THE HOME LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 6

THE HOME LAND

(From Our Special Correspondent.) SCOTLAND, July 3. The weather in Scotland keeps up its reputation for variety. During the past week we have had all sorts of weather, but for the most part it has been of the boisterous order, with frequent heavy downfalls of rain to make things as uncomfortable as possible. But through it all the country is looking well, apart from the black spots where the grub has been at work. This week I have been over the Dupplin Castle estate of Lord Forteriot. There one. can see how the careful expenditure of capital can be made to yield the desired results. His lordship has several farms in his own lands, and he has a great variety of live stock. His head of Large White pigs is one of the best in the whole country; he carries on an excellent herd of purebred dairy Shorthorns; he has a select herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle; there are purebred Galloway cows and heifers which are mated with a Shorthorn bull, and lie out the whole year round, calving down in the open; and there arc numerous cross cattle as well as a few purebred Highland cattle. I did not see the sheep or the Clydesdale horses, but his lordship has excellent specimens of both classes of stock, lhe cottages on the estate for the workers have either been rebuilt or greatly improved. There is a model village with school and hall attached, which has been the envy of visitors from far and near. Comfortable homes make willing workmen. Dupplin Castle is a magnificent mansion, and there is the finest rock garden attached to it I have seen anywhere.

A large and distinguished company bf ladies and gentlemen attended the dinner given to honorary graduates of Edinburgh University, who received their degrees on Thursday. Sir Alfred Ewing, principal and vice-chancellor of the University, in the course of a very happy speech, referred to the Rev. William Gray Dixon, on whom the degree of Doctor of Divinity had been conferred in absentia, as formerly Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mr Dixon represented the Scot abroad. Sir Alfred said he could recall an early point of contact with him, for over 50 years ago they were colleagues in Japan, both as young professors, and he then wrote a book on the Land of the Rising Sun. He did not know whether Mr Dixon had emulated the large output of his two colleagues in the list—-the Rev. James Baikie, formerly minister of Wardie United Free Church, Torphichen, and the Rev. William Shillinglaw Crockett, minister of the parish of Tweedsmuir —both of whom had some 50 volumes to their credit.

The vice-chancellor next made a fitting allusion to the honourary degree of Doctor of Divinity being conferred on Lord Sands. It was, he said, the pride of the Scottish Kirk that it reconciled the law with the Gospel, and that led by natural transition to the last name on their divinity list, which they might be almost surprised to find there —tiie name of Lord Sands. They thought of him essentially as judge, but he was no ordinary occupant of the Bench, but wore his ermine with a difference. He sometimes allowed himself, in his own phrase, “ off the chain.” Theology was his recreation, and it was more. He had made so earnest, so serious, so fruitful a study of it that the amateur had become a guide to the professional. His studies of the mission of St. Paul to the

seven churches in Asia, and various phases and episodes in modern religious life, more than justified the degree of Doctor of Divinity which was conferred upon him; and if that was not enough one might still cite his great personal services in the cause of the. Union of the Church. Few, if any, men had contributed more to the happy result which was now in sight. Some time ago, in that university, there was a serious discussion as to whether they should not confer the degree of Doctor of Divinity by examination. If that had been resolved on, and if Lord Sands had presented himself as a candidate, there would have been no occasion for the university to perform that somewhat futile quasi-political operation known as “ ploughing the sands,” this latter remark calling forth loud laughter., * * - *

The New Zealand bowlers have come to Scotland. After being cordially received by the leading officials of the Glasgow Bowling Association, the 'visitors were taken a motor run round the western metropolis, in the course of which they saw the various public parks belonging to Glasgow Corporation. Arriving back at the City Chambers at 12.45 p.m., the New Zealanders and their lady friends were the guests of Lord Provost Sir David Mason and the magistrates at luncheon. Sir Thomas Lipton, Bart., was one of the company. In giving the toast of “ The New Zealand Bowlers,” the Lord Provost said they welcomed their guests as their own kith and kin. He believed that a very large proportion of the emigrants attracted to New Zealand were either Scottish or of Scottish descent. They might depend upon a Scotsman finding out a good thing. People in the home land were

disposed to show a preference for supplies of necessaries sent from New Zealand. That was the feeling abroad. But he wished to say that from Britain there ‘were sent some commodities, such as manufactured goods and machinery, and New Zealand carefully put a tariff on them. It was true that a preference was

given to them over other countries, but he hoped the visitors would influence, their people not to make that tariff higher, and, if possible, to make it a little lower. Mr J. W. Hartley, Auckland, responded. Mr J; B. Frame, Dunedin, proposing the toast of “ The Corporation of Glasgow,” said that 43 years ago he as a ]ad left Glasgow to seek his fortune in New Zealand. Since then

the city had extended beyond his recognition. There were a large number of Glasgow people in New Zealand, and they were at the top of the tree. They were the best colonisers there. Sir Thomas Lipton also spoke, saying he was to have another “ go ” for the America Cup. The party afterwards laid a wreath on the Cenotaph in George square. Motoring to the Woodend green at Jordanhill, the visitors were heartily welcomed by president S. A. Glatton and the directors. A friendly game of six rinks a side was engaged in, the New Zealanders being opposed by two rinks from the Glasgow Bowling Association, two rinks of the Magistrates and Town Councillors, and two rinks of members of Woodend Club. The visitors came out winners by 28 shots, the figures being: New Zealand, 131; home rinks, 103. After the game the visitors were entertained to high tea in the new pavilion of the Woodend Club, and a pleasant evening was spent with song and sentiment.

It was unfortunate that the weather conditions proved unfavourable when the New Zealand players engaged in a test match on the green of the Bellahoustor: Club. Rain fell during the first few ends, and consequently made play unpleasant both for spectator and player. It was quite evident that the conditions were not to the liking of the visitors. When five ends had been played they were down in every rink but one, and the score was 15-24. At mid-game this margin was further increased, and at the tea interval the Glasgow players were 28 up. During the subsequent play the visitors fell further back, and finished 79 down over all, the respective scores being: New Zealand, 74; Glasgow, 153. Later the New Zealand bowlers were entertained to dinner in the Grosvenor Restaurant, when Mr William Douglas, president of the Glasgow Bowling Association, was in the chair. Proposing the toast of “ The New Zealand Bowlers,” the chairman characterised the team as “ ambassadors of Empire.” It had been said that Scottish people were unemotional and undemonstrative. That might be so, but he assured their guests

that they welcomed them with sincerity. Scottish bowlers felt that thej 7 required no introduction to the visitors, because they were their friends au4 kinsmen. In acknowledging the Mr J. W. Hardley, Auckland, said that bowling was a cure for care, an antidote for worry, and it fostered companionship, generosity, and kindness. Scotland prided itself on being the oldest bowling country, but he maintained that bowling was played in New Zealand before it was introduced into the Old Country. The Scottish Bowling Association was regarded as the parent body, but the Maoris played the game many hundred years ago. Other toasts were duly honoured, and a most pleasant evening was spent. At Dumbarton, on Monday, the Dominion men had their revenge. In a six-rink game they defeated the members of the local club by* 149 shots to_ 116. » * * The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Memorial at Dunfermline was opened to the public on Thursday last, the ceremony being performed by Mrs. RoswellMiller, the philanthropist’s daughter. The new building is in close proximity to the birthplace of the late Mr Andrew Carnegie, and it will contain a large collection of relics commemorative of the life and work of the great Scottish philanthropist. Mrs Roswell-Miller having opened the door, she stepped aside and allowed her mother to be the first to pass over the threshold. Mrs Carnegie, in handing over the keys of the building to Sir John Ross, stated that the addresses, presentations, and beautiful caskets, containing freedoms from many cities, were Mr Carnegie’s most higlily-prized possessions, and in addition to those they felt it would be interesting to show how far-reaching had been the influences set in motion by the unique life they commemorated that day, by visualising in the form of photographs and diagrams some of the activities so ably carried on by the many foundations Mr Carnegie was privileged to establish. It had not, Airs Carnegie said, been easy to let those precious heirlooms pass from the guardianship of the family, but the very large number of tributes coming from what he loved to call his “ wifeland ” as well as his “ motherland ” made it difficult for any family to keep them together, much as they would have liked to do so. Mrs Carnegie has erected and endowed the new buildings at a cost of many thousands of pounds.

The last link of the Ross-Taylor family connection with the town of Thurso, in Caithness, has been snapped by the death of Catherine Ross-Taylor, widow of the late Rev. Alexander Auld, Free Church minister of Olrig. Mrs Auld was the eldest daughter of the late Rev. Dr Walter Ross-Taylor, of the First United Free Church, Thurso, an ex-Moderator of the Free Church, and sister of the late Rev. Dr Walter Ross Taylor, Kelvinside Church, Glasgow, who was Moderator of the Free Church at the time of its union with the United Presbyterian Church. Airs Auld, who had reached the great age of 95 years, was a prominent figure in the religious life of the north, and frequently entertained the leaders of the church. I

It is only during the summer months that a regular service—about once a fortnight—is kept up with the “ Lonely Isle ” of St. Kilda. When the s.s. Hebrides called there the other day among those who landed to stay for a time were the Rev. Finlay Al'Queen, of East Rew, Victoria, and his sister, who are members of the Australian delegation at present visiting the Homeland. The parents of Air and Miss AlQueen emigrated from St. Kilda to Australia in 1853. The family, of whom other two brothers are in Australia, all speak Gaelic. Air S. J. Cook, also from East Rew, and an cider in Air Al'Queen’s church, also paid a visit to St. Kilda, but did not stay, returning with the Hebrides. A flag, presented to the islanders through the visitors from Australia by the Alayor of St. Kilda, Alelbourne, was unfurled over the village as soon as it was received. The dry spell in spring has stultified the meagre efforts of the islanders at tillage, Provisions for the Winter months were landed. » ♦ *

A momentous step was taken by the minority members of the United Free Church at a convention held in Glasgow when it was decided definitely not to enter the proposed union with the Church of Scotland. A resolution was passed sanctioning and authorising “ the taking of 11 necessary steps to secure the continuance of the United Free Church of Scotland.” An amendment opposing this course only received the support of six people. It is proposed that in the event of separation an arrangement should be made for a friendly arbitration by a joint commission on property, f unds, and cognate matters. The minority includes some of the most influential ministers and laymen in the i United Free Church, who will have noth? ing to do with a church “ by law established.” Further developments xyill be watched with intense interest.

An appeal was taken to the Second Division of the Court of Session in the shape of a note of suspension and liberation by Neil Alacdonald, Scarristareg, Harris, and Ewen Alaclennan, Scarrista, Harris, who, on June 14 were found guilty at Lochmaddy of breach of inter? diet and sentenced to four months’ im? prisonment. The division has granted the note, and ordered the interim libera? tion of the two men. An appeal against the decision of the sheriff at Lochmaddy will now be taken to the Court of Session. In the House of Commons it was admitted by Alajor Elliot, Under-secre-tary of State for Scotland, that applications had been made by Alacdonald and Alaclennan to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for small holdings as long ago as Alay, 1912. -* * * King George has concluded a renewal of the lease of Abergeldie with Air Bertram Fuller Gordon. The King when Prince of Wales used Abergeldie Castle as his Highland home. It is situated on the far side of the Dee. about seven miles from Ballater, and beyond is the village of Crathie, with its little parish church, which the King and Queen, witn their guests, attend during their stay at Balmoral in autumn. * * * Princess Alary (Viscountess Lascelles), the King's daughter, takes a real pride in the Royal Scots, of which regiment she is colonel-in-chief. A few nights ago she gave an “ at home ” to the officers and their ladies at Chesterfield House, London: Over 200 guests attended. Alusic was supplied by the band of the 20th battalion of the London Regiment and by Pipe-major Collins, of the Ist Battalion of the Royal Scots. Her Royal Highness evinces as real an interest in the rank and file as she does in the commissioned ranks. * * * Lord Blackburn has taken the place of Lor.d Ashmore as chairman of the Scottish Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Continued ill-health has necessitated the retirement of Lord Ashmore.

» * * The tercentenary of George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh, is being celebrated this week. * * * Stormy and boisterous weather has marred the opening regattas of the Clyde “ Fortnight.” Some of the larger yachts have been dismasted. The competitors include the King’s old yacht Britannia, Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock, and Lord Waring’s White Heather.