PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 21

PASSING NOTES.

The harbour of Apia, in which the rival squadrons of Amerioa and Germany have just laid their bones, is on the north side of Upolu," an island about 40 miles long by 10 broad. Upolu is encircled by a coral reef, between which and the shore is a mile or two of still water. Abreast of Apia occurs a practicable gap in the reef — hence the harbour and the town. Ships lie comfortably inside, but between the anchorage and the beach, just opposite the gap, is another short reef, upon which, in hurricane weather from the northward, when the mountainous rollers of the Pacific rush unchecked over the outer barrier, they are liable to be shattered like eggshells. This was what happened to the German warehip Eber. Hurled against the inner reef, the Eber seems to have smashed up and disappeared within a few" minutes. The next victim, the Adler, was tossed on to the top'of the^reef , or over it, and left with her decks facing the beach ; thus most of her people were able to make a successful fight for their lives. The other German ship, the Olga, and the three Ameri-

cans contrived to avoid the Inner reef alto« Bethe* and were beatJhed, not withetit fearful logs e£ life.- -4!httß perfahed ignpininiQusl^ a navy powerful enough to hav'd *felb'^ii both the fleets that fought at Trafalgar out of the water. Then comes the incident which all over, the world will, set British nerves tingling and British pulses flying— the escape :of the Calliope. "Seven warships, representing three nationalities, caught alike in that fearful hole amongst the coral reefs by a Hurricane ; one only steams out of the throat of death into the open ocean—and that one the Britisher, There Were btav6 men and good sailors' amongst the Germans and the Americans, but somehow it comes natural to us to find British Seamanship, in any supreme effort of pluck and skill such as this, showing to the front. We do not boast— not in the least — but We are proud of Captain Itane and the Calliope.

The Samoan question is greatly simplified, one would think, by this event; Americans and Germans both will be' pretty well sick of Samoa; On this aspedt df the matter and on others which readily present themselves, I make roorii for & contributor who Supplies me 1 with thg two, hbtes following I— The overwhelming of. -the warships of Germany and America at Samoa where .they had gathered upon hostile thoughts intent, reads like a rough-and-ready reminder by Providence to keep the peace. Were it not that the loss of so many lives gives the affair a too tragical aspect, satirical reflections might be uppermost. The fighting oapaoity of both squadrons has been destroyed just as the ardour of two small boys is quenched if a passer-by , seeing them in bellicose attitude, knocks their heads together. The American and German vesselfi, who had for months been eyeing each other askance, contemplated the pDssibility, no doubt, of coming into collision one day* but not like that. The ,Olga, Eber; Adler, the Nipsic, Vandalia, and Trenton— all formidable monsters in their way, with ugly, bristling fange-^became ftiddenly objects not of fear but of pit/. With the advent of a storm such as we are told any of the Union Company's boats could have ridden out, all but one of the warships gathered to overawe the simple Samoans were reduced to a condition of pitiable helplessness. anchors would not hold them, their enginea would not propel them; they drifted about the harbour, bumping each other nearer to destruction, and finally laid themselves ashore with a dismal crash to bite and snarl no more. At the present moment the Germans, lately secure on their floating fortresses, are stranded almost provisionless, and, we are given to understand* at the mercy of the natives upon whom they were making war. Such is the irony of fate. As regards the nature of the calamity, it is a novelty in these waters, where men-of-war have never been inueh in evidence, but the catastrophe would cause less surprise had it occurred in European seas, where the vagaries of the modern battle- ship are well known. There is no ground for asserting that modern ironclads would not behave admirably in battle, because they have never been tried; but ever since their construction it has been a standing problem how to keep them afloat in time of peace, They may be well adapted for war, but certainly are not for peace. Given half a chance, the modern ironclad will hit Something and go down) or burst something and go up ; but preserve its equilibrium contentedly for any length of time, it will not.

The Calliope milst be regarded* as the brilliant exception that proves the rale. She was built of British steel and had British blood aboard her. Nofc that British steel has always proved above reproach in such emergencies as this— perhaps we have had as many ironclads turn turtle as several other nationalities" put .together ; but in the present instance we find with pleased surprise that the ship was all there as well as the men. The British seaman, indeed, has never been suspected of deterioration. His morale is no doubt as good now, when his study and practice is to play long bowls, as when he was wont to lie yard-arm to yard-arm with the foe and carry the fight to the enemy's quarter-deck. Under most depressing circumstances—viz., the disappearance of salt junk, weevils, wooden walls, and prize money, and the advent of iron ship's; steam, machine guns, and the electric light— the British sailor has preserved his pluck and steadfastness. Give him a good ship, and he will handle her as Captain Kane has shown, and he will certainly prefer to face a storm in the open sea than trust to his hawsers in harbour. So, no doubt, to do them justice, would the American and German sailors, but their vessels seem to have been made of different Btrifj:. While praising the Calliope's captain and crew, by-the-way, the officers and men of the American ship Trenton should not be forgotten. They could not do it themselves, but they had the generosity and unselfishness to forget their own peril for a moment while they cheered their cousins. Being always willing to hear— and let my readers hear— the other side, I make room for the local Chautauquist, upon whose letter to the Daily Times I commented last week :— " Civis" is a funny dog. Like the immortal Mr Punch, with forefinger and thumb complacently stroking his nasal appendage, so sits this Dunediu chip of the old block, critically scanning the columns of the papers, hoping Dame Fortune will place some good thing in his way as. material for his abundant geaius to work upon. Thus meditating last week, he espied the desired object, and straightway began to demolish it, figuratively speaking. Unfortunately for him, he did not begin aright— assamiag something he had no ground for. Reduced to its elements, then, " Civis' " argument amounts to this, that you cannot get a finished education by reading for 40 minutes only a day. Who said you could ? I am perfectly sure I did not, as the following extract from my letter will prove: — " Ifc is, of course, not pretended that so little time spent in study will give a finished education, yet so much time spent with thoughtful and wisely-chosen books will impart to any 'mind a knowledge of literature, a measure of intelligence, and an intellectual training by no means to be despised." If " Civis " despises the whole affair because it does not give such a complete education as a university affords, then on the same principle let him swear a solemn oath never from this time out to partake of food unless he can satisfy Yob hunger with venison and sirloin, totally refusing such common, every-day fare as beefsteak and mutton chops. He says, "Talk of the marvels of science— your telephone, phonograph, Keeley motor, Zalinsky gun* or what not— is there any marvel, fit to be named wrfche same breath with the Chautauqua circular system of education?"

Yes,; and that marvel is the wonderful aptitudt of this modern crltio for so transforming faeti >Ttte ChtattttWqfaa ofrde tof popular . edueafcfoa did not conic to town "yesterday. .Nearly 13 years of progVeafeive prosperity are sufficient^ offer considerable resistance to the $op;guna ot the enemy. ' ,; ' \ -.. , -;• !;'"-..' r. If "Oiuia" will send mea memo.'of lus,aie;,pert* sonal appearance, and acertifibateof his hiving been safely pushed over the ports asinorUtf^l will be very happy to enrol mm as an under* graduate of the C.L.S.O. - , The long and the short of the matter would appear to be this— by becoming a Ohaotan* quan you undertake to read some useful book for 40 minutes a day. There are people to whom this will seem a small virtue. But there are others who could not attain unto ib without an effort, intellectual and moral, of the most meritorious kind. By all means let these latter join the " circle. and send dollars to Ohautauqua! . If they can be beguiled into 40 minutes' reading per diem by the prospect of a, Ohautauqua degree and diploma, who would grudge them these harmless allurements ? Not I, assuredly j True, 1 was inclined at first to laugh; but there is really nothing to laugh at. I retract and apologise. A Oha'utautatf} degree wilLjceprpsent^t any rate ty mlntttesf, reading a day, and that is something.^ XJnef might-be the proud possessor b£ a decree fyjjin the University of Tobago or Trincpmalql which would represent nothing but the' money one had paid for it.

I gather from this correspondent's formet letter to the Times that Ohautauqua itself* the headquarters of the 40 minutes' ciroulai system of education, is a combination oi kindergarten, camp meeting, and fashionable watering place. You put up at " the splendid Hotel-Athenseum," or may pitch your own tent by the gay shores of the lake, in sight of the pleasure steamers plying on its waters and in the vicinity of the museum, the gymnasium 1 ; tennis courts; croauet lawrtS archery apparatus, and " other sotifcef of profit and recreation." The "season" lasts two months. During this time there are lectures and addresses — all in the spirit of the learning- made-easy or 40 minutes' system, of course. Thus, take an example :— • , For the easy and profitable understanding of the Bible there is a model in earth and rook of Palestine* rtith its miniature Jordan, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, city of Jerusalem, and Jewish Tabernacles. A tour of Palestine Park is made periodically under the guidance of an able Bible scholar, assisted by competent persons, who are present to depict Eastern dress and manners [a la Miss yon Finkelstein j. from the top of oaß of these Oriental houses on each Sunday aftefnooD i« heard the cry, similar, to the Jewish call to prayer, summoning to Bible study. The pervading nMa'i tone of" o'batttauqua M that of an extremely select Sunday s'Gb.o'Sl picnic, only — so far as I can make out — there is no kiss-in-the-ring. •• At night the grounds are illuminated by the electric light and watch fires,"— a happy combination of science and romance, not unpropitious to flirting, and yet propitious to morality. The other disciplinary arrangements are beyond criticism i

Morning bells are rung at ? a,m. f and nJgfrt bells at 10.30 p.m., When all lights must fee extinguished. The Sabbath is strictly observed dfc the lalte, and none are allowed through the gated between Saturday a^nd Monday. No inta*ieSk« ing liquors are sold on the ground. After two months of this delightful life" you return to your farm' or your merchandise imbued with a burning desire to cultivate scienoe and literature, to read 40 minutes a' day, and to achieve the Chautauqua diploma. The vvhole thing is very wonderful, very charming, and very American

Under the heading "Theology from a Bunghole " the Melbourne Daily Telegraph reviews some remarkable deliverances by " A Clergyman " in defence of Sunday" beer and in denunciation of local option. The " Clergyman " (denomination not stated) is a contributor to the columns of the Licensed Victuallers' Advocate — not exactly a clergyman's paper, nor a piiper dffcen seen iti religious circles, nor devoted, as a rule, td the exposition of Bible texts, All these circumstances lend force to the arguments of its clerical henchman, whose object is to put the selling of Sunday beer on a sound scriptural basis, and show by proofs from Holy Writ that although "temperance is from heaven/ "^teetotalism is from tell." Says the (i Clergyman/ improving fc'pofl Moses i —

When God created man (and He never made but one) He made him out of three vegetable elements— namely, corn (or bread), wine, and oil, and has provided andjeommanded that these should constitute man's chief support to the end of time. For nearly 6000 years God has re' quired His creatures to drink wine and strong drink; but He has never once told mankind w drink water ,' and we beg respectfully to assure our ignorant and perverse teetotalers on Christ's own authority that there never hss been and never will be a teetotaller in heaven. And the same Saviour has plainly told us that none but teetotallers will ever be in hell. (See Matthew 26-29 ; also Luke 16-24.) I have not ventured to "see ".these texts myself, lest Jperchance my ideas on sacred subjects should receive a shock, but it would be well if Mr Dick or Mr A, O. Beggf would see them, and see if there is anything in them.that from a prohibitionist point of, view needs replying to. Perhaps also before the next licensing election these gentlemen will also kindly consider what weight, if any, is to be assigned to the iollowing piece of reasoning :— _ • ' ■ It is as criminal by force to. take a man's wine from him as by force to take away his wife, for they are equally the gift of God; the wife is the sacred partner of the man's life, bat his wine is his own life itself, for bis wine makes is > lood, and his life, is *in ; his blood, so that fe is in his wine. Further, we are warned against interfering with the design of Providence in the moral discipline of man: — "It is a calumny upon man, and an insult to the Almighty, to say that man ought not to be exposed to tempta- • tion. Hence the Scripture says, 'jGounfc if; all joy when ye fall into temptation.' " . For these reasons an open public-house on Sunday is " a Christian privilege/, and "compulsory Sunday closings or Sunday prohibitions, axe uqscriptnral in doctrine and demoralfeing'.in, effecfc.% <Wba^-> is to be said unto these things? I am myself a moderate drinker, with a gjgaeral

leaning • towards restriction of the drink traffic, consequently speak as one who is strictly impartial. My private conviction, then, is that this " theology from a bunghole" is the natural product of prohibitionist theology, over a remarkable specimen of which Mr Dick, it will be remembered, a short time ago, " pronounced the benediction." Extreme generates extreme. If there is any difference I should say that the Houchins-Dick extreme is a trifle the extremer. Oivis. The police made an important seizure on Tuesday morning at Whare Flat, about 11 miles from Dunedin. - It appears that Constables Cruickehank, Miller, and Beattie were making a search of, the district when they came across.in a sequestred spot, an illicit still — which appears to have been complete in all respects— and also about 270 gal of " wort," or liquor, in a state of fermentation. The apparatus and liquor were at once seized. Two men named Murdoch M'Leod and Alexander Campbell, who were about the place, were arreßted, and were brought to the police station. The output of coal from the mines at Westport and Greymouth during the month ended 31st March was as follows ;— Westport mines, 11,501 tons 17cwt; Greymouth mines, 8378 tons 13cwt. The long talked of project for building a bridge across the harbour from Jetty street to Vauxhall appears nob to have been abandoned. At the meeting of the Portobello Road Board on Saturday a letter was read from Messrs Macassey, Kettle, and Woodhouse, solicitors, asking the board to consent to a proposal to j build a bridge from the magazine hulk to Jetty street. The chairman was instructed to obtain an opinion from the board's solicitor. A Wellington telegram says that it is reported J that Dr Truby King, resident surgeon of the Wellington Hospital, has received the appointment of medical superintendent of the Seacliff Asylum. During the examination of Mr Houston before the Times-Parnell Commission, Sir Charles Russell, in cross-examining Houston, elicited the names of those who had in the first instance advanced the money to purchase the letters from Pigott. These were:— Dr Maguire, a Catholic Tory, Professor of Philosophy, £850; Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, lately Liberal M.P. for Kerry, £70; Lord Richard Grosvenor, heir to the Duke of Westminster, Liberal Unionist, £450; Mr Doyle, of Dublin, Liberal Unionist, Quaker (not stated). A conference of the members of the Dunedin Presbytery and the office-bearers of the Presbyterian churches was held in the Hall of the First Church on Wednesday night for the purpose of considering the question of Home missions. The Rev. J. Gibson-Smith presided, and there was a large attendance. It was stated that the ob jeofc of the meeting was to get congregations to take an interest in the matter of bringing those who were without adequate church connection within the pale of the church. The Rev. Mr Borrie, who addressed the meeting on the subject, said it had been estimated that there were approximately about 8000 Presbyterians in the city proper. Of these, 4168 were connected with the city churches, and 3832 not connected with any church. In the suburbs of Caversham, South Dunedin, Mornington, Kaikorai, and North-East Valley there were also about 8000 Presbyterians, 3832 of whom vere connected with the church, and 4168 not so connected. With the view of bringing these lapsed masses under the influence of the church he advocated a scheme of house-to-house visitation by individual Christians, and the undertaking of all kinds of Christisn service with regard to those who did not attend church. He also urged office-bearers and members of presbytery to bring the matter under the notice of 'their several congregations. Dr Dunlop also addressed the meeting, and with others questioned the figures put forward. A long discussion took place on the subject, those taking part in the discussion being the Revs. Dr Stuart, Cameron, Gibb, Messrs Coull, A. G.- Begg, Ash, Duncan, Catherwood, and Keith Ramsay. Various suggestions were made during the course of the evening, but no formal resolution was arrived at, it being understood that the matter should be again discussed in other parts of the city and in the suburbs. The Right Rev. Dr Nevill, Bishop of Dunedin, has just returned from his toUr of the country districts. He visited Balclutha on Sunday, and on Monday laid the foundation stone of a new Episcopal Church at Kaitangata, in the presence of about 300, including visitors from Balclutha. The precentor of the Presbyterian Church at Kaitangata kindly gave his services and led the singing at the ceremony. The bishop gave an address at Sinclair's Hall in the evening, when there was another large attendance. During the course of his remarks he touched upon various matters in connection with hi 3 recent visit to England. After the address the Church Committee entertained his Lordship at a complimentary supper, when a number of congratulatory speeches were made. The new church, it is rxpected, will be completed in about two months, and will prove a boon to the district, which will be under the charge of the Rev. Mr Dodd, of Balclutha. At St. Joseph's Cathedral on Wednesday night the Very Rev. Alphonsus O'Neill, C.P., addressed the members of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. There was a large congregation, and the sermon was listened to with marked attention. The very reverend gentleman, who is an impressive speaker, delivered an eloquent discourse on the passion ol our Saviour, taking for his text, 1 Peter, ii, 21— "Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps." Father O'Neill is Superior of the Passionist Order in Australia, which has its headquarters at Marriokville, Sydney. The total number of entries for the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association's ram and ewe fair is 508, being an increase of 127 over last year. It was freely rumoured in Wellington on Wednesdaj that Mr Fisher had been requested to resign and has declined to do so, and it is further reported that in consequence of this refusal the Premier will probably tender the resignation of the Government with a view of an immediate reconstruction of the Ministry. It is understood the Railway Commissioners are about to make an alteration in the charges for the conveyance of fruit and agricultural produce to market. The Fruitgrowers' Association decided to petition both Houses of Parliament for further legislation to prevent the spread of codlin moth. The steam power which the Calliope obtained in steaming out of harbour at Apia during the recent hurricane is put down to her using Westport coal. When the fleet was in Wellington the various ships took in a quantity of Westport coal, and the Herald also brought to Auckland 560 tons of it. which were distributed to the ships of tbe fleet in port. Th© Calliope had Westport coal on board-rco*! which the engineer of H.M.S. Nelson regarded as "the

c best coal in the world," having 25 per cent k 3 more steaming power than Newcastle. The } warships exclusively use Wesbport when they . can get it. Scab l}as been found on re-examination of the l flocks to still exist at Porter's run in the Miranda i district, on the western shore of the Firth of . Thames. ■ On Tuesday evening Mr J. C. Firth of ; Auckland called together the employes at - his eight-hours flour mill, and conveyed to them the unwelcome intelligence that he was forced to suspend milling operations for the present. Naturally this sudden stoppage at a mill which has been running 1 almost night and day for a quarter of a " century caused something like consternation, ] as some of the men have been between 20 and " 30 years in the employ of Mr Firtb, and conl sequently feel as if they were being turned out of a home. This will no doubt be all the [ more felt, as Mr Firth bears the reputation of \ having been a good master to those in his employ. The news of the stoppage caused universal regret, not only because it is the means of throwing a lot of men out of employment and closing a local industry, but also on account • of Mr Firth himself. For over a quarter of a I century he has been one of the prominent coloi nists in New Zealand, and has made for himself i the reputation of being a thoroughly enterprising business man. It is to be sincerely hoped k that some arrangement will yet be effected , which will result in this fine mill resuming operations, and Mr Firth is now negotiating [ with that object. ' The Auckland Star says : — " Ministers must resist the pressure which is now being brought to bear upon them to add to the loan indebtedness of the country for unprofitable railways. The Otago Central railway will undoubtedly be one of the burning questions next session, but if Ministers weakly yield to this clamour wedo most earnestly pray that the prudent section of the House will combine together and put them out neck and crop. If it be necessary tosacrifice the North Island trunk railway and the North Auckland railway, in Heaven's name let them go. When land that is already opened has been well settled it will be time enough to prosecute these schemes." The Rev. Isaac Rooney, Wesleyan missionary at New Guinea, addressed a meeting at Invercargill on life at the Islands. He said that the Germans treat the natives well — almost too well, but he doubts if they will succeed in permanently colonising the Islands, unless goldtields are discovered, j Some New Zealand farmer now in England has urged the Government to take steps to introduce into the colony the Myrobella, or cherry plum, as a desirable hedge plant. The Colonial Secretary has communicated with the various domain boards in the colony stating that they are willing to order a supply, the price quoted for extra strong plants being £17 10s per 10,000. The Reserves Committee of the City Council recommend the council to expend £5 in obtaining a supply of the plant. The exfcraordiuary part of the affair is that neither tbe Government nor tbe Reserves Committee of City Council seem to be aware that there is not the slightest necessity for introducing the plant at all. It is already to be found in almost every district in New Zealand, being nothing more nor less than the Vermont damson (Prunus myrobolana, or P. cerosiformis), the fruit of which has been sold in Dunedin for years. There are hundreds of hedges of the plant in Auckland, and it is used for grafting purposes. We believe most of our local nurserymen could supply the plants at a much lower price than the Government ask. There are some fine °peciuii.i.b uf the myrobolana to be seen in and around Dunedin, and particularly in a garden in the Glen. Harvest thanksgiving services were held in Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sunday last. There were very large congregations at all the services, the church being crowded in the evening. The decorations, consisting of corn, fruit, flowers, &c, were very effective. The Rev. W. Baumber was the preacher morning and evening, while the Rev. S. J. Garlick gave an address to the scholars in the afternoon. The choir rendered good service during the day by their singing of several appropriate anthems. The collections, which were in aid of the circuit fund, amounted to £22. A romance of the old-fashioned kind (cays a Home paper) has taken place in the gaol at Langres. A local Don Juan, named Lienard, was recently interned in the establishment, after condemnation, for having fired shots, with intent to kill, at his lady-love, a singer in the Langres music halls. While in prison Lienard made love to the daughter of the chief gaoler— a girl of 19 summers, who had a responsible position in the woman's department of the Fortress of Justice. Lienard, aided by his innamorata, escaped from prison the other night, and was rejoined by the damßel, Mademoiselle Gerard, a short time afterwards. They took a first-class wagon-lit on the nearest railway line, and escaped to Bale. There was, of course, any amount of racing and chasing on the part of the gendarmes and policemen, who scoured the country, but the fugitives are still free. A most singular experience has, writes a correspondent of a Home paper, just befallen a Rhondda collier named David Davies, of Treherbert. He was one of the many sufferers by the memorable explosion at Pen-y-Craig Colliery in 1880, for four years after which he was confined to his bed. He then gradually got about, but always remained absolutely deaf and dumb. The doctor who attended him advised him to try a shock somewhat similar to that which had caused his infirmity. A little while ago he | placed himself as near as safety would allow to where six shots were to be fired in the Bute Pit, Treherbert, anJ, strange to say, at the sixth 3hot his hearing returned to him. Still he was dumb; but on Sunday, February 3, the Rev. E. Rowlands, missionary to the deaf mutes, said something to Davies which put him in a passion, and he involuntarily and instinctively made an attempt to express his anger. To his amazement the power of speech came back, and he how talks freely. He, however, says that talking makes his throat sore, and his tongue is made sore by his teeth. He was engaged to marry a deaf and dumb girl at Llandaff, and the marriage has just been celebrated before the registrar. At Tuesday's meeting of the High School Board of Governors the Secretary reported that run 161 a, lately occupied by Mr G. Anderson, had been offered at auction on the 29th ult., a 4;a 4 ; the upset of £315s per annum, and had been leased by Messrs J. and K. M'Lennan at £41. A letter was received from Mr Walter Blackie applying for the right to prospect for coal on run 161 a. — It was decided to invite tenders for the right of prospecting and mining for coal for a term of five years. Accounts and salaries amounting to £678 6s 4d were passed for payment. On Tuesday a deputation from the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association interviewed Messrs' W. P. Reeves and R. M. Taylor, M.H.R's. requesting them to assist in procuring further legislation for protecting the fruitgrowing :

industry against the codlin moth. They suggested levying a small tax on fruit trees, prohibiting the importation of fruit from districts within the colony where the moth exists, division of the colony into fruit districts, the administration of the act to be left to local bodies. The members promised to do what they could to repress the pest by legislation. Mr Reeves, thought the act would be administered with greater economy, uniformity) and strictness by the General Government than by local bodies. It was suggested that sheep inspectors might also act as orchard inspectors. Mr Rhodes, M.H.R, telegraphed sympathising with the object of the deputation. A fireman on board H.M.S. Rapid was tried by court-martial at Auckland on a charge of having struck a petty officer of that vessel. He was found gnilty and seafcenced to 12 months' imprisonment in Mount Eden Gaol. The Bale of runs in the Canterbury district has been postponed till the 30th May.