rani of bullets from the Heilbron line of blockhouses was a miniature bell. Commandant Besters was killed, and the captures include Field-comets Taljajud, Prinsloo, and ObendaaL According to tbe,Boe» there are still 12,000 men in the firai. Kitchener’s “drive” so demoralised the Boers that they hid in the grass, in dongas, abd in the river beds to escape capture. Effective searchlights enabled our troops to capture many prisoners. aacUßßutreda si horses and rtods.