The Examiner. FRIDAY, JAN. 12, 1900. THE TRANSVAAL,WAR.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XVIII, Issue 3059, 12 January 1900, Page 2

The Examiner. FRIDAY, JAN. 12, 1900. THE TRANSVAAL,WAR.

On a recent Sunday evening we had the pleasure of listening to one of the finest sermons on the war in progress now in South Africa that it has been our lot to listen to. The preacher made some very potent remarks on the sort of reports which are telegraphed to the colonies from South Africa. He said he ventured to assert that if one of our contingent got a finger or a toe cut off a special cable would be sent to the colony. Not that there was anything wrong in it, but no one thought of the glorious work being done by the mission societies right on the field of battle. That was not telegraphed to the colony. He read a, letter from a man who was on the field after one of the earlier battles, which gave a most graphic account of the scenes transpiring there. The society of which the writer was a member had for its object the helping of the wounded, and the administering of the last rites of the church to those beyond the aid of human hands. There, remarked the preacher, there was where the glory lay. These men were fighting a greater and a nobler battle than that fought by the soldiers. Without fear they went right to the front eager to assist those who were in need of assistance, and to spread the Gospel of Christ amongst the soldiers. Going on to the question of the glorious unity now apparent amongst the whole British nation, he said that the war had afforded a grand opportunity to weld closer the bonds of love between the Mother Country and her dependencies. Then, again, little is heard of the Red Cross Societies. And yet is not their'work worth the telling about ? They see the more horrible side of war. There is a splendid account in one of the Home magazines—for the moment we forget which it is—which tells of what the nurses and members of the societies endure in the glorious task they have voluntarily given themselves to. It would be futile to enter into details of the work they have undertaken, but it seems hard to think so little is heard of them. They may not all be Florence Nightingales who are working there, but they are all working in the same cause the cause of humanity. Reference to Florence Nightingale recalls an account we read of her life and death. It contained some pathetic little scenes of her work in the Crimea, amongst which was one describing her—a frail, gentle, deli-cate-looking woman —passing up and down the wards at night, her benignant features illuminated by the rays of the lamp, and the poor suffering soldiers turning to kiss the shadow thrown upon the wall from her little figure. Her life, we may say, was given for the soldiers ; for the country she loved, as, returning from the Crimea, she spent the rest of her iife a hopeless invalid —a martyr to the task she had imposed upon herself. And are there not many who are following her example ? We cannot do much to help them it- is true, but we can all give them our hearfelt prayers, our encouragements. Let us not in the shouts of victory, or in the tales of brave deeds done on the field of battle by our soldiers, forget the noble women toiling “on Africa’s burning shores ” in their noble and trying task.

Mr Stevenson would like the of the Sixth Standard to xnett him at the School at 9 o’clock on Monday morning. We have to acknowledge the receipt of the Statistics of the colony from the Government Printer. Mr A. G. Havil], formerly oiHKoodville, has taken over the Royal Btl at Bunnythorpe. ' * A party of diggers at Daylesford, esventy-five miles north-west of Melbourne. have unearthed a nugset weighing 2500 z.

Madame Melba, the famous linn singer, on making her debvff at Vienna created a great furore. The diva had no fewer than twenty-six recalls, At the close of the Morven Hills shearing (Otago) the last day—3o shearers put up a record. The total average of sheep shorn in one day was 141 per man, the ringer shearing 198. The house of Joseph Pullitzer, millionaire. New York, was destroyed by fire. The housekeeper and governess were killed in trying to effect their escape. Mrs Pulitzer heroically rescued the children. The chief postmaster of Christchurch advised the Wellington Office yesterday that the agent of the Waiwera, on opening a bos received by that steamer from Capetown addressed to him, found a large number of fitters from the members of the New Zealand contingent. A painful accident happened on Birnie’s Hill, near Scarborough, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Sherson, of Mangavveka, was driving out from Pahiatua, when the horse backed over the embankment above the railway station. The lady with him was badly injured about the head, suffering a deep scalp wound. A child in the brake had his leg broken above the knee, and another child only escaped without injury by being thrown clear as the brake capsized. A contemporary alleges that the question of 8d telegrams is now engaging the attention of the Post Office authorities. The Kumara Times says that in the event of such a change taking place a large number of metropolitan local instrumental offices will be placed on the tube system, whilst the anticipated increase of work would of necessity lead to considerable augmentations of the staff.

The incident in connection with the seizure ofj the steamer Bundesrath by the British at Delegoa Bay is being utilisedfiy Germany to promote the proposed double navy. The adhesion of the Reichstag to this scheme is assured. The Kaiser, telegraphing to the King of Wurtemburg, hopes that the lately occuring events will convince Germany of the necessity to provide a strong fleet to protect her interests and honour in distant seas.

A curious case has heen attracting attention in the United States. A Yale freshman was in the Newhaven restaurant with a female companion, and while assisting her to put on her cloak he kissed her on the cheek. The couple were at once arrested by a policeman, and Judjje Dow sentenced the youth to fifteen day’s imprisonment for kissing tho girl, and a like sentence was imposed on her for being kissed. It is not surprising to learn that this curious sentence has been appealed against. While in the South Island attending the daledonian gathering at Invercargill, Messrs E. D. Douglas McLean, of Napier, and R. Smi'h of Onslow Park, accompanied Mr Jas Allen, the member for Bruce on a visit to Milton. They ■ inspected the Milburn Lime and Cement works, the Potteries, the Bruce Woollen Mills and McGill’s large Flour Mills. Both gentlemen were much astonished at the appearance of solid prosperity everywhere to be seen. They also visited Gienore, which is situated some few miles distant from Milton on the Tokomairiro River, and there saw the Sterling Dredge at work. A curious spectacle was witnessed the other day in the very heart of London. A roan of remarkably rotund appearance jumped into the water surrounding the eastern four tain in Trafalgar square, and began to give an exhibition of comic swimming, to the great amusement of the onlookers, but to the indignation of the policeman on duly at the spot. The officer summoned the mam to co*me out, whereupon the swimmer turned on his back, and while floating “ put his thumb in his nose and spread his fingers out.” The crowd roared with delight. On being again commanded to leave the water, the man, still floating, answered, “ Not me; General White is still in Ladysmith, notwithstanding old Kruger, and here I shall stop. If you want me, coipe and fetch me.” As words were of no avail, the constable took off his tunic and entered the water, but he slipped and fell full length. The swimmer then surrendered, and the dripping pair made their way to the nearest polibe station. The frolic cost the swimmer, who said he had made a bet, seven shillings. i In returning from a rim .with the Highgate Harriers (says the London Times), Thomas Henry Blake, of Kingsdown road, Holloway, was suddenly missed from the pack in South Grove, Highgate. His companions went back in search of him, and discovered that there had been a subsidence in the roadway, and that Blake had disappeared in the cavity, which was about 6ft wide and 15ft deep. Blake, who was seriously injured about the legs, was pulled out of the hole, and taken to the police station close by. Dr G. Fletcher, the police divisional snrgeon, attended to his injuries, and then allowed him to be taken home. The police informed the local authorities of the subsidence, and in a short time Mr Blair, the surveyor and engineer of the St Pancras Vestry, and other officials were upon the scene. An examination led to the discovery that the upper portion of a subterranean passage had collapsed, and, the course of this passage being traced, another was discovered. The main tunnel, which is of considerable circumference, leads on the left to the Flask Tavern, in South Grove, close to St. Michael’s Church, and on the right it is supposed to lead to the open fields near Ken Wood, the seat of the Earl of Mansfield. The Flask Tavern, a very old house, is popularly supposed to have been one of the haunts of Dick Turbin, the notorious highwayman. The house has numerous and extensive cellars, with trap-doors leading from the rooms above, and close by is the stable which is said to have sheltered Black Bess. It is supposed that these subterranean passages were constructed in order to give a ready means of escape from the house in times of danger. We are showing a very large assortment of washing dress materials at very special prices, while cycling apd iug kid gloves, sup bonnets, and a variety of other lines specially suitable for the hot weather which we may now expect. We are specially stocked with Navy and Black Serges and Black plain and fancy lustres for skirts, all of which were laid in before the present stiff advance qn woollen goods. |-’or a description of the various Biases in Frister and Rossman’s sewing machines see another column, These goods are giving satisfaction, —D. G. McKibmn, & Co), London Hou.sk. —Adv(,.

In response to the very liberal support given to us this season by our numerous customers, we shall return in cash a bonus of two shillings in the pound to all cash customers.—C. Sandfoiu) & Co., The Boa Marche.— Advx.

The Borough Council will not meet until next Thursday. Just opened at the Bon Marche a line of up-to-date Summer Capes, bought at a discount of 50 per cent., and will be sold cheap. These are really nice goods, and worthy of inspection. Our millinery is the most tasteful in the district. A fresh delivery of Black Leghorn Hats, trimmed and untrimmed, just to hand, and selling freely. For Boys’ Wear-resisting garments see our noted Saddle Tweed Suita at 7s 6d. Splendid line of Men’s real Mosgiel Tweed Trousers at 8s 6d. Men’s Suits in great variety, and prices to suit all pockets. Visit of inspection , and comparison respectfully invited.—C, Sanjhtord & Co., The Bon Marche, “Empire and freedom !’’ So said one of the greatest of Komana, when asked what were his politics. Britons, let the motto be your watchword throughout the ages. But no less notable was the saying of one of the greatest of New Zealand public men when asked what he took for a cough or cold, “Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure,’’ He exclaimed. He was as right as the old lioman statesman. Give it a trial ; it is sold everywhere and never fails. 20

A great victory and a crushing defeat of all past seasons’ purchases for our Is table. Come early and get your pick, and don’t forget the bonus. —Monteith Bros. —Advt.

A prosperous New Year to you all and do not forget that you can get the best value in drapery and clothing, at The Economic, also a cash discount of Is in the £ on all cash purchases.—A. Rosenberg & Co.—Advt.

In a recent letter from Washington, D.C., to an old friend, Major G. A. Stride?, for twenty years United States Consul at Singapore, says: “While at Des Moines I became acquainted with a liniment known as Chamberlain’s Pain Balm, which 1 found excellent against rheumatism as well as against soreness of the throat and chest (giving me much easier breathing). I bad a touch of pneumonia early this week, and two applications freely applied to the throat and chest releived me at once. I would not be without it for anything.” For sale by T. A. W. Nicholson Chemist (by exam.).