SCOTLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10289, 21 February 1895, Page 2

SCOTLAND.

(FnoM Oub Own Co-respondent.)

EniNiiUßOit, January 3,

POLITICAL,

The political sensation of tho month has been an address delivered to his constituents by Mr M'Ewan, M.P. for the Central Division of Edinburgh. Mr M'Ewan is a brewer who has made an immense fortune by his own abilities, and he is generally regarded as a man who does not speak without having good reasons for what bo Bays. His influence in his party (the Gladstonians) is great, and his speech has consequently made a stir throughout the kingdom. Referring to Home Rnle, he said that he must net the part of candid friend to the Government. In direct contradiction to them, he maintained that the Home Rule Bill was not in a state of suspended animation, but was dead. He urged the Liberal party frankly to acknowledge that they could not, at least in this generation, carry a Homo Rule Bill on the lines of 1893. At the Bsmo time, he affirmed that Home Rule itself waß as much alive as ever, and he urged a conference on the subject between the opposing parties. ''The result might not bo a Parliament, but it would bo local government, adapted to Irish conditions, and representative of Irish sentiment" Going on to speak of the House of Lords, Mr M'Ewan strongly advocated a Second Chamber, commanding the confidence of the country and responsible to it, declaring that in this way only could we have any security that the national will would be givan effect to.

The speech has been hailed with delight by the Unionists, and the more solid and sober Liberals have generally admitted its force. Tho Nationalists have declaimed against it with instructive, if modifying, fury. It is generally admitted that the Government is in a bad way in regard to Scottish support, and everywhere preparations for a general election are being made by the political organisations of both parties. Gladstone worship decided the last contest of the kind in Scotland, but, with that disturbing influence largely removed, the result of the next election is likely to be very different, Since then, too, the disestablishment question has roused the Church of Scotland, whoso influence has been disastrously felt by the Liberal party in recent by-elections. I may add that among the names of intending candidates I observe that of Mr F, Faithfull Begff, formerly of Dnnedin, is to contest the St. Rollox division of Glasgow in the Unionist interest.

THE FESTIVE SEASON.

Things are beginning to settle down after the holiday-making usual at this time, though in cases where work is slack operations will not be resumed for a..week yet, or even, longer. Christmas Day wag as, mild and genial as a day in spring, and passed off very quietly in Scotland. As usual, the chief public interest centred in the exertions of the post office authorities in coping with the immense numbers of letters and parcels . entrusted to their care. Past experience was turned to good account in making adequate arrangements to meet the pressure, with the result that the delays in delivery were much less than in some former years. The number of letters was much the same as last year, but the parcels showed a very large increase. In Edinburgh, for instance, some 24,000 parcels passed through the post office on December 24 and 25, which was an increase of 8000 as compared with the same two days in 1893. At the same time the parcel traffic on the railways was exceptionally h«avy. Not a few Scottish farmers had a dull Christmas through the prices realised in London for Christmas beef being. the lowest known for 40 years—quite unremunerative, in fact, though the beef was exceptionally fine. This may be owing in part to the great increase in the number of turkeys consumed at this season, most of which come from Italy.

New Year's Day was frosty, calm, and sunny —an ideal winter's day. It passed off. very quietly, being aided in this by the closing of nearly all the publichouses and hotel bars. Drunkenness was thus much reduced, the cases which occurred being for the most part among country people, who had brought bottles with them. On the following day, however, the reopening of the drinkiug places led to a relapse, and many drunken men were to be seen in the streets. No serious crime saddened the ommunity, but in Edinburgh alone ne less than seven Bndden deaths occurred on New Year's: Day. One of these was that of an elderly woman, who died from excitement on her son, who was drunk, being taken to the Royal Infirmary fortreatment.

DISASTROUS STOKMS.

Until a few days before Christmas we were favoured with a quiet and unusually genial season, under whose influence the flowers began to reappear even in the north of Scotland, and butterflies also surprised un by flitting about in the sunshine. On the 21st and 22nd December, however, the storm fiend awoke with a vengeance. Though windy Edinburgh escaped with almost no damage, most of the land had a very different experience, the western districts suffering most. At Lochwinnoch the Viewfield cabinet -works were blown down, and four lives were lost. -At Ayr four more deaths were caused by tbe gable of a new building being blown through an adjoining tenement. In Renfrew Btreet, Glasgow, a chimney head was blown in and carried away the common stair of a four-storey honße. The occupants had to make their exit by means of ladders and the Ceo escape. Immense damage was done throughout the land to house property, trees, and stacks on farms. At sea the loss of life was lamentable. At Ardrossan a brig wag wrecked and five lives lost. Five more perished by a wreck in Machrihanish Bay. The Glasgow steamer Abydos foundered off the Isle of Man with all hands, 21 in number. In the island of Lewis the fishing boats of Back, seven miles from Stornoway, were caught in the storm, and three boats, with 19 men, were lost. Three other boats were dashed on the shore, but their crews managed to escape. A relief fund is being raised for the families of the drowned fishermen, and the Provost of Stornoway states that the need is very great. At a public meeting he said that "the scenes in the stricken households were harrowing beyond description." As illustrating the force of the wind on this occasion, it may be mentioned that an express train, drawn by two powerful engines, took half an hour to travel the five miles between Troon and Irvine against the gale. The splendid grove of' araucarias on the Eari of Stair's estate, Lochinch, near Stranraer, the finest thing of the kind in Europe, was almost entirely blown down; and a week later the parish church of Lochinch was struck by lightning and burned.

After a week's comparative quiet, another severe storm burst over Spotland on December 28, and brought with it a heavy fall of snow, which caused blocks on the Highland railway in Perthshire and Sutherlaudshire. The damage and loss of life were, happily, less than on the 'former'occasion, at least in Scotland. The Ayrshire coast witnessed a deed of noble daring on the part of a lifeboat's crew. A large Norwegian ship was descried in distress off Troon, but it was found impossible to launch the lifeboat there in the teeth of the tremendous waves which were ruDning. ' A telegram was accordingly sent to Irvine, and the lifeboat there went out and rau bnfore the wind to the ship. It was found impossible to run alongside owing to floating wreckage, and the crew of 16 men had accordingly to tie ropes round them and jump into the sea, and were then hauled into the boat. The rudder of the lifeboat having been carried away, the coxswain got into the water with a rope round him, and, diving under the boat, fixed the rudder again. The boat, overloaded with 29 occupants, then slowly made for the shore, which was lined by anxious crowds. To their horror, when it had reached the breakwater the boat was overturned by an enormous wave and the men were thrown into the sea. The boat immediately righted itself, however, and the men clambered in again. One of them, the ship's steward, was drowned, but the others reached the shore in safety, and were immediately treated to true Ayrshire hospitality.

DUNDEE AND INDIAN COMPETITION.

It is well known that of late years Dundee jute manufacturers have been feeling the competition of mills established in India, and the? seem now fairly roused to the necessity of taking action in the matter. At a meeting of the Dundee Chamber of Commerce on December 26, the matter was brought up by Mr W. R. H. Valentine, who said that the Indian factories were now running night and day, and employing women and children for any hours they chose, to the injury of Dundee and other industrial centres in this country. Mr T. Malcolm confirmed this, and said that if the state of things complained of continued, the wages of mill hands in Dundee would certainly have to be rednced. He affirmed that some of the Indian mills were owned by gentlemen who were then present, and added that there was a Scottish M.P. who "approved of 22 hours' and 24 hours' work in India, while at the same time promising the miners eight hours a day." It was urged thai the Indian Factory Act should be assimilated to the legislation in this country. It was agreed to open up cemmunications on the subject with other centres of industry throughout the kingdom, especially with the cotton manufacturers of Lancashire, the directors of the Chamber of Commerce being given a free hand in the matter. This meeting is of special interest aa marking the rise of a new and serious industrial difficulty. Manufacturers in this country are beginning to find that the Bast is likely to furnish competition as well as markets, and this will be increasingly the case as Western civilisation educates the Oriental peoples. In regard to India, it may be possible to pat on the drag to some extent by pressure in Parliament, bub that resource will not be available in the case of Japan, which is rapidly advancing as an industrial nation, and some day China will follow in its wako. No wonder there is trouble among the hardheaded men of Forfarshire and Fifeshire, who are not going to ory out for nothing.

SCOTTISH BANKING.

Tho annual report of the Commercial Bank of Scotland (Limited) states that the neb profit

on the yenr's transactions was £165,770. A dividend wan declared at the rate of 15 por cent., which i" tbo same as last year, and a balance of £18,033 wan carried forward. It .was stated that the year had baen one very unfavourable to the making of banking profits. Tho reserve fund remains at £675,000 Tae bank's liabilities in regard to current and deposit accounts are set; down at £12,513,688. being an increase of £490.620, as compared with last year's total; and in regard to notes in circulation at £874,104, which is a decrease of £16,460. The National Bank of Scotland (Limited) reports a net proflfc tor the year of £156,828. As last year, a dividend is declared of 13 per cent., with a bonus of 2 per cent., and £27,666 is carried forward. Tha reserve fund remains at £785,000. The bank's liabilities in respect to current and deposit accounts ara returned at £13,379,735, being a decrease of £324,393 : and the note circulation is net down at £794,857, an increase of £5097. Though the Scottish binks are strenuously endeavouring to keep up their dividends at their wonted figures, there seems to be a consensus of opinion that the dull times will prove too strong tor them, and that bank shareholders will have to content themselves with reduced profits, like other invp.ntorß.

CLYOE SHIPnurLDINO IN 1894.

The returns showing the progress of the shipbuilding industry on the Clydo during the year just closed are more satisfactory than they were at one time expected to b«. The total outpnt was 276 vessels, of 340,550 tons, valued at £8.500,000. As compared with 1893, these figure* show a decreasa of niii" ve-otils, bin an increase of 56,770 tonn and £1,250,000 in value. The two latter results are due to the great excess of steamers over sailing tonnage built. While the value of the vessels launched is greater than in- any preceding year, save 1883 and 1890, tho profits are stated to be very doubtful. Steel is almost the only material now employed, the tonnage built in iron and wood together during 1891- aggregating only 5200 tons. The great bulk of the new vesseta wero screw steamers for mercantile purposes, so that the engineers were kept busy as well as the shipbuilders. The largest vessel launched during the year was the Caledonia, 7558 tons, for the P. and O. Company. The following builders head the liat this year :—Rubsbll and Co., 56,966 tons; C. Conuell and Co., 30,557 tons ; A. Stephen and Sons, 27,187 tons; C&ird and Co., 23,035 tons ; W Hamilton and Co., 17,263 tons; D. and W. Henderson, 17,070 tons: Fairßeld Co., 16,057 tons. Nuarly half the tonnage launched is for Clyde shipowners, who have taken advantage of the cheap rates prevailing to sell many of their old vessels and have new ones built. The work in hand is estimated at about 250,000 tons, and includes two very large and four smaller men-of-war for the British Government,1 besides six torpedo boat destroyers. Most of the other orders in hand are for large steamers.

A ritOMT-SHABING • SCHEME.

Messrs D. Ballantyne and Co , tweed manufacturers, Peebles, recently introduced into their concern a scheme by which all their employees earning 10s a week and upwards should receive a bonus in proportion to their wages out of a certain share in the profits set apart for the purpose. They are permitted, if they prefer it, to leave the bonus in the hands of the firm at 4 per cent, interest. The scheme has met with groat favour, and the employees, to mark their appreciation of it, entertained the masters at a social meeting, and presented them with an illuminated address. Some 500 persons were present on the occasion, and the heartiest goodwill prevailed. In these days of incessant warfare between employers and employed it is pleasant to note an occurrence of such a different description.

ENTOMBED IN A TUNNEL,

Considerable excitement and alarm were created in Glasgow on tho night of December 1+ by an accident which befell a dozen men who were working in the subway which has been constructed from St. Enoch square under the river to Carlton place. Tho subway consists of two large iron tubes, each about 4ft in diameter, and surrounded by sheathings, first of wood and then of concrete. The men worked in a section of these tubes, shut in by thick iron plates. In some way the timber caught fire, and one of the men, making a desperate rush for life, dashed through the flames and succeeded in reaching the surface, though quite exhausted. The others lay down on the floor to escape the smoke as far as possible, and providentially a little air could be supplied to tnem through a small tube. Meanwhile a rescue party sought to break a hole through the concrete and iron into the burning tunnel, but 11 hoars elapsed before they succeeded in doing so. The inrush of air suocoured the entombed men, and brandy was also given them through the aperture; but four hours' more labour ■ was necessary before the hole was large enough to allow them to pass through. They were less exhausted than had been feared, only one of them being so weak as to require to be sent home in a cab.

OBITUABY BECOKD.

Professor Walley, principal of the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh, for 21 years, > has died -in Jersey, His energy and ability restored the fortunes of the college, which; had fallen very low, and he wus also widely known for his skill in his profession and by his writings on subjects connected with it.-, i - - . .........

Mr Christopher Bell, cashier of the Bank of Scotland, died in Edinburgh on December 18, aged 64. He began his useful, career in the Western Bank at Moffat, and 10 years later joined the Bank of Scotland, of which he became cashier in 1887. He is survived by a widow, five sons, and two daughters.

Mr Duncan Anderson, who for more than 40 years was keeper of the Chapel Royal and the Historical apartments at Holyrood, died last week, aged 83. Numbers of visitors, from crowned heads downwards, were indebted to him for much interesting information regarding the palace, and he won golden opinions from all classes. He retired from the post eight years ago, on account of the infirmities of age.

Mr John Cunninghame, managing director of the great coal and iron concern known ai Merry and Cunninghame (Limited), died suddenly in London on December 24. He was one of the most influential men in industrial circles in Scotland, and during the great coal strike the greater part of the business of looking after the masters' interests fell upon him, his health suffering in consequence. Mr Cunninghame was about 50 years of age. His widow survives him.

Mr John Clapperton, a prominent man in Edinburgh civic affairs, and at one time treasurer of the city, died on December 19, aged 73. He did good service to the city, more especially in connection with its educational affairs and itß public parks and gardens, and was very much liked and respected by all classes for his sterling qualities and genial disposition. A very large concourse of persons in every grade of life assembled at his funeral. Mr John Scott, manufacturer, Langhoim, a leadiDgmanin Eskdale, died on December 11, aged 56. He was one of the founders of the Waverley cloth mills, a county councillor, and prominent as a politician and Freemason. After he had been missing tor two months, the body of Mr John Bell, W.S., Edinburgh, was found last week near the bank of the River Annan, two miles from Lockerbie. Mr Bell was the late Deputy-keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, and was about 50 years of ageMr James Hamilton, A.R.8.A., died suddenly from apoplexy, in Edinburgh, on December 27, aged il. He was favonrably known a3 a painter of Scottish historical scenes, especially in connection with the Highlands.

The deaths are also announced of the Rev. Peter M'Nish, of Wishaw; Mr Hnnter, of Long Calderwood, Lanarkshire, aged 97 ; and Miss Montgomery, proprietrix of the Kelvinside estate, Glasgow.

GBNEEAL NEWS,

An increase of the water supply of Edinburgh being found necessary, the corporation is promoting a bill to bring in water from the Jalla, in Peeblesshire, at an estimated cost of £631,000. There will be two reservoirs, one in the parish of Tweedsmuir, and the other at Fairmilehead, just outside the city.

Aberdeen is suffering from an epidemic of measles- the cases numbering hundreds weekly. The personal estate of the late Mr Joseph Grimond, manufacturer, Dundee, has been sworn as amounting to £239.910; that of Mr James Rose, merchant and shipowner, Aberdeen, at £50,238; and that of Mr John Miller, C.A., Glasgow, at £32,735.

Strauraer Academy has been destroyed by firo. The loss is estimated at £5800, of which only £1800 is covered by insurance.

Mr Robert Blyth has been appointed to succeed Mr Charles Gairdner as general manager of the Union Bank of Scotland (Limited). Mr Blyth has long been an influential bnsineßß man in Glasgow, and since 1891 he has been manager of the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society.

The jubilee of the well-known shipbuilding firm of William Deuny and Bros, was celebrated at Dumbarton on December 22. In presence of a great gathering of the workmen and the public, Dr Denny, the head of the firm, was presented with an illuminated address, an album containing the names of the workmen, and a silver salver for Mrs Denny. A cake and wine banquet and a display of fireworks followed.

A Glasgow wood merchant has bought 145,000 trees which were blown down upon tha Craighail estate, near Blairgowria, in November 1893. It is believed this is the largest number of trees on one estate ever sold in Perthshire. The purchaser is allowed three years to clear off the timber. A lighthouse is to be erected at Todhead, five miles south of Stonehaven.

The corporation of St. Andrews is taking steps to have the boundaries of the burgh extended so as to include the famous golf links.

An alarming fire took place early on December 28 in a large warehouse in tha Low Calton, Bdinbnrgh, close to the Regent Arch. The blaze made it as eaay to read on the North bridge as if it were noon, instead of 3 a.m. Great fears were felt for the valuable properties adjoining, as a high wind was blowing, but the danger was averted. IliO damage is estimated at £15,000.

The " Lifeboat Saturday," recently held in Aberdeen, has yielded a net sum of £511. An important addition has been made to the Glasgow Post Office, a large new building, three storejs high, having been erected in Ingram street. The building has occupied four years in construction. Two heritors, who are Dissenters, having refused on principle to meet an assesjment levied upon them for repairs to the parish church tnanee at Elgin, some of their goods were seized and sold at the market cross to raise the amount.

A letter was received at the Glasgow Post Office on December 31 from Shanghai, bearing the naif address: "Alexander Smith, somewhere in the old country." It had to be consigned to the Returned Letter department. Mad dogs nave again been running amuck in Glasgow and Airdrie, biting a good many persons, ten or twelve of whom have been sent to the Pasteur Institute at Pariß for treatmont.

At the annual soiree of the employees of the Clyde Navigation Trust, the chairman, Mr N. Dunlop, said that in tb« size of ships that could freely go out and in Glasgow surpassed both London and Liverpool, and for expeditious work he did not know any port to equal it. The revenue last year was £371,976. The Highland and West Highland Railway Companies are both promoting bills in Parliament for the construction of lines between Inverness and Fort William.

Mr Campbell - Bannerman, whose great wealth has recently received a large addition, is now reported to be the richest member of the Cabinet.

The small-pox epidemic seems to bo declining in Edinburgh, but the disease has made its appearance at Selkirk and North Berwick.