North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1891.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7760, 7 January 1891, Page 2

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1891.

The disclosures that have been made respecting the Emm Pasha Relief Expedition show that white men amongst the almost savages of Central Africa can act in many respects lilce savages themselves. Since the publication of Mr H. M. Stanley's "In Darkest Africa" a fierce correspondence has been going on in the English newspapers respecting certain allegations brought by Mr Stanley against the officers of his rear column, and counter allegations brought by the survivors and relatives of the officers in charge of the rear column. The officers of the rear column were Major Barttelott, Liedt. Troup, Mr Jameson, Mr Bonny, and Mr Ward, and they had been left ftfc a place called Yarnbttya in charge of what is doscribed by some of them as the scam of the «xpeditidnary force, whilt Bbanley -with fch<? pickod men poshed on to Lkfcw Itytfaia to r'offere Xarfm 3?«hb.

The disclosures have nothing whatever to do with the advance column under the immediate charge of Stanley in its quest of Euoin Pasha, for it was during his absence that the events occurred that have given the people of England such a shock, and that have led to opinions being formed that white men when left to their own free will and away from the controlling influence of the opinions of others can speak and act not a whit better than the savages they may happen to be amongst. It will be remembered that Major Barttelot, who was left in charge of the rear column, was murdered by a native named Sanga for cruelly illtreating his (Sanga's) wife. It appears that the woman, in accordance with the custom of her tribe, was beating a drum and singing at the dawn of the morning, and this annoying Major Barttelot he sent twice for the woman to desist. The order was* disobeyed, and Major Barttelot went himself, carrying a revolver and a steel pointed stick, and began to abuse the woman, and was shot dead by her husband. From all the evidence that can be obtained on t u subject it is evident that Major Barttelot was either insane or a veritable fiend. He had kicked a boy with his heavy boot, causing his death ; he had beaten the brains out of a Negro with a stick ; he had caused the infliction of such severe punishment on several natives that they died ; and his systematic cruelties read more like the actions of a lunatic than like those of a man in possession of his senses. Major Barttelot's life was always in danger owing to his cruelties, and that he was shot was simply an act of self-defence on the part of the mtives, who lived in daily terror of tlioir li/es. Mr Stanley brought charges of incapacity against all the officers of the rear guard ; and in the case of Mr Ward of having stolen brass rods (the principal currency of the country), and in that of Mr Jameson of having instigated the natives to murder a girl 10 or 11 years of age, so that he might take sketches of the murder and of the subsequent cannibalism. In regard to the first named charge, Mr Ward has written to the London papers totally denying every word of the charge, and .showing that the rods were paid away for services rendered by natives to the expeditionary force. With regard to the charge against Mr Jameson of having instigated the natives to murder and cannibalism, it rested on the sworn statement of a Syrian Christian named Assad Faran, who had made an affidavit that he had been an eyewitness of the diabolical affair. This man, however, when he got to London, made a full retractation of his previous statement. The fact appears to be that Mr Jameson, who was a fair artist, was told the story of the murder and cannibalism, and from his imagination sketched a number of pictures of the affair. Lieut. Troup. another officer of the rear column, is charged with incapacity, inasmuch as he did not take steps to put a stop to the exaction* and cruelties of Major Barttelot. He replied that as Major Barttelot was his superior officer it would have been nothing short of mutiny for him to have interfered with an officer that Stanley thought capable enough to leave in charge of his rear column. Lieut. Troup also accuses Mr Stanley of having left the rear column with insufficient food, and with instructions that certain supplies should not be touched during his absence. Mr Bonny endorses all the charges against Major Barttelot, and supports Mr Stanley in his accusations. So far as the charges against Lieut. Troup and Mr Ward are concerned these have been almost substantially disproved. Taking a retrospective view of the whole matter, it appears that when Europeans undertake such work as was entrusted to the Emm Pasha Relief Expedition, they throw aside all the attributes of their civilisation, and act to the natives with all the harshness that the natives are accustomed to use to each other. Even Stanley himself is not free from accusations of cruelty to the natives. If civilisation is to progress by such actions as have forced themselves on the notice of the public by the Stanley expeditions to Central Africa, it would be much better if civilisation took a back seat for many years to come. To read the charges which the officers of the relief expedition make against each other, it is plain enough that the natives have been the victims of the onward march of civilisation, and that such civilisation is generally pushed forward with fire and sword. It may be mentioned that Lieut. Troup brings grave charges against Stanley himself — of harshness to the natives, and in the enforcement of discipline not hesitating to take the lives of the disobedient. Of course the excuse for this is that discipline had to be maintained, but it is plain to everyone that the maintenance of discipline can be made too much of, and that there is only one name, and a very ugly one, for such acts as the taking of the lives of natives for what appears to them as very trivial offences. Dr Livingstone did not leave a trail of blood in his marches into Central Africa, and if he could enforce sufficient discipline without recourse to the sacrifice of lives why cannot others do the same ? The London Times, in an article on the subject of Mr Bonny's statements, says it would add much to the information on the subject were the diaries of Major Barttelot and Mr Jameson published in full. These two officers of the rear column are dead, and ifc is against them chat the principal charges are made.

Mails for the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via Rio da Janeiro and Teneriffo, per Tainui, clow at Wellington at 1 p.m. on Thunday, Bth inst. The wife of William Collins was granted c, protectidn order against her husband at the Resident Magistrate's Court) ye«terf*y, td take effect M from the 30bh altimo. Yesterday was the hottest day of the season. The inn run obtcwed try ounjds during tho grenter part <rf the day, but a aorthtf tftf*w»l wtrmth Mew w«rly all

Our Palmerston correspondent writes as follows : There appears to be more trouble brewing at Shag Point, as the whole of the hauda have, to-dny, received notice to quio the cottages and works, as the Company (Messrs Hazlett and Glendining), do not intend working the mine under union rules after the 12th inst. lam afraid we shall witneai a repetition of thesquabbtes that occurred a few months back. Our correspondent writes t Mr and Mrs M'Pherson, of the Lower Pareora, after a residenco of many years in the district, have just removed to the Upper Pareroa. On their departure their many friends took the opportunity to present them with various tokens of esteem and good will. Among these were a handsome timepiece and other useful and ornamental gifts. All join in wishing the family great prosperity in their future home. The Borough valuator has this year made several alterations in the valuations, it is said for the purpose of bringing the values more into harmony with each other. In several instances properties of almost equal value were very differently valued for rating purposes, and an attempt has been made to equalise such valueß. This is the explanation given for Lho alteration made. The difference between the total values of this year and last is very slight. A fovV davg ago we received two letters for publication — one signed " Maheno" and I the other " A Hard Case." With regard •to th - letter signed "Maheno" there is nothiug to be gained by ito publication, and as we hare already refused to publish a letter opposed to the view taken by "Maheno," wo cannot see how we can publish his without being accused of partiality. With regard to the communication of " A Hard Case," the teacher referred to has resigned, aud there is, therefore, now no ne«d for it 3 publication. The Daily Times' Wellington correspondent says: The New Zealand railway revenue (gross) for the nine months up to December 31, amounted to L 806.282 actual cash banked. The net revenue is L 13,000 largpr than for the corresponding period of 1889 The increase is mainly in the goods traffic, and is general throughout the colony, not being confined to one or two sections, but being fairly distributed This shows a gratifying expansion in trade, and the development of colonial resources, for it 1 must be remembered that for somo months during the late strike the mineral traffic . practically ceased on the West Coast lines, and large receipts usually accrue from this ', trade. In making up their estimates f?r the year, the Commissioners allowed LIQ,OOO i for last year's exhibition traffic, but there is every reason to expect that this allowance will prove to have been unnecessary, ! ani that the net revenue by the end of the 1 financial year (3lst March) will be found to » be considerably in excess of last year's , figures. The estimated gross revenue was , L 1,080,000, 080,000 for the year, but the winter half is alwajs much worse than the other, and so in making up the estimates this difference ' is taken into account, the summer half-year ■ being reckoned at about nine-sixteenths of the whole, and the winter at about seven- , sixteenths. On this basis it will be seen : that the receipts of the past nine months, ■ although falling short by L 3700 of three- , fourths of the estimate for 12 months, neveitheless wene well to the good as comL pared with the actual estimate for that 1 period. There was a fair attendance of the ! brethren of Court Pride of o*maru, A.O.F , , at the half-year'y meeting on Monday night, j The routine business of the Court was disposed of, such as attending to the wants of ' the sick and the distressed, which duty the ' Court found to be much lighter than in the ' half-year ending June, which was excep- . tionally heavy, there being seldom under * two or three on the funds at once, while at present there is o^y one. A large amount ■ of correspondence was considered. Two ; candidates were admitted into the brother j hood. The election of officers was then proceeded with, and so close was the contest ' between the aspirins* candidates that iome of them only succeeded in gaining their ' office by one of a majority. The fo' lowing ; is the result: C.R., Bro. H. Stephens, • S.C.R., Bro, R. Thomps u ; Trsww •-, P C.R., Bro. Mackie; Secretary, Bro. Cairns (re-elected): S.W., P.C R. Bro. , ; Hart (re-elected) ; S.W., Bro. Pocklington : S.B ,'Bro. H. Rusbatch ; J.8., Bro Earley ; P.C.R., Bro. J. M. Murray being a^iin elected Assistant Secretary. P.C.R. Bro. 1 Cuthbert acted as installation 'officer, and conducted the brethren to their respective ; offices. The customary presentations were voted to the retiring C.R., Bro. W. T. Wilson, and votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers for their services. The next matter for consideration was the balance sheet, which proved the Court to be in a very prosperous condition. It showed the funds to have increased LB4 0s 3d for the half-year, while the receipts for the same period amounted to L 223 16s 6d. This was i considered by the Court to be highly satis- , factory in face of past events. The Court has suffered a loss in membership, as several members hare allowed themselves to fall out through arrears, doubtless owing to the haid times. The question of being represented , at the forthcoming district meeting in February was considered, and rfsulted in P-C.R's. Bros. Cairns Duff, and J Hamilton being appointed. Votes of confidence wer« passed in Dr Garland (Court surgeon) and Mr J R Sewell (Court chemist). Two candidates were initiated and one proposed, and thus a rery pleasant meeting was brought to a close.

Mk Geo. Robinsov, Surgeon Dentist, will be at home till the last Tuesday of the month, the 27th January, on which date he visits Waimate professionally. The newest thing in Dress Goods is the New French Melange Stripe Double-Width Cloth. We have seen this cloth sold at 4s 6d per yard, but J. Macdonald, Zealandia House, is selling it fast at 2s 6d per yard — [A dvt.] Peter Cormack is busy taking orders for new summer suits at from L 3 10s up wards. Having opened out a lot of special tweeds for the season he is prepared to execute orders on the shortest notice at lowest rates. — Peter Cormaok, Tees street. Gentlemen should have little difficulty in selecting thsir summer suits this season at James Gemmell's Tailoring Establishment, the variety of reliable and fashionable first-class woollen and worsted suitings and trouserings being very extensive Genta' suits to order from 70s upwards. How an Obstinate Cough was Cured. — An aged lady of my acquaintance was for many years troubled with a chronic cough, s severe that she seldom had an hours' quiet i leep. After spending all her substance in medicine, she was persuaded to try Baxter's Lung Preserver, which, under God's blessing, soon cured her. Rev. 3 Se lars. — Vide " Book for Every Home. Baxter's Anti-Neuralgic Pills are a positive cure for Neuralgia. Price, Is 6d per box. Post free for 19 stamps. Just in time for the holidays. Boys' Sailor Suits, in knitted jersey. Blue Serge, white, browu, and striped Washing Material ; nicely trimmed and good wear. Also, Gents' Dressing Gowns, Travelling Bags, Scarfsj Ties, Bows, Silk Handkerchiefs, etc., suitable for Xmas presents, at W. Waddells Glasgow Clothing House, Oamaru.