PERSONAL NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2612, 6 April 1904, Page 50

PERSONAL NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

(From Otjb Otcit Cobbespondsnt.) JOHANNESBURG, February 10. The New Zealand Commissioner (Mr J". Graham Gow) is at present on one of bis periodical visits to the Transvaal. Be tells me that what I had Jieard from outside sources about a lot of the produce from the colony in recent shins not turning out well is unfortunately correct. Several rather large consignment's of oats landed in spoiled condition owing to having been shipped damp; butter from being too long cased came to hand deteriorated; and some of the fish shipments through careless cleaning and racking t«ned out badly. The Trade Commissioner ha-s to stand the brunt; of all the complaints, and he -would not appear to be getting the support he has _a right <to expect from your end in a rigid inspection of goods being made "before shipment — an inspection that would reject inferior and damaged stuffs. Than Mr Gow the colony could not have a morel enerftio agent; but while the New South ales Commissioner gets £1000 per annum, and is not by any means overpaid, the New Zealand representative gets, as far as I can gather, barely half such remuneration. If such be co ft is quite inadequate, having regard to the difference in the cost of living here and in the Austrelias. Mr Gow informs me his son unfortunately 'had his leg broken playing in one of the opening football matches of the season a-t Liverpool. Young Gow, who learnt hia football in Dunedin, last season played for the senior^ team of the club to which, he belongs, and was the biggest scorer for his side. Mrs Gow leaves England next month to join her husband in Durban. Two recent ~~ arrivals from Otago in Durban are Messrs Henderson (one of the Hendersons of Milburn) and Fothergill (grandson of the late Mr Gore, Dunedin). Mr R. E. M'Rae, after a flying visit to Ermelo, where he has taken up a big lot of land on which to settle New Zealanders, and which block will in future be known as Maoriland, goes to the Cape en route back to the colony this week. Mr M'Rae purposes to be- here again about September, and hopes to bring with him the balance of his settlers. He is more than ever satisfied with the project he set on foot. Messrs Saunders, Allan, and Simmers set out to trek from Johannesburg to the farms they have taken up at Ermelo a few days ago. The journey they undertook was some 120 mike, and they expected to be 12 ta 14 days in, with their bullocks, getting to Newcastle, the name of the farm, on which their steading stands. Mr Reynolds Denniston is, I am glad to cay, making great progress in his professjon. H& takes the important part of Major Molyneux in "Monsieur Beaucaire," and in a caete of remarkably strong artistes sustains the character in a markedly capable manner. He has, indeed, been specially commended by the management. Miss Campion is rapidly improving in health, lyit she is wise in not seeking to break in on the rest that the doctors advise, co she will remain at the sanatorium at Orange Grove for some weeks yet. Miss Kitti Campion, to be 'near her sister, has decided not to go back with the RoyaJ Australian Opera Company. She will urobably take an engagement with the London Gaiety Company, which is duo back in Johannesburg in a few weeks. Mr Walror Fiilton, who, as I previously wrote, has been far from veil, has been for some little time in hospital in Johan» nosburg. He is at length feeling much stronger, and will be oufe and about again in a day or two.