PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 3

PASSING NOTES.

(From Saturday's Daily Times.)

Provided the war eftds, and ends quickly, we ought not to be fastidious about the manner of its ending. Yet, if a choice were given, we should all vote for some grand dramatic coup de theatre upon which the curtain might be rung down to the world's applause. Apparently that satisfaction will be denied us. The war will not end with a Waterloo ; it will merely fizzle out. This is going to be the way with modern wars, if our ■ South African experience may be accepted as a quide — no more Waterloos ; masses of men do not any longer precipitate themselves upon each other ; here and there perhaps a Sedan — as, on a small scale, at Paardeberg, but no great pitched battles. In the Transvaal we mu«£ make up our minds to a fizzle out. The process is pretty far advanced when Lord Roberts apprises Kruger, informally, that if he gives himself up nothing particular will be done to him. My first feeling about Kruger, supposing his capture or surrender, is that he ought to be shortened by a head ; the next, that lie should be interned with Cronje at St. Helena. But in the end I come round to the plan of Lord Roberts and find it best. Nothing could so completely cover Kruger with ignominy as this policy of contempt — treating him as a negligible quantity, leaving him, a monunlent of British clemency, to the scorn of his disillusioned burghers. But, if the war is fizzling out, we don't wi-nt the fizzle to end with a cracker. This week the Boers all but captured Lord Kitchener. All but, yet not quite ! A miss is as good as a mile. Lord Kitchener, when the Boers nearly got him, was asleep in a railway carriage. Well, even Lord Kitchener must sleep sometimes. Anyhow he wasn't .sleeping in a bed. And I suspect that he slept with, one eye open. The miss may have been a good deal more than a mile after all.

Passed on to me by the editor, I have a Dutch circular — translated into English, thanks be! — sent to him by the "Netherland Women's League for International Disarment," obviously the Dutch analogue of our ' National Council of Women. The object of the circular is to disseminate the emotions and convictions experienced by the Netherland Women's League at an unspeakably precious "interview and audience" with tie Soer emissaries that went to Buroge

in the hops of stirring up intervention. The chanceries of Europe don't happen to be manned by women ; lucky for us they are not! When the Boer delegates appeared before the Netherland Women's League their case was understood, their story believed, their prayer granted, eie they hacTspoken a J word. They came, they saw, they conquered. More correctly, they came, they were seen,' and they con- , quered. It all lay in their personal ap- ' pearance. Mr Fisclier had " a beautiful broad forehead"; Mr Wesseis and Mr j Wolmarans, his colleagues, Avere discerned j to possess '.clear cut features, intelligent i heads, brown hair and beards " ; the one , Avith " something humorrstic in his eye," j the other with " dark melancholy eyes "—" — ' mark thisj — and "his tawny cheeks fur- j rowed by care ani grief." These fascina- i lions amounted, morally, to a certificate of veracity. ]

How different these men may be in' some respects, there is one trait they have in common. Their most characteristic feature is "the stamp of truth they bear. If 'ever we have ' mot any one 'on whose •whole being the word [ tiicth was written it is on these men. It ' would be just as impossible for them to bell a lie as for the stars to be visible at noon. j As if by -vvay-of comment on this estimate the gentleman with the beautiful broad forehead, remarking that he " stood before them without blushing," emitted the mon- j t-trous tarradiddle that "it was only after the Jameson raid that the Boers bought ! stores of ammunition and arms." " How J could it be different ! " exclaim his feminine ( audience in an ecstacy : " Has truth tAvo voices? No, it has one single voice, one single utterance!" — the utterance, to wit, of the gentlemen with beautiful broad fore- i heads and deep, dark, melancholy eyes. |

As long as we had to go by cabled news we could not be sure; now we have stood eye to eye, and hand in hand with those who are' witnesses to the facts. Whoever does not believe these written words, let him go and hoar them spoken by the same lips as we did, and he will come away with the same conviction as we : " Verily, these are true men, in them there is no false. ' It is a thing to be regretted that our National Council of Women, before, entering upon the excitements of their pro-Boer evening, had not been fortified, like their Netherlands sisters, by an interview and audience with these three male Graces from Dutch South Africa.

Of the mediaeval twilight in which Boer intelligence moves we have heard much. It has been told us how Mr Taljaard, discussing in the Volksraad a mining application, objected to the word "participate" (participeeren) because he couldn't find it in the Bible, and asked that the word " quartz " should be translated into Dutch. How again, on a question of exterminating locusts, Mr Roos said that locusts were a plague sent by God and the country would assuredly be ruined if it raised its hand against the Almighty ; how the chairman corroborated this by a true story of a man whose farm had been always spared by the locusts until one day he caused some to be killed ; whereupon his farm was im-' mediately devastated. Again, we have learned with what piety the Raad expressed itself on an attempt by certain unregenerate Uitlanders to bring rain by firing at the clouds ; how Mr Wolmarans said that if one of their children fired towards the clouds with a revolver they would thrash him ; why should they permit people to mock at the Almighty in this manner? — it was terrible to contemplete; and how, on the motion of this enlightened legislator, the Raad resolved to " take the necessary steps to prevent a repetition of the occurrences referred to." Stories of this nature, indubitably true, may be had b;y- the bushel. Nevertheless it always remained to his apologists to say that at least the Boer was a good Christian ; his very absurdities sprang from* simple-minded ioyalty to the Bible. True, the Boer wallopped his nigger ; but the American slaveholder did the same, and found, or thought he found, Old Testament precedent for it. It turns out, however, that on this subject — the Boer attitude towards Kaffirs and other South African aborigines — Boer apologists have yet a good deal to learn. The Methodists and the Church of England have native ministers — Kaffirs, Zulus, Bechuanas — and even synods of such ministers. Not so the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa ; one of its regulations is that "no native shall be educated as a minister." The Dopper — i.e., Dipper —Dkvcoh, of the. TransraaJ, the chjyrch

privileged Avith pulpit exercitations by Mr Kruger himself, has gone one better. " Less than two years ago," says the London Spectator — an authority that Avill not be doubted — " any office-bearer "• or member doing anything for the evangelisation of the natives Avas threatened Avith . excommunication." > The annals of Christianity might be racked in vain for a parallel fact. The Boer is good at the sjambok ; he is good at sniping from behind rocks ; but he is a mighty poor Christian.

In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom, but it is not certain that this rule holds good of the Council of the Churches. In the Council are many counsellors ; yet, on the question how to give a religious character to our approaching Peace celebrations, the word of wisdom has been spoken by an outsider — Mr E. B. Cargill. The Council's idea is a religious meeting in the evening, one hour long ; all that their secretary, the Rev. Mr Saunders, asks of the Mayor and general public is " that the fireworks be kept at a sufficient distance so as not to interfere." For there are to be fireworks, and, according to Mr James Mills, there will be 40,000 or 50,000 people in the streets to behold them. ' Simultaneously the Council of the Churches, quite apart, are to give "at least one hour," as they modestly phrase it, to the " recognition of God's Providence." This doesn't strike me as the summit of wisdom ; I have more sympathy with Mr CargilFs suggestion that the recognising_pf God's Providence 1 should be attempted in all congregations, and at an earlier hour — in the morning, to wit — when there- would be no competing- fireworks. I have a lively recollection of how God's Providence was recognised at the last patriotic meeting — Pretoria Day, when the external conditions were similar to those which seem to satisfy the Council of the Churches. A vote of thanks to the Deity was proposed by resolution and carried by unanimous uproar — " Rule Britannia," " Soldiers of the Queen," and " For he's a jolly good fellow." Oh yes, — the vote went through all right, though the rev. gentleman appointed to propose it failed to secure a hearing and was reduced to sending to the newspapers the speech he would have spoken. Granted that the Council of the Churches would manage better than this ; it remains nevertheless that Mr CargilPs idea of what befits the occasion and .ourselves is better still.

There is a most delightful slump in mining stocks ; the only drawback to the joy of it is uncertainty as to its duration. How long will it last? To what depths will it descend? Shall I yet be able to buy Hartley's at £Z or thereabouts, and Central Electrics at 30s? Ought I to snap up things at present prices, or wait a little longer? The three synagogues of Dunedin brokers put together couldn't give you a sane answer to these questions. The market is demoralised, irrational, idiotic. Take for example Junction Electrics. Within the space of 15 days the Junction Electric Company reported 1340z, 480oz, 3300z, and declared a2s 6d dividend. In respon&e to these incitements Junction Electric shares flickered upwards a few shillings and then began to drop, drop ; persistently they went on dropping, and for anything I know to the contrary they are dropping yet. This is a fair illustration of the enchanted condition into which has fallen the mining market. The enchantment will pass, the spell be lifted — never fear! — but when? That is the question. Inquire of the gasping brokers and they tell you to-morrow, next week ; wait for July — wait for August ; wait till Hartley and Riley makes another big return — till three or four dredges that are just about ready get to work — till the river goes down to "normal." Apropos of which last reason for hope I may remark that the Molyneux is seldom or never "normal." That seems a fair inference from the weekly telegrams. Normally the condition of this paradoxical stream is from 3ft to 16ft above normal.

Meanwhile a sober-minded anti-gambling community is enjoying the wicked excitements of Monte Carlo. We have all staked on the red, and black turns up 40 times running. Personally I prefer this way of explaining the situation ; it leaves the door open to mysterious chance and a return of the red. It goes on the theory that there is no real reason why things should be as they aarte t Sft&Eps go ujp and §p down b^

caprice of their own. You buy well or you buy badly — it is all luck, and — as one of Bret Harte's mining camp gamblers remarks — " luck is a mighty queer thing ; all you knoAv about it for certain is that it's bound to change." Explaining on this A-ieAV existing phenomena in the share market, Aye have" struck a streak of bad luck" — merely that. But there is another explanation, and I am afraid it is the more scientific. The brokers, aiding and abetting certain im r isible operators known as "vendors" and " promotei's," have launched a monstrous and intolerable number of mining companies. The public — which is always an ass — has taken up the shares in these companies, or has bought them at a premium. Buying at a premium and selling at a larger premium is a pleasant game while it lasts. But there are limits, and the limits have been reached. The brokers and their inyisible allies have exhausted the purchasing power of the public. A couple of hundred neAV companies are calling up capital and those calls must be paid. The last buyer at a premium, disappointed in his hopes ' of a bigger premium, is compelled to unload on such terms as he finds possible. Once establish a funk and the downward rush becomes an avalanche ; sellers tumble over each other — devil take the hindmost ! . A&sisting the debacle, unseen, is the" virtuous " vendor " or " promoter " who has gift-shares' to get rid of and usually begins to feed them on the market as soon as he thinks top prices reached. AnyhoAv, explain it as you will, mining stocks are in headlong slump, and the only question remaining for the modest adventurer with still a little money available for a really judicious investment is at Avhat point he should take courage to buy. On that question lam not paid to advise. My ideas are my own, and, whether I - make a spoon or spoil a horn, I shall not take the public into my confidence. Civis.

The following circular has been issued by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture: — The Government regret to note that, notwithstanding the rapid denudation of our forests, the. spirited interest evinced for the first few years after Arbor Day was instituted has not been maintained. This is greatly to be deplored. I have to inform you that Wednesday, July 18 next, has been proclaimed a holiday throughout the colony for the observance of Arbor Day, and am directed to request that you will be good enough to bring before the residents of your district the great benefits to be derived from planting reserves and waste places with trees suitable to the positions selected. The advantages and the wealth to be derived from plantations systematically made and worked are so well known that I need not trouble you with them here. The Government desires to see Arbor Day become recognised as an effective aid to the reforesting of suitable areas.

A fully-attended meeting on Monday afternoon of the committee of t the Technical Classes Association was presided over by Mr A. Burt, and a large amount of routine business was transacted. The Superintendent reported that there were 745 students on the roll, and that the strictly technical classes showed a satisfactory increase compared with last year, while the receipts from fees were about equal to last year's. If there had been more accommodation available some of the classes would have been much larger than they were. It was decided to again bring under the notice oi the Hon. Mr Ward the pressing need for extending the premises, and that in some departments work was almost at a standstill owing to the unfavourable conditions under which the classes are being run. The first half of the session closed on Friday last.

An instance of canine fidelity is mentioned by Dr Gordon Macdonald. When the police entered the humble abode of the man Legget, who died suddenly in Maclaggan street on the > 19th, they found his collie dbg posted as sentinel on the dead body of her master, and refusing to move on "any condition. Some strategy and violence had to be resorted to before the faithful friend would move, and then &he whined and snarled to be allowed to resume her command. Immediately she got the chance she resumed her watch and self-appointed sentinelship.

Irish emigration statistics continue to reveal a decreasing population in Ireland. The

report of the Registrar-general of Ireland for 1899 was laid on the table of the House of Commons recently, and it shows that the number of emigrants who left Ireland in the year was 43,760, or 9.7 per 1000 of the estimated population, v and an increase of 9875 over the numbers of 1893. Deducting those who were natives of other countries than Ireland, the net emigration of native Irish was 41,232, being an increase of 8991 over the previous year. As usual, the bulk were young men and women, £2 per cent, being between the ages of 15 and 35. Of the total, 35,433, or 85.9 per cent., went to the United States, 1005 to Australia, 397 to Canada, and 4141 to Great Britain.

It is perhaps not generally known that Sydney ranks fourth among the ports of the ■Empire for the volume of its shipping business. At present more vessels and greater tonnage call there than at any other port in Australia, and the value of their cargoes is also greater. In 1590, just 3,000,000 tons entered and cleared from Sydney to foreign and intercolonial ports, while last year the tonnage was 4,700,000, an increase of 56 per cent. That is very wonderful, considering the 'bad seasons which have afflicted New. South Waled during a portion of the period. During last year Melbourne received by seagoods to the value of £15,350,000, and sent away by sea goods to the value of £16,200,000, making a total trade of £31,550,000. That places it fifth among the ports of the British Empire. Sydney in the same year received goods to the value of £21,500,000, and sent away goods to the value of £21,700,000, making the total value of its trade £43,200,000. This great trade places Sydney fourth among the ports of the Empire, being exceeded only by London, Liverpool, and Hull.

There is at present on view in the shop window of Mr Joseph Braithwaite, bookseller, Princes street," a painting from the brush of Mr J. Elder Moultray, who, prior to his being invalided home, acted as war correspondent in South Africa for this paper during the present campaign. The subject of the paintingis an incident that occurred during the hostilities which came under Mr Moultray' s own notice. It represents a scene where two sections of No. 1 Company of the New Zealand first contingent is repulsing a Beer charge. " Our Boys " are occupying a kopje. While one or two are holding the horses in a sheltered position the others line the top of the hillock and are engaging the enemy approaching at a gallop in the distance. Their rifla fire is evidently true, for amidst the dust On the veldt beyond it can be seen that several of the foremost horsemen have come down. The New Zealanders' position is by no means free from danger, as a shell bursting in close proximity to the left is visible, while the whit© smoke issuing from the distant hills indicates the presence of the enemy's guns. Altogether, the picture is a most interesting one. The subject is admirably treated, and those who have been in South Africa declare that it conveys an excellent idea of the nature of the country. The work is attracting a great deal of interest, and not a few have expressed to those in charge of Mr Braithwaite's establishment very great admiration for Mr Moul'tray's work. It is understood that this is the first of a series of war pictures Mr Moultray proposes to paint.

Judging from his actions and writings in the press (says the New Zealand Times), there is no one with a firmer belief in New Zealand a? an ideal place, for the working man than Mr W. Hanstead, who some time since took up land in the South Island, and is now at Home on x visit. JELe is arranging for the emigration to New Zealand of no less than 1 200 young men, whom he describes as being physically strong, and who will each possess a certain amount of capital. Several of the men propose to bring their sweethearts with them, the girls, it is stated, being willing to go into domestic service until the men have got settled and are in a- position to marry. The party will also probably include some married couples without children. It is, says Mr Eanstead, the intention of most of the men to work on farms for some time, and 1 then to take \ip land on their own account;. Most of them, he adds, are temperance men,' and " the fact thai they have been able loa save out of the scanty wages some of them have been receiving proves that they are*' thrifty." The party proposes to leave for New Zealand in August

The Hon. Mr Pinkerfcon and Messrs jlorri- - son and W. Hutchison have been appointed members of the Kaitangata Relief Board. | Some interest was created in Ashburton on Saturday night by a motor car, in which Mr F. Demrison, of Christchurch, is making a journey to Oamaru. Between Christclmroh nnd Ashburton the vehicle met with a breakdown, but at the latter place lopairs were satisfactorily made. '

The framework of the now railway station at Oamaru is now,iup. The Foxton Borough Council recently complained to the management of the dirty state of the notes issued by the Bank of New Zealand, and received a reply to the effect thai if the bank was forced to issue notes the expense would be so great that several branches would have to be closed, and the Foxlon bianch would be one of tlia firsS 1