Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1895.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 190, 13 August 1895, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1895.

The telegrams regarding the progress of the French in Madagascar have been meagre lately, but such as we have received seem to show that both sides are doing badly. We were told of the spirited appeal of the Queen to her people to defend the country against unprovoked attack, but then it was stated afterwards that the appeal had met with but a poor response. It was stated that the Queen aud her Prime Minister, who is also her husband, were on bad terms, that there was treachery in the form of a French party in the capital, and that proper steps ivere not being taken to resist an enemy. It was also said that certain Englishmen were doing a great deal of mischief in the country and that tho European officers, finding that their advice was disregarded, had resigned in a b,od y On the other hand it was reported that the French were in in anything but a flourishing condition. It will be remembered that there was a great fuss in the Chamber of Deputies because a contract for transport of troops had been let to an English firm, It appears, however, that even when army contracts are let on patriotic principles to Frenchmen they are not faithfully carried out. The Madagascar expedition has Buffered from bad stores, which have helped the pestilent climate to kill a great number of men. Of course France is so great a power and has such enormous resources that she can conquer Madagascar if she makes up her mind to do so, but all experience shows that it oan only be done at great expense in life and money, and it seems very doubtful if the country is worth tho cost. The island never can bo a colony in the sense in which English people regard colonies. It can never be a place where Kreuohmen can, as in the days of old they did in Canada, set up their Lares and fenales, and make up their mind that there was to be the home of themselves aud their posterity. The most that oan be done ia to give employment to a few civil oflieials and troops sent out from France, and possjbly though very improbably derive a revenue, It may be said that India is a country of the same sort, whore the European race has to be continually reinforced, and where without recruits it would die out in a generation or two. But a great part of India is a land of anolent civilisation, with arts and manufactures of its own. India is not a homo for English families, but at all events it is a great seat of trade, vjhioh it isnot-likely that Madagascar will ever become. It is almost pathetic to see the feverish anxiety, too late in tbe history ol the world, of tbe French to aoouire colonial possessions. The English long ago pegged out or jumped all the best claims, and only very poor ground remains for our neighbours,

'Wellington Notes' will bo found on the fourth page.

The Rev. F. \V. and Mrs Chatterton are expeoled to be in Nelson on or about the 9th of September.

A memorial service will he held tomorrow evening at the Cathedral in connection with the Missionaries who were killed recently in China.

In Chambers yesterday, before Mr 11. W. Robinson, Registrar,' on tho motion of Mr Maginnity, probate of the will of Constantine Allan, late of Collingwood, deceased, was granted to Richard Ungent Allan and George Henry Allan, the executors named in the will. '

The Hospital Rail, which is to be hold on Thursday evening, is exciting a great deal of interest in certain circles. A sufficient number of tickets have been sold to ensure success, and they are still going off rapidly. The ladies committee met last evening and arranged a number of details, and the decoration Committee have already begun work at the Provincial Hall.

Mr Brockiebank, who is employed by Mr W II May, Richmond, met with a nasty accident while outriding on Sunday evening last. He wns returning home along the Appleby roid when his horse suddenly threw him, the result being thot he sustained some rather serious cuts about the face and head, besides a severe shaking. He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the White Hart Hotel where his injuries were speedily seen to, Mr Brockiebank is now progressing favourably, though it will be a week or two before ho will be able to return to work. J

A Foresters' social will be held tomorrow evening.

To-morrow evening a soci-il meeting and sacred concert will be held in connection with the anniversary of tlio Presbyterian Church. Tea will be served in ttie Hall at six o'clock, and the concert will be given in the Church at 7 30.

The debate on " Bi-metallism," in connection with the Winter Evening Debating Society, has been adjourned iigain. It is now advertised that the debate will take place on Tuesday the 20th inst.

The monthly meeting of the Church Missionary Association will be held this evening in the Shelbourne Street Schoolroom. The subject will be " China." Mr G Nicholl, of the Inland China Mission, will give an address.

The adjourned summoned meeting of the Bud of Promise Tent, 1.0.R., will be held this evening.

Snow showers fell yesterday afternoon and the low hills presented a piebald appearance, the covering of snow only being a light one. After dark tho clouns rolled away, and this morning there was a sharp frost.

Dr Hudson will deliver an ambulance lecture to men iu the Drill Shed to-mor-row evening. Dr Gibbs s will also deliver a lecture to ladies in the Shelbourne Street Schoolroom the same evening.

An invention by which wax or other matches are made waterproof has been patented by Mr A. S. Ford, of Wellington. A coating of enamel is placed on the match-heads, which have been found still capable of being struck after 12 hours' immersion in water. This characteristic should make the matches especially useful in the bush, while it is claimed, says the Post, that the enamel makes them harmless to young children, and will practically prevent the use oi match-heads for the purpose of suicide.

Ihe amount expended in drink in Victoria last year amounted to £3,759,000, or t33i per head of population.

The Age says that the expectation of the price of wheat continuing to improve is inducing Victorkn farmers to increase the cropping area.

The New South Wales Minister of Mines is advised that the Westminster Vestry have decided to lay down 100,000 wood-paving blocks.

We are glad to be able to state that Mi Low, the harbourmaster, is somowhal better to-day.

Since Mr Low bas been laid up the captains of the Union Company's stoamers have been bringing the boats in themselves. To-day tho skippers of the Mawhera and Wainui deolinsd tho services of the aoting pilot, and brought their vessels into port tberaselvos. Captain Newton, of the Mahinapua, also refused the assistance of the pilot to take his vessel out last night.

The finding of the jury in the case in which Somervillc was charged with murder came as a surprise to the public of Masterton. Both the local papers speak strongly on the subject. The Slur, after stoutly maintaining the sanity of Somerville, says that the finding of the jury will be regarded by those who respect the law as a simple outrage.

In connection with tho recent outrages in China, whereby several missionaries lost their lives, a Memorial Service will bo held in the Cathedral on Wednesday evening. The Rev. Dr Stewart, one of the victims, it will be remembered, was in Nelson, in Ootober, 1802, and preaohed in tho Cathedral and in All Saints' Churches.

The Greymouth Star says it is rumoured that the crew of tlieThurso, with but few exceptions, had no experience of seafaring life, and could scarcely tell the bow from the stern. The accident could have been prevented by the importation of a really good tow-rope.

A peculiar disease has broken out among tho rabbits in the Masterton dlstriofc, A number of rabbits killed were found to bo alfeoted with running sores.

A notice appears in another column with reference to contributions of provisions, etc., for the Hospital Ball.

A concert, in connection with the All Saints' Choir will be held on Monday next.

Mr Wilson, Resident Engineer, Wellington, arrived by the Wainui, this morning. Mr Wilson has come over in connection with work on tho Midland Railway for the unemployed, and will, with as little delay as possible, see that work is found for those who are anxiously waiting for it.

In <he course of au interview with a representative of this paper Mr (.1. Nicholl, of the China Inland Mission, gave the following interesting particulars : The Inland Mission was established in China by Ihe Rev J. Hudson Taylor in 18(i(>. At this time there were 13 provinces without any missionaries, representing a population of about 200 millions. MiTaylor's mission has been founded on undenominational principles, aud no dillicultjes have been experienced in connection with it, The mission grew year by year, but it was not till 187 1 that aii appeal was made for IS young men to go forth into the (I provinces that were still without missions. Iu 1873 Mr Nicholl, in company with several others, went to undertake the work. In 1874 the Rev. Mr Taylor having met with an accident returned Home. He drew Uh workers from all branches of the evangelical church. As centres in the provinces were opened the needs seemed to become more pressing, and in 1878 the missionaries Lauded themselves togethcr.to pray for 70 additional workers. In the course of two years tlu'se were given. In 18S7 another 100 I followed. In 1889 a branch of the mission was formed in North America. Since that time about 100 workers have gone from the United States and Canada. At the present time they are praying that another 100 young men may be sent from America. As a result live of the number have already gone. In 189*2 Mr Taylor visited theAustralasian colonies and established a branch of the Mission at Melbourno Work has now been opened in New Zealand and there are two councils formed, oue in Auckland and the other In Duuedin. The object of Mr Nicholl's mission to New Zealand is to create further interest in the churches in tho work of missions in China and enlist more workers. The prospects of the work aro hopeful notwithstanding the difficulties. With regard to the present trouble Mr Nicholl does not believe it arises from the religious vegetariuu society, who instead of taking life, look upon it as a meritorious deed to save the life of all living creatures Tliey will even purchase live lish and fowls from the market- on purpose to give them their freedom. No true vegotariau would commit murder, therefore it is altogoi her unlikely they have done so in the present ease. Although the Government gives very little direct help to tho missionaries, It has twice

issued Imperial proclamations with a view to protecting them. Not long since a magistrate drove some missionaries out of his district. They appealed to the Vioeroy of the province. Ho sent them back to their old quarters and compelled the magistrate to protect them and provide houses for them. British residents never reside in the interior of China, they are only to be found at the ports. There aro at present 2000 missionaries and wives iu China.

Mrs Emily Thornc, who resides at Toledo, Washington, says she has never been able to procure any medicine for rheumatism that relieves the pain so quickly and effectually as Chamberlain's Pain Balm, and that she has also used it for a lame back with great success. For sale by Jamks Boon. „