THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 100, 9 June 1900, Page 2

THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

A QUESTION OF DISTRIBUTION. Wellington, June 8. A majority of the Patriotic Fund Committees throughout the colony acquiesce in the Acting-Premier's suggestion for a Central Committee. A delegate from each Committee will be invited to attend a conference in Wellington to discuss the distribution of the funds. THE WAR AS SOME SEE IT. [COPYMGHTJ. For every one killed on cither side A light in somebody's home has died. There's seldom a stalwait so lone and so drear, But he to somebody's heart is near. " Killed," "wounded" and "missing "—those terrible slips, Read with dim eyes and quivering lips Filled with a pitiful, nameless fear I That soon would confront us a name all too

dear. Each name is to someone or other, Somebody's husband, father, brother, Somebody's sweetheart, or son, or friend, On to the sickening, sorrowful end. Promising lives all fair and bright Gladly given for justice and right. Oh, say not we grudge them, England, to thee, Though heavy the price of each victory be 1 Our warriors are brave, who dare and who die, Just doing their best 'neath that tropical sky. But what o£ the hearts who at duty's call Have gladly and cheerfully given their all? The dead and the living oft lie itf one heap, And foemen and friend in the one embrace sleep, And Africa's sands will seem richer now, As they lightly rest on each icy brow. Oh, God of Battles and God of Peace, Canst 'thou not cause this carnage to cease J Make c.s all to each other more true, And sea mlicre me can one another's view. 'Tis not for greed or gold we would fight, And Thou wilt only uphold the right. We pray for a speedy end to the strife— This terrible waste of beautiful life. A Daughthu op Tommy Atkin&

HONOURED NEW ZEALANDERS. ' The Evening Posh special correspondent with Lord Roberts column j sends his paper the following interesting item:—On Friday, 20th April, Majors Robin and Davies enjoyed the honour of having an interview with* Lord Roberts. The New Zealanders called on the Field Marshal at the Presidency by invitation telegraphed to our camp. Major Robin, as senior officer, was called in first. He found the Field Marshal somewhat weariedlooking, evidently feeling keenly the death of his only son. Lord Roberts gave Major Robin a cordial welcome, and expressed his pleasure at meeting the officer in command of the New Zealanders. A very interesting chat followed, the Field Marshal referring to the campaign and many important matters relating to it. He said he had received splendid reports as to the work done by the New Zealanders, and was very pleased that officers and men had proved themselves true soldiers. To Major Davies he was also pleasant, chatting away in that interesting manner that has gained for him the respect and love of officers and men. He referred again to the valuable services rendered by the New Zealanders, and asked several questions about our colony. " Are you all volunteers in New Zealand?" Lord Roberts asked. "On what footing are you placed ? Take yourself. You ar. not only a volunteer. What occupation do you follow ?" " Well," replied Major Davies, in that quiet manner that seldom fails to cause a smile, "in my spare moments I am a civil engineer." Lord Roberts laughed heartily at the droll reply, and added that the Major's profession was a very useful training for the kind of work the New Zealanders had bsen called upon to do. It was satisfactory to hear that the Field Marshal had promised that the New Zealanders would be properly mounted and equipped, and that he would endeavour to pay a visit of inspection to our camp to see the representatives of New Zealand at their work. He expressed his thanks to the people of our colony for their thoughtful gift of horses, and said they would prove very useful. Major Davies also had a short chat with Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. This well-known officer somewhat belies his photographs, which make him appear hard-visaged and almost forbidding in appearance. On the contrary, his face is kindly-looking, and when he speaks his eyes grow softer, and he looks more the mild-mannered civilian than the hard soldier he has proved himself lo be. Lord Kitchener also spoke of the New Zealanders, and added his testimony to the good .services rendered by them throughout the aampaign and their peculiar adaptability to the system of fighting that the, British troops in South Africa had been' compelled to adopt.

OONAN DOYLE IN BLOEMFONTEIN. Dr. Canan Doyle is now at Bloemfontein in connection with the Lingman Hospital, but he finds time for other things than sick-tent duties. To the newspaper Friend oj the Free State, now managed by a group of war correspondents, he contributes the following " First Impression." We are indebted to the Daily Mail for the ability to print Dr. Doyle's contribution, it having been telegraphed to that paper by Mr. Julian Ralph. He writes:— " It was only General Smith-Dor-rion's Brigade, but if it could have been passed just as it was down Piccadilly it would have driven London crazy. I watched them—ragged, bearded, fierceeyed infantry—struggling along under a cloud of dust. Whp could have conceived, who had seen the prim soldier in time of peace, that he could so quickly transform himself into this grim, virile barbarian? Bulldog faces, hawk faoes, hungry wolf faces, every sort of face except a weak one. Her 9 and there a man smoking a pipe; here and there a manwhosmiled; but most have swarthy faces, and lean a little forward, with «yes steadfast and features impastive but resolute. Here is a clump of Highlanders, with workmanlike aprons in front and keen faces burnt black with months on the veldt i and the

honoured name they bear is on tlyfl 'shoulder-straps. * Good old Gordons? I cried, as they passed me. A sergeant glanced at dirty enthuawm in an undershirt. ' What cheer, matey P he, cried, and the men squared their shoulders and put a touch of ginger into their stride. Here is ft clamp of mounted infantry, a grizzled fellow like a fierce old eagle at the head of them. Some aro maned like lions, some have young, keen faces, but all leave an impression of familiarity upon me; yet I fcave n °t»een Irregular British Cavalry before. Why should it be so familiar to me, this loose-limbed, head-erect, swaggering type? Of course 1 I have seen it in an American cowboy over and over again. Strange that a few months on the veldt should have produoed exactly the same man as springs from the western prairie! But these men' are warriors amid war. Their eyes are hard and quick. They have a. gaunt, intent , look, like men who live always under a show if danger. Here and there an other men again, taller and sturdier ' than the infantry line, grim, solid men, straight as poplars. There is a maple leaf, 1 think, upon their shoulder- ) straps, and the British Brigade areglad enough to have those maple leaves, besides them, for the Canadian* are the men of Faardeberg. And there, behind their comrades in glory, oome the Shropshire Light Infantry, slinging } along with much spirit after their grand sporting colonel."