NOTES FROM THE OLD LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 41

NOTES FROM THE OLD LAND

(From Our Special Correspondent.) GLASGOW, October 31. October is the month of tho year when the sorting out of our municipal affairs usually takes place. Since the war began thero is less of that sort of thing than is customary. No municipal elections have been held since 1913. Sir Thomas Dunlop, Bart., Lord Provost of Glasgow, and Lady Dunlop called at the Mansion Houfic in London the other day to pay their respects to the retiring Lord Mayor, Sir Charles Wakefield, and to Lady Wakefield. In the course of the day Sir Thomas and Lady Dunlop also called on Mr Fisher, the High Commissioner, at the Australian Commonwealth offices. Sir Robert K. Inches, who has served an extra year (four in all) as Lord Provost of Edinburgh, is retiring next month. The members of the Town Council and city officials have entertained Sir Robert at a farewell dinner, at which his health was heartily pledged.

Hearty congratulations have been offered to Provost Thomson, Montrose, on his reaching his eightieth birthday. The Provost is a native of the " East Ncuk" of Fife, and hi& many activities in years past were proof positive that he possessed all the qualities which are claimed for the natives of the " kingdom." He was associated with the Scotch Education Department for many years, and left the offices at Whitehall in 1901. Now, in addition to his municipal work, he is a leading light in tho councils of the United Free Church, and I had the pleasure of meeting him in May last when we were both members of the General Assembly. Time after time during the proceedings he gave evidence of the fact that although he was an octogenarian "his eye is not dim or his natural forco abated." One of the sparkling speeches of the Assembly was that jn which he proposed the Rev. Rober 4 - Forgan for the office of clerk of Assembly. " The Presbytery of Aberdeen," he said, "contains a large number of long-headed, shrewd men. We have been presided over by a superb Moderator, and now that you pre appointing an Assembly clerk I think that you cannot do better than fish in the game waters." That Provost Thomson may be spared for many more years to carry on his beneficent work is the earnest wish of all who know him.

A picture of Princo Charles Edward, with Lochiel and Lord Pitsligo in attendance, was presented to the King by the late Mr Charles Stewart, _of Achara, Argyllshire, and it has now, in accordance with the wish of the donor, boon hung in the entrance hall at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh. In the picture " Bonnie Prince Charlie" is represented as holding court at the Palace of Holyrood, which he ocoupied for a fortnight in Royal state after his victory at Prestonpans. It is a fine example of the art of the late John Pettio, R. A. The Prince is shown wearing the lightcoloured Royal Stuart tartan. His two attendants, also in Highland costume, are painted in much lower tones, and they stand on either side a little to the rear. The picture has been exhibited at the Royal Academy. Determined efforts are being made to promote a scheme for the construction of a &hip canal by a direct route connecting the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde, its importance for naval strategy and the commercial purposes of the United Kingdom being urged. The matter is to come before the Convention of Royal Burghs and the Corporations of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Provosts of the Royal and Police Burghs in the County of Dumfries have resolved to ask the Liquor Control Board to take over all the lincensed premises in the burghs, as has been the case in Annan. Thev say that in spite of the curtailment of the houjrs of sale there has been a large increase in intemperance owing to the great influx of -workers from other parts of the country. We are living in remarkable times.

The present expensive system of cable tramways in Edinburgh has, with its slowness and frequent disorganisations and delays, proved a perennial heart-break. A body of experts appointed by the Town Council to consider the whole question of a tramway system have now reported 'n favour of the total conversion of the existing cable svstem into an overhead electric system. Will the citizens of " Beautiful Edina" now submit to this? I have my doubts.

A new Transatlantic shipping combination is about to be completed. Subject to the confirmation of the shareholders, an agreement has been come to between the Anchor Line (Henderson Bros.), Ltd., and the Donaldson Line, Ltd., for a fusion of the interests of the two companies in the passenger and cargo service between the Clyde and Canada. A new company is in process of formation which is intended to be known as the Anchor-Donaldson Line, and to it will be transferred four of the best of the Donaldson boats. This represents rather less than one-third of the Donaldson fleet, but the ships taken are its largest and newest units. All are considerably over 8000 tons gross. Scotland has always been prominent in educational matters, and a good deal of credit has been given to the old parochial schoolmaster who made much use of the Bible and Shorter Catechism. Now we have it from Dr Morgan, principal of the Provincial Training Colleges, in the course of an address on Scottish education reform at a meeting of the Edinburgh Local Association of the Educational Institute of Scotland, that in our nat'oriiil schools the person and teaching of Christ should form the basis of all moral and religious instruc tion'. Many parts of the Old Testament, too, were, ho said, admirably suited for that purnose. They must teach the relifrion of social ■ service, and show their pupils that the highest self could only be realised through such service. Many there are here who will be pleased with this doctrine.

The Association of Local Snots is tho name nrivon to a now organisation which is to "champion the cause of the Lowland regiments." It has been felt in certain quarters that only in the case of Highland regiments has national _ sentiment been Sufficiently aroused nt a time like the propent. The commanding officers of various Lowland regiments have written welcoming the advent of the association, one of thorn remarking that "there may still be some who do not yet know what a magnificent fighting man the Lowlander is." At a meeting of tho committee on the 27th October 66 now members were elected, and the list included many very influential names, including that of tho First Lord of the Admiralty. Glasgow _ Univor.-if■>■ has reason to be proud of its Roll of Honour. According to a statement made at a mci L.'ag of the

General Council, the number of names on the roll up to tho end of June last was 2806, of which 1359 arc thoso of graduates 'Of that total 2243 are commissioned officers. The honours gained include 13 D.S.O.'s (of which 12 were awarded to members of medical units) and 38 Military Crosses. The losses have unfortunately been heavy. Previous to July 1, when the big move" on the Somme began, 168 had been killed, 161 wounded, two were missing and four prisoners of war. Since then 79 others have been killed, 133 wounded, and 10 missing. There are now, of course, daily additions. No fewer than 684 names of women graduates were registered as, willing to undertake war work. All of these except 30 have been enrolled in the servico of their country. The ministers of Scotland have done nobly for tho Empire since the outbreak of war, not only in tho capacity of chaplains, but in tho fighting line as well. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of them and of hearing from their own lips expressions of admiration for the heroism and fortitude of all ranks of tho British army. More than one of thorn have gained special distinction on the field of battle. Second Lieutenant the Rev. John S. Grant, Braehead, Leslie, Fife, who was formerly assistant minister at Broughty Ferry Parish Church, and is now an officer in the Gordon Highlanders, has been awarded the military cross for gallantry in tho field. But there are others who have fallen in the fight. The Rev. Arthur D. Walker, 8.A., a second lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment, who has been killed in action, was for more than a year assistant to the Rev. Dr Kelman, St. George's United Free Church Edinburgh. News has also been received of the death on tho field of battle of the Rev. John Pinkerton, a Vans Dunlop and Pitt scholar and a graduate of the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge. He enlisted in the Royal Scots in February last, and fell in action on the Ist of October. The churches in Scotland realise that new methods will be necessary if they are to retain the esteem and respect of the men who are now in tho fighting line when thoy return to civil life. Ex-Lord Provost Maitland, of Aberdeen, speaking at a United Free Church meeting at Inverurie, said they would have in their churches, to readjust themselves in many ways to meet tho future, and one thing our men would look for when they came back was a deeper sympathy and a warmer atmosphere than jn the past. He was not, he 6aid. suggesting that the churches were altogether to blame in the past. What they now wished was that the lads they loved so much would on their return feel in the churches a new warmth of interest and love that would make the church to them a very home, and in that way, and in that way only, he thought tho war, with all its deplorable results, would bring to tho church in the future strength and blessing. Archbishop Maquire is perhaps one of the most popular of the dignatories of the Roman Catholic Church who have ever held sway in Glasgow. He officiated at the special service on Sabbath, 22nd October, in celebration of the centenary of St. Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow. In the course of his sermon ho reminded hia hearers that their Protestant fellow-citizens no longer looked upon them as idolaters and superstitious. The Scottish people were, ho continued, always a religious people, and ready to make sacrifices for that which they believed to be the truth. Every man of Scottish birth, whether or not of the Scottish race, thrilled when he read of Drumclog and Bothwel} Brig, and when ho read of Dr Chalmers walking from the Assembly for conscience' sake. The Scottish people were ready to give up thenall and their lives rather than go against conscience. These were tho people they lived amongst. A special significance was given to the observance of Trafalgar Day this year by the long-continued and faithful vigil of our sailor lads. In London waggon-loads of wreaths were deposited at the foot of the Nelson monument. One of the floral tributes had arrived a few days previously from New Zealand, enclosed in a large block of ico, which had not even commenced to molt. Conspicuous among tho other overseas tributes was a large ensign in everlasting flowers mounted on a flagpole sent by the officers and ship's company of H.M.A.S. Australia. In Edinburgh and Glasgow flags were flown at the public buildings. The famous signal hung out in flags at the Nelson Monument on the Calton Hill of Edinburgh was a feature of the decorations. In Glgsgow a wreath was placed on the Nelson Monument on the Green by the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of tho Navy League, bearing the inscription: "To the memory of the men who have obeyed Lord Nelson's signal, and have given their lives so nobly for their country."

A biography is contemplated of the late Dr Donald Macleod. of the Park Church, Glasgow, and the Rev. Kenneth O. Macleod, manse of Caputh. Murthly, Perthshire, is asking those friends who may have in their possession letters or papers suitable for publication to fend them to him. May there not be some such in the hands of people in New Zealand who knew the eloquent and lovable minister of the Park Church? When copies have been made the originals will be returned. Sir Douglas Haig. Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Forces in France, has been unanimously elected Lord Rector of St. Andrew's University, in succession to the Marquis of Aberdeen. Sir Douglas is a native of Fifoshire, and it is no doubt for this reason that this is the first time a soldier has been chosen. Paisley, the thread metropolis of the west, has been indebted for many good things to the Coats family. The Town Council has resolved to confer the freedom of the burgh upon Sir Thomas Glen-Coats. Bart., of Ferguslie Park, Paisley, the Lord-lieuten-ant of Renfrewshire, in recognition of his worth as a citizen, his numerous benefactions to his native town, his princely generosity towards sufferers in the war, and his services otherwise for the national welfare at the present time The Rev. John M'Neill. the famous Scottish divine, who has been settled for some time in Denver, U.S.A., has resigned his charge there, and is gomg out to minister to our soldiers in Franco under the auspices _ of the Young Men's Christian Association. He has _ been visiting the scenes of his former triumphs in Glasgow, and his addresses are as fresh and vigorous as of yore. I hear that Mr M'Neill is to bo invited to become the pastor of a United Free Church in Glasgow—the Tron. from which the Rev. John Tainsh is retiring, and which was once the sphere of labour of the Rev. Dr Walter C. Smith, thr» poet-preacher of the old Free Church, and its Moderator of General Assembly in its 'ubiloe year. The people of the Bridge of Allan and

Dunblane districts were considerably alarmed on the 22nd October by three distinct shocks of earthquake, between 3 and 5 p.ra, Houses were shaken and windowframes nnd crockery rattled in a most fearsome fashion. No material damage was dono, but there was considerable alarm among the people.