NOTES FROM HOME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3910, 28 August 1874, Page 3

NOTES FROM HOME.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT ) Edinburgh, July Bth,

PARLIAMENTARY ISOTKS.

The doings of Parliament during the past month have, with one or two exceptions, been unmarked by anything of peculiar interest or importance. Among the exceptions is the rejection of the second reading of Mr Plimsolls Merchant Shipping Survey Bill by the narrow majority of three votes—l 73 against 170, these figures making it appear that only half the House were present at the division on this important question. The Press generally seems to think that the majority took the proper view of the course to be adopted, and that Mr Plimsolls cause has not in any way suffered by the defeat of his Bill. The Royal Commission on Unseaworthy Ships, appointed through the exertions of Mr Plimsoll, have just issued their final report. It is anything but a satisfactory or conclusive document. It expresses the opinion that an Act of Parliament enforcing the adoption of any scale of ireeboard jwould be mischievous, but recommends that every merchant vessel should have marked upon both her sides a vertical scale of feoi/froni her miutv'deck dowTiAvards. The Commissioners regret they canntfi; prescribe any universal rule for the safe loading of merchant., ships. They also think it unwise to entirely prohibit the carrying of deck cargoes, but recommend that whenever a deck cargo is carried its quantity and character should be stated in the log. The Commissioners also deem it inexpedient to alter the existing state of matters respecting the survey of ships, but they advocate the abolition of the present system of compulsory pilotage. They think there is no deficiency in-the manning of vessels, but they state that the evidence taken discloses the facts that the n.asters of ships have not now, as they formerly had, sufficient control over their men, and they require grea'er punitive powers. The Commissioners likewise advocate the revision of the iusurance laws. The general tenor of the report is that it is inadvisable to transfer responsibility from the shipowner to the Government; and that the Board of Trade should confine its interference to ascertaining that shipowners keep their vessels in seaworthy condition.

The principal debate of the month, however, was that on the Home liule .question. It lasted over two nights, and if it was not particularly instructive, it was by no means devoid of amusement, owing to the eagerness of the Irish members to enact the roles of the Kilkenny eats. The O'Donogue, in particular, was made to feel how good an opportunity he had given his enemies to triumph through having written a book, or rather pamphlet, some years ago, and some quotations from which caused him no little chagrin. Two or three of the Irish members, moreover, to the no small diversion of the House, told tales out of school regarding the authorship of certain articles, &c, in the irish "national" newspapeis. Sir Patrick O'Brieii was the victim of a malicious reporter or compositor. He declared with pride that he belonged to " the Latin race," and next morning one of the papers made him say that he belongtd to "a ratting race." Amid the roars of the House, also, Sir Patrick retoited to a member who was beseeching him in a friendly way to stop his exiraordinarv oration, in the words " You're a fool." At length two of Sir Patrick's friends boldly seized him by the coat-tails and literally pulUd him back to his seat, while the House rang again with the laughter of honourable members. As a contrast to this lively speech was that of the Marquis of Hartington, who speedily sent the House to sleep. On all sides members were to be seen wrapped in happy slumber, and Mr Disraeli was the only Minister who managed to resist the soporific influence; but the Marquis went on all the same. He heard himself talking, and was happy. The debate concluded in the defeat of the nibtion by 459 votes to til. On another Light a lively debate took place on the affairs of the Gold Coast. Its principal feature was a witty speech by Sir Wilfrid Lawson, of Permissive Bill fame, who expressed the contradictory hopes—amid the laughter of the House —that the new Governor of the Gold Coast would be a teetotaller, and that the Government, if they wished to civilise the natives, would introduce champagne among them. The debate was considerably shortened by the proceedings of Aldei-mau M'Arthur, who got up to make a speech after having duly provided himself with a sheaf of extracts and a succession of glasses of water. He was literally howled down, the House being alarmed by the magnitude of his. preparations, and the speeches after his were both few aud short. NEW ZEALAND ITEMS. Some correspondence on the subject of Highland emigration to New Zealand has. been going on in the columns of the Highlander, an Inverness journal, especially devoted to the interests of the Gaelic-speaking population of Scotland. I have only seen two of these letters - the one boing written by the Skye correspondent of the Noith British Mail, and the other by Mr P. C. Ross, of Poitree. Both writers warmly advocate Highland emigration to New Zealand, and call on the Government of the Colony to exert itself to obtain these desirable settlers. The first-named writer expresses the opinion that "everything points to Now Zealand as the future home of the Gael," and he suggests that the Colonial Government should semi home as emigration agents not only Highland men but Highland women. Mr JSoss, in the course of his letter, says:—" Let me assure you with regard to the prospects held out in the Colony of New Zealand to industrious men and women, thai there is not a mail coming from it to this district which does not bring money and encouragement to one or more families from members of them who emigrated within the list two years." He then quotes three specific instances of this kind.

Some remarks bearing on this subject are also made by the Registrar-General for Scotland in his report on the last census of Scotland (in 1871), which report was only laid ou the table of the House of Commons on the 3rd iust. Commenting on the fact that the females exceeded the males by 153,732, the Registrar-General says that during the decade the emigration of males has gradually exceeded that of females. He then goes on to make some remarks which are worthy of the attention of your Government :—" What to do with the excess of females in the mainland-rural and insular-rural districts is a question of the utmost importance in social economics. It is quite plain that female emigration should bo encouraged to a much greater extent both to our colonies and to our larger towns; but a formidable barrier to the migration of females from the rural districts to our towns exists in the fact that over a great portion of the north and west of Scotland, and in all the Western Isles, the Gaelic language is still encouraged, and the people are cut off from emigrating to the towns from a want of knowledge of the English tongue." The RegistrarGeneral then proceeds, on this ground, to urge very strongly that the Gaelic language should cease to be taught in all our National schools.

An interesting insurance case, in which 'New Zealand was mixed up, was heard in the Court of Exchequer on June 25th. It was brought with reference to a Dr Beasley—who was" drowned in the Proyince of Maiiborough some fifteen months previous—to recover from the British Imperial Insurance Corporation. limited, the sum of £1000, being the amount of a policy of insurance effected with the defendants on the life of Dr Beasley. It seems that, in L 872, the deceased sailed for New Zealand, and prior to doing so, satisfied the requirements of the Insurance Company regarding the extra risk on his life. He returned from the Coloay, and early in

1873 ho again sailed thither, and was drowned", as already stated. The main point in dispute was whether Dr Boasley, iv respect to his second voyage to New Zealand, had obtained permission from the Company to travel beyond Europe. Several minor points were also raised by the defence, but the Jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for the.full amount, claimed, together with interest. A curious incident occurred during the trial. It waji objected on behalf of the defendants that they had received no legal evidence" of the (hath of Dr Geasley, either in New Zealand or anywhere else ; whereupon one of the juiois'rose up and stated that he was in New Zealand at the time Dr Bensley was drowned, and that he could testify to the truth of the fatal occurrence.

A book on adventure in New Zealand twenty yeavsago has just made its appearance. It title is, " The Narrative of Edward I'rewe." J have not seen the book itself, but a brief notice of it in the Graphic contains the following mysterious passage:—"The chapters likely to excite most curiosity are those relating to a certain gold find, from whieli the author professes to have extracted ovev 40,000 ounces, and to have left lumps of the solid metal as' large, say, as chalkstones,' same day, perhaps, to reward the greed of new explorers." Tlrs passage ought to suffice to cause the book to sell rapidly. THE FIJI ANNEXATION QUESTION. An influential deputation from the Fiji Committee of the Aborigines Protection Society waited on the Earl of Carnarvon on the 3rd inst. to present him with a memorial, urging the annexatinn of the Fiji Group to Great Britain. The deputation was introduced by Earl Belmore, and among its members was Sir Charles Clifford. Tho grounds 011 which the step in question was advocated were the cruelties of the labour traffic, and the incapacity of the Government of King Cakobau. Seveial of the Colonial gentlemen who formed part of the deputation, dwelt upon the desire generally prevalent in the Colonies that British rule should be established in Fiji. The answer given them by Lord Carnarvon was a much more favourable one than might have been expected. His Lordship stated, that while it was no longer expedient or even possible to annex savage territories as had been done in times past, Her Majesty's Government regarded the case of Fiji as an exceptional one, and they were at that time giving it their serious consideration, so that he declined to commit himself to a decide! expression of opinion on that occasion. This reply was regarded by the deputation as a highly encouraging one: Lord Carnarvon is also apparently desirous of gaining the good opinion of Colonists by cultivating more friendly personal relations with such of the more distiu-■* pished of them as may happen to be accessible. This he is doing by inviting them to a series of breakfasts No doubt the additional knowledge of Colonial requirements thus gained by the Secretary of State will, in due time, be found to have a beneficial effect.on the mutual'relations of the Colonies and the mother-country. THE I,OCK-OUT OF i'ARJI LABOUUKRS. This.lock-out continues without sign of abatement or concession on either side. At Manchester a " monster" trades demonstration in favour of the labourers has taken place. Amid the usual accompaniments of banners and music —the latter furnished by 40 bands- 25,000 persons marched to the Pomona Gardens, where "orations'' were delivered by Mr Arch and others. "With a view to obtaining more substantial support for the cause, a huge mouey-liox on wheels was dragged along with the. procession, and into it there was cast during the day cash to the amount of £200, of which upwards of half was in coppers. Since this meeting 1< oof the labourers have commenced a march through England for the purpose of awakeniug and keeping alive sympathy with their class, as well as collecting funds for the maintenance of the louked-aut labourers. They have visited a number of the midland towns—Birminghain among the rest—and have received a good deal of countenance and support. They turn their pilgrimage to account for pleasure as well 'as .profit by going to see the principal " sights "in the places they visit. At one of the meetings of labourers Mr Aich stated that he was about to despatch four ship loads ;of them to Canada. On the other hand, at a riieeting of farmers at Newmarket it was " positively announced" that 5000 labourers who had "emigrated to Canada were anxious to return. It was stated a few days ago by the Standard that a largejmmber of families were getting ready to leave North Lincolnshire this summer for New Zealand, in charge of an agent of the League. On the whole the lock-out has been distinguished by its peaceful and law-observing character, but there have been exceptions to this. For instance, near Bury St. Edmunds, seven women whose husbands are locked-out men, have been fined for beating a non-union labourer, I don't know what these women would have done to a company of haymakers who are reported to have been engaged at Chard. The rick was made by a man with one arm, the hay was pitched by a man with only one leg, the raking was performed by a crazy man, while the fourth, whose occupation is not stated, was deaf and dumb. THECARLISTWAB. Owing to the scarcity of exciting news, the contest now going on in Spain between the Carlists and Republicans has been creating considerable interest in this country. The operations culminated in a grand battle on the 27th and 28th Jun«. The Republican commander, Mar*, shal Concha, had, by a series of skilful movements, hemmed in the Carlists near Estella, in Biscay, until they were fairly at bay, and obliged to make a desperate effort to burst the daily narrowing cordon that enclosed them. Accordingly, on the days named, the fighting, which had been more or less sustained for two days previous, became very warm. On the 28th the crisis of the battle occurred, and Marshal Concha, seeing his men beginning to give way, placed himself at their head with all the fire and impetuosity of youth, although in his 80th- year, and led them on in person, encouraging -them both by word and gesture. While thus engaged the gallant old mm was shot in the breast, and died almost immediately, his last words being— " I die iv the van of the army." In consequence of his fall the Republican troops fell back, leaving the Carlists victors in the four days' conflict. The losses on both sides were very considerable, that of the Republicans alone being estimated at between 3000 and 4000. Their most severe loss, however, was the death of their leader, who was by far the most capable general the war has yet produced, and whose operations had gained the approbation of skilled judges iv other countries. The Marshal's body was embalmed and sent to Madrid, where ho received a public funeral. His death has caused widespread regret in Re-, publican Spain. A bad feature of this seemingly interminable war is the, savage way in which the prisoners are treated. It appears to be now beyond denial that after the battle of Estella the Carlists treated tho wounded men who fell into their hands in the most barbarous aud inhuman manner, cutting off their noses and ears, and sticking their heads on poles. This is no new feature, unfortunately, for in the Carlist war of 1835 atrocities of a similar character were perpetrated by the Carlists upon .their prisoners, especially when these belonged to foreign nations. THE MORDAUNT DIVORCE CASE. This case, which caused so much senation a few years ago through the Prince of Wales being summoned as one of the co-respondents, is about to be again brought before the Divorce Court. It may be remembered that, when the case was heard before that Court in 1870, the jury found that when the citations were served on Lady Mordaunt, a year previous, she was, and still continued, in a state of mental incapacity which rendered her entirely unfit to give proper instructions for her defence. In June, 1870, the case was heard by the full Court, which held— the Lord Chief Baron dissenting—that Lady Mordiiunt's insanity was a bar to further proceedings Sir Charles Mordaunt then appealed to the House of Lords, which was assisted by. seveial of the Common Law Judges. The judgment of this tribunal has at length been delivered by Lords Chelmsford and Hatherley, and it reverses the decision of the Court below. Sir Charles will therefore be able to have the divorce case tried. During the time the case has been:' pending Lady Mordaunt has been in confinement' in an asylum for the insane. Public curiosity is already again on the gui viva regarding this remarkable case. COMICAL BREACH OF PROMISE CA.SE. An action for breach of promise of marriage heard a few days ago before the Court of Common Pleas, was very fully reported in the London papers, and appears to have given rise to considerable merriment among the spectators. Its peculiarity consisted in the usual position of affairs being reversed, the gentleman being the plaintiff, and the lady the defendant. The plaintiff was a commercial traveller named Priest, residing at Birmingham, and the defendant wis a Miss Goddeu, who resided in Devonshire. From the letters rend in Court it appeared that the lady was at first warm in her attachment, even going so far as to sign herself " Your darling wife ;" but after her father came into considerable property her affection cooled, though she refused to accede to a proposal made to her by the plaintiff that the match should be broken off, in consequence of the disparity of their circums'ances. Her subsequent refusal, however, to fulfil her engagement, was declared by the plaintiff to have seriouslyaffeeted his health, and his cross-examination on this point was very amusing. But the most amusing remark of all was made by the lady's father, who convulsed the Court by saying that his, daughter was not strong enough to be married, and that " she was only a half a child; she was a twin." The laughter of the spectators was renewed when the Judge (Lord Coleridge) said that "he could hardly agree that a twin was ' half a child.'" In summing up the Judge somewhat pointedly said that " there were many things which a man had a legal right to do that it would be by no means right he should do," and this remark probably greatly influenced the jury in their decision, which was that the plaintiff was entitled to receive one farthing as damages. THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. An important return showing the number of communicants on the roll in each parish in Scotland, for the year 1873, has been presented to the House of Commons. This returns occupies five columns of the Scotsman, and yet is not complete, as 68 of the sub-rctimisi had not keen

received when it was made up. These will be p ibliahcrl as a supplement. Of the returns published, moreover, a great number show only the' number of communicants who were present at the celebration of the Communion in 1873, and not those who stood on the roll for that year, and were entitled to claim church privileges. With all its defects, however, the return is a valuable and interesting one. The following are the totals for the several counties :— Lanark 02, TOG Aberdeen .. 5g ygs Forfar .. .. " ;; 4i; 5 77 Edinburgh .. 30,218 Fife .' " 33,195 , Ayr .. .. .. .. .. 20,325 Perth 2T1.7D8 Renfrew 10,781 Dumfries .. .. .. .. 12,308 Orkney and Shetland .. .. 12,208 Stirling 11,48s J Jl»iff .. .. 10,221 Roxburgh 9,773 Kincardine !)J073 Kirkcudbright 8,213 Berwick 7.430 Dumbarton .. .. .. .. 7,245 Haddington .. .. .. 7JIUS Wigton 0,897 Linlithgow 0,487 (J404. I Elgin 4,071 | Selkirk 3,025 Clackmannan .. .. 3546 Peebles I 3)379 Inverness 2 915 ! gute I(iii I Kinross 1402 Jta^ I.ICS Caithness 014 Sutherland .. .. .. .. 378 Nairn 352 Total .. .. .. 440,346 This return was obtained on the motion of Mr Elhce.