Natal Native Trouble.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3867, 30 April 1906, Page 3

Natal Native Trouble.

THE TEANSVAAL CONTINGENT. 2000 TROOPS ENGAGED. PIETEESIAKITZmJKG, April 20. Hoc. T. Watt, Minister for Defence, in a speech at Maritzbnrg, said there had been too great a tendency to look to the professional soldier for defence, which should rest in local hands. The Transvaal’s contingent in the present crisis was a welcome surprise, promising a definite' understanding between the goulh African Governments in the matter of defence.

Colonel McKenzie’s force operating against Bambaata numbers 2000 men. Sir Wools Sampson is Colonel McKenzie’s chief of staff. Captain Barker commands the Transvaal contingent. The Government grants civil servants who are on service with the volunteers a month’s leave on full pay to enable them to join their regiments. SPEECH BY LOUD ELGIN. ■WINSTON CHURCHILL’S NAME HISSED. London, April 2G. At the dinner at the Colonial Institute yesterday, after stating (as cabled previously) that the British Government must aim at securing the support of “ the man on the spot,” Lord Elgin, the Colonial Secretary, went on to say that he. too, had been a ‘‘man on the spot.” (Lord Elgin was Viceroy of India 1894 to 1899). Ho proceeded to warmly eulogise Lord Selbonic’s loyal co-operation, although it was net likely that he sympathis'd who all his instructions. Ho added : ‘‘Mr Smylhe, the Natal Premier, i; a near kinsman of mine, and the playmate of my boyhood. I mentim this fact to show how repugnant to my whole feelings would be the suggestion that I intended to throw obstacles in his path.” Lord Elgin expressed his entire sympathy with Natal, and the cordial wish that there would be a successful and honourable exit from its difficulties. He praised the Transvaal offer of help, and hoped the opinion of the colonies and of England would support him and his colleague in the discharge of their responsible duties. The mention of Mr Winstm Churchill’s name evoked hisses and ironical exclamations, whereupon Lord Elgin remarked that the inter rupters might do him the courtesy of showing respect to his colleague. The Times, commenting on the gathering, says:—Lord Elgin mad" an eminently statesmanlike speech. Regarding the interruption, the same journal says : —Mr Winston Church ill’s indefatigable energy and iedustry are unquestioned, but his utterances frequently savour of a desire to gain the facile applause of politicians at Home for mere parly purposes, raeher than securing the confidence of those bearing the heat and burden in distant lands.

Tenders fire invited for the orccti 'n of tho AVood vi 111-J1 i oin ■■ u<j 11 gasworks. Plans and and sp‘eifications m<y be scon at l,in Hoi’ough Ofllcc, 'Woodvillo. Mr A. It. Mayo, of the Ann Nurseries, near Feilding, is arranging for an agency in Woodvillo, and was hero with I hat object on Saturday. In conversation with a representative of this journal, Mr Mayo mentioned that a year ."£0 ho purchased 21b3 of the Eldorado bli"lit-pn-of so. d potatoes. Me pent one potato to his father and planted ten biuts'df. From those (on he duy 4HBlbs. Tho potatoes tiro absolutely free f:oiu blight, and are splendid specimens.