Daily Circulation, 1900. The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1899.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7690, 6 December 1899, Page 2

Daily Circulation, 1900. The Oamaru Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1899.

The Mail will not be published this evening, but in order that our readers may have the earliest available information concerning ths results of the election, both locally and afield, we have made arrangements for the receipt of news from all parts of the colony up to midnight, and we shall publish extras and post returns at our office at short intervals throughout the night after the close of the poll. A well-informed Dunedin correspondent Informs us that the contest for the three Dunedin seats will be exceedingly keen. Were it not for the intrusion of Mr C. R. Chapman, who will draw off some votes from the Liberal candidates without doing more for himself than gaining a little notoriety, the fight would be a fairly straightout party one. Probable many electors will not, however, adhere to either ticket, but give their votes upon personal grounds, and Mr Scobio Mackenzie is likely to be the greatest gainer, while the Conservatives are the better disciplined upon the tickat question. The result is difficult to forecast, but the genaral opinion is that the election of Messrs Mackenzie and Millar is pretty safe, and that there will ba a hard fight tor the third seat, which will probably be won by either Mr Sligo (one of the retiring Opposition members) or Mr Arnold (one of the Ministerial trio). Caversham is held safe by Mr Morrison, and Mr E. G. Allen will hold Waikouati, but Mr Carncross has a tough battle at the Taieri with Mr Begg, who will get a large number of votes because of his advocacy of Prohibition. Mr Crawford Anderson iB not expected to wrest the Bruce seat from Mr James Allen, but the fight is a good one. The splitting of votes may give the Clutha seat to Mr M'Leod, the Ministerial candidate, and, despite the splitting of the Liberal vote, Mr Bennett is likely to win the Tutpeka. Altogether the chances are Oiago will improve the Ministerial position by one or two. From Christc-hurch we learn that the election contest will be very keen, and that the result is difficult to predict owing to the number of candidates in the field and the m'uiv considerations affecting the distribution of votes. Ot the three who constitute the Opposition ticket, Mr Lewis is the only one likely to be sleeted. Mr Collins will probably win a seat for the Government, but who the third member will be it is hard to say. Mr T. E. Taylor's chance has been damaged by his actions in the House upon the Old Age Pension Bill and with regard to the Transvaal contingent, which have alienated friends, otherwise his election might have been looked upon as pretty secure. Mr C. Tavlor, the Liberal-Labor candidate, will poll up well; but the most likely of the trio is Mr G. J. Smith, to whom the Liberals are most likely to give their third vote, only two Ministerialists having been nominated. Mr Ell will get a Bhare of these votes ana poll well. Mr G. W. Russell has a good chance of defeating Mr Rolleston at Ricearton, where a narrow majority on either side is expected. . The fFelegraph Office will remain open all night and until two o'clock to-morrow morning. After eight o'clock messages will be received for transmission at urgent rates. Mr James Coates, general manager of the National Bank, is in town. Mails for South Africa, via Albany and Capetown, per Spithead, will close at Lyfctelton to-morrow, at 10 a.m. The annual concert in aid of the school funds of the Hampden school will be held on Friday, the 29th inst. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, have received the following cable message from their London office, under date December IstWool. The sales gain firmness as they progress. Greasy and scoured merino, 15 to 20 per cent higher; greasy crossbred, average 20 per cent higher; slipe, average 10 per cent higher; scoured crossbred, average 15 pei cent higher since close of last sales.'' Messrs Dalgety and Company, Limited, hi.T.ve received the following cable message their London office, dated lßt inst. • •yy 00 \. The sales continue with increasing spirit, and prices have gainedfurther ground Since oar last telegram, prices are 3 to 5 per cent higher." We remind our readers of the grand gym nasium ball to be held in Haasalla Hall Kurow, at 8.30 to-night. ... The Queen's Rifles will open their shooting season to-morrow afternoon, when severa trophies will be competed for, including on* for the recruits only. The drag will leavi the Post Office at 2 o'clock, and ammunitioi will be served out on the range. A meeting was held in the Harbor Boarc offices yesterday afternoon for the purpose of considering the question of the weight o grain sacks. The meeting aroße out of the receipt of a circular in similar terms to thai recently discussed by the Agricultural anc Pastoral Association, and published at th< time in our columns. Mr J. H. Barr pre Bided, and there were also present Messri Meek, Rose, Darlingr, Monson, Haynes

Christie, and Burbury. The circular was read and conversationally discussed at some length* Mr Smith, foreman of the Union Company's labor gang, attended, and in response to questions stated that he had never heard any complaints as to 2401b bags being too heavy for handling, although there had been complaints when the bags had run over that size. He thought that weight should be a strict maximum. This opinion and experience waß generally confirmed by those present, and it was ultimately decided to reply to the letter and circular to the effect that experience did not point to any necessity for an alteration: It was decided further to send copies of the resolution to chambers of commerce and agricultural and pastoral associations throughout the colony. The anecdote of how Rudyard Kipling became a Prohibitionist is worth repeating at this juncture. He tells how in a concert hall in Bnffalo, he saw two young men get two young girls drunk, and then lead them reeling down a dark street. Mr Kipling has not been a total abstainer, nor have his writings commended temperance, but of that scene he writes: previous opinions, I became a Prohibitionist. Better is it that a man should go without his beer in public places, and content himself with swearing at the narrow-mindedness ot the majority ; better is it to poison the inside with very vile temperance drinks, and to buy lager furtively at back doors, than ti bring temptation to the lips of young folks such as the four X had seen. I understand now why the preachers rage against drink. I have said : 1 There is no harm in it taken moderately,' And yet my own demand for beer helped directly to send these two girls reeling down the dark street—God alone knows to what end. If liquor is worth drinking, it is worth taking a little trouble to come at—such trouble as a man will undergo to compasß his own desires. It is not good that we should let it lie before the eyes ot children, and I have been a fool in writing to the contrary." The Mt ida Chronicle, of which Mr Scobie Mackenzie is popularly supposed to be the inspiring guide, philosopher, and friend, after commenting on the general apathy displayed towards the coming election, concludes an article on the subject by saying: " Our own opinion is that there will be a small, but not very considerable, Government reverse in the North Island, but that the Ministry will be found to at least hold it 3 own in the South. We therefore predict that on Wednesday night the colony will find Itself under the sway of Mr Seddon for another three years." The P. and O. Company's steamship Peninsular, which arrived at Plymouth on Saturday, Cctober 15, from Bombay, reported that during the voyage Captain the Hon. W. Wrodesley, of the 4th Dragoon Guards, who was on his way home for the benefit of his health, died of phthisis, and a second-class passenger succumbed to disease of the liver. Both were buried at sea. While the ship was passing through the Red Sea one of her Lascar crew committed suicide by jumping overboard, and just after leaving Marseilles a native coal-trimmer was seized with bubonic plague. Immediately on the arrival of the Peninsular at Plymouth she was boarded by Dr Williams, the port medical officer, who had the man promptly removed to the hospital ship Pique, in Plymouth Sound. The cabin occupied by the patient was thoroughly fumigated, a number of passengers were landed, and in little over an hour the vessel left for Loudon. The bubonic plague patient is very much better, and his complete recovery is anticipated. It would appear (says the Poverty Bay Herald) that the last has not been heard of the kumi, which is to be still at large in the Arowhana district. A native named Hare Poata reports that while out pig-hunting there he ran across a curious animal of a kind not seen before. The creature was about the size of a sheep dog, and had immense claws, a little larger than a man's hand. Its body was black iu ap-

pearance. Upon Poati's approach tha animal disappeared in some brushwood. Its tracks were traced for some distance, but ifi could not be followed on account of the density cf the bush. In William Ellis Metford, who died at Bristol on October 14 (says the Pall Mall Gazette) passed away the Becond of two men whose influence upon rifle shooting and upon the development of the modern rifle has been very great. The other of the two of course was Sir Henry Halford. Always together at Wimbledon, where at one time they inhabited the Windmill, and at Bfsley, where they shared a bungalow ne ir the long ranges, the two old gentlemen have not been kept apart long by death. Neither of them was a regular officer. Both of them had a passion for rifle shooting and for the improvement of the weapon; both were firat-rate mechanics possessed of wonderful skill of hand. The passengers by the Ostend mail steamer Ville de Douvres had a very unpleasant experience. The vessel left t stend about 11.30 at night, with 26 passengers and mails. She had been at sea about an hour when her paddle suddenly became disabled through striking some floating wreckage. The vessel was promptly brought tD, and her engineers promptly set to work to repair the damage. The mail boat Marie Henriette, which left Ostend for Dover at 5 o'clock the following morning, passed the Ville de Douvres, when she was some miles off Ostend, showing a distress signal. The captain of the damaged steamer decided to endeavor to return to Ostend by using one paddlewheel, and got safely to the Belgian port during the morning, taking the passengers back.

Despatches received at the State Department at New York from confirm the desperate character of the situation from the Government point of view. When the last despatch was sent off the Government troops were preparing to evacuate Caracas, and the President and most of his Ministers and partisans were also getting ready for flight. The insurgent general Castro has proved himself the better man throughout the struggle for supremacy, and he is at present master of the situation. The long-discussed combination of firms engaged in the calico printing trade of Lancashire and Scotland has been accomplished. It embraces the majority of the firms in both districts, and the capital will probably reach the enormous sum of between L 7,000,000 and L 10,000,000. It is understood that stocks and valuations were taken at the end of last month, and that all firms concerned have accepted the valuations. For a long time the calico-printing industry has not shared in the general prosperity of the trade, owing to the competition and the catting of prices, and it believed the combination will exercise a beneficia 1 influence on the market.

The Northumberland Fusiliers, one battalion of which is now on the west frontier of the Orange Free State, and the other on the way to South Africa, has (says the St. James' Gazette) had a remarkable person as a member of the regiment. This is one of the few authenticated instances of a woman passing her life in the fighting profession. At Brighton, in the churchyard, her monument may be seen, with the following inscription :—"ln memory of Phcebe Hessel, who was bom at Stepney in the year 1713. She served for many years as a Boldier in the sth Regiment in different parts of Europe, and in 1745 fought under the command of the Duke of Cumberland in the bittle of Fontenoy, where she received a wound in her arm. Her long life extended from tihe reign of Queen Anne to that of George IV., from which monarch she received comfort and support in her later years. She died at Brighton, 12th December, 1821, aged 1C8." The most remarkable instance of a woman passing as a man was that of the woman who served as an army surgeon, who was wounded during the Crimean war, and rose to the high rank of Deputy Surgeon-General, dying in 1878, when her sex was discovered. Mr John M'Bride, who has organised the Irish Brigade in the Transvaal, is an Ulsterman of 34. He threw over the Irish constitutional party in 1895, and joined the physical force contingent. On their behalf he went on a mission to the Clan-na-gael in America. For some time before he had been marked oat as a dangerous man by the police, and was shadowed by detectives in America. He was originally intended for tbe medical profession, but became an assistant to a chemist in Dublin. His father was the captain of a ship which foundered with the losa of all hands. One of Al'Bride's brothers is a doctor, and another is an Irish official. Two of his cousins were leaders in the Fenian risings of 1867. .... The abandonment of Dr Leyds vißit to Berlin is connected (the Standard's Paris correspondent says) with the projected visit of the Emperor William to England in the minds of the writers of the French press. (Che Figaro, commenting on this matter, says

that certain of the English journals have gone ont of their way to flatter the Emperor. The Temps says: •' If certain persons are well informed.- the Duke of Cumberland will be at the Court of St. Jameß' at the Bame time as the Emperor William, and Queen Victoria will profit by this unique occasion to effect a reconciliation between her grandson and the representative of the Houße of Hanover. The visit of the Emperor William would be an undeniable proof of the establishment of an accord concerning South African affairs " Ths Echo de Paris, commenting npon the general situation, sayß that the British conception is to take and assimilate to the Empire the whole of East Africa from the mouth of the Rile to the Cape.

Here is a story of Freemasonry on Majnba Hill. A slightly wounded commissariat officer was being covered by the rifle of a Boer sharpshooter, when the former made a Masonic sign. The Boer lowered his rifle, aDd stepping over to the other made him a prisoner, but treated him in a specially nospitable fashioa as a brother member of the craft. The commissariat man ascertained that Mr Kruger and General Jouberb were also Freemasons. Concerning this a "Past Master" writes to the Daily Chronicle, which published the anecdote:— " The story of Freemasonry on Majuba Hill related in your issue of Wednesday is not a solitary instance on record. Many similar touching incidents occurred during the Franco-Prussian war. Not only are President Kruger and Piet Joubert enthusiastic Freemasons, but practically every educated Boer belongs to the order. As most of the British officers also belong to the craft, it will bg a real caEe of ' brothers' slayine • brothers ' During the last Transvaal war an appeal was sent by the Grand Orient of the Netherlands to the M.W.G.M. the Prince of Wales, entreating him, as a • brother,' to use his influence in fwor of peace. 'J hs Prince replied that, as this was a political question, he could not intervene." A writer in To-day relates some interesting stories about Sir Redvers Buller, who has been appointed to the supreme command at the Cape, and vouches for the authenticity of the followinglt was at the time of the Zulu war. Buller's Horse, which had been skirmishing to the front, were suddenly taken to the rear by their commander for reaeon3 that were of course cogent. A war correspondent who was out with the fighting lines was dissatisfied, and expressed his contempt for the leader who had thought the movement necessary. "Bill" Beresford (Lord William), who was on Buller's staff at the time, overhead and took the grumbler up sharp, declaring that he would not allow his chief to be abused. The correspondent was not to be pnt down, and repeated his aspersions. " You must take it all back or fight me," cried the pugnaciously loyal Beresford. " Come on, then," sturdily cried the other, and both jumped off their horses and fell to at fisticuffs, then and there, alone, their own people fast disappearing over the veldt, and the Zulus coming on hand over hand. It was not concluded until Buller missed his aide-de camp, and hearing of the minor encounter in progress, sent back an escort to bring the two combatants in. The story is a strange one, and by no means discreditable either to soldier or newspaper man. Where shall I buy my drapery 1 Why, from the firm which is in the best position to supply the very things I want, at the right time and at the right price That firm must have a large capital, a well assorted stock, and must, withall be in communication with the leading English and Continental manufacturers. The firm to fill these conditions is Penrose's Cash Drapery Establishment. They can supply your wants promptly for the lea3t possible outlay, and to your entire satisfaction.

Mr C. H. Armstrong will visit Kurow from 4th to 7th Deceembr ; Duntroon on Bth December.—[Advt.] A MOTHER' 3 WAIL. Listen ! Ye fathers and mothers, To the tale of a sister's woes ; Let your wills be bent, And kind sympathy lent, For my cup with deep sorrow o'erfiows. I once had daughters, the faire3b ; And sons who were true and brave, And the drink gods did claim them, On their alters they've slain them, And they now fill a terrible grave. My boys joined in Eports that were noble, But the subtile temptation was there, For it seemed to them childish To rebel 'gainst their friends wish, And not moderate drinking to share. My girls once the fairest and sweetest ; For betrothed sundered all mother's claims, Men who promised them love By the Great God above, Were as fiends when in drink, needing chains. Then fathers, mothers, brothers, Sisters, don't rob life of joy ; When you vote don't be flippant, Lest you sign the death warrant Of some mother's wayfaring boy. Obey the dictates of your conscience, —Sacred charge, let it never be slain : Besmear not that heart of thine, But strike out that top line Which says I vote that the license remain. W.E.S. I Oamaru, Ist December, 1599. Visitors to the Oamaru Show are cordially invited to call and inspect the numerous Bargains we are now ofiering. We have a splendid lot of Ladies' Sailor Hats from la 6d, Ladies' Trimmed Hats-very neat and stylish, Hats for Boys and Girls, Sunboncets and Sunhats for Children, Straw Hat 3 for Men and Youths from Is—splendid choice, bargains in Ladies' Sunshades —white, black and shot, Children's Parasols Is 2s 3d 2s 9d. We keep only the best makes n Corsets best wearing and best fitting, from as 9d per piir up We have great bargains in Prints Muslin , Ginghams, Galateas,

etc., Ladies ana Lki»aren ? s Washing Gloves, Kid Gloves, and Cashmere Hsse, Ribbons, Laces, Chiffons, Belts, andkerchiefs, Ties, Collars, etc , at L. H. Tempebo's, Cas Draper, Corner Thames and Wear streets, Oamaru. *