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New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3330, 12 January 1898, Page 2

A correspondent, Mr F. Whitley, directs attention to an error of ours in speaking of the Martini-Enfield rifle as carrying a much heavier bullet than the Lee-Metford. We have to thank our correspondent for pointing out the error, which occurred through inadvertence. Until recently the Loe-Metford, small-bore, magazino rifle was the weapon of the British soldier, and a very fine weapon it is, with a flat trajectory, ensuring long range and accurate shooting. It is a delicate piece of mechanism, however, and the rifling of the barrel wears out far too rapidly under tbe strain of cordite ammunition. Through tho high price and supposed inability of the LeaMotford;, to stand rough handling, tho .Martini-Metford was introduced for the benefit of certain auxiliary and colonial troops, whom it is deemed unnecessary or undesirable to entrust with the expensive and complicated magazine rifle. As the name indicates, the Martini-Metford combines the advantages of the Lee-Metford and Martini - Henry, having the simple Martini breech action, with the small bore and long range of the Metford barrel. When the War Office announced its intention of arming the British Volunteer with the Lee-Metford, it was at once concluded by those who take an interest in military affairs that a new weapon was to be issued to the Army, and this proved to be the case. The change was brought about by the introduction of the Enfield barrel —of the.same calibre as the Metfordi but possessing a great advantage, namely, that it will fire about three times as many shots without wearing out the rifling. Thus it was .decided to replace the Lee-Metford by the Lee-Enfield.

The Martini-Enfield, 5000 of which have been ordered by our neighbours in Victoria, is compounded of the Martini breech and the Enfield barrel —a rifle that may be fitly described as an ideal weapon for colonial and other partially-trained troops, equalling the highest class of magazine rifles in range and penetration and retaining the simple and durable breech-action of the MartiniHenry.Of oourse.a force armed with auobsolete weapon such as the last mentioned — with which wo regret to say the New Zealand Volunteers have been provided—would have no possible chance against troops using the small-bore, long-range. rifle. The one drawback of the small-bore bullet —its want of “stopping" power vhen used against barbarous enemies, such as "Fuzzy-Wuzzy ” of the Soudan —has been overcome by the invention of the “ DumDum ” ballet, which “ sets up ” on impact with a yielding object— corpus hwmanum for instance —and produces an effect similar to that of an explosive bullet.

It ia a remarkable thing’ that the news of the death of the Hon William Gisborne should have had to bo made known in this colony per medium of a private cable message. The Press Association agent would have been certain to advise of tho death of, say a renowned pugilist, a jockey, or even a racehorse j but apparently a distinguished ex-colonist is deemed to be unworthy of notice. Tho deceased statesman, came to this colony in the early days. In July, 1869, he became a Minister of the Crown, with office as Colonial Secretary, which portfolio he retained until September, 18T2, when the Stafford Ministry ousted the Fox Govemmantand Mr Gisborne went to the Go vernment Insurance, where, shortly before, he had been-ap-pointed Commissioner. In July, 1879, he again took office as Minister of Mines and Immigration and hands, but was out of office again in October of that year, when the Hall Government came into power, and since then he never held office. The late honourable gentleman .was Undersecretary for the Colony from July, 1847, to July, 1869, but was .never Under-Secretary for Crown Lands as has been stated locally. In those days there were but few Undersecretaries. The office of head of the Treasury was styled Assistant-Treasurer and there was a Secretary to the Post Office; but Mr Gisborne was above all these, inasmuch as he was styled Undersecretary for the Colony. After years of official life, with its changes and disappointments, Mr Gisborne went Homo. He had not long been in the land of his birth when, by the death of several relatives, he found himself in possession , of two or three beautiful homes and a considerable annual income. His_ three daughters, who are married, are in England, and his son Lionel is a well-known man in' his County and is Master of the Hounds there. The Hon W. Gisborne is best known to the people of the colony at this date as the author of “ Hew Zealand Bulere and Statesmen” —a book which is not only useful as a work of reference, but which has been written in a fair spiritWe desire to extend to Captain Edwin and to others in this colony with whom the late' statesman was either related or connected by ties of friendship our sympathy and regret at the loss which Mr Gisborne's death has occasioned. In another column an outline of the report by the Health Officer of this port to the Government is published, and the public is informed that the report is deemed satisfactory by the % State Department. Dt James enters into a calculation as to the steaming powers of tho Aorangi which appears tons to be entirely beside the question. The fact remains that the steamer entered the harbour in broad daylight, and that had an effort been made by the Health Officer to board her from the Government launch, the whole of the inspection could have been completed before sunset. That the Department has expressed its satisfaction at what was done does not in any way surprise us. The conduct of tho various Departments is ordinarily so fatuous, whore the convenience of the public is concerned ■ —not to speak of the good name of the

port of Wellington—that it would have been astonishing if the Health Officer had been advised to, in future, give every possible despatch to incoming ocean mail steamers. After all, some discretion is left, to the Health Officer, and when he knows how ranch may depend upon his going oa board an inward-bound vessel and granting her pratique, he should even stretch his instructions somewhat in the interests of the vessel, its passengers and tho port.

The announcement made by the Eev H, Van Staveren of his intention not to seek re-election as chairman of the Benevolent Trustees is one which the community will learn with regret. For 20 years he has been a member of the Board, and for 13 years of that time has filled the office of chairman. Few people are aware of the amount of labour involved in superintending relief to the indigent residents of our city and to those who arrive here in a destitute ‘condition. During his term of office the retiring chairman has necessarily become personally acquainted with the circumstances and positions of the former, a fact which, combined with the thorough manner in which he has investigated each case, has made his services invaluable. It is to be hoped that the now chairman will have as much local knowledge as his predecessor, and also that be will transact the ofttimes painful duties he has necessarily to perform with as much of that clearness of head and kindness of heart as have ever distinguished the latter. For Mr Van Staveren has acted with the most extreme consideration for those who, through the misfortunes of life, have been compelled to seek assistance, and at the same time he has preserved the interests of the ratepayers with commendable care. We repeat that his coming retirement is a matter for regret, and he deserves hearty thanks for his many years’ excellent service.

It may interest readers to learn, in connection with a paragraph published in yesterday’s issue, that not only is Marram grass being used successfully on the sand dunes near the Ocean Beach, Dunedin, but that at that lovely seaside resort, Sumner, near Christchurch, it has been planted to great advantage. On the West Coast of this island it is being extensively used—from Paikakariki to Wanganui and the wonder to many is that it has not been planted to prevent the drifting of the sand round our Queen’s Drive. The action of the grass is to bind the sand and prevent its travelling and destroying all other vegetation. In parts of Australia, where it was believed that nothing could bo done to stay the devastating influence of the shifting sand, the Marram grass has proved one of the greatest of all blessings. What was once deemed to be a useless, trackless waste, now affords not only pleasure to the eye but pasture to lusty and thriving animals.