NEARING THE END.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11561, 14 June 1900, Page 2

NEARING THE END.

Our late cables this morning indioate that the Boers have made their last stand. General Bnller has slowly, but Burely, driven them out of Natal into what would have been impregnable passes in the possession of a few thousand British troops. The strong natural defences of these passes had been improved upon at leisure by the Boers, and they had large guns mounted over a front extending

many mileß. It was somewhat of a puzzle that they made auoh a determined stand in the Drackensbergs while the Transvaalers to the west abandoned position after "position, inoluding Johannesburg and Pretoria, without any real attempt at defenoe. The probability is that while the lies of Steyn and others as to Great Britain's embarrassments in India and elsewhere were promulgated, and the true position in the south of the Tranavaal concealed, the defenders of the jpasses thought that they were fighting, with ait least com 9

ohance of ultimate success, but when the real truth became known to them they recognised the hopelessness of continuing the struggle,, and left only a rearguard to cover their retreat. Otherwise the comparatively small casualties of General Buller in gaining such important Btrategic points is inexplicable. Had the Boers adopted these tactics some weeks ago they might have joined the Transvaalera and Free Staters in the north-east of the tree State, but they are now too late to be of any real assistance. That there are considerable bodies of Boers still in the Free State, endeavoring to cat Lord Eoberts's chief line of communication, is unquestionable, but though they may succeed temporarily here and there they are not strong enongh to hold any position they may oaptnre, for the Coramander-in-Chief has rapidly moving f orcoa of cavalry and light artillery all along his threatened linos, and they can concontrato very quickly at any given point. Practically with the evacuation of the Drackenbergs the war is over. This does not imply that there .may not yet be a good deal of desultory fighting, and probably a British reverse now and then, such as happened to the Derbyshire militia the other day. But the Boers are now so scattered that they cannot conoentrote any considerable army, and no pitched battle iB possible. Even organised resistance is out of the question unless they retire to the moun-

tain fastnesses in the north-east of the Transvaal, and at best they can but carry on a guerilla warfare there, and a complete investment of their few possible sources of supply would soon starve them to submission.

Telegraphic intelligence, several letters to the editor, and some particulars concerning H.M.S. Europa will be found on the fourth page, along with sporting, football, and oyoling news, a report of the meeting of the Patangata County Counoil, and our Hastings, Waipawa, and Danevirke correspondents' communications. Captain Edwin wired at noon yesterday :— " Frost to-night ; glass rise ; poor tides." The Christchuroli Kinematograph Company opened their season to a large house at the Theatre Koyal laßt evening. The pictures and Vaudeville programme were much enjoyed by the audience.

There was a large muster of theAhuriri Mounted Bines at tho drill-shed last night, when Lieutenant Davia, of Wellington, examined the men in their drill. Before being dismissed Lieutenant Davis congratulated the' corps on the rapid progress they had made, and hoped to find them thoroughly efficient in a short time. He Btated that when he came up in a month or six weeks' time they would be examined in mounted work. At the meeting of the School Committee last night the ohairinan, Mr Edwards, commenting upon the fact that the Cabinet had referred to Parliament the question of procuring Union Jacks for the State schools throughout the colony at an estimated cost of £1450, said several flags, and also a pole, had been presented to the Napier main school by oitizens. This showed that the spirit of selfreliance . was not altogether dead in Napier. The hardships endured by our contingents at the front in South Africa are telling a tale by their severity. A member of the No. 2 company of the Second Contingent, writing from Bethany to Oamaru, says :— " We had at first four officers and 130 men. Now there are only two officers and 62 men to battle along ; the rest have been left sick at various places along the route. Sleeping out in the heavy dew, and not being able to have our olothes or boots off for weeks at a stretch is partly responsible for the falling off in our numbers."— Nortll Otago Times. The races for the Union Rowing Club's Junior Pairs and for the Norton Cup for single sculls were held yesterday afternoon, Mr T. Pickard officiating as starter and judge. The Junior Pairs resulted as follows -.—Montgomery and Whittem a bye, Jackson and Pointon beat C. Prebble and J. Fortune ; final heat, Jackßon and Pointon beat Montgomery and Whittem, after a good race. For the Norton Cup Wright rowed a bye, Roberts beat Simmonds after a good go, and then Wright defeated Simmonds in the final after a olinking finish. There was a good attendance of spectators, and the racing was very interesting. . A largely attended meeting of shorthand writers was held last evening at Mr C. E. Walker'B rooms, Tennyson-street, Mr Critchley occupying the chair. It was unanimously deoided to resuscitate the Napier Shorthand Writers' Association. A good deal of routine business was gone into, and it was decided to hold the first meeting next Wednesday evening, in Mr Walker's rooms, at 7.45, when speed practice will beheld. All shorthand writers wishing to join the association are invited to attend next Wednesday evening. Any information re the association may be obtained from Mr Walker. What might have turned into a very serious fire was discovered yesterday morning at Messrs Ellison and Dnncan's warehouse. A smell of fire was noticed, and on examination smoke was seen coming from the lining of one of the storerooms. This was quickly ' broken into, whon a rat half suffocated sprang forth, and the fire was speedily put out. Between the lining of the *-alls a most dangerous lot of fireworks was found, consisting of of gunny bags, a huge quantity of matches, almonds, paper, and other inflamable material. Had it started at night a most destructive fire might have taken place, which could not perhaps have been accounted for. The Bight was indeed an object lesson for insurance agents as to how fires can be caused by rats. A very pretty wedding was solemnised at St. Luke's Church, Havelock, by the Rev. A. Gardiner, yesterday morning. The contracting parties were Mr Herbert Crawford, only son of the late Samuel Crawford, of Havelook, to Miss Florence Grant, second daughter of the late George Grant, of Napier. The bride, Who was given away by her uncle, Mr Danvers, was attired in a pretty dress of Khaki cloth trimmed with white satin and lace and hat to match. She was attended by Miss Harriet Evison, stepsister of the bridegroom, who wore a dress of white muslin and white felt hat. She also wore a gold broooh, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride's present to the bridegroom was a gold pin, and the bridegroom's present to the bride a diamond and ruby broooh. The bridegroom was attended by Mr George Joll as beßt man. The

happy pair left by the 3.16 train for Wanganui, carrying with them the best wishes of their friends. The Spit Volunteer Fire Brigade's annual ball in Stuart's Ha.ll last evening was a great success, surpassing those which have preceded it. The attendance was very large, amongst the company present being officers of the Napier, Hastings, and Waipawa brigades. The gay non-service uniforms of the Spit brigade formed bright spots of color in the throng. The hall was nicely decorated, and the floor in first-olass order. Misses H. S. Stuart (piano) and M. Stuart (violin) played the dance music ' most satisfactorily. Misses Stuart (2) and Mr C. Plested played extra dances, and the latter contributed a vocal selection. Messrs G. Graves and J. Coghlan acted as Ms.C. in their usual efficient style. The catering was in the hands of a committee of ladies, and they did not allow the reputation of the port to suffer in this respeot, providing a supper that could not well be surpassed. Mr Seoretary Lynoh and his committee are to bs congratulated upon having made suoh a success of this

year's ball. The usual monthly meeting of the Napier School Committee was held last evening. Present-Messrs C. H Edwards (chairman), J. Griffin, E. Pascoe, T W Bear, T. Hall, J. P. Williamson, F. W." Garner, and A. Paul. Leave, of absence waß granted to Mr Holder. . The headmaster reported the roll, number at 839, with an average attendance of 711. The' bad weather and scarlatina seriously affeoted the attendance. A wet day would cause as many as 400 soholars to stay away, which affeoted the attendance for the whole week. A peculiarity of this )ad attendance on a wet day was the fact ihat scholars who came to the sohool from the South Island never dreamt of staying away on account of the weather. The sohool had to thank Mr M'Vay for the presentation of a flag and Mr Eobjohns for a flagstaff. Mr Holder had also promised a flagstaff.— Votes of thanks were passed to the donors.— The Board intimated that the midwinter vacation

would commence on Friday, June 22nd, terminating on June 30th. The pupil teaohers' examination would odmmence on Wednesday, June 97th.— The Board wrote re the committee's suggestion as to cooking olasses, that owing to insufficiency of funds, the request could not be granted. The application for 120 rifles for the cadets had been ' forwarded on to the Department.— Some recommendations by the viaiting committee were agreed to. — Acoounta amounting to JJI2 2a were passed for payment.— The committee then adjournedAll ladies like to posacsa a oloar oomplosion 3rarinraiK» JJotKnr otairs tha skin from Ml

The committee of the Catholic social fully intend making their coming social eclipse all former gatherings. The tableau which is in course of preparation will be one of the best ever attempted here. It will have a particular interest at the present time, representing, as it will I do, England, Ireland, Scotland, and New Sealand in costume, with songs and recitations appropriate to each country. Arrangements have been made for Mr C. Sorrell to photograph the tableau, and also the dance by the children which was recently given at the Marist Brothers' concert, and which is to be repeated a< the social by special request. A feature of the tableau will be the singing of Kipling's verses of "Auld Lang Syne" whioh will be sung for the first time in Napier on that occasion. Hiss Helm's string band has been engaged to supply the dance music, Mr G. Graves will act ss M.C., and Mrs M'Glashan will play the accompaniments for the songs in tie tableau.' The committee are confideit that there will be a record attendance. „OE»r UNIVERSAL" Plateß, for gononl work, uive beautiful detail and are oasy to dovelop. "GEM SPECIAL POETBAFI" Plates, for Bhutto work, aro coated with an extra rapid emulsion of fine graia. Alleiraain stock, A. Ecclf.3, Chemißt and Importer of riiolo. Material, Napier and Bastings. ECCLES" PHOTO3BAFHIC DEPAOT. MENT.— Boooived this day, ex Maori, a lage ' assortment of Platino-MaU Papers, "Sylvit," c.0.P., "Enammo" Papor, Ao., from the odeorated makers, Missbs WzMJuaioH ahd Wiid. Prices right. A. Eoolis, Chnmist, Napier md Hastings S. D. BEIABCO, of Hastingßßtroet, invito a visit from those desiring now Umbrellas. He has the largest and most varied stock in the North Island to Bolect from, and guarantees his

Umbrellas from one to two years. UmbreJaa re-oovered from 2a 6d. J. D. BRIASCO'S CITY DYE WOBES, D-ere and Cleaners of Ladleß" ana Gents 1 Clothlniia Silk, Wool, Cotton, and Mixed Materials, Mrclntosh and Covert Coato, 40. Glove Cleaners and Feather Dressers. Hastings-street. J. 8. Wolsman'B Spooial Proprietary Medidnos — (ho Liver Mixture for biliousness ana ndigestion, Dysontory Miiture, Nouralsia Mixture, Quinine and Iron Tonic, Wine, Wind Miitnro tor Infanta, 40., Pocook's Hair Lotion, 3orn Paint.&o., «o. Tha Pharmaoy, Haating«-efceet. — Advl, The Uawke's Bay Permanent Building ana Investment Sooiety are now prepared to alliance monoy on mortgage on freehold and leasehold securities on the new reduced tables of redanption payments ns low as 5 per cent per anium, which are lowor than any other sooiety it thfl J° 10 2 7 *. Apply to the secretary, J. B. Field*, at the Sooiety'n office, or Joshua Bonnett, Hasiingß. — Auvt. DX PASCALL'B Codsh Mixttraa mrci Agent— Ecoles, Chemist.