SCOTLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 13

SCOTLAND.

(Feou Oub Own Cobbespondent.) EDINBURGH, January 8. THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Trade, though sound, is not very lively, and this caused the season, usually devoted to merrymaking to pass over quietly. The unemployed are a good deal talked about by some whose own industry is confined to talking, but they are not yet visibly in evidence. They generally appear when there are relief funds to be expended in charity without work. Christmas Day proved a "caution," insofar as weather is concerned, especially in Edinburgh and along the East Coast. High wind in the morning developed into a gal© in the afternoon, and as it was accompanied by heavy rain, the Btreets were quickly deserted. In two different parts of the city women were dashed to the ground by the wind with such violence that each had a leg broken. The Poet Office had a record year in its work, especially in regard to parcels, and it must be admitted that it came through the ordeal most creditably. Many extra hands were taken on, including Reservists, university students, and schoolboys. So little business is done now on Christmas Day in Scotland that the feeling is steadily growing that the day might as well be observed as a close holiday, as in England. ' Hogmanay "was dry, with a keen frost, and tinder the encouragement of this congenial weather the crowds which ushered in ths New Year at midnight were unusually large. This was especially the caee at the Tron Church in Edinburgh. There was a watchnight service in St. Giles's Cathedral, which was filled in every part. New Year's Day was cold, clear, and still — an ideal day for the occasion, and consequently helpful to sobriety. On the whole there seem/5 to have been decidedly less drunkenness this NewYear, especially in Edinburgh and Glasgow, though at Dundee the state of things is reported as being in the other direction. The publichouses in the large towns were not shut on this occasion, as on several previous ones, though few of them were open after 5 p.m. There was a- happy absence of the juvenile drunkenn:s§ which has been eucli a painful feature of several recent New Year's Days. There is still much need for increased means of innocent recreation. People who have nothing to do but to wander about the streets with the shops all closed take to drinking from sheer ennui. TRADE AND INDUSTRY. Notwithstanding the many gloomy vaticinations indulged in for several months past in respect to the great shipbuilding industry on the Clyde, the returns for the year 1902 are the highest on record. During the 12 ■ months 296 vessels, with an aggregate , measurement of 518,506 tons, were launched. ■ As compared with- 1901, these figures show ' an increase of 13 launches and 3531 tons. ' Twin-screw eteamcrs show an increased tonnage of 60,000, while single screws havedeclined by 50,000 tons. There has been a marked revival in the demand for sailing ■vessels, the increase amounting to over 23,000 tons. Two turbine vessels were launched during the year. Experiments with American labour-saving appliances have been made in various yards, with the result that the pneumatic Tiveter is now in general use, and electricity is being much more largely 'employed for driving power. The engine shops have turned out during the year 276 sets of engines, aggregating 478,755 indicated horse-power. This is an increase of 39,000 on the latter total. The work on hand at j the beginning of 1903 is estimated to amount to fully 400,000 tone, winch is much the came as last year's total. At the same time a good deal of apprehension continues to be felt — on what grounds is not very clear — that dull times are steadily drawing near. The building of warships 13 becoming more and more one of the mainstays of Clyde shipbuilding firms of the first magnitude, end as battleships cost over a million and first-class cruisers £750,000 apiece, it can readily be understood that their construction is eagerly competed for. Notwithstanding its repeated extensions, Aberdeen Harbour is still inadequate- to the traffic which eeeks accommodation in it — a tilling which few other British seaports can cay at the present time. The accounts for the year just, closed chow a surplus of 16,500, and the advisability of reducing the rates is consequently under consideration. , The_ Fife coal ports liave had a. record year's trade. Mcthil still holda the premier place, but tho completion of the large new dock at Burntisland has caused the latter .port to make a long stride towards catching *«p its rival. In no former year did the coal exported from Burntislcmd quite reach a. total of a million tons but in 1902 that figure was exceeded by almost half a million tons. Fully half of all the coal mined id Fife is exported — for the moet part to the countries of Northern Europe. The whalebone, amounting to about eight tons and a-half, lately brough Homo by Dundee whalers, has all been sold to Continental buyers. The prices ranged from £2400 to £2500 per ten. Tliero has been such n rush of juto-laden vessels from India that the docks and warehouses at Dundee have been in a etato of congestion. The last arrivals have had to anchor in the river, and many thousands of bales of jute have been damaged by lack of proper accommodation for housing them. In other respects,, however, trade in Dundee is dull, and many men are said to be out of employment. The monumental granite trade of Aberdeen, which has been booming for two years, on account of the demand for war memorials, is etill receiving frceh orders of the name kind. The amount of money spent in this way must be very large in tho aggregate. By the closing of the farina works at !Letham Mill, near Arbroath, a once flourishing Scottish industry has become extinct. The Germans have entirely carried off the trade. Another natiocial industry is also apparently on the- verge of extinction—namely, the hand-knitting of Tarn o' Shanter bonnets "at Kilmarncck. Of flimsy, machine-knitted' articles of the kind there is no lack, but they arc poor affairs in comparison with the almost imperiehablo article made by hand in former days! In order io get the real thing for the team of Scottish curlew for Canada (of whom more presently), inquiry was made in Kilmarnock, and it was found that only one woman was left who could funnish what was required. By dint of working day and night Ehe was able to execute the order in time. At a social meeting in Edinburgh of employees of the North British railway, the Earl of Dalkeith, who presided, and who i« 4 director of the company, said that it was

now the fifth largest railway system in the kingdom, as it had 1400 miles of line open. Its employees numbered 25,000, and the annual wages bill was one million and a-half. The annual revenue was about four millions and a-half sterling. The number of passengers carried annually was 40 millions ; and the goods carried reached a grand total of 24 million tons. IMPROVING THE CLYDE. The scheme for widening and deepening the Clyde in order to allow of the safe passage of monster ships such as the projected new Cunarders is now fairly in shape. The total cost h estimated at about £200,00 Q. The money will be spent partly in now dredgers and barges, but mainly in widening the navigable channel to a width of 650 ft from the mouth of the Cart to near Dalmuir. The most costly part of the work will be the final removal of the ridge of rock which runs across the river at Elderslie. Expensive as such operations are, Glasgow cannot afford to fall behind in the matter of shipbuilding. In these times there i 3 a tendency to go in for ships of huge size, and though the dimensions of some of those built in recent years exceed even the dreams of the most goahead shipbuliders of two or three decades ago, every year sees the " record " extended. One wonders what the leviathans will have grown to 20 wears hence at this rate. JUVENILE SMOKING. This matter is fast becoming one of national importance, but though everybody says something must be done to check the growing evil ~ nobody seems to know what that something " should be. School Boards have issued circulars of warning and reproof in vain, for the tobacco habit is spreading irresistibly even among youngsters of still tender years. The Glasgow Town Council the other day received a deputation from the Scottish Anti-tobacco Society, who urged that the time had come to initiate legislation which would secure the prohibition of the sale of tobacco to young persons. The Rev. Dr Howie, of Govaa, Moderator of the United Free Church, said they were sadly familiar with the enormous increase of smoking amongst the young in Glasgow. He affirmed that besides the pliysical injury done to the youthful smokers, the habit made them extravagant and selfish, and led to deceit and pilfering. He stated that there was prohibition of the sale of cigarettes to young persons in 43 of the States of the American Union. Mr Cameron, another member of the deputation, said that in some of the higher schools the girls also had begun to smoke. In the lower grades of society smoking was prevalent among girls, and was becoming more so every day. He confirmed wha' Dr Howie had said about boys pilfering money from their parents in order to buy cigarettes. The matter was referred to the Magistrates' Committee. The Edinburgh Town Council has also expressed ils sympathy with those who are seeking to combat the evil, and its regret that at present it has no power to deal with the matter. At Aberdeen Professor Cash has delivered, by request, a lecture to the local Branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland on " The Action of Nicotine and the Effects of Tobacco-smoking upon Children." He declared that the smoking of cigarettes by juveniles was "extremely prejudicial." There was a peculiar intolerance manifested towards the habit of smoking by the bodily system at an immature age. As the result of the practice a boy's mental condition was apt to be materially impaired; whilst his development, not only mentally but physically, towards man's estate, was retarded. He urged that parents and teachers should " frankly describe " the harm caused by the habit, and that in those places where smoking amon^ juveniles prevails legislation should be employod in order to repress the use of tobacco by juveniles in public places. Publio opinion seems to be pretty well unanimous — tobacco-sellers alone, perhaps, excopted — in taking this view. It only remains to ask, Who will come forward and bell the cat? LORD ROSEBERY'S CHILDREN. Public interest is being manifested in Scotland, and especially id this city and neighbourhood, regarding the rejoicings which are taking place this month on Lord Rosebery's estates to mark the coming of age of his son, Lord Dalmeny. Added to this there has come the announcement of the engagement of Lord Rosebery's eldest daughter, Lady Sybil Primrose, to Lieutenant Charles Grant, son of General Sir Robert Grant, X.C.8., and himself an officer of the Coldstieam Guards. He was severely wounded at the battle of Moddor River, and his twin brother was killed at Ladysmith \vfst three years ago. The bridegroom-elect is a very tall young fellow. Lady Sybil is 25 years of age. It would be idle to deny that as a politician Lord Rosebery has greatly lo3t influence, in Scotland during the last few years, his fluctuations causing him to lose the confidence of Scotsmen, who always despise vacillation. Nevertheless his social qualities have retained for him considerable popularity, and as the events in his family are social and not political they will be observed with much interest by persons of all shades of political feeling. SCOTTISH CURLING TEAM FOR CANADA. For about a year par=t there has been a good deal of talk end correspondence regarding the Pending of a team of curlers fiom Scotland to have friendly contests with their brother enthusiasts of the " roaring game" in Canada. The arrangements being finally completed, the. team left on December 17. The trip is under the immediate patronage of the Governor-general of Canada, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and other leading Canadfans, so that it will attract much notice. In this country Lord Balfour of Burleigh and the Marquis of Breadalbane took an active part in the arrangements. It waa agreed that the iron " stones" U6ed by some Canadian curlers should be discarded, and the games played only with tha stones technically known as Crawfordjohns, Ailsa Craigs, and hones. It is hoped this may prove to be an additional bond of friendly feeling between Canada and | Scotland. OBITUARY RECORD. Dr John. Young, Professor of Natural History in the University of Glasgow from 1866 to 1901, died on December 13, aged 66. In addition to discharging the duties of his chair, he was a pioneer in the movement for the higher education of women, reviaed many educational text-booke, and in i 1£93 was elected president of the Eduea- I ticnal Institute of Scotland. He also gave useful help in establishing a nurses' institution, dispensaries, and convalescent hospitals; and added to the many-sidedness of his career by taking an active part in Scottish archaeological research. Dr Stewart Stirling, Edinburgh, a wellknown ekin Qfieai^liet, died in this cifer the

other day, aged 57. He was also active i church work, and founded the Edinburg Goethe Society, of which, he was preside! for a good many years. Mr Thomas Wyness, chief constable < Aberdeen, died somewhat suddenly on D< oember 23, from ieart disease. The son < a crofter, and left an orphan at the ag of 12, lie educated himself and worked h; way upwards from the lowest rung of th ladder, attaining, in 18S0, to the responsibl post specified. Ho quite transformed th police force of the city, and succeeded i both the goodwill of his own me and of the public. His uncompromisin opposition to the liquor trade made him fc a time unpopular with some, but his ir tegrity and geniality gained the day her also. Hia death caused universal regrel and at his funeral there were present th Lord Provost, magistrates and councillor; together with representatives of many othe public bodies in Aberdeen, and a great con course of the citizens. Mr Wynese, who wa 61 years of age, leaveo a widow and severe children. Educationists will regret to hear of th death of Dr Alexander Mack ay, who, be sides being for a long period a teacher a Torryburn, Fife, was for 26 yeais treasure of the Educational Institute amd editor o the Educational News. Ho received the de gree of LL.D. from St. Andrews Univer sity in 1891. Dr Mackay was born at BonaBridge, Sutherland, and was 69 years o age at his death. Mr Murray, head moste; of the Sciennes Public 'Sschool, Edinburgh has been appointed to c-ucceed him as edito; of the Educational News. Lady Louisa Bruce, sister of the Ear of Elgin, has died at Pitlivie, near Dun fbrmline, after undergoing an operation She will be much missed by the poor ai Charlestown and Limekilns. The deaths are also announced of the fol lowing persons : — Rev. Dr James Anderson of Fortwiet, a leading Perthshire minister aged 71 ; Rev. Dr Mark L. Anderson minister of the second charge of the parish of St. Andrews, aged 73; Mr A. B. Don ex-rector of Dunfermline High School, agec 48; ex-Provost Welch, of Pittenweem, t gentleman much respected in the East oi Fife, aged 83; and Mr Ashton Stewart, ol Urrard, Killiecrankie, aged 78. GENERAL NEWS. The Rev. Dr G. W. Sprott, who has beer parish minister of North Berwick for 3C years, and is very well known in Scotland, has celebrated his ministerial jubilee with the customary rejoicings. A letter was read on the occasion from the Prime Minister, who said that he "very greatly regretted" his inability to be present. A three-days' bazaar held at Paisley or behalf of the local V.M.C.A. resulted in the raising of £2873, while the amount aimed at was £2000. Mr Andrew Carnegie has bought foi £45,000 the old mansion-house of Pittencrieff, adjoining his native town of Dunfermline, together with the beautiful gardens and romantio glen forming part of the estate. The locality is redolent of some of the most interesting of Scottish regal associations. Sheriff Fyfe, Glasgow, in passing sentence on a woman who while drunk had stabbed her husband, said that he had often had occasion to observe that half the crime with which men were charged lay at the door oi drunken and exasperating wives. A temperance hotel lately built in the new thoroughfare of Scott street, Perth, is to be turned into a Eoldiers' club, under the name of the Wauchope and Black Watch Memorial Home. The building is five storeys high, nnd bas cost £7000. The moving spirit in the matter is Mrs Todd-Osborne, the well-known friend of British soldiers. Damage to the extent of £15,000 has boen caused by fire in the fitters' shop of tho Lovcn shipyard, Dumbarton, belonging to Messrs Denny Bro^. At the annual gathering of natives of the island of Skye resident in Glasgow so many applied for tickets that it was found necessary to take the St. Andrew's Halls, which hold nearly 4000 persons. The number of actions for divorce brought in Scottish courts during 1902 was 145. Of these Glasgow contributed 47, and Edinburgh 33. At Dundee a young man who was helping in the dismantling of a tall chimney at the gasworks fell down the inside, and was killed on the spot. A plumber named William Lambert was brought up before the Sheriff in Edinburgh last week charged with 32 separate acts of theft. Ho pleaded guilty, and the sheriff postponed sentence to give Lambert a chaneo of aiding the police to find the owners of the property. The articles number 1000, and are valued at between £70 and £80. '< They are of every imaginable description, and were stolen by Lambert while at work in gentlemen's houses. He made no attempt* to sell the things, but kept them in his house, where they were found. The case looks very like one of klentomania. The Rev. ~Nicol Nicolson, minister of the (Anti-Union) Free Church at Shawbost, Lewis, while walking to church on the forenoon of Sunday, December 21, was struck on the eye by a stone thrown at him, and severely hurt. However, he got the wound temporarily dressed, and conducted a short service. The miscreant' has not yet been discovered. Dr Torrey and Mr Alexander, who will be fo well remembered in Dunedin, are now in Britain, and I understand they are to have an evangelistic campaign in Edinburgh during February, and in Glasgow during March. At the instance of Mr Carnegie, the election of a memorial of James Watt is under consideration in the latter' s native town of Greenock. Mr Carnegie offers to give £10,000, or to head a " world's subscription " for the same object. He considers that the latter course would be " infinitely finer." At a public meeting a committee composed of leading citizens was appointed to consider the matter. The following personal estates of deceased individuals have been recorded during the month: — Mr David Jamie, Edinburgh, £58,365; Mr John Miller, calico printer, Glasgow, £51,257; Mr William Walker, shipowner, Leith, £48.039; Mr Robert Balloch, tea merchant, Glasgow, £47,802; Mr Zeehariah Heys, calico printer, Barrhead, £45,290; Mr W. P. Alexander, retired East India merchant, Glasgow, £41,950 ; Sir Thos. J. Boyd, ex-Lord Provost of Edinburgh, £36,338; ex-Bailie Gulland, Edinburgh, £28,451.

In future two qualified chiropodists aro to bo attached to every infantry battalion of the British army. The special Garden Fertiliser made up by Nimmo and BLAra will be found to give excellent results when used for Flowers and Vegetables; also for Pot Plants, in and out of greenhouse. It is put up in 7lb bags, at Is 6d , each, Ask your storekeeper for it.