CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11993, 16 March 1901, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS.

The story of tliP 16-poundcr naval gun whinK did such good service during "p. v." op the memorable siege of MnfeifAFSKi.vo. king is a veiitnblo latter-day romance of war. The pin discovered'on nn Englishman's farm.js identical with those which until very recently adorned the quay at Portsmouth, made about the year 1770. The gun is stamped "No. 6 Port," end weighs Bcwt 2qr 101b. Tlir makers' name, " B. P. and C 0.," 'is stamped on the gun, and it is a somewhat rcmavkable coincidence that the letters Should designate the initials of the gallant man who directed the defence of Jfafeking during (lie protracted siege. "How it came in Mafeking is uncertain," says "Black and While," "while its origin, will probably be always wrapped in mysterj. It seems likely, however, that it was utilised more for privateering than for any Government man-of-war, since it is wanting all official superscription." A farmer near jUafeking, however, remembers the gull paesing that way in charge of two Germans nearly 40 years ago. At a later date it was in possession of the, chief of a native tribe. Subsequently the chief of the Baralongs secured it in exchange for 22 oxen nnd set it up for defence of Hie S'.adt against the attacks of Dutch freebooters. In those days the gun had with it some 300 rounds of ammunition, and sa:y a deal of service in tribal figlitf. After it was found on the Englishman's farm very little time was loet in mounting it for the defence of Mafeking, which had only a ■ couple of 7-ponndcrs of the old muzzle-load-ing type of the Crimean period hy way of "big" guns. "B. P.," as the old gnn was appropriately dubbed, was speedily put in operation against the Boers, who soon learned to respect its gruff voice. The versatile defenders had to make balls for the old gun, to cast sheik for it, and try its range. It was vain to hope tint with aucli an obsolete piece of ordnance the Boer " Long Tom " could be silenced, but in spite of its disabilities" B. P." did signal service. At the firet trial, with only 21b of powder, it threw a, 10!h bail orer a couple of thousand yards. The charge was increased by half-pounds until it was found that 311> of powder ' threw the 101b ball rather more than two miles, which was reckoned not a had performance for a gun more than I*o years old. During the siege that ancient 16poundor waq a terror to the Boers, and again and again with the 7-poundei-s the gallant defenders crept by night to positions where, at dawn of day, (hoy poured shrapnel in upon the Boer gunners standing by the "Long Tom "in the emplacement. A brief experienne of the kind usually silenced the big gun for the day, nnd by night it was laboriously removed to a fresh position, only to have the worrying attacks by the 7-poimders repeated as occasion offered. What has become of "B. P." we do not know, but it should bo treasured in Mnfoking as it memento of a. remarkable eicge, while the should he transferred to the British Museum a? curiosities of the War Office sent out for the defence of a frontier town. The deputation which waited on the Premier recently in Wellington to urge OID MEji's that a piece of ground suitable gardens, for market gardening at the Hutt should be provided for certain of the old people in the Wellington Ohiro Home opens up a very important question. The Premier is disposed to entertain the propotal favourably if similar applications come from other towns, but declined to make any excoption in favour of Wellington. Some such arrangement as suggested by the deputation would be a step in the right direction, • as everyone who-understands human nature knows that enforced idleness to a great many aged people is the warat punishment that could be meted out to them. To those.who have pursued an active life idleness is impossible, and to make it compulsory by placing thenS in a home where no regular employment is provided is to out short the remaining years of their lives. There ore many unable to compete in the open labour market who could yet do an appreciable amoupt of work in a market garden, nnd by thnt moane the home to which the old people are attached wqultt become partially seK-supportinsr. Much of the frptfulness and ill-natured discontent that mar the lives of old, people who have been relegated to a charitable institution would disappear under the stimulus of congenial occupation, and the absonee of any such provision is n defect in oiir system, of charitablo aid. It ought to be a- provision that all who can work should have at least the opportunity of hoalthful occupation. The most primitive of all occupations is hunting, in which savage man delighted, nnd next to that comes the tilling of the soil, which the most highly civilised can enjoy. One of the most charming recreations is gardening—tending flowers and growing fruits and vegetablos for the household—and for the more robust amongst the aged poor it ought to be the ideal occupation. Other means of employment might be provided for the inmatos of these institutions, but certainly the suggestion of the Welling.ton deputation to the Premier is worthy of serious consideration. It is eminently practicable, and we see no reason why a monopoly of vegetable growing should bo left to the patient, industrious Chinaman, with his distinctly primitive notions.