NOTES FROM SCOTLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2829, 3 June 1908, Page 36

NOTES FROM SCOTLAND.

(From Ouk Own Correspondent.) EDINBURGH, March 26. A PROTRACTED WINTER. As was also the case a year ago, we in Scotland are suffering from the discomfort, to say the least, of a protracted winter. March, indeed, has been the most wintry month we have had. It began with a regular blizzard in Central and Northern Scotland, in which trains were snowed up by light feathery snow driven by a furious wind. The worst block wars o«i the Moor of Rannoch, where a relief train sent from Glasgow to extricate one already snowed up was similarly treated, and had to cut its way out backwards. In the notorious district near Dalwhinnie things were nearly es bad. Deer came down to the railway lints in numbers, mutely >. appealing for food, quantities of which were distributed for them. By-and-bye thaw suddenly buiet upon the land, and the l-iveirs came down in heavy volume, flooding the fields and drowning a good many sheep, especially in the valley of the Clyde. Then followed frost again and moTe snow, especially in the region of the Upper Spay. On the streets of Kinguceie the snow lay 2ft deep, while the country roads were blocked in many places with snowdrifts, not a few of which were from Bft to 10ft in depth. The members of the ski clubs had a grand time- of it, finding plenty of "fine snow pctches of laTge extent suitable for their amusement, which is becoming fashionable ivt some parte of Scotland. Any thaw during the day only improved the surface, a& it wee sure to be succeeded by frost at night. The farmers, however, have been in anxiety about their sheep, early lambs having begun to make their appearance. The woTk of ploughing, too, has . been hindered by the recurring snowstorms and the want of dryness in the soil. In the towns the public health has been far from good, and doctors admit that they have rarely been kept so busy. Influenza has been epidemic in a virulent form, and has cut off many of the aged and otherwise infirm. WOMEN MEDICAL STUDENTS. These ladies, and especially those who hail from the -colonies, are in a quandary just now, and their case is calling forth a good deal of public sympathy. It seems that they have lost the uea of Minto House, in which the classes for their instruction' weTe conducted by extra-mural lecturers. Application was made to the University Court to provide accommodation for the- -carrying out of the curriculum, but that body refuses to give^ any aid in the, matter. The women are thus left to get their medical education as best they can, and ail the University will do is to examine- them and grant degrees to such /as it deems worthy of that distinction. The fact is plain vast the University Court is still ruled by the old conservative dislike to women studying medicine at all, and will not help them in any way. Of course, this is specially hard upon those who have come so far as from the colonies; but it tells heavily upon all women medical students, who will now have to go elsewhere to stoidy. As a lady signing herself "A New Zealand Medical Student" says in a letter to s the Scotsman, unless some provision can be made for women obtaining medical teaching "the day will soon dawn when a woman medical student in Edinburgh is a thing of the past." This, too, in spite of the undeniable fact that women medical graduates in this city have amply vindicated themselves, aJike as practitioners and as "coaches" of students of both eexes. LAWYERS IN TROUBLE. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mr Frank H. M. Young, a well-known Edinburgh S.S.C, whose affairs aTe said to be in an unsatisfactory condition. He is reported to be now in California. In Glasgow a sensation was created a few days ago by the arrest of Mr Henry Lamorid and Mr John Stuart Lang, writers, of 93 West Regent street, on a charge of embezzling £10,000 or therea'boute while acting as trustees of the estate of the late Andrew Wilson, publican, wuo owned a large "block of buildings at the corner of Jamaica street and the Broomietew. Both the accused have since been admitted to bail in substantial amounts. Mr Lamond -resigned only a month ago his post as secretary of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, which he had held for nearly 50 years. SHOOTING AN ARMED BURGLAR. For two or three winters Glasgow has been infested by bnrglais, who have perpetrated many successful raids on the houses of residents of the wealthier class, notwithstanding the purchase by the householders of a great many dogs. An incident has now occurred which is a fitting climax to the long series of crimes. The scene of the occurrence was Beaconsfield House, Kelvinside, the occupants of which are the widow of the late proprietor of the Kelvinside Estate, Bailie A. B. Fleming, with her grown-up daughter and son. The last-named is 23 years of age, and is a law student. On the night of March 16-17 he sat up till 1 a.m. studying, the test of the household having retired to bed. He was about to follow their example, when he heard strange sounds coming from the -direction of the dining room. He looked in, but as he could see nothing, he went upstairs to the morning room and peeped through the blinds. He then saw a burglar climbing up by means of a wire trellis on which ivy is trained. With great presence of ' mind he ran downstair-s and telephoned to the police station at Mary Mil, asking for two officers to be sent at once. He then went to his own room and provided himself with a loaded revolver. Returning to the morning room, he switched on the electric light, which revealed the burglar standing in the middle of the room. Young Fleming: coolly addressed him, telling him that the police had been summoned, showing him that he himself was armed, and

advising him to come downstairs quietly and await, the' arrival of the police. The burglar, who was a sturdy fellow, replied by swiftly whipping out a revolver and firing at Mr Fleming. The bullet- grazed his head and lodged in a bookcase. Mr Fleming retaliated: by firing three shots, the first two of which missed their mark, but the third pierced his heart, killing him on the spot. A moment before he was struck, the man fired a second shot, but it went wide of its intended mark.

Very soon afterwards an inspector and sergeant of police arrived from Maryhill, and they summoned a doctor by telephone, but he could only certify that the burglar was dead. Three detectives were also telephoned for, and one of them identified the dead man as a convict named Macleod, faho had undergone two previous terms ot" penal servitude for burglary. He was further identified during the day by hi<s father and brother, the former of whom is a miner at Coatbridge. Maclecd was 28 years of age. A police officer remained in the house, keeping surveillance of Mr Fleming, until he was withdrawn by order of the procurator-fiscal. Mr Fleming's coolness and courage were warmly eulogised in Glasgow, and it is hoped that Macleod's tragic end may help to put a check upfrn the frequency of burglaries in that city. Only a day or two before this occurrence burglars made their way into the great drapery establishment of Messrs Pettigrew and Stephens in Sauchiehall street, forced open a fine new safe by using dynamite, and stole cash to the amount of £500, besides strewing the floor with cheques and other documents which they did not think it safe to appropriate. Eleven persons were arrested on suspicion of being conoerned in the outrage, but seven of these were discharged after being examined. About £230 of the. stolen money has been recovered. Sheriff Scott-Moncrieff yesterday held an inquiry .into the shooting of Macleod. The jury, after a minute's deliberation, returned a verdict to the effect that Mr Fleming waa entirely justified in shooting j Macleod in defence of his own life. PUNISHMENT FOR SABBATH OBSERVANCE. Somehow or other the day of rest seems to be a constant cause of disquiet in Scot- ' land. The latest illustration of this is a case which has just been decided in the Justiciary Appeal Court in Edinburgh. 1 In a lower court, Mrs Tough, a widow residing at Portmahomack, and occupier of salmon fisheries at Tarbat, in the counties of Ross and Cromarty, waa ened for having failed, during the close time last -August, to remove and take out of the water the netting of the leaders of five bags belonging to her. It seems that the open time for fishing in that district ended on a Sunday. On the Saturday the weather was so rough that the work could not be done. It could have been done by Mrs Tough's men on the Sunday, but they did not do it because of the day beinp Sunday. It was done, however, as soon as possible on the Monday — i.e., in close time. For this breach of the law Mrs Tough was proceeded against by the clerk of the Conon Fishery Board. The sheriff-substitute decided in her favour, but the clerk apipealed to a higher court, and the case was tried the other day before the Lord Justice-general and six other judges. The judgment of the court, in which all the judges concurred, was in favour of the appellant, thus reversing the decision of the lower court. The JL*ord Justice-general, in delivering judgment, maintained that the work under question was not forbidden by the statutes requiring abstinence from work on the Sabbath. These statutes, he maintained, had fallen into -desuetude, . while the lifting of the leaders on the Sabbath to liberate fish which had been illegally caught waa not ordinary business, but a work of necessity and' mercy. Lord Ardwell expressed himself in similar terms. As the Lord Justice-general said there ought to have been a conviction in the lower court, this will doubtless follow now, and Mrs Tough will also have a heavy bill of costs to pay. The judgment is sure to give rise to much dissatisfaction in the Highlands. EMIGRATION FROM SCOTLAND. - The season for emigration to Canada and the United States will shortly open, butthe indications are that it will not be by any means so active as it was a year ago. The effects of the American financial crisis and the Oriental labour troubles in British Columbia still bulk too largely in the public view to make men so ready to emigrate as they were when all was quiet and promised well. Canada, too, is discouraging emigrants who are not pretty well provided with funds. On the other hand, Australia is onoe more making a bid for them, and is likely to get a fair number. A return just issued by the Board of Trad© shows that in 1907 the balance of passengers outward from Scotland to nonEuropean countries was 22,124 men, 11,479 women, and 7088 children, or 40,691 souls in all. This is a heavy dtrain upon so small a country, and in quality Scotland's loss is said to be even greater than in quantity. ECCLESIASTICAL ITEMS. The campaign to raise £150,000 to provide churches and manses for the dispossessed congregations and manses of the United Free Church is now being vigorously prosecuted. Pulpit appeals, visits by deputations, the circulation of literature, etc., are all being actively resorted to in order to have as good a case as possible to set before the General Assembly less than two months hence. It will be a blessing when the amount is raised, that the Church and the land may have rest from the begging which has been incessant now for several years past for one object or another. The Rev. Mr Noble, of Lavig, Moderator-elect of the- Free Chjlrch, having died, as I noted in my last, the Standng Committees of the Church have agreed that the post shall be filled by the Rev. William M'Kinnor, of Gairloch, The Churches (Scotland) Act Commission has allocated a capital sum of £92,308 to the Free Church for the maintenance of its college, including bursaries,

in order to provide an annual income of £3000. At a meeting of the Commission of the Free Church there was read a report on religion and morals, which animadverted in terms of censure upon the action of the King and Queen in attending mass in a Roman Catholic church in London in connection with the tragic death of the King Portugal. It was agreed to draw up a " respectful remonstrance " in connection with the matter, to be presented to his Majesty the King. At a meeting of the Scottish Reformation Society, held in Edinburgh, similar views were expressed. THE ANTI-DRINK CAMPAIGN. The unexpectedly drastic nature of the provisions of the Licensing Bill introduced by the Government in the House of Commons has naturally called forth howling and gnashing of teeth on the part of those whose pockets are as sensitive as their consciences are seared. After sucking the nation's heart's blood for generations and turning thousands of homes into earthly hells they are now shocked and indignant that an end should be put to their gains and their wickedness. To hear them talk one would imagine that the drink traffic was an innocent lamb which was about to be devoured by a cruel wolf. It is to be feared that against the immense organisation of the drink interest even the united efforts^ of the Government and of the friends of^ righteousness generally will find they aTe waging a far from immediately successful war. In fact, it would almost seem as if the framers of the* bill had acted on the principle adopted by people who claim damages — asking much more than they expect to get, in the hope that they may thus at least receive a substantial sum. Though the ravages of drink are sadly known to everyone except apparently the people who thrive upon them I may note some interesting facts stated the otlier Sunday by one of the Edinburgh magistrates, \ Bailie Stevenson. In spite of all the efforts of the friends of sobriety, he said, the . convictions for drunkenness in Scotland during 1906 numbered 55,000, being an increase of 9000 over the total for the preceding year. Shocking to relate, no less than 42,000 of these were conviotions for the first time. In Edinburgh in 1907 the convictions for drunkenness were 6993 in number, and 2434 of these were convictions of women. No wonder the death rate in the city in the same year of infants less than a year old was 112 per 1000, while tlie ordinary death rate of the city was 14.26 per 1000. If this is not wholesale murder, what would be so? The increase of grocers' licenses and jug bans are criefly blamed for drinking among women. Of collateral causes, overcrowding is probably the worst. Even in this polished and leisured city there were 12,000 one-rpomed houses seven years ago. The state of squalor, disease, and immorality characteristic of these abodes must be imagined, for it cannot decently be described. The Bailie also mentioned that in 300 yards of the " Royal Mile," between the Castle and Holyrood, there are 21 publiehouses and 12 licensed grocers ; arid within a similar distance from Blackfriars street downwards there are 21 publichouses and 10 licensed groceis. As" to the total number of licenses, Bailie Stevenson said that in 1907 the total for Edinburgh was 754, whch was a decrease of 130 compared wth 50 years ago, while in the same period the population increased by 140,000. It would >herefoTe seem that drinking is on the increase in Edinburgh, notwithstanding a lessening of the facilities for obtaining liquor. This is what the friends of temperance have frequently alleged, only to be jeered at by the people who thrive on the 6ale of drink. "In the House of Commons on March 11 Mr Runciman, the Secretary to the Treasury, stated in answer to a question that there are in force in Scotland at the present time 6472. pnblichouse licenses, 3604 spirit grocers' licenses, and 372 hotel licenses ; making a total of 10,448 licenses. No wonder poor Scotland is bleeding to death ! Remembering, as one does, how immense has been the influence of this little " nation, even while it has been staggering under this curse of drunkenness, one can hardly imagine what ablessing it might be to the whole world if only it were sober. It eeems to me that Scottish patriotism can find no nobler object for undying exertion than the deliverance of Scotland from the . thraldom of drink. It is melancholy in the extreme to see this noble land everywhere associated with whisky, and proud of the fact I RESIGNATION OF SIR HENRY LITTLEJOHN. All Edinburgh is regretting, the retirement of its- Health Officer (Sir Henry Littlejohn), who at the age of 83 naturally seeks repose, though the city does not possess a more alert or active man of any age. He has held his post since 1854, besides occupying the chair of forensic medicine in Edinburgh University for a number of years. His services to the improvement of the sanitary condition of the city have - been invaluable. He shone in the witnessbox, and his quickness of wit and speech made his cross-examination a season of intense enjoyment to all who witnessed an encounter between him and a clever lawyer. Ho received the degree of LL.D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1893, and was knighted in 1895. His son, Dr Harvey Littlejohn, succeeded ifim in the professorial chair. f OBITUARY RECORD. ' , As you will have already published an, outline of the public career of the Marquis of Linlithgow, who died at Pau, in Southern France on February 29, at the too early age of 47. I need not attempt to summarise it here. I would rather note the extraordinary manifestation of affectionate sorrow which the late peer's death has called forth. Quite apart from his rank and public services, the man himself was beloved in no ordinary degree, and by none more than by his own tenantry, who looked upon him far more as a friend than as a landlord. In every quarter one hears how his gentleness and tact gained ,

beauty of his home life furnished a pattern for homes in every rank in life. At hie funeral a special train carried hundreds of mourners, many of whom were people of rank and distinction, out to Queensferry, and many more travelled by road to Hopetoun House. The display of floral wreaths was extraordinary. The service was touchingly simple. In many of the churches in Edinburgh and elsewhere feeling reference was made to the deceased nobleman, and it was apparent on every occasion of the kind that these were heartfelt tributes paid to the memory of a good man, not mere complimentary encomiums 1 pronounced upon a person of rank. Sir John Shearer, shipbuilder and engineer, Glasgow and Elderslie, succumbed to anoperaton for appendcitis, in his sixty-fifth year. He was noted for his active participation in the public interests of Glasgow, especially in connection with the International Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901 ; and, it was in recognition of his exertions on these occasions that he received the honour of knighthood.- Sir John, is survived by his widow and by four sons and five daughters. Mr A. J. H. Campbell, nineteenth hereditary captain of Dunstaffnage, near Oban, died suddenly on March 9, aged 62. In early life Mr Campbell was a squatter m Australia. On succeeding to the family estate 30 years ago he returned home, and thereafter took an active and v«Ty useful." "^part in the affairs of the county of Argyle. Dr Andrew Halliday Douglas, a very well-known and much-respected Edinburgh physician, died in this city on March 10, aged 88. In early days he filled several important posts. For many years he was treasurer of the College of Physicians, in 1870 he was its president, and at his death his name was at the head of the roll of its > members. He was known as a specialist in heart disease and relapsing fever. He retired from practice in 1890, and since , then had resided a good deal in the ' country. He was an ardent supporter of the Free Church, using that term in its earlier signification. Mr William Muir, who for many years was in business in Edinburgh, and was well known as one of tne pioneers of thfi' temperance movement in Scotland, has died in London at tbe age of 84. He was connected "with the Scottish Temperance League and other kindred associations, but was best known as one of the pioneers of the Good Templar Order in Scotland. Five years ago tie took up his residence *n London. There have been a great many deaths, among Scottish ministers during the month. I note the following deaths: — Rev. Win. Guthrie, for 37 years at Normand Road U.F. Church, Dysart, age d 65; Rev. Donald M*Corquodale, minister of Queens* - Park parish, Glasgow, aged 71 j JSev. Jas. Mather, late of St. John's U.F. Church, Dairy, Ayrshire, and noted as a mountain climber, aged 69; Rev. John Macdonald', minister of the parish of Norfchmaven, Shetland, since 1889, aged 46; Rev. Alex. M'Diarmid, formerly U.F. minister at Grantown-on-Sjpey, aged 66; Rev. John Jamieson, of the U.F. Church, Cairnryan, who was ordained 54 years ai?o ; Rev.' Gilbert Meikle, for many yeara U.P. minister at Inverary, aged 86; Rev. James Chalmers, the missionary martyr of New Guinea, was in the Sunday school con- . nected with Mr Meikle'e church, and waa glad to testify that it was from him that he received the impulse to go into th« mission field. Sir James Marwick, formerly toyra clerto of Glasgow, died on March 24, aged 81. He was a native of Leith, and began his career by practising in Edinburgh as an S.S.C. In 1861 he was elected town clerk of Edinburgh, and in 1873 he was translated to the corresponding office in Glasgow, holding it till his retirement into private life in December, 1903. He was knighted in 1888. Sir James's wisdom and tact gained him fame in all parts of the kingdom, and he was continually consulted by the town clerks of other places. To his guidance is also to be mainly attributed the strides taken by Glasgow in municipal matters, which have attracted attention and 'aroused inquiry all over the civilised world. He is survived by Lady Marwick and a family of two sons and five daughters, two of the latter being married. GENERAL NEWS. The Misses Peters, of Dundee, have presented' £4000 to Dundee College to provide a laboratory for the practice and study of electrical engineering, which is to bear the name of their brother, the late Mr T. L. Peters, an ex-Dean of Guild of the city. The annual statistical Teport of the University of Glasgow states that the number of matriculated students ' was 2505. The General Council has 6914 members. In the Glasgow Town Council last week a spectator in the gallery caused much amusement by calling out, "My Lord Provost, if you ask my opinion, I think you're a' daft thegither." One of the city officers led the candid critic outside, but there are some who think his criticism was not without justification. A codfish which was landed by a fishing boat at Dunbar was found to have a pair of gloves in its stomach. Dr Lowe, head master of George Heriot's HospitaJ, Edinburgh, having intimated his resignation, Mr John B. Clark, M.A., principal mathematics and physics master in the school, has been appointed' to succeed him. The salary is £700 a year. Mr Clark is 46 years of age, and has been on the staff of the school since 1889. During the hearing of a case in the Sheriff Court at Jedburgh, Mr John Turnbull, a retired clothier, died suddenly while in the witjxess-box. The court was at once adjourned for the day. A new American system of electric signalling is being installed in the Central Station, Glasgow. It is said to expedite the handling of the trains, and at "the same time to effect a great reduction in the physical labour of the signalmen. A great street improvement is shortly to be undertaken at \m ih&

making of a broad direct thoroughfare from Longrow to Main street. This will be a great convenience, and will also much improve the amenity of the site, ■frhich covers an area of 1^ acres. The old sun-dial in Holyrood Palace gardens, which is believed to have been erected as a memorial of the marriage of Charles I, and which is 10ft in height, is being restored. Tar macadam has been found not to be a success in Dundee in streets with through traffic on them, and its use is being abandoned in such localities. Copper prospecting has been going on in Wigtownshire foT some time, and it is stated that near Glenluce theie has been discovered a vein of ore which, it is hoped, "will prove profitable to work on a fairly extensive scale. Two women at Aberdeen were fined £5 each, and ccste, for exposng for sale a quantity of kippered herrings which were unfit for human food. A 6 the herrings numbered 2250, and the statute imposes a maximum penalty of £50 per fish, the women had made themselves liable to a fine of £112,500. Competitive plans to the number of 136 ■were sent in for the new City Hall to be built at Perth at a. cost of £25,000. The one selected was found to be by Mr H. ]•:. Clifford, St. Vincent street, Glasgow, '"he second and third prizes were also awarded to Glasgow architects. The decision of the council was unanimous. The North British Locomotive Company. Hyde Park, Glasgow, has received two orders, which will put life into its works for a time. One is for 60 locomotives for Chili, and the other for 70 for an Indian railway. '"he slate quarries in the islands of Easda*e and Seil have been reopened by a newly-formed company, with a capital of £15.000. The following personal estates of deceased individuals have been recorded : — Mr James Scott, jute manufacturer, Dundee, £352,089; Mr Charles Anderson . paper manufacturer, Leslie, Fife, £275,869; Sir David Richmond, tube manufacturer, Glasgow, £161,579 ; Mr David Duncan, of MacOnochie, Duncan, and Hare, W.S., Edinburgh, £60.949 ; Trofessor Sir Thomas M'Call Anderson, M.D., Glasgow, £54,006 ;. Mr James Murray, of Touchadam and Polmaiee, Stirlingshire, £41,483 ; Mr W. R. H. Valentine, manufacturer, Loehee, £40,112. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P., yesterday arrived at his home at New Cumnock from his eight months' tour round the world.