A DEMONSTRATION AT BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 43

A DEMONSTRATION AT BALCLUTHA.

Balclutha gave itself up to an outburst of patriotism and loyally on Wednesday, the whole day being ostensibly devoted toraising money for the patriotic fund. It, however, was distinctly a gathering together of the people, caused by the war spirit in the air. and a number of the country settlers cam© in simply for the sake of "shouting 'Rule Britannia' " with the rest, and to discuss the very latest war news. Little knots of men could frequently be seen reading and re-reading letters from the Clutha boys at the front; and everywhere a spirit of martial enthusiasm was manifest. Part of the day* nro^ramivo was a sports meeting, on the «how ground". It was an impromptu affair: there were no prizes beyond small trophic?, yd the result yielded nearly £40 to the funds-. Tho sport" ■n ere not of absorbing interest, and if at times it was a little difficult to know what wa going on, nobody complained, everyone apparently being well satisfied with strolling about seeing their friends and talking war, war. The Clutha Mounted Rifles made a brave show, parading; over 4 0 strong, and as ten are "out on active service," it only left

Hbofit a dozen absentees. Under Captain Harvey, the squadron went through various Bxercises and gave evidence of having made good use of their opportunities during the Bhort time they have been in existence as a company. A Victoria Cross rescue race, by the way, had its amusing side. The dummies to be rescued under the enemy's fire had evidently been compounded by some one who was not a trooper, and in some instances the competitor was expeoted to lift a bag containing scrub, weighted with about two hundred weight of sand. Tliere were six competitors, and Trooper Hawker, who was first on the spot, had the good fortune to get a light dummy. While several others were wrestling with half a cartload of Molyneux sand, Hawker had started back at a hand gallop, and taking the hurdle well looked an easy winner, but he was overhauled by another trooper, who, leaving his comrade to his fate and the Victoria Cross to a future occasion, came down the straight at a break-neck pace and was in first. For some little time a small : boy on a large horse occupied the field in rounding up two cows, and then some of the pipers, apparently on horseback for the first ' time, created a good deal of diversion. In \ the course of the afternoon a costume football . match, a number of flat races, a swimming ' competition, and one or two troopers' races were got off, and a detailed list is given be- i low. A large tent was profitably occupied : by a number of young ladies, who supplied | afternoon tea and flowers, etc, to the advan- . tage of the fund. The Kaitangata Brass t Band and several pipers from Dunedin made •music at intervals during the afternoon. The j following are the winners of the competitions : — 100 yds Flat Handicap. — J. Naylon, 7yds, 1; J. Doolan, 6yds, 2. Five others started. | Sack Race. — J. Miller, scratch, 1 ; W. Hughes 2. Ten others started. i Boys' High Jump.— D. M'Donald 1, J. M'Namara 2. Sik' others' competed. Retrieving ' Football (a swimming event). — E. Shiels 1/ C. 'Purvis 2.' Nine others com- • peted. Troopers' ' Hufdle ' Race. Seven furlongs. — I Trooper Hawker 1, Trooper Landells 2, Trooper ] Christie '3. These were the only starters. • i Troopers' Trot.' Seven furlongs. — Trooper H. Hogg 1, 'TrobpefWood 2. Nine others started, j Pony Gallop.— J. Macdc-nnell 1, H. Christie 2. W. Fahey also started. 220 yds Flat Handicap: — F. Alexander, 9yds, 1; A. Taylor, scratch, 2. Seven others started. Throwing the ' Cricket' "Ball. — George Holmes 1, R. B. Lattimer 2. There were 17 competitors in this event. Boys' Race. 220yds.— W. Rose 1, G. Thon 2. These were the only starters. - Boys' Wrestling Competition. — A. Purvis 1, D". M'G-uffog 2. Four others competed!. Medley Race. 220 yds. — G-. Holmes 1, M. Muir 2. Four others started. Barrel Race. — J. Christie 1, A. V. Dunne 2. Four others competed. Boys' Three-legged Race. — Burley and Milroy 1. There were several entries. Donkey Race.— W. Rose 1, Duff 2. Ten others started. Victoria Cross • Rescue Race. — Trooper Hawker 1, Trooper Smith 2. Three others competed. Jumping (three flights). — Trooper King 1, Trooper Hogg 2.- Four others competed. Guessing "Weight of Sheep. — Geo. M'Latchie 62 Jib (actual weight 8141b). P"UBLIC MEETING. The public meeting held in Mackenzie's Hall .in the evening was a record one for Balclutha I in point of numbers and enthusiasm. Long before the proceedings opened the hall was filled, and when the ChairrA'an intimated the object of the meeting there wa3 hardly an uniDocupied square foot in the building, the audience having even invaded the platform. Mr John M'Neil (mayor) presided, and seats on the platform were occupied by Mr J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., Rev. Father O'Neill, Mr Thomas Mackenzie, Revs. S. W. Currie, W. J. Elliott, Canon Dodd, and Mr A. S. Malcolm. The Chairman said that the enthusiasm and patriotism that extended all over the world was no less in Balclutha than anywhere else, and that night those present would demonstrate to the world that they were all loyal subjects, as well as the residents in every other part of the British Empire. — (Cheers.) He went on to urge supporting the mother country in the war, and said New Zealanders would never know what it was to be beaten. They would fight to the bitter end, and he was very proud to see such an enthusiastic gathering of people loyal alike to their Queen and country. — (Applause.) The programme was drawn up on much the same lines as those gone through at patriotic meetings in other centres, and the audience were aroused to a rather fervid pitch. The Rev. Father ' O'Neill was greeted with " For he's a jolly good fellow " a-nd cheers, and a similar compliment was paid to Mr T. Mackenzie. Both gentlemen made capital speeches, which .were received with vociferous applause. Mr 'James Jago first sang " Soldiers of the Queen," and appeared about half a dozen j times subsequently to sing various patriotic songs. Mrs James Macdonald sang "Jessie's ! dream," and supplemented it later on with a ! couple more Scotch songs. Mr A. S. Mai- j colm (Kelso) gave a spirited address, and music from the pipes was freely supplied j during the evening. A band of young ladies j went round the hall for contributions three or four times, and raised £28 in this way, which makes the total for Balclutha about ! £390. At the conclusion of the meeting the Chairman said that he would take an expression of opinion from the meeting as to what should be done with the patriotic fund. A strong volume of "Ayes" responded in favour of remitting it Home, and, if anything, a more emphatic vote was given for retaining it in the colony for military purposes and equipping the contingents. Mr D. T. Fleming objected to the vote being taken on the ground that the meeting did not represent anything like all the subscribers to the local fund. He thought a special meeting should be called for the purpose of testing the popular feeling on the question. It was entirely wrong at 12 o'clock at night to pass a motion to say what should be done with the money. His ow.i opinion was that it should be devoted to the purpose for which it was collected. He moved — " That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is the duty of Otago to fall in with the movement to despatch a third contingent to South Africa." Mr Hogg seconded this motion, which was garried unanimously. The meeting terminated with the National 4.ntliem &oon after. DEMONSTRATION AT PORT CHALMERS. Although a little behind the majority of jther towns in Otago in holding its palriolio Port Chalmers on Friday night allowed that it wos equal to any other centre in the depth of its enthusiasm, and the residents made a handsome response to the call aiade on them to swell the palriolic fund. The proceedings really commenced about

7 o'clock, when a procession moved off from the Custom House square. The Port Chalmers Garrison Band, followed by the Port Chalmers Naval Artillery, the Fire Brigade, a drag containing school children carrying aags, and the promoters of the demonstration. This procession went round the .town, and drew up at the station to welcome the Premier, who arrived by a special train at 7.45. The band then led the way up to the hall, which was already crowded. The Premier's entry was greeted with cheers.

Mr D. A. De Maus (mayor) presided, and thej>Right Hon. the Premier, Mr J. F. M. Fraser, Mr E. G. Allen, M.H.R., and Mr F. W. Platts occupied the platform. The hall had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, and, thanks to Mr W. Kirby, of the Union Company, a liberal supply of bunting was available for the purpose. Above the stage the Union Jack filmed a background for a fine portrait of the Queen; above hung the flag of New Zealanl md the standard of Scotland ; while in front jf blie stage were displayed the British and American flags. High up on the north wall the warcry of the first New Zealand contingent stood out in letters of gold on a blue background, and opposite could be seen inscribed in the same style, " Britannia rules the waves." Across the top corners of the hall above the stage Nelson's immortal signal was written, and "When duty calls ; Zealandia's sons obey." The Chairman said that Port Chalmers wa-s not behind any place of its size in responding to the patriotic fund. If more money v/as wanted they could get it, and if more men were wanted they could got them too. — (Applause.) They had one young man among them willing to go to the front — anxious to go to the front, if they could give him a horse. Now, he was going to ask them that night to give this boy a horse. — (Applause, and cries : " Give him two.") He would not bring disgrace on Port Chalmers.

The Right Hon. Mr Seddon, who had a splendid reception, and prefaced his address by saying that he was cfelighted to be with .the people of Port Chalmers that night; When their worthy member asked him whether it was possible for him to be with them, he (Mr Seddon) knew what work he had before him, but (pointing to the motto on the wall) when duty called each and every one of them must obey. He conceived it his duty to be with them and to assist them in promoting the cause for which they were called together that night, and which, in the interests of our Empire, and in the interests of ourselves, we were bound to support. — (Loud applause.) Speaking of the position of affairs in South Africa, Mr Seddon said what the Boers had been waiting for, what they had been aiming at, was to have an empire of their own and to force the British out of the Cape. It had been a- merciful interposition of Providence that they had asserted themselves now. Had they waited for the opportunity, when we were embroiled in war with some foreign nation, there was only one thing could have ensued. Blood would have been spilled, money would have been spent, and the flag which had floated so many years in South Africa- would have been torn down, and South Africa would have gone to the Boers, our old enemies. Only a few years ago President Kruger went with an army over the borders of the Free State and demanded there, at the point of the bayonet, the same freedom for the Boers that we were asking our countrymen in the Transvaal. Now he did not want to dip into past history, but it sufficed to say that our sons — sons of New Zealand, sons of the Empire, sons of Otago — were face to face with a bitter foe of tho British four centuries ago. They had never forgiven : they had ever been hostile. There might have been some ground at the beginning of the century for their complaint ; still, the chief ground for that bitter feeling existing between Boer and British was caused by the British abolishing slavery and refusing to allow the natives to be treated as they had been treated by the Boers at that time. One of the greatest honours that could fall to any part of the colony had fallen to Otago, because the leader — the one on whom so much depended — was a *son of Otago : he referred to Major Robin. — (Loud applause.) The people of New Zealand did not know how much those afc Home thought of the effort the colony was putting forth. Let them look at that (the speaker displayed o large extra issued by the London Echo, bearing the words " New Zealanders' Bravery Under Hot Fire.") The reading by the Premier of the extra elicited long-continued demonstrative applause. It was a tribute in itself to the efforts of the New Zealand " boys." — (Cheers.) New Zealand had now taught a lesson to the world and had given an emphatic reply to the contention once urged by persons who asserted that once the rountry became populated and the people well-to-do they would forget their country and their motherland. — (A Voice : " Never.") Had our people done so? The answer to the question was given in the fact that their sons were abroad fighting the battles of the old land, and receiving commendation for their deeds from trained men and from men who knew what bravery was. — (Applause.) The Boers had to reckon with the New Zealanders before the war was over. — (Loud cheers.) He recognised that the spirit that pervaded the fathers of those who had gone to the front was also to be found among the mothers, the sisters, and the sweethearts of "the bo3 r s." — (Applause.) Ho was proud of the mothers of New Zealand and of the sisters and the sweethearts. — (Applause.) The first contingent had gone, the second was on its way, the third on the move, and the fourth would go. — (Cheers.) We must go on sending and sending, and if we had no men to send there were women who would co. — (Loud applause.) The women were as determined thai Britain should win as were the men. — (Applause.) It would cheer Major Robin and the lads of the first contingent to know that the second contingent was on the way. Tliev Jcnew that fighting men were required, and that more men of their own stamp were wanted .to meet the emergency. — (Cheers.) One contingent, therefore, gave encouragement and confidence to the contingent that -followed, and that afternoon a deputation waited on him to say that they would raise 100 men to form part of the fourth contingent. — (Applause-.) They asked him that that contingent phould be -despatched direct fiom Otago, 'and it was "more than likely that ihe transport would take its departure from Port Chalmers — (Cheers.)' The lion, gentleman concluded his speech wilh a warm appeal to his hearers to do what they could to uphold the supremacy of Britain, and to that end they should encourage as far as lay in their power those who , had ever maintained [ their noble country, their flag, and their EmI pire. — (Loud, applause.)

Mr E. G. Allen, who was .loudly applauded, thanked the Premier for his attendance. It v/as gratifying to ,see that while moving from one part of the- colony- to another he could find time to come to Port Chalmers to deliver an address to its people. — (Cheers.) Speaking of the despatch of contingents from 1 the colony, Mr Allen said tlir't it would tend to show to the world thai, the colony was 1 something in reality — soniQlhing g;reat — and that it con-

tained a power that would have to be reckoned with in the future should a disturbance occur that called for it. — (Applause.) New Zealanders should be proud to find that New Zealand, the very antipodes of the old world, was coming to the fore, and that it was being brought so prominently before the British ' public as it was in the " extra " that had been shown to the meeting by the Premier. — (Hear, hear.) The efforts of the New Zealanders were appreciated in the old land without a doubt. — j (Hear, hear.) He was not depressed by reverses that Had taken place. The British ] soldier did not seem to wake up until the lion's tail had been trodden on, and before long — he had no hesitation in saying it — brilliant victories would be achieved by the Brit- ; ish arms. — (Applause.) The war had shown that the courage of the race had not in any .vay deteriorated during the period of comparative peace the Empire had enjoyed for some years, and that being so, .their undaunted valour, aided by the bravery of the colonial youths, would result, he was sure, in success to their flag in the Transvaal. — (Cheers.) As for the money raised in Port Chalmers, he ' did not think it should be given to the patriotic fund. There was enough in that fund in ' the old country already — (the Premier : Hear, \ hear), — and what was wanted now was to send more horses to our brave boys at the front. — ' . (Cheers.) | j Mr J. F. M. Fraser announced, amidst applause, the result of the deputation that waited on th^e Premier during the afternoon in regard to \he transport of the Otago and Southland contingent, and the offer of Mr Seddon to send 50 remounts in the s.e. Knight Templar with the third contingent. • ! ' Mr F. W. Platts, hon. secretary of the Port Chalmers Committee, read out the principal amounts subscribed by residents of Port Chalmers. i | The Premier called for three cheers for "Major Robin, the officers, and our lads at the front." The response was deafening, and cheers were also given for the girls they left behind them, for the second contingent, and for the Premier. • j The musical items with which the pro- ' gramme was interspersed were enthusiasti- ' cally applauded. Mr P. Carolin was loudly cheered for his capital singing of " The death of Nelson." Mr James Jago, who was ' in good form, gave " The soldiers of the Queen," and in response to an almost deafening appeal for an encore, he sang " The old flag," which was also applauded to the echo. •Mr J. R. Macdonald's recitation, "The absent-minded beggar," given in dramatic and forcible style, brought a great shower of coins into the basket, which was taken round the room by Miss May Murphy and Miss ■ Laura Long. As an encore, Mr Macdonald ' , recited Kipling's eulogy of Lord Roberta, en- ! titled "Bobs," which was fully appreciated > \by everyone in the audience. Mr D. Hut- i ton's singing of " Sons of the sea" roused the ; meeting to an intense pitch of enthusiasm, : ! and an undeniable encore following he sang i " The warrior % bold." Mr W. Jbbolson's . I item was " The old brigade," the rattling I chorus of which was taken up with gusto by t the audience. " Sons of the~Empire " was , vigorously rendered by Mr Jago, and as the I subscriptions had not reached the sum the , chairman desired to collect from the meeting, ( Mr Jngo v was called on to sing another song, , which he did with such success that the re- : I quired amount was soon in hand. The piano accompaniments were played by Mr D. Cooke. . The audience joined heartily in all the i , choruses, the effect of which was much en- I . hanced by a group of schoolgirls, dre»sed in ' white, waving Union Jacks at the rear of the '• platform. j A vote of thanks to the chair was accorded on the motion of the Premier, who paid a high compliment to Mr De Maus's ability in that capacity. The Premier led the singing of the National Anthem, at the conclusion of which the meetj ing closed. j The Port Chalmers Band played the j National Anthem and "Rule Britannia," i and also took part in the choruses. DEMONSTRATION AT MATAURA. PATRIOTIC SPEECH BY THE HON. J. G. WARD. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) MATAURA, February 2. A crowded and enthusiastic gathering, termed a patriotic concert, comprising songs, 1 recitations, and speeches by the Hon. J. G. Ward and Mr R. M'Nab, M.H.R., was held ,in Adams's Hall, Mataura, this evening. Mr Thomas Mac Gibbon, the mayor, presided, and 1 announced the first part of the programme I would be an address from the Hon. J. G. Ward. Mr Ward said : When I was requested by Mr Stewart to endeavour to speak at your ' meeting in connection wilh the patriotic move- \ ment, I felt that I was called upon to perform ; a pleasurable duty, which, if possible, I would gladly discharge ; and Iso intimated to Mr ' Stewart on receipt of his wire. I am happy \ to be present here, and to find that those splendid traditions of the "British race, which j until the recent outbreak in .South Africa the ' sons of New Zealand had had no opportunity . of giving practical demonstration of, exist, and j are maintained amongst us as markedly as they are in the older world. — (Applause.) Though | terrible consequences must necerearily follow ( in the train of war against a nation organised, so far as weapons and munitions of war are concerned, to a degree that makes fighting against them both difficult and expensive, yet there is much good to be obtained, and valuable lessons to be learned, which it appears to me could not have been gained in any other way. — (Hear, hear.) How many of us who have had the opportunity of feeing for ourselves in the history of Great Britain the devotedness and self-sacrifice of the men who in ages past have offered their services, and placed their lives at the disposal of their country? How many of us, I ask, have been able to gauge that those noble traditions which have come down to us from our kin in the old country exist an strongly in the youth and manhood, aye, in the womanhood, of those who have been born in the lands under the Southern Cross? If the war has been expensive, if valuable life has been lost, it is somei thing to look forward to the destinies of the marvellous Empire whose stupendity can be but imperfectly gauged even by those of us who have studied its extensive ramifications. Though so distant from the pulse of the nation that many of us have never had an opportunity of feeling it closely, it is a splendid thing to realise that we are animated by the same spirit, and that we are prepared to make the same sacrifices, in defence of the Empire. — (Applause.) Wo recognise that the maintenance of the Empire is one of the highest duties that devolves upon us, and the war is j giving us an opportunity of proving that the colonial-born .sons of the Empire are as ready to fight for, and die in, its defence as those who have preceded ' them in tho older world, and who havo by their valour, by their pluck, their determination, endurance, and fearlessness 1 made- thoraselves feared and veouecled by

every nation against whom they have had to contend. — (Hear, hear.) Personally, I have no desire to encourage, or to see encouraged, in this country the spirit of jingoism. I regard it as a crime to have any portions of our Empire brought into conflict with other nations upon flimsy pretexts, or upon unnecessary or avoidable causes. The history of the troubles in South Africa, dating back from the period that we first came into conflict with the Boers, clearly shows that our fellow countrymen, who have endeavoured to make homes for themselves and their families in the Transvaal, have been treated by Eruger and his allies in such an autocratic, unfriendly, and unjust way under the laws of the Republic as to make the conditions of things unbearable by Britishers who have in vain been contending for the extension of the franchise, and for improvements in the social and political conditions of the country. It is a regrettable thing to find that there are some who are ready to pounce upon the Imperial Government, under whose administration the war has begun. This is neither the time nor the place to criticise and to ask whether the diplomatic negotiations could have been conducted in such a manner as to have avoided the war. , It must surely be evident to the most thoxightless observer that the generous treatment that was extended to the Boers by the Gladstone Government in 1881 ought to have caused them to look upon the English as a powerful ally rather than as an implacable foe. But the fact is now revealed that, under the pretence of friendship, they have been arming and preparing themselves for war. It must be evident to the most thoughtless observer that it has been the intention of the Boers to, sooner or later, engage with England in deadly struggle en the battlefield. — (Hear, hear.) Surely, then, it ie better for us. however terrible it may be, to face an immediate settlement of our troubles with a race which has shown itself to be ungrateful, ungenerous, and treacherous in the highest degree. — (Hear, hear.) It was surely better to do so now than at a time when complications with other European nations might necessitate our joining issue with them. Were I in the old world actively engaged in its political affairs I should set my face determinedly against the mea'y-inouthed people who are foolish enough to advocate an intervention at this juncture in order to bringabout a peaceful solution of the trouble. — (Applause.) Were we to lose our hold on South Africa, were we to recede from the position we have taken up, were we to relinquish one jot of our expressed determination to establish liberty in the Transvaal, it would show to the world at large that oxir boast to fight, and, if need be, to die, in the defence of the Empire was an empty and idle one. And you may depend upon it that such an action would re&ult in the weakening of the Empire, of which we are all so justly proud. — (Loud and continued applause.) When, then, this war has been carried to a successful conclusion, it will be for the Imperial Government to frame a Constitution under which there will be freedom equal to that which we now enjoy, and under which there may be established institutions for the benefit of the people similar to those which al present obtain in this colony, and which will be available not only for the British, but for all those who choose to conform to British rule. — (Applause.) The Constitution under which we live is recognised to be one of the most liberal in the world, and no country can boast of the enjoyment of greater freedom than that secured to the British nation by it, a fact which is admitted even by those who are of a different nationality to our own. As a result of the present strife in South Africa, there will ere long bs thrown open to the world at large a vast country capable of enormouo potentialities, capable of carrying a great population, and one which under liberal legislation will enable millions of people who so far know of it only by name to make homes for themselves and their children, and which, above all, will add another great territory to our already unequalled Empire. And although it may be regarded as a mercenary way of looking at things, we cannot fail to realise that in the developments which must necessarily take place there will spring up great opportunities for trade between South Africa and other parts of the world, of which Slew Zealand will largely avail itself .—(Loud applause | I can therefore, I am sure, confidently appeal to the people here to do their parr in rendering assistance to the mother land in the pre sent crisis. Let 'me ask those who can afford it to show their sympathy with the movement which has originated in Dnnedin by giving horses for the Fourth Contingent of Rough Riders, which is to comprise 100 men and 150 horses. I know that the people of this important district will feel pride and pleasure in giving something practical to identify themselves with those, brave men who will form this Fourth Contingent soon to be despatched from our shores. — (Applause.) I have said that we have had practical demonstration of the fact that the sons of New Zealand are imbued with the same spirit and fired by the same zeal as their compatriots in the older world, but there is another thought to which I would give expression. The colonies have made an exceedingly rapid growth from childhood to manhood, and to every loyal subject of our gracious Queen it musr. be a source of most profound satisfaction to see how surely and strongly the ties between the mother country and her offspring are being woven together. The Englishspeaking people throughout the world are being drawn together by an indissoluble bond of affection, which must mean that in the near future there must be such a federation of our race as will present an invulnerable front to all our enemies. You may depend that the time is fast approaching when, with such a federation, it will be necessary for young colonies^ such as yours to have direct representations in both branches of the Imperial Legislature, and it will be recognised in the old country that effective federation and complete defence of the interests of our great Empire can only be obtained by such an extension of the Imperial military system as will embrace the whole of our colonies. — (Loud applause.) One thing is absolutely certain, that England must always be ready, and there is no doubt most potent help could be given in this direction by a proper expansion of the volunteer movement in the colonies. Much could also be done to inculcate that national military ardour, without which no country can be said to be safe, by fostering a useful system of military instruction in our schools). Our children should be taught to revere and love the land of their birth with the same deep devotion which binds native-born English, Irish, and Scotch to the British Islands. The colonies have their systems of defence, it is true, but I believe they could be rendered impregnable by being drawn into one uniform scheme to embrace the whole of the Englishspeaking people. — (Loud applause.) I am inclined to think that the people of the old country, with their teeming millions, would not be slow to recognise the fairness of assisting us to create whatever depots miifht be neoessary for defensive purposes in the^e distant portions of the Empire. — (Hear, hear.)

I am giving you but a notion of ideas thafi have* lingered in my mind for a long time past, and when I - reflect uporu the terrible responsibilities that are imposed upon the British nation at large of being prepared to meet any and the most serious emergency 'that may arise — which heaven forbid — ■ I say that the time has arrived when, in view of the apparent eagerness of other nations to take advantage of any weak point in our armour, and to take from us what in. the glorious past has been won bj r British enterprise, foresight, and British blood, Britain's vast interest should never be allowed to.be placed in jeopardy for want of complete imanimity, among her people for their mutual defence. The war clouds which have been rolling round us have.,' shown us what the stamina and resources of our nation really are, and whatever may happen, good must ultimately result from the conflict. The road may be steep, the difficulties may be great, but the difficulties will be finally overcome, and New Zealand's brave and fearless sons will have had the honour of sharing in the added lustre which will adorn Victoria's glorious crown — (loud applause), — and those who may fall in the defence and maintenance of the Empire will have their names indelibly inscribed upon the hearts of all Englishspeaking people of our own and future generations. — (Applause.) In conclusion, let me say that our hopes and aspirations for the future should be in the direction of one people, one Empire, one flag, one destiny.' I trust that the time may not be far distant when a corner may be found in the flag of the mother country now known as the Union Jack, for the Stars and Stripes, and that in turn the Stars and Stripes of America may alsD find a corner for the Union Jack of Old England. — (Loud applause.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 2. At a meeting of the Patriotic Fund Committee the Chairman stated that £1500 had been remitted Home, and he had in hand £1637, which would probably be increased to> £2000. In regard to several applications from subscribers to the patriotic fund that their subs should be transferred to the war fund, the committee decided that it could not accede to the request, but it was resolved not to remit any more money to London for the time being. It was also decided to ask the Government what had been done in regard to insuring members of the contingents. The children of St. Stephen's Church, Reefton, ha\e shown a noble and self-denying spirit. They handed the secretary of the Tiansvaal roMef fund the sum of 10 guineas', which had been collected for their picnic. The idea originated entirely with the children, themselves. The total amount collected by subscriptions and raised by sale of ribbons and refreshments at sports, etc., in the Balfour and 1 Cattle Flat districts is £103. The sum of £86 has been collected for the patriotic fund at the Hillside Railway Workshops, and in addition the men will give regular monthly subscriptions while the war la&ts. The members of the Aupouri tribe residing at Parengarenga and Tekao, Bay of Islands, have forwarded £20 for the patriotic fund. The Hon. Mr Carroll has received several communications from Natives expressing thr-ir desire to contribute towards the fund. As threes members of the Organising Commirtee of the patriotic fund will be absent from Dunedin for some weeks — Mr James Mills (who proceeded on Thursday to Auckland), Mr Chisholm (who has gone to Stewart's Island for three weeks), and Mr J. A. Millar (who is suffering from the effects of infiuenzel — the following gentlemen have been appointed to the committee to take the places of those absent: — Messrs T. W. Kempthorne, W. A. Shields, and W. Speight. The ladies of Bampden organised an "Afc home " in aid of the patriotic fund, which, was held on Tuesday afternoon and evening. The lesult was an addition of £12 to the fund, bringing the total up to £75. Tlie Alexandra South contributions amount" to £300, and another £100 is expected. The school children's fund amounts to £2. The Balfotn 1 contribution to the patriotic fund totals 100 guineas. The Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., have voted a further contribution of £2 to the patriotic fund. Port Chalmers has contributed £4-11 8s 9d lo the patriotic fund. Mr E. G. Allen, the member for the district, suggests that any further sums raised should be expended in the purchase of remounts for " the boys " now at the front. A patriotic concert was held in the Henley Hall on the evening of the 2nd insl. Mr J. Stevenson was in the chair. A jx>ost eloquent address was delivered by Mr J. Allen. M.H. P... on the object of the meeting, and tliis, with the recitations of Mr Parlane, and the patriotic music and songs of Misses "M'Repf-r. Craiptie, Ross, and Grant, ami Messrs King, Forsyth, and Grant were thef means of rousing the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Three cheers were given, for Messrs M'Kegg and Palmer, who have each a son in the first contingent. The collection and admission money will amount to over £30.