SCOTLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 50

SCOTLAND.

(From Our Own Cobrespondekt.) EDINBURGH, April 18. A LATE SEASON. If our winter was late in beginning, it is equally late in coming to a close. Though we are now past the middle of April, scarcely a leaf is yet to be seen, and night frosts and keen winds both day and night make people dress as if it were still January. March had a rare burst to finish up with, in the shape of a snowstorm, which assumed, in the north-eastern counties at any rate, the proportions of a blizzard. In a few hours the roads and railways in Aberdeenshire were blocked by mow-drifts varying from sft to 9ft in depth. Further south there was less suow but the cold was intense. At a Salvation Army funeral at Penicuick, nine miles from Edinburgh, a young man, who was. one of the mourners, fainted from the cold, and remained unconscious for several hours. At Kelso there were 23deg of frost, and the Tweed was frozen over. In other parts of Scotland there were heavy floods. At Crieff the lailway station \va» flooded to a depth of several "feet, and all along its course the Earn overflowed its banks. In Ayrshire there was a phenomenal rainfall, and the Doon in particular swelled to a great height ana width. The storm coming just at the lambing season, it is feared that its results will prove to be very disastrous to the flocks. THE COAL AND STEET CRISIS. Lanarkshire has just passed through a trying time, which happily proved not so long as it was first feared it would be. The engine-keepers at the coalpits struck tor an eight-hours day, and this at once stopped the supply of coal, and injuriously attected many important industries. The steel works were stopped in a good many cases, tor though coal could have been brought from Fife and Ayrshire at a small advance, the steel trade is so quiet that it was thought ■best to stop working altogether. However, the strike proved of short duration. i.ne ooal miners at first showed some inclination to suppot the engine-keepers, but in a few days they changed their minds. The enginekeepers, finding that both public feeling and trade counsels were against them, gave in, and work was resumed at the pits. During the duration of the strike, however, loss was sustained at Bo'ness and other ports from which Lanarkshire coals are shipned, as vessels had to go to Burntisland and Methu for cargoes. As to the effect of the great steel trust formed in America upon the trade m that commodity, opinions appear to be very diverse. Some prophesy the complete and speedy ruin of the British steel industry, while others take a much more hopeful view. Among the latter is Mr Bonar Law, one of the M.P.s for Glasgow, who thinks that the American combination will not injure British trade to the extent imagined by some. Another gentleman, whose name is not given, but who is described as " the head of one of the largest Scottish firms," has just returned from a visit to Pittsburg, and he states that the situation causes him no uneasiness. He considers that circumstances will make a supply of steel from America. a fluctuating thing, while the formation of the trust is proving a blessing in disguise in causing British manufacturers to combine their forces and put forth all their energies. Though great secrecy is maintained about it, it is known that the British steel maivu•facturers are in their turn forming a preat combination, from which good results are anticipated. It is to be hoped their expectations may be realised, for there are many who -declare that the British steel trade is on the way to extinction at no distant date. SENSATIONAL ARRESTS. Xo small sensation was created in Edinburgh on Eastei Monday by the news that Messrs Robert P. Pattison and Walter Pattibon, managing director of the bankrupt whisky concern, Pattisoiio (Limited), Leith, had been arrested. At one time such a oourse was expected, but as time passed and the authorities took no action, the rumours <lied away. Mr Robert Pattison was living with his mother and Eisters at Ardhallow House, a mansion situated between Dunoon and Innellan, but they were about to remove, as the War Office had acquired the place in connection with the fortifications which are to be constructed there for the defence of the Clyde. The two police officers who feore the warrant met Mr Pattison at the door of the mansion, and on their intimating their errand he replied with perfect coolness, *' I thought something like this was coming." He packed his bag in the presence of the officers, who took him to a, closed carriage which they had in readiness. The arrest caused intense distress to the ladies of the family, but the arrangements were so good that the public knew nothing of what was happening. The accused was conveyed by train from Gourock to Edinburgh. Meanwhile Mr Walter Pattison, who was residing at North Berwick, was quietly arrested in the Station road there as he was about to catch the 8.50 a.m. train to Edinburgh. In the afternoon both brothers were "brought before the sheriff, and the usual preliminaries were gone through.' The sheriff ■was willing to admit them to bail at £1500 each, but as, after two hours' exertion, the security could not be found, the accused were removed to the Calton Gaol. The indictment ha<s not yet been framed, but it is ■understood that the charges against them ■will include several counts for defrauding creditors of sums langing from £500 to £30,000. The bankrupt company, which is now in liquidation, has paid two dividends, amounting together to 6s 6d in the £1. The liquidators' reports were lately submitted by the authorities to "a leading Edinburgh accountant, and it is presumed that the arrest is the outcome of his investigation. The extravagant style in which the Pattibous lived prior to the crash, and the circumstances which have already emeiged in the course of the liquidation, will came the trial to be watched with an interest unknown in any financial cause celebre tried in this city since the case of the dire< tms of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1879. The «.ccu°ed are now released on bail

Glasgow also has it sensation, in the arTest of Mr James Wilson Dick, v. holesale etationer, and an e\-baihe, on two charge* — one of soliciting and one of receiving a biibe from a publican tc obtain licences at the Burgh Licensing Court. The indictment states the amount of the bribe in the one case at £600, and in the other at £500. The case is to be tried at th • High Court of Justiciary on the 26th in»t. Mi Dick, whose business premises are at 32 College street, had represented th Maryhill Ward for a number of years, but was rejected at the Iw.t BB L uuici]?a.l electiou in November. He

was closely identified with the teetotal party, and while in the council was specallv active in connection with the work of the City Improvement Trust. The acts charged against him are alleged to have been committed while he was a magistrate. It is affirmed that as he was unsuccessful in the former case, the applicant informed his brother magistrates, who, in order to clear themselves, brought the matter before the Lord Advocate, who thereupon proceeded to take action by arresting Mr Dick. THE CENSUS. Thif decennial event came off on the night of Sunday, 31sl March, and caused, as usual, a considerable stir in many supposed dovecots. It is surprising how much the innocent inquiries of the Registrar-general are resisted by some, and what hard work they give to others in the way of undemanding them. There was a sudden influx to Edinburgh hotels of persons who left their abodts in the country or in small towns in order to avoid giving information as to their age-, etc., to local officials. Then the enumerators had bother with some wives who demurred — on good grounds, no doubt— to their worse halves being returned as " head of the house." When this objection was overruled they wished to pay out their husbands by entering them in another column as " feeble-minded."' Yet another column directed persons carrying on any trade or dustry at home to state the words "at home." One lady, endeavouring to cornplay, as she thoiight, with this direction, entered upon her form the interesting information that she was '"at home" on Thursdays at 4. Some sensitive persons forwarded their returns in carefully sealed envelopes to the Registrar-general direct, but their raains were wasted, for in all such cases the forms are sent back to the enumerators of the district* to which they belong. Boarders, who took their meals with the family, were entered on the schedule of the latter ; but lodgers who took their meals by themselves got a separate schedule. It is expected that the general results in regard to the census of Scotland will be known in about three months' time. Curiously enough, the return from the remote islet of St. Kilda is, the first to be published. A gunboat took a-n enumerator to the island, and he reports that its population is 76, which is an increase of 'four upon the total in 1&91. Figures in regard to the smaller towns are now being published daily. OPENING OF THE MALLAIG RAILWAY. The line of railway, 41 miles in length, constructed through a wild country from Fort William to Mallaig, on the Atlantic coast, was opened on April 1. The line has been, constructed primarily in the interest | of the fisheries of the Hebrides, but it will also no doubt attract many tourists in course of time, as the scenery is very grand, aiyl j most of the country is fresh to sightseer?, j The line is a single one, and the journey of 207 miles from Edinburgh is accomplished in seven and a-quarter hours. The undertaking has been carried out by the North British Railway Company, as an extension of their West Highland line, and the total cost, including the construction of a deepwater pier at Mallaig, has been £550,000 On £260,000 of this amount the Government has guaranteed 3 per cent, for 30 years. Owing to the rugged nature of the country, the work has been very arduous and costly, especially in the matter of rock cuttings, and there are also 11 tunnels, the longest of which is 330 yard* in length. The rock is a schist of such hardness as to resist the mason's chi-el, and it ha 6 accordingly been ground up and mixed with cement to form concrete. This concrete has been used in the construction of the station buildings, Ihe smaller viaducts and bridges, the pier at Mallaig, and a great viaduct at the head of Glenfinnan. This last structure is curved, and consists of 21 spans of 50ft each. In the centre it is 100 ft above the bed of the Finnan. It is claimed that the concrete will j stand the salt-laden winds of the Atlantic better than sandstone would do. There are eight public stations on the new line, bedsides two private one for lauded proprietors through whose properties it runs. Everyone hopes that it will bring prosperity to « district which, has hitherto been much isolated, as well as to the important fisheries of the Hebridean Islands. ECCLESIASTICAL NOTES. With the approach of the Assemblies increased, interest is being taken in ecclesiastical matters. General satisfaction is expressed at the reappointment of the Earl of Leven and Melville as Lord High Commissioner to the Established Assembly. The proceedings of the first regular Assembly of j the United Free Church will be followed with special interest. According to figures given last week at the first meeting of the U.F. Synod of Glasgow, the sustentation fund is not in a healthy state, showing ah it does a net decrease of £8068. Of this amount only £1250 is accounted for as representing what was formerly contributed by the 26 Highland congregations _ which have not entered the union. It is well known, however, that there are many who are still in membership with the church who are withholding their contributions to the fund because of the higher critical views which are being promulgated in an increasing degree by several of its professors and by many of its younger ministers. Much more will be heard of this before much time elapses, for there is a great deal of smouldering feeling on the subject in the church. The closing of the session at the New College, Edinburgh, was marked by Principal j Rainy taking leave of his class as a pro- j fessor, though he retains his office of principal. He was presented f on the occasion with an illuminated address, enclosed in a handsome casket. In acknowledging the presentation he said that when he was a student ho wa 1 - not such an a3s as to expect to be in such a position as he was in now. He had hoped he might have some country charge in which he could do some good and ! earn his bread. i

On the forenoon of Sunday, "March 31. a census of church attendera in Dundee was taken by representatives oF the Dundee Courier. The population of the city i^ estimated at 170,000, and it ha<> 90 churches besides, minion halls, the latter being left out of the reckoning 1 . Altogether 33. +70 persons attended the churches at the service in question, this representing 19 6 per cent, of the population. The adult females represented 4-5 per cent, of the congregation*, the adult males 3* per cent , ,nd children 21 per cent. The proportion of attendances to church Mtiin«- was 54 2 per cent. Iho anionnt= of all the collection^ were not ascertained, bu f >o far a- they were returned they work out at £1 H« 3d per chinch, and 2£cf per individual. The Cougrcgahonali^s contributed 3d per bond, the United Free Church 2<\d per head, and the Established

Chiirch l£d per herd The figures show how largely the chinches have lost their hold of the working clashes when in a city like Dundee less than 20 per cent, of the j>opulntion are found in chuieh at one time. DIRT AND DISEASE. Owing to the vigorous measures taken for it 3 suppression, the <-nallpoK epidemic in Glasgow fieenrs to be new declining. Alto gether 1724- ca^es have occuried thus far, and there have been 222, deaths. Among the causes of the (spread of this and other diseases in Glasgow special mention has been made of the lazy and filthy habit of putting on a new wail paper without removing the old. In one case no less thsn 17 papers bad thus been put one on the top of the other. Blame is ul-o thrown upon the stinking rendition of the Clyde. Anyone who knows what this is mint wonder that Glasgow is not a city of the dead. In Perthshire Mr George Mackay has just issued a report on the sanitary condition of the county, in which he justly complains of filthy bank notes as disseminating disease, especially when turned over by a finger moistened at the mouth. He mentions a caee of scarlet fever which was traced to this practice. In Aberdeen the occurrence of a case of smallpox, haced to Glasgow, caused a scare, and in a few days 10,000 nertons got themselves vaccinated. MONEY LEFT BEHIND. The following totals of the personal estates of deceased person* have to be noted this month: — Mr Robert Lamb, Dundee, merchant, who resided at Loehmalony, Cupar. £123.4-23; Lord Blcuityre, £112,869; Mr James Paull. advocate, Aberdeen, £84.332; Mr Thomas D. Smellie, auctioneer. St. Vincent place, Glasgow, £71.835 : Lord Hamilton, of Dalzell, £71.03/"; and Miss J. M. A. Fotheringham. of Tealing, Forfarshire. £28.857. In addition to the figures given above. Lord Hamilton's heritable estate amounted to £272.579; and Lord Blantyre's to £164,802. Lord Hamilton was insured for £10,000 each in the Amicable and Scottich Widows' Fund offices, and the bonus additions amounted to £3716 and £4423 respec tively. THE BA"XK OF SCOTLAND. The animal meeting of the shareholders of thh bank was held in Edinburgh on April 2. The net profits of the past year's operations were stated to amount to £202,421, and a dividend was declared at the rate of 12 per cent., as for several years past. £50,000 was added to the reserve fund, making it £775,000, and a balance of £11,116 was carried forward. The bank's liabilities in regard to deposit and current accounts were returned at £15,887,992, being an increase of £193,581. A Swedisli forger of notes of this bank, who has been " wanted " for years, has since been captured at Chicago, with the forged plates. OBITUARY RECORD. The Rev. Dr Hutchison, senior minister of Bonnington United Free Church, Leith, died of dyt-entery on board his steam yacht, the Hersilia, at Constantinople, on March 22. He was about 65 years of age, and was noted as a scholarly man and an able preacher. After founding a new congregation at Renfrew, and ministering to it with success for 13 years, he was called to Bonnington, where he laboured for 24- yeat'3. In 1874 he received the degree of D.D. from 'Glasgow University, his alma mater, and in 1897 he was moderator of the Jubilee Synod of the United Presbyterian Church. His commentaries on the Kpistles to fhe Philippians and Thessalonians are widely known. His wife was a daughter of one of the Clarks, the Paisley thread manufacturers. She died some years ago. Of late years Dr Hutchison, who was a man of large means, devoted .much time to cruising in his own yacht, and he was on one of the-e cruises v\ hen seized by fatal illness. His remains were brought in the yacht to Gourock, and interred at Paisley on Apiil 16. Another well-known Scottish minister, the Rev. P. Mearns, of Cold^tream, died there on March 29, aged 84. He had laboured at Coldstream for 54 years, but since 1892 he had had a colleague, and for a year before his death he was confined to bed. He was at one time widely known as a writer as well as a preacher. General Cockburn Hood, C.8., of Stainrigg. Berwickshire, died on March 26, aged 77. He was a veteran of the Indian Mutiny, when he was several times mentioned in " despatches, and at' the siege of Delhi he was dangerously wounded. He was an invalid for some years before his death, and thus laid aside from public work The death is announced of a Caithness notability, in the peivon of Miss Cecilia H Henderson, of Stemster. She had reached the advanced age of 96, but retained all her mental faculties unimpaired, while her genial disposition and liberality to the poor won her widespread affection as well as respect. It is felt in Caithness that her death, is the severing of a strong link with the past. Colonel Hunter, of Tillery, a well-known Aberdeenshire laird, has died in his sixtythird year. He saw service in India, but since his return had devoted himself to the militia "quid volunteers, as well as to improving the condition of his tenantry. He is survived by a childless vsidow, and the estates go to his nephew, Mr W. C. H. Topp, who is a wine merchant in Aberdeen. Deputy Surgeon-general Fleming, son of the famous Scottish scientist. Professor John Fleming, has died in Edinburgh, iiged 79. Like hi-, father, he made a name for himself as a geologist, and on retiring to his native city he devoted himself to the work of several of its scientific societies. He leaves a v\ klow, three sons, and three daughters. The deaths are al«o announced of the R«*v . Jacob S. Alexander, ex-minister of Free St. David's, Church, Edinburgh, aged 78; and the Rev David Paton. senior minister of the United Free Church of Fettercair.i. Kiucardinebhire, aged 90 The laHer was one of the now very small band of -.urvivinir mmi-ter* who " came out ' at the Disruption m 1843. GF.XKRAL XEAVS. It i* slated that Sii Thomas Lipton'-s new yacht. Shamrock 11, the America Cup challenger, i- to be launched at Dumbarton two days henre The christening ceremony i-; to he peiiormcd by the Marchioness of Duff Pill. A movement i- on foot at Keko for building a now Town Hall and adding lo it a public library What 16 believed li he the fir-t experiment '.n Scotland m treel lighting by the high-pre--ure lncsmdcccent gas system was made at Dimfermlino nn March 30. It is claimed that the light l«s from 10 to 12 times greater than that obtained irom the mdinary flat flame burner, while the cost is only half th-it of (lie electric light. The net. on brought by a Gla'gow jeweller aaamst the Evening Citizen for statements

impugning the excellence of the sword of honour supplied by him for presentation to (.'.eneral Hector Macdonald, has been settled by the paper paying him £100 in full discharge of his clpim?. The estate of Hallrulr, Roxburghshire, has boon sold by Hie trustees of .Sir "Wm. Elliot, Bprt., to Sir John L'sher, of Well", for £40,000. The Edinburgh "Museum of Science and "Art. a Government institution, was opened on Sunday tor the first lime on April 7 from 2 to 5 p.m. A cyclist returning to Aberdeen from ALiryculter ran against the parapet of the Bridge of Dee with such force as to throw himself over into the river, his machine following him Two salmon fishermen rescued him Hi a boat, 100 yards down the river, and m a 'rate of insensibility He had ay ngly wound on the temple, caused by striking a "tone in the bed of the nvei\ but he is coining lound Owing to the high price of fl.ix. cav«ccl by the scarcity of the material, a number of mills in Arbroath are working short time, affecting many hundercU of hands. One day last week an engine with three truck* when descending the steep incline on the p ; er at Kirkcaldy Haibour got beyond control, and ran over the pier head intc the sea. The engine-driver saved himself by jumping off. Four waggons remained on the quay. Those which fell over « M-e loade.l with paper and potatoes intended for shipment m the London steamer. \t the annual gathering of the Orkney and Shetland Association, held in Edinburgh, Mr Wason, M.P. for the islands, spoke of the need for better intercommunication between them. In proof of this he said that while Queen Victoria's death was known in the remotest parts of New Zealand within three days of its occurrence, the news did not reach many parts of Orkney and Shetland until a fortnight after the event. At a meeting of the Teviotdale Farmers' Club complaints were made of the damage done to crops by crows. One farmer said he had a 12-acre field of turnips in which he would defy anyone to find a single turnip not opened by the crows. Another said he sowed a field of beans, but the crows devoured all the seed, and the field had to be resown. The occurrence of gold in Scotland is, of course, well known, but nobody expected to hear of it being found at Leith. In excavating for the foundations of new buildings in connection with the hospital in King street, however, an auriferous quartz reef was struck. One small piece is said to have contained gold at the rate of 30oz to the ton. Two mine managers from the Transvaal have examined specimen* of the quartz, and say it is very like that found in that region. Edinburgh has now a legal dispensary for giving the poor legal advice gratis. It has just held its first annual meeting. Help was given in several hundreds of cases at a total Co3t of only £10. The dispensary is open only one evening in the week.