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Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5013, 14 March 1877, Page 2 (Supplement)

In consequence of wa. . .nr Henry Elliot was ordered ‘ to go on sick leave. Though the nomination of a poet for the office of Lord Rector is somewhat unusual, it i, not necessarily surprising. Poets, however are a very retiring raca-oxoept m pnnt-ond ora unwilling to become subjects of poplar exhibition. Mr Tennyson has declined all part in public ceremonies. It now remains to bo seen whether Mr Browning will follow in his footsteps, and decline the honour nut upon him by the Glasgow Students Independent Association, which has decided to nominate him as Lord Rector of the University. The appearance of poets before University assemblies is of the character of angels visits. The last memorable occasion was when Mr Tennyson appeared at Oxford to receive his honorary degree of D.0.L.. when one of the undergraduates, perceiving the dishevelled looks of the Poet Laureate, publicly inquired, « Did your mother wake and call you early, Alfred dear ?” The astonishing discoveries of Dr Sohliomann at Myoenas will shortly bo reported on by authorised and competent scholars. Dr Ourtius has visited the spot, as well as tho Athenian Ephor of public monuments (why do not we have an Ephor to look after our monuments in London P), both of whom intend to draw up reports. Meanwhile wo are indebted to our contemporary Kladderadafsch, for an announcement of tho most recent discoveries, which include several dogcollars, marked Pluto, which aro undoubtedly those worn by Cerberus; and also several iron barrels, or buckets, with holes at tho bottom. These are to bo identified with tho sieves used by the Danaidos. In tho course of the excavations tho workmen came upon a spring of water, on tasting which several of them were overcome by forgetfulness. There is no doubt whatever that this is the far-famed river of Lethe. Farther discoveries will be looked forward to with interest.

The Arlesey collision reminds mo_ that last year the French Minister of Public Works recommended to the notice of the French railway companies tho electro*automotor whistlo invented by M. Lartigue, which combines both acoustic and light signals. Accidents will continue to happen as long os the enginedriver is not warned in such a manner that no fog, colour-blindness, or carelessness could prevent his observing the danger. The electro-automotor whistle is a very simple apparatus. Between the lines, at a certain distance from the signal point, a copper plate is laid, which rises when the line is blocked. When a train arrives, an electric-metallic brush affixed under the engine sweeps over the copper, and the electric current formed causes a shrill whistle to sound. The driver being still at a distance from the point has notice in time to pull up. This whistle has been experimented upon hundreds of times in France, and has never been known to fail. It is used on all the lines in the north of France, and I should like to see it introduced on our railways.

Knighthood has come to be looked on by many sensible people, and by all to whom the "honour” has not been offered, as a very questionable dignity. Baronetage may soon fall into disrepute, if we have many more cases such as that which has recently occurred in Brighton. The quondam custodian of tho Brighton Museum was one Charles William Hookaday Dick, who in 1851 became, by succession, the tenth baronet of that name. He lived in indigence, and by his death a young man of three • andtwenty, a bank clerk in Brighton, is how the eleventh baronet; and unless his directors increase his salary, Sir Henry Page Dick, Bart, may find his ancient hereditary title rather an encumbrance. He will be as badly off as another baronet, who is station- ( master on | line of Scotch railway. Parenthetically, it may be observed that any one may dub himself a baronet who pleases, the ( commission of privilege not having any juris- ( diction over the baronetage. A well-known Scottish literary member of the House of Common styles himself baronet by virtue of his own will and pleasure merely. MISCELLANEOUS. (Times io Jan. 19.) The Wadsley Tombstone Case.—lt is not at all clear at present how the new difficulty will be met with respect to the tombstone of Keeton, the cricketer, in Wadsley churchyard. Keeton’s executors are of opinion that with the proper fixing of the stone in the churchyard their duty with respect to it came to an end, and, eo far as they are concerned, the stone will be allowed to remain where it has been thrown. If, however, the authorities, or those who displaced it, call upon them to put it up again, they will do so. The vicar and churchwardens decline to move in the matter; as it is apparent if they were to do so they would be giving a sort of official sanction to the erection of the stone, and that they can scarcely do after having protested against the emblem upon it. Perhaps those who threw it down will intimate to the executors that their pleasure has been served and then they will put it up again. The “ Oonxempoeaey Review.” • We understand that the Contemporary Beview has passed into the hands of a limited company, of which Mr Samuel Morley, Mr Francis Peek (of the London School Board), and the Rev Mr Paten (of'the Independent College of Nottingham) are the chief members, and that there has been a separation between the Review and its late editor, who proposes to establish forthwith a new Beview, to be called the Nineteenth, Century, and to conduct it upon the same principles as have governed the Contemporary during his connection with it. We believe that Mr Tennyson, Professor Huxley, Cardinal Manning, Dr Tyndall, the Deans of Westminster and St. Paul’s, the Revs Dr Martineau, Baldwin Brown, and Quines? Rogers, Mr Grant Duff, Sir John Lubbock, Sir J. Fitzjames Stephen, Sir Henry Thompson, Sir George Bowyer, Lord Arthur Euscell, Mr Matthew Arnold, Dr Carpenter, Mr W, E. Greg, Mr Frederic Harrison, Mr G, H. Lewes, Dr Appleton, Professors Mivart, Clifford, and Eobertson, Mr O. T. Newton, Mr W. Spottiswoode, and Mr Arthur Arnold have, among others, promised their support to the Nineteenth Century. Canadian Eaileoad Steike.—The recent strike of the engine-drivers on tho Grand Trunk Railroad caused great inconvenience to the public for a time, and roused no little anger. It is stated that the men gave notice at 7 o’clock on the evening of Deo. 29 that all the drivers on tho road would strike at 2 o’clock that night. This was almost equivalent to no notice at all. The Montreal Witnets says that it was supposed that the men would complete journeys begun, but that, iu fact, they abandoned trains between stations, and that, for instance, about 8 o’clock an excursion train left Toronto for Weston with members of Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 588, and their lady friends, who were going out to a ball, and when about half way tho enginedriver stopped the train, jumped off, and left the party to their fate. Tho unfortunate ladies and gentlemen were obliged to walk back to town in their ball costume, their discomfort being geatly heightened by having to plod through the drifting snow. Travellers going East to take ship for England were kept waiting on the lirfo until it was snowed up before a new engine-driver could bo obtained. The Witness says : —Tho strikers undoubtedly have grievances, and wo believe they are justly entitled to consideration, but tho conduct of tho ringleaders last night is inexcusable, and will be universally condemned by the public. OnmexiANiTT IN Eabt Ai'EICA.—“ An East African” writes to us (Times) under date Zanzibar, Deo, 14,1876 “ At atimo when,in spite of the complicated state of affairs in Europe and other parts of tho world, so much attention is being concentrated on the van% but still but little known, continent of Africa and when mission after mission is being sent out , f . ro “ purposes of exploration and civilisation, it may not prove unintorostmg to many of your readers to know something about tho progress that is being made by the oldest established mission in East Africa—that of tho Church Missionary Society at Mombassa. This mission was established as long ago as 1844, but up to tho time of Sir Bartle Frcre’s visit in 1873 the progress made was not very great. Since then a great change has been effected. There are now in the mission at Frero Town, Mombassi, 400 freed slaves, received at various times from her Majesty’s Consul-General at Zanzibar. All these are fed, clothed, and lodged, besides being taught intellectually and mechanically

at tho solo cost of the nssfon, as Government gives no assistance wuatover. There is at present a staff of Europeans and natives who aro oarnortly and heartily throwing themselves into their work and producing good results. But it is well known that mission work in East Africa is very trying to Europeans, and thoso who oomo hero must necessarily, for health’s sake, return to England after a fow years, others coming out to carry on tho work, and thus largo sums of money must frequently and unavoidably bo spent for passages, &o. At Frero Town houses are being erected in European stylo, so ns to afford more accommodation in a more healthy manner. Roads, too, aro being constructed in tho neighbourhood, one of which, 14ft wide and five miles long, has been oomplotod between tho landing place and Kisuludini, a smaller station of tho mission, formerly occupied for nearly 30 years by Mr Rebmami. All this work causes and needs a great expenditure of money, which, as I have stated, has hitherto been provided by tho society alone. In former times Mombassa was tho most important port in East Africa, and from its possessing so fine a harbour —lately surveyed by Her Majesty’s ship Philomel—and also from its being tho nearest route through tho Ohaga and South Qalla territories t« tho Victoria Nyonza, it is more than probable that it will yet recover more than its former greatness. With regard to tho expense of keeping up a mission such as this, tho majority of whoso community consists of freed slaves captured by Her Majesty’s men-of-war in these waters, it has been from time to time suggested and urged that tho Government should recognise their partial responsibility for the welfare of such freed slaves by affording some pecuniary support to the mission; and though various suggestions have been made as to the amount and mode of payment, yet when Sir Bartle Frero was at Zanzibar, Mr Clement LI. Hill, secretary to his mission, urged that support bo given to the Mombassa mission, and stated that he thought a bonus of £5 per bead should be paid for every freed slave, young or old, who should bo handed over to such mission. It must bo borne in mind that subslantial support was afforded to the negroes on the West Coast. Mr Hill’s suggestions have not, however, been acted upon, and thus the whole burden has still to bo borne by the mission j and yet great and good progress has been made, and no doubt will continue to bo made while earnest, good, and energetic men, such as are at present in charge, can be found for tho work. Let the Government do its part in this great work, and there is no doubt that when the British public know what is being dono at Mombassa, their hands will not be backward in supporting with thoir means the labours of tho Church Missionary Society in East Africa.”

Japan. —By the last mail we have received Japan papers to the 11th ult. The Mail states that the late insurrection which broke out at Kumamoto ard Hagi had been entirely quelled. Mavebara and eome of the principal leaders had been beheaded, others had been condemned to hard labour, some deprived of their and many of the rank and file acquitted. The leaders before suffering were said to have expressed themselves in the strongest terms against the general course pursued by the Government, as calculated to lead to the degradation and even destruction of the Empire. A fire broke out in Tokio on the night of Nov. 29, and destroyed something like 8000 houses in the space of a few hours. It began not far from the Nihon-bashi, and swept down in a south-easterly direction towards Tsukidji, of which it carried off some portion. Fifty thoueand persons were rendered houseless, and many lives were lost. The flames spread, under the influence of a high wind, with extraordinary rapidity, and all the exertions of the firemen availed nothing in the attempt to arrest them. A subscription has been raised among the foreign residents of Yokohama in aid of the sufferers, and about 2000 dols sent to the local authorities for their relief. The misfortune has been, as usual, met with great fortitude by the people. The value of property destroyed is estimated at about 7,000,000 dols. The Emperor would leave Tokia for Kioto in January, and it was hoped he would preside at the State opening of the railway between Osaka and the old capital, but this was not certain. Intelligence has reached Tokio of the arrival of the Empress at Kioto on the 4th ult. She was received with the utmost demonstrations of loyalty and affection, the people from the surrounding districts having flocked in large numbers to the old capital to welcome her. It was expected that the Empress Dowager would visit Kioto this winter. She would taavel by sea and would probably leave the capital before the end of the year. The Mikado had bestowed on Shinran Sbonin, the founder of the Shinshu sect of Buddhists, and who has been dead about 600 years, the title of Kenehin Daishi. A measure had been sent up by the Genro-In to the Daijokwan recommending that bail be accepted from accused persons for their appoaranco on the appointed day of trial. It was believed that the measure would pass into law. Three hundred sheep had recently arrived from China, which were to be sent to the farm of the Bureau oi Agriculture at Shimosa. The Japanese productions sold at the Philadelphia Exhibition from May 10 to Sept. 30 had realised as much as 83,909d0l 52c, and Japanese goods sold at shops outside the Exhibition had realised in addition £74,243d0l 27c. It was estimated that 16,000 persons would visit the capital next year from various parts of the country, in order to exhibit. A third national bank would be established at Kobuna cho Tokio. A Dutch medical man had been employed by the Kagoshima Kenoho and a hospital had been established there under his superintendence. Tokugawa Akitako (bettor known as Prince Mimbu-tayu, the younger brother of the late Shogun), now at Philadelphia, had been ordered to proceed to France to complete bis education. The Kunaisho (Department of Imperial Household) had granted him 1000 dollars per annum to defray his expenses. News had been received from Ibaragi ken (Mito) that the farmers there, in number about 5000, were creating a disturbance on account of the taxes. Mr Qodai’s indigo factory had not proved a success, as a loss of about 150,000 yen had been incurred through a failure to produce indigo of a good marketable quality, A branch office of the Kobo Custom-house was to bo established at Kagoshima. The Bureau of Agriculture was about to employ 50 girls in the silk filature at Yotauya, Tokio. Tho Government paper mills at Oji, Tokio, were progressing favourably and wore producing 70 reams of paper per day.

The Indian Public Sebvicb.— On Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, a mooting of tho National Indian Association (London Branch) was heid at the rooms of tho Society of Arts, Adelpbi, Sir G. Campbell, M.P., presiding, when Mr J B. Phear, lato Judge in tho High Court of Judicature, Calcutta, road a paper on the Employment of Native Indian Gentlemen in the Public Service of India. Tho Choir* man, in introducing the lecturer, said the sub* ject on which ho would address them was a most interesting one. Ho was sure that tho natives of India had no better friend than the lecturer. Mr Phear then addressed the meeting, and at tho outset of his lecture asked his audience to remember that tho government and administration of public affairs in India is English, and that tho masses of the people are Indian, He reminded them that men’s daily conduct in business and in society was, in tho main, tho product of a resultant social force, which might bo conveniently designated social opinion. Englishmen wore in that manner, us a rule, animated in tho performance of public work by two loading principles—to divest themselves of all personal fooling and to pursue work with regularity and unflagging persistency. With tho native of India, on tho other hand, it was greatly different. The sociol forces to which ho was subject tended to repel him from matter of fact, and to make precision and exact labour irksome to him. Until _ tho English interfered, too, there had boon in Oriental political developments no opening for tho growth of a true State economy and of a public service morality, ago uecruin R from tho English adthe high and independent principles Sh

mark tho English legal profession, and emulated, in the exorcise of thoir office, tho impartiality and integrity of English judges. Ho had no doubt that, at this time, a stage of advance had boon reached, under English tutelage, in which competent native gentlemen wore prepared for association with English officers, and for pubho work on generally equal terms with thorn, provided they wore introduced in regular professional course, and so hod tho moans of becoming actuated by a professional spirit and feeling. Ho then spoke in high praise of tho ability exhibited by tho Bengali educated classes, of tho duty of England to promote the right development of the people, and of tho bearing of tho English in Indio towards tho natives, which, ho thought, should bo much improved. Greater generosity, and more sympathy, ho urged, should bo shown towards thorn. In conclusion, ho insisted for all reasons on tho importance of admitting tho natives of tho country to a larger participation in tho administration of public affairs as well as to freer social intercourse. A long and somewhat animated discussion followed, in tho course of which the necessity for employing natives on a considerably larger soalo than at present was strongly urged. Mr Phear briefly replied, after which the Chairman said it was an exaggeration to eay, as had boon alleged, that the natives had no share in tho civil administration. By for tho larger port of tho civil administration of India—tho whole, indeed, except tho very highest offices—was in the hands of natives, and tho work wos dono very well. It was necessary, if Englishmen were to take a largo share of the administration of India, that they should bo employed in tho highest places, as they were an “ expensive inetrumment of government.” Ho fully agreed that, as the natives more and moro qualified themselves for the higher places, it was most right that they ehould have a share of those higher places. Ho thought that one great evil of our government in India was that inetead o£ cherishing, improving, and enlarging the system of local government which wo found there, we had by our system destroyed it. His hope was that, while the natives wore admitted as much as possible into the Civil Service, we should encourage them to manage thoir own affairs, in the hope that from small beginnings wo might gradually educate them to self-government. Tho meeting then separated with votes of thanks to Mr Phear and tho Chairman. (Homo A T ows, Jan. 19.) A Tieginia Stoey.— There has been some “scandal”in tho city of Virginia, in Nevada, owing to the conduct of a young gentleman who lately left his father’s house, Laving exhausted his credit in tho place, and who telegraphed the other day to his parent, “ Your son Walter was killed in tho Consolidated, Virginia, this morning by a falling cage. What shall we do with the remains P ” In reply, a telegraphic order was sent for 150 dols., with the request, “ Bury them.” The young gentleman pocketed the money and had “an elaborate spree.” When in a condition for writing, he Bent to his father the following note " I have just learned that an infamous scoundrel named Barker sent you a fictitious account of my death, and swindled you out of 156 dols. Ho also borrowed 85 dols. from mo, and left the country. I write to inform you that I am yet alive, and long to see tho old parental roof again. lam in somewhat reduced circumstances, the accumulation of tho last five years having been lost —a disastrous stock operation—and if you would spare me 200 dols. 1 will bo ever thankful for your favour. Give my love to all.” A few days later the erring youth received tho following dignified reply from hie outraged parent:—“My dear Son, —I have buried you once, and that’s an end o£-it. I decline having any more transactions with a corpse.— Yours in the flesh, Father.”

The Alexandba Palace. —At the Chambers of Vice-Chancellor Malins on Jan. 13, the affairs of the Alexandra Palace, under the winding-up order, were before Mr Eawlinson, the chief clerk. The sale of the property has been advertised for Feb. 8, The present meeting was in reference to the adjudication of claims; and a gentleman from the office of the official liquidator, stated that there had not been sufficient time to examine the claims. Tho chief clerk said tho claims, though large, were not, ho presumed, numerous. It was stated that they numbered about 100. Other parties interested in ihe v.iading-up order attended, and after a discussion, an adjournment was agreed upon, when any disputed claim can bo investigated. The whole claims on tho palace are supposed to bo about £BOO,OOO ; and on the former occasion it was stated that the unsecured creditors were about £300,000. The mortgages were represented as upwards of £400,000 with tho debenture holders, and the realisation of tho property, beyond tho mortgages, was of importance to the unsecured creditors. The property will bo offered on a reserved bidding. Ouieabe on Jews.—A telegram states that hundreds of Jewish families have been turned out of house and home in the Moldavian district of Baslui. The order, whioh was signed by the mayor, is as follows :—" All Jews are to leave tho place within throe days.” This outrage, perpetrated in mid-winter, has naturally caused a great deal of suffering, and many of tho unfortunate people have died of cold and hunger. Further particulars state that hundreds oi Jewish families are in great distress from tho barbarous treatment whioh they have received in the Baslui district. They implore tho authorities to allow thorn lime, if only to remove their goods and chattels, but all their entreaties are in vain, as it is said they are refused in all cases. Many instances are quoted of houses broken into, and wholesale plunder has been going on to a large extent. Tho Bucharest correspondent of the Pesther Lloyd, who has telegraphed this, says that it is quite heartrending to behold the utterly helpless state in whioh these poor people arrive there. At the Ministry no one will listen to them, but the Austrian Consul is doing all in his power to alleviate their suffering. Many of tho families are Austrian subjects. A Tele Oonveet.—Tho Neto York World remarks that at least one of Messrs Moody and Sankey’s converts has shown practical evidence of his repentance of past wrongdoing. About a year ago (tho World says) there was a heavy robbery of tho Adams Express Company near Akron, Ohio, and a telegraph operator named Brenizor was accused of tho crime. Ho was tried and acquitted, and afterwards loft tho place and settled in Chicago. During tho recent revival there ho fell under tho influence of Moody’s preaching, experienced religion, and confessed that ho was guilty of tho crime with whioh ho had been charged. Ho immediately returned to Akron, surrendered himself, and as ho could not be again put into jeopardy for tho crimes of whioh ho bad been acquitted, he was indicted for perjury for tho false testimony which ho had given in his own favour on tho former trial, and was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the penitentiary. It is not strange that under such circumstances tho judge should have oxpressed himself with groat feeling in pronouncing the sentence, nor that ho should have declared tho case without a parallel in oil his experience. It is to bo regretted that few revival converts hove tho courage to bo ns honest with themselves as ho was. Tho religion that was willing to stand tho tost of a reparation for wrong-doing that involved throe years at hard labour in tho penitentiary, ought to bo tho genuine article F Can Messrs Moody and Sunkoy give us any more of it F

The Ehpebob op Brazil in a Fix.— The Emperor of Brazil, who is at present travelling in Egypt, mot with a disagreeable adventure tho other day in Cairo. His Majesty, it appears, is very fond of donkey riding, and one morning, having descended into tho street in a jacket and small oap, with a light switch under his arm, mounted one of those intelligent little animals, and trotted off on an expedition through a labyrinth of back streets better known to tho donkey than to its rider. On returning from his ride, riot wishing to alight from tho donkey in front of his hotel, ho pulled it up a few hundred yards from tho building, and, not having any “small change " in iris pocket, gave tho donkey driver a guinea instead of a piastre. Tho donkey driver, how* ever, had never before soon a coin of this nature, and looking first at the guinea and then at tho Emperor, came to the eonelusion that tho guinea was merely a worthloss oountor» and that an attempt wa§

being mode to “ chisel ” him. The row ho made wot terrific, rushing after the Emperor, who had walked off at R rapid pace towards tho hotel, whore his suite were anxiously awaiting him, the donkey-driver assailed His Imperial Majesty with all the most horrible oaths in tho Arab vocabulary. The Emperor, who does not understand a single word of Arable, but saw that tho man was labouring under a mis-approhension, endeavoured in vain to explain to him that tho com was gold and not copper. In tho meantime, other donkey-drivers hurried to tho spot, and taking tho part of thoir mate, followed the Emperor with a storm of imprecations. Thus surrounded by a mob of donkeys and thoir drivers, tho hapless Dom Pedro last reached his hotel, where tho whole affair was explained, and tho donkey-drivers, discovering tho true state of tho case, miraculously disappeared in tho twinkling of an oyo.