CURRENT TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13891, 27 October 1905, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

The Nelson Memorial, which it is proposed to raise in the Old Country

THE KELSON IT/NT).

in grateful recollection of the-Empire's groat Admiral, is to be of a decidedly useful 1 character. It is intended" to collect a million shillings with which to provide Nelson Free Beds in connection with Jack's Palace and the Princess May Samaritan Fund, for seamen temporarily disabled, distressed or destitute. At the same time, it is also desired to extend and endow Jack's Palace, to endow Nelson Reading Rooms in various ports, to complete the Sailors' Rest in Bang's Lynn, in Nelson's county, close to his birthplace, to provide Nelson scholarships in order to help Naval Reserve men and other seamen to pass through the Nautical School, and thus rise in, their profession, to provide a memorial at Malta, and to offer annually a Nelson Award for Heroism. New Zealand, in common with the other colonies, is being asked to contribute towardß this fund, and colonial seamen will be allowed to participate in its benefits. As a gentle reminder of our responsibilities in this respect, the British and Foreign Sailors' Society has forwarded a Nelson bust, made of copper from H.M.S. Victory, and mounted upon a pedestal of oak made from the timber of the same historic vessel, to the New Zealand Hous9 of Parliament, through the Premier, with "the hope thai) New Zealand'will raise £50." The Society adds that "all souvenirs and mementoeß given in England will be donated in New Zealand to children, schools, institutes and churches subscribing to the fund." The copper and timber of the Victory, and all that is left from the Foudroyant, have been given by the Admiralty to the Society, and are, being converted into Nelson souvenirs, whioh Vill be presented to subscribers to the fund. The souvenirs range from busts and pedestals to small oak trays and ornaments, and the value of the souvenir will, of course, depend upon the amount of the subscription. Every child in the Empire who .subscribes a shilling to the fund will receive a picture of Nelson, and his flagship coloured in red, wliito and blue, and suitable for framing, whilst those who subscribe half-a-orown will be given an illustrated Nelson booklet. A subscription of five shillings will secure a medal made of Victory and Foudroyant copper, bearing a picture of the flagship. The objects of the movement are beneficent enough to attract the attention of both young and old throughout the Empire, and there should be no difficulty in raising the modest amount which, has been set against New Zealand's name.

"the ABODE OF LOVE."

Tlio cable gave us a little time ago some quaint particulars of the

"Abode of Love," and of the doings of a certain religious sect which held its gatherings at the Church of the Ark of the Covenant, in a - ■■ London suburb. Recently a cook named May, who was a member of the sect, died suddenly, and the circumstances surrounding her death werfe such as induced the coroner to hold an inquest. May took to her bed apparently without cause, and appeared to be suffering from religious mania, ara she continuously quoted the Bible, a.nd prophesied that she was not long for this world. Later in the day she got up, stole from the house, and was\subsequently found drowned in a neighbouring river. The cook, her employer said, had stated that she had a husband in an asylum, a daughter in service in the West End, and a sister in New Zealand. ' The following letter, which was 'found in her box, was read by the coroner:— "My Dear Sister, —It was indeed pleasing to me to hear by your letter of the blessedness which has begun to dawn on you in the /conscious -possession of your beloved within you. Yes, it is the dawning of the glory, for you will find by a happy experience that he will, by the spirit of Eloy, take you more and more deeply into himself, and give himself even more truly to you until you lose yourself in the pleasing sea of his love. If so, do not be anxious or fearful. You shall not' see woe any more, and there is nothing but blessing.and glory before you. Kindly give my heart's love to my dear Mr andMrs Vincent, and take it into your own heart, and the water will become wine, for you will find it is the love of your beloved.—Yours in him, Th e . Pastor." Commenting upon the peculiar- nature of this epistle, the coroner read a second letter which had been found in May's possession : —" Sunday, May 8, 1904.—My Beloved Ones,— -My hour is como when I cease from my ministry of Lovo to the many members of my body— my Bride—and withdraw myself for a little season. But I shall come forth to you again, and as you watch and confidingly abide in the Truth, I and my beloved are one in purpose and in will; in simple loving humble confidence, you will answer immediately to sue, though I come as a flash of lightning, and enter in with, me to the Marriage Supper and the door will be shut. "What I do, you know not now, but you shall know hereafter. You shall isee ine again, and your hearts-shall rejoice and your joy shall bo enduring for ever. I breathe my peace into you; I enfold you in my Love; and I .will never leave you nor forsake you until I bave done all that I have spoken of. Cedar Lodge will for a season be closed to the church,. Snatch! .Watch I 1

WatcE 111" i " This sort of thing," said the official who conducted the inquest, "is very likely to send persona mad. The sect is certainly not a very desirable one to belong to." Its mysticism, at any rate, seems just the thing to disturb a weak mind.

LAUD FOB SETTLEMENT.

The offer of. 150,000 square miles of land con- ■ cessions ought to help materially to satisfy the

land hunger which is alleged to exist the world over. Developments upon this largo scale are contemplated in Colombia, where an immense tract of virgin country is about to be opened for settlement. President Reyes, who watches over the destinies of the republio at the moment, appears to be a much more practical person than is usually found in such a position. Ho is pursuing a polioy of agricultural) industrial and mining enterprise that will offer wide opportunities for British capital and enterprise. The latest project of the President is to have the enormous territory watered by the Amazon opened. Hitherto, it has been left to the devices of tribes of semi-civilised Indians, who have traded rubber with foreigners, and thus deprived Colombia of revenue to which it is fairly entitled. But now, by contract with the National Government, what is considered to be one of the finest rubber-producing regions in the world is about to pass into American hands. The contract under which it is leased imposes the obligation of paying an export duty of one American gold dollar for each 1001 b of rubber gathered in the area, of establishing two agricultural colonies within two years, of placing two small steamers in service at once, and of increasing the fleet by two more steamers within three years. This concession is the most important that has been made for many years, as it hands over 100,000 acres in perpetual ownership, and two tracts of country measuring respectively 45,000 square miles and 100,000 for a term of twenty-five years. But even when these enormous territories are disposed of, there will still remain many hundreds of miles of country, almost equally valuable, ojren to private enterprise. The land, it is stated, is capable of growing many things sides rubber, cedar, mahogany and cocoa being mentioned among other produce, whilst there are large areas of grassgrown downs which are eminently suited to the raising of cattle. Although a vast territory has been bestowed upon a monopoly, the balance of the lands, it is estimated, will more than repay the cost M importing foVeign capital, and it is certain that the new country, before many years, will become a strong competitor in the grain and meat markets of the world.