THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1900.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11643, 29 January 1900, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1900.

The questions to be considered at the public meeting which the Mayor has convened for this evening are so important that it is highly desirable there should be a largo attendance of citizens in order that as full an expression as possible of the mind of the community may be obtained respecting them. Particularly is it desirable -that the feeling of the public should bo ascertained in regard to the main question as to what steps, if any, should be taken in Otago to assist the movement for sending '». third contingent, composed of rough riders or scouts, to the war in South Africa. This is distinctly a debatable matter: ■ There is considerable difference of opinion as to there .being any necessity for the colony tendering further help in the form of men to tho Empire. There is no lack of volunteers for service and if the mother country, required them the colony could provide her with several hundred men in addition to those who have already left our shores. The two contingents we have sent are an earnest of our readiness to supply men.up to tho limit of oiu" ability, or to furnish help iv such other form as it is in our power to oiler and as wall be most useful to t,be Kmpir*: This raises the question of what would be (.ho most useful sha-DO whioii ad<fftj!ai.» «SEWtd»c» j

could take—men or horses, or both. In tho consideration of this question it must be remembered that there is now an enormous number of Imperial troops in South Africa, that that number is stiu being' swelled, and that, the despatch of a .third .contingent of 250 men from Now-/Zenland would not increase the strength of the.forces under arms for Great Britain in the war by so much us a quarter per cent! Moreover, there is by this time a fair proportion of mounted troops included in the number. On the assumption, however, that an-' other contingent is tho most serviceable contribution that the colony could make to the Empire at the present time, there is reasonable ground for objection and opposition to the proposed mode of providing tlie ways and means for the cost of its equipment and transport. It is not contemplated by tho Government that the Mate shall out of the consolidated fund be responsible for a single penny of the cost.' That is to be borne by such of our colonists as are willing to subscribe for that purpose. We are satisfied that this proposition does not commend itself to a large sectioii of the public. They entertain the opinion, with which we sympathise, that expenses in connection with a national undertaking of such magnitude should be defrayed by the State as a whole, so that each taxpayer should bear his equitable share of the cost, which in no .single case would exceed an insignificant amount, and that to make it a condition of tho despatch of the contingent that .the cost shall be met by private subscriptions is to place the matter on an entirely wrong basis, inasmuch as it throws the burden on the open-handed among tho^ommunity, and permits all others, however well circumstanced they may be, to escape scot free. Moreover, it is extremely problematical whether those who are favourable to the raising of a third contingent on the conditions imposed by the Government could succeed in inducing the people of Otago to subscribe a 'sufficient sum to provide for the equipment and transport of 50 men. It may be argued that what Canterbury can do Otago should be able to do. Otago has, however, conceived that its duty lay in a different direction from that towards which Canterbury has bent its energies. In Otago a noble response has been made to the appeal for contributions to the patriotic fund; in Canterbury an equally noble response has been made to the appeal for subscriptions to a war fund, established with the object of raising a Canterbury troop for service, and the patriotic fund totals a comparatively small amount. Otago having subscribed an amount which lias probably by this time reached £10,000 in aid of the sufferers by the war, it would be an exceedingly difficult matter to raise an additional sum of nearly £4000, which would be the amount required to meet the cost of equipping 50 "rough riders" and sending them to South Africa. The task would be so formidable that there would bo a reluctance on the part of any committee to tackle it. Nor can it be contended with any show of reason that a portion of the Otago patriotic fund should be utilised in raising a provincial quota for the third contingent. The patriotic fund has been subscribed by the public, and is held by the local committee in trust, for a specific purpo.se, and it would be obviously improper that, without the express sanction of the subscribers, any portion of it should be diverted to any other purpose. Under all the circumstances the prospects of obtaining assistance from Otago towards the despatch of a third contingent on the lines proposed are not hopeful. The meeting this evening will have, however, to take into consideration the fact that the contingent will in all probability go. That being so, it is a question worthy of consideration whether an effort should not be made to secure that Otago .shall be to sffmo extent represented in it. The position is a difficult and somewhat delicate one, created, as it seems to us, hj the mistaken determination of the Government to throw tlie entire burden of raising the contingent upon the liberality of the public. If it is a right and proper thing that a third contingent should be sent Mr Seddon need have had no apprehensions lest the colony should dishonour the bills he might have reqiiired to draw to meet the expense. As it is, ho lias imperilled the project by making its execution dependent upon the subscription of a very considerable sum by the public, who have already given freely of their substance, and in many cases made sacrifices to assist the sufferers by the war. Upon the projects for making a- gift of horses from the colony to the Imperial Government and for providing remounts for tho members of the New Zealand contingents Mr Seddoii has also thrown cold water. The former of these projects was started in the north in the belief that the Government were so favourably disposed to it that they would accept delivery of the horses in the colony and forward them to South Africa, and the second is of such a character that it might have been expected that the Government would gladly defray the cost of transport. Mr Secldon is apparently disinclined to lend a hand to aid either scheme. To that for the provision of remounts for the New Zealauders in South Africa we attach very great importance. The extracts which have been published from letters written to their relatives and friends by members of tbe first contingent show .that the scarcity of; horses is being felt by them, and that they are pressingly in need of remounts. How can their wants be more suitably supplied than from New Zealand ? The approval which has been given by such men as Mr James Robin 'and Mr James Hazlejtt to the proposal to forward remounts to tho contingents should bo conclusive evidence to tho public that the movement is one that would be warmly appreciated by our troopers, and, on that account, one that is deserving of support. We trust to 'see k very full meeting of our citizens to discuss tbe important matters that will be brought before them.

The natural complement to the great Siberian railway from tho British standpoint is an all-British railway to China, such as has been suggested ty Lord Charles Beresford after a personal inspection of tho proposed route and an extended tour in China. Although tho Russian railway across Siberia and through Manchuria to Vladivostock and Port Arthur is yot a long way off completion, it is destined, when completed, to bring about far-reaching changes on the map of Asia. Mr C. A. Moroiiig, writing on-tho question in the "Nineteenth Century," says: "It has already been tho moans of transferring Manchuria and tho greater part of the Liaotong province to the occupation and virtual pvotectorato of Russia; it is fast

converting Port Arthur into one of the strongest and most formidable garrisoned fortresses in the world, and; is bringing the whole of Northern Chinawithin the influence, if not: the actual grasp, of Russia." Clearly Britain cannot remain inactive and see her influence in the Far East dwarfed by Russia. What, then, is to be our answer to Russian railway schemes in Asia.? " Surely common _ sense tells us," says iur Moreing, "to try and strengthen our influence by the same means as Russia is utilising for hers. She is re-, casting the map of Asia in her own interests by the device of a grand trunk line to China. Why should not Great Britain do the same ? '■■ Why should not we carry a continuous line from tho Mediterranean to the Yang-tse, through Southern Asia, to counterbalance that; traversing Siberia, and thus link up and develop the British zone in Asia ?" In many respects Britain, is more favourably circumstanced for such a project than' Russia is, or has been, for carrying out her Asian railway policy. The existing network of railway across India only requires the forging of a few more links to complete the chain from Kurrachee to Assam, or Burmah. " Moreover," says Mr Moreing, who has been over most of the .suggested route, " there is nothing, so far as we know,* between the Nile and the Yang-tse which, at all approaches in point of difficulty to the extraordinary physical obstacles encountered in the Central Siberian and TransBaikal sections of the Russian railway." The inherent point of difference is that while the Russian railway runs practically through Russian territory all the way, or, at any rate, right up to the Chinese frontier, the proposed British railway would have to pass through regions where the British influence is paramount only, the sovereignty being alien. " Nevertheless," says Mr Moreing, "it has for some time been apparent to those who have studied the political development of Arabia, Persia, and Baluchistan, to say nothing of Further India, that Great Britain is the future mistress of Southern Asia. No other European nation will ever be permitted to settle on the shores of the Indian Ocean, and tile surest way of consolidating our rule in a region where no other Power can be allowed to intrude, is to link up our scattered possessions and supply the quick means of communication that a railway from the Mediterranean to MidChina would afford." A glance at the map of the world will enable anyone to follow the proposed route. From the Strait of Dover to Brindisi there is already a direct line of railway, and in the event of that not being available at any time the ocean route to Alexandra could be utilised. From Alexandra the Hue would go by way of the Isthmus of Suez across Northern Arabia, skirting the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, to Kurrachee, on the western frontier of India. Thence a short connecting line would reach the Northern Indian railway system, and a further extension would connect with the Burmah railway to Rangoon. A branch line from the Bunnau Central railway would go to the Yang-tse Valley, and eventually follow the course of that great river to Shanghai. The directness of the projected railway is undoubted, the distance from the Mediterranean to Kurrachee being only 2400 miles, which, could bo covered in three days, as against nine or ten by the ocean route. As regards this part of the line, of course the consent of Arabia, Persia, and Beluchistan would have to be obtained. Mr Moreing. thinks the political objections slight and easily surmounted, while the physical obstacles, except at the head of the Persian Gulf, are conspicuous by their absence. He says: "i'rom Kurrachee to Mandalay the proposed railway would pass over tbe Indian systems, and would, of course, need ' linking up' at several . points, while the union of the Assam and Burman systems is still to come. But these matters lie within' the competence of the Indiayi Government; they are not dependent on the acquiescence of foreign Powers; and it may be taken for granted that as soon as the EgyptoIndian railway on the one side and the Burma-Chinese railway on the other approach completion, the Government ■of India, will need very little pressure to induce them to supply all facilities for a through railway from the Mediterranean to China." With regard to the eastern extension of the railway through Cniua, Lieutenant Jones, R.E., discovered a practicable route towards the upper Yang-tse. A subsequent survey by Captains Pottinger and Davies has. shown that a fairly easy route for a railway exists from Kulnong, the eastern point of the railway from Mandalay, to the Yang-tse, striking the groat river at Su-chow, an important trade mart, close to the confluence of the Yung-ning, one of the chief waterways of the rich and fertile province of Sze-cliuan. Tho estimated.total length of the proposed railway from Alexandria to Shanghai is (3670 miles, of which 2000 miles have been already built. The grand objective of this line would be, of coiirsc, China, and its eastern terminus Shanghai, "the great entrance port and commercial mart of tho Middle Kingdom, and meeting place of the eastern and western bound steamship lines." From tho Yang-tse, Mr Moreing thinks, will range the future lines of communication which are to open up the Celestial Empire; and it must not be lost sight of that the Yang-tse valley is the special sphere of British influence in China. ".Down the upper valley of the river itself we may expect to see tho rich products of Sze-ehnan brought oeeanwards; from Hankow to Pekin and from the northern bank of tho river, opposite to Chinkians;, to Tientsin, will run lines which will exploit Northern China'; while from. Nanking, via Su-chow, to Shanghai is to run a British Hue, destined to open, up the rich and densely peopled alluvial tracts lying at the estuary." Then, again, it must not be lost sight of that

tho line, as soon as it readies India, will revolutionise the sea route and tvaffic to those colonies. It is only 3500 miles from Madras to Perth, the capital, of Western Australia, and aw soon-as tho federation of the Australian colonies, is complete Perth is certain to be connected with Sydney by mil. Although tho project lias not. taken any definite shape in England, yet, it lias beott brought under the notice of leading statesmen, and in India the scheme is viewed with tho greatest favour. .' If Russia seriously sew about the construction of her .Central Asian railway, Pngland is tolerably certain to endeavour to anticipate her designs' by initiating and "pushing forward tho construction of an all-British railway to China. The one overwhelming advantage on tho side of England is that the money can bo found at a moment's notice, while the exigencies of Russian finance would make the construction, of

her projected Central Asian railway a matter of slow progress, if not indefinite delay.

The information sent by cable respecting . the doings of General Buller and the forces under his command in Natal is somewhat meagre. Spion Kop has been abandoned, but the censor has evidently ruthlessly suppressed all- details. It is to be hoped, however, that in this case no news means good news. On the Cape frontier we learn that a junction has been effected between the patrols'"of General French, who is at work around Colesberg, and those of General Gatacre. Unfortunately, another,, of the brave young men from this colony tinder General ' French has died fighting for the flag. Trooper Herbert Booth,' of the North Otago Mounted Rifles, is the latest victim. It is reported ■'from a Transvaal source that Mafeking has been relieved, presumably by Colonel Plumer and the Rhodesian Horse. It is to be hoped that the news will prove to be correct. The first portion of the peventh Division of the Second Army Corps has reached Capetown. The English papers . are clamouring for further' .reinforcements, but it is somewhat significant of the manner in which the mother country has been depleted of regulars that the volunteers are now acting as the Queen's body guard.

The Eastern Telegraph Company advise the restoration of the Loreiizo Marquez-Mozain-bique cable. Berne notifies the same respecting the St. Thomas-Loanda. cable.

After the celebrations in connection with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in this city, the committee who had undertaken to carry put the celebrations decided to devote the surplus funds in their hands to the erection of a permanent memorial in Jubilee Park. The matter was entrusted to Messrs T. Brown, R. Chisholm,. and A. Balhgate, and these gentlemen have recently had a memorial built on the highest point in the part. The structure, which was designed by Mr H. .^?. Hardy, consists of a substantial circular seat of concrete, cemented over, and having hexagonal back, the several lines of which converge to a point at the apex. There are also marble tablets, ' bearing inscriptions, let into two faces of the hexagon. On the side overlooking the harbour these words are to be seen: "This park was planted on the occasion of the Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1887." On the o]>posite side is the following inscription:—"The adjacent oak grove was planted in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Victoria, 1897." Then follows a suitable verse of poetry composed by the late Yen. Archdeacon Fcnton. A portion of-the cement for the seat was given by the Milburn Lime and Cement Company free of cost.

. As showing the popularity of the threepenny piece as church money, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair mentioned in the Garrison Hall . ]ast evening- that an analysis of the collection of the Sunday evening before showed that there were 652 threepenny pieces, 190 sixpences, 108 coppers, 50.shillings, one halfcrown, and two florins; or a total of 1003 coins. •The hospital returns for the past week are as follows:—Remaining over from the previous week 106, admitted during week 27, discharged 27. Total remaining in the institution 106. Theree were no deaths during the week. , • v Dr Mickle, who returned from the Chatham Islands by.the Toroa, states (says-the Lyttelton 'limes) that there has been an outbreak of disease amongst the natives. It is in the form of soro.throat, probably diphtheria. One boy died before the steamer left, and 2 others were seriously ill. The stipendiary magistrate asked Dr Mielcle to bring a letter on to th'ePremier requesting that a qualified nurse should bo sent. On his arrival in Christchurch Dr Mielde wired the contents of the letter on to Mr,Seddon. He has received a reply to. the effect that .the. Premier had. instructed that a nurse should leave by the Toroa. Dr Mickle 'says the Maoris are very helpless in case? of sickness," and there is no qualified person, at present on the island to instruct or assist them. He considers that a cottage hospital with a trained nurse is an urgent necessity. . We regret to learn (says' the Rangitikei Advocate) that the Hon. John Bryce is so seriously, ill from the after effects of influenza that nurses 'Have to sit with him day and night. There would seem (says the New Zealand Times) to be a plethora of unemployed in the teaching profession, or a large number of teachers ambitious to improve their present ~ status. The /Wellington Education Board has received tho following applications for each of the vacancies in the under-mentioned schools:— For the head mastership of the .Island. Bay School, salary £200, there are I'sl .applicants; head teacher at Mangaone, • salary ; £100, 16; assistant at Johnsonville, fealary £80, 20; assistant at Mount Cook - Boys', 'salary £100, 9; teacher at Mangamaire,. salary £90, 8; pupil teacheer at Carterton, £20, 11; do at Pongaron, £20, 2. . According to the Australasian, " a movement . now in progress in New Zealand in connection with the flour trade deserves attention. In that colony, as well as in "Victoria, tho industry has fallen into an unprofitable condition: .Various attempts to make associations work have not been successful, and a more drastic scheme'is in preparation. Tha proposal, is to form a trust, with a. capital i contributed pro rata in proportion to the capacity of the mills. The trust is to buy the output.of each mill, and to re-sell to customers, .the brands remaining as they, are now. fl?he profits earned by the trust are to be appropriated, first in payment of interest on capital, and the surplus as thought advisable. The trust will also have the power to purchase mills outright. While such a trust," adds the Australasian, " will probably lie a ■ more ; effective instrument in restoring the trade to a proper basis than an association) there are serious disadvantages from a personal point of view. As the trust can do its . own, selling, the services of travellers and agents will not be necessary. This view is supported by the experience of trusts newly formed in the United States, where great numbers of travellers were suddenly thrown out of■ employment last year. Under a trust also the proprietors of the different establishments lose practically all their independence. Considering .these circumstances, a loyallysupported association is much to be preferred to what the Americans call an 'ironclad trust.' ",'.■. ■ ' ,

Anniversary services in connection with the Mothodist Central Mission Sisterhood were held in the Garrison Hall yesterday. There was ari excellent attendance at the morning service, which was conducted by Sister Christian, a. deaconess from Christchurch. Her remarks were based on Exodus,* chapter xxxiv. In the afternoon a P.S.A. service was held, at which Mrs Don presided. Solos were rendered by Miss Hodge and Mr Kennard, a duet by' Misses May Smith and Hodge. Selections wore also rendered by thee choir and orchestra, under the conduotorship of Mr E. W; Hutton. Sister Christian gave an account.: of .somo oi her ■ experiences as a deaconess in London and Ipswich. Sister Ruth also referred to the hearty sympathy and support c which she had received since edmingto Diinedin. In the evening the hall was crowded, and the service was conducted by.the. Rev. W. A. Sinclair. Sister Ruth; offered prayer, and Sister Christian read the lesson. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair delivered an', address on Matthew xxviii", 9-10, and spoke of Christ's commission to the women to go and proclaim his resurrection. The solo "The holiest, hour" was sung "by Mr Kennard. The collections for the day amounted to £"20 3s 2d. A public meeting will be held in the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening, to be presided over by Mr James Allen, M.H.R. Sister Christian and others will speak, and Mrs Blahdford, L.R.A.M., will provide a musical programme. .

A number of wator-colour sketches by Miss E. jr. Every, of Derbyshire, England, painted for the-Otago Art Society's exhibition last' year, arrived too late. They will be offered for sale by auction by Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. They are all English landscapes. ■ . ,

It has been decided to hold an inquiry before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., on Wednesday, into the circumstances attending a fire at Selwyn, North-East Valley, on the 11th inst., when a six-roomed house occupied by Mr R. Brown and owned by Mr R. Smeatou was totally destroyed.

Mr E. Melland, who was a candidate for election to ,the Education Board in November, has decided to stand again for, one of the present vacancies. In his circular to school committees he strongly deprecates all endeavours to set town against country. He believes any action to abolish district high schools as of a retrograde character. What is wanted is more, and not fpwer, opportunities for secondary education in rural districts, together with a wider curriculum to suit different circumstances and varying abilities. Pressure should be brought to bear on the Government to restore the 10s capitation originally granted. Had this been in force last year the income of tho Otago Education Board would liavo been augmented by £8951, a sum large enough to bring many useful reforms within the scope of practical politics.

There died in December, at his home in New Jersey, the Rev. Dr Robert Lowry, who, apart from the fact that he was a very prominent Baptist minister, will ever be remembered by the hymn " Shall we gather at the river," of which he was the author. One hot day in the summer of 1864-, at which time an epidemic was sweeping through the City of Brooklyn, Dr Lowry, then living at that place, was sitting in his study thinking of Ill's many friends and acquaintances who had recently died, when tlie. question occurred to him, " Shall we moot again. We are parting at the river of death. Shall we'meet' at the river of life?" "Seating myself at the organ," Dr Lowry once said, " simply to giVo vent to the pent-up emotions of the heart, the words and the music of the hymn began to flow out, as if by inspiration," and in the following year the hymn and music wero given to the world.

Most of _ the leading musicians in Dmiedin are assisting in the complimentary benefit-to ■be given on Wednesday evening in the Garrison Hall to Mr Walter Kirby, the Australian tenor, and the committee which has charge is working hard to make the concert a. success. The programme will be found to be a most attractive one.

The box plan will be opened at the Dresden this morning in connection with the" forthcoming performances by the Eoseius Dramaitc Society at the Princess Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Members of the society and all volunteers taking part in the production of " British Born " are notified that a full rehearsal mil take place tomorrow evening:. "British Born" is to be the attraction on Wednesday evening, and a double bill, comprising the comedy drama' First Mate " and the farcical comedy " Lot 49, will be submitted on the Thursday The orchestra will be under the direction of Herr Paul Sonderhof.

aJt at S<% Smin ?? d pftance will b<> teld today as follows :-Messrs Donald Keid and Co rootsU'v Wpi* Se' f "»» •» «* Messrs James Samson and Co will sell fur wture, etc., at their rooms to-morrow Messrs Dalgety and Co. will hold a clearing onVriCto!™^' et0 '' atSt- Bathanl The Railway department will issue excursion tickets from Ghnton, Owaka, and intermediate stations to Balelutha on Wednesday sSinst h Ue]dZ erf° n VP'Motio.&rt. to Ye

The annual general meeting of subscribers to ho Dnnedm Athensmm will be held to-night in the Lower Hall. ■ -\ a

The name of R- C. Miiir, published in the list of those who had passed the matriculation exI^ I? at-J? n' sllollld have been R- c- Moore The Polypathie free medical lectures to ladies only will be ffiven to-morrow (Tuesdiv) after noon in the Choral H,U, at 3 o'clock, and to men only at S o'clock. Full details are given in our advertising'columns Who is Peteh Dicx?_The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace Moray place, Bunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Atlvt. .

John Hislop, oldest established Watch maker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery Spectacles suit all- sights.—Adrt. The place to purchase presents is undoubtedly G. and T. Young's, watch and jewellery establishment, 88 Princes street. You can always rely upon getting value for your money there, oee anvt. first page. Carter and Co.'s great sale is now on. treat bargains in all departments. Call early at Carter's great sale.'—Advt. My mother says you need only scan the newspapers to know which Tea 3 to avoid buyin" She never buys extensively advertised tea or tea with which' you are pro.rr.ised something for nothing. It ail has to be paid for by reducing quality. She buys Kozio, at 2s, and gets value and purity always.—Advt.