GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XX, 15 November 1902, Page 1233

GENERAL CABLES.

CHAMBERLAIN’S VISIT. Reserving opinion on Mr. Chamberlain’s action on matters apart from the tour, the Birmingham Liberal Association has resolved to participate in a torchlight- procession and in the non-party banquet to farewell the accredited representative of the nation on his visit to South Africa. A circular issued by the association explains that its action is based on the unanimous feeling that the journey is wisely conceived and that every Liberal is anxious for the fusion of parties in South Africa and in the interests of the race and to do the utmost to make Mr. Chamberlain’s mission a success, which is

more likely if it is clearly understood that he represents all classes and parties desiring that South Africa should settle peacefully into a self-governing and law-abiding community. d

The British cruiser Good Hope (which conveys Mr Chamberlain to South Africa) sails on the 25th inst. Mr Chamberlain hopes that the chief characteristic of his tour will lie frank and confidential discussion with representative men of all classes, races and polities. Tie desires to avoid public functions: his tour is for business, not for show. He will spend a week or ten days in Natal, and then go to the Transvaal. Shortly afte” his return to the colony Mr Seddon received through the Deputy-Governor, an invitation he made personally on the eve of his departure from England, to Mr Chamberlain to visit the colonies, and yesterday he received the following re-ply:—-“I am very grateful to New Zealand for the invitation conveyed in your telegram of the Ist November. and much regret the limited time at my disposal renders it impossible for me to accept,.

The banquet to Mr. Chamberlain at Birmingham has been arranged for the 17th inst. Lord Tennyson, the Aeting-Gover-nor-General, has received a cable from Mr Chamberlain regretting that time will not allow of the extension of his present tour to Australia. Disappointment is expressed at Capetown because the warship Good Hope, which takes Mi- Chamberlain to South Africa, is to call at Durban first.

THE PACIFIC CABLE. The Federal Postmaster (Mr. Drake) presided at the official opening of the Pacific cable at Southport, and sent messages to Sir Wilfrid Laurier and President Roosevelt. The Mayor cabled to the Lord Mayor of London and the Mayor of New York. Mrs. Drake cabled to Lady Hopetoun, Lady Lamington, Mrs. Philp, and Mrs. Seddon. Telegrams were also despatched to other notabilities. Sir Sandford Fleming sent to Lord

Minto, of Canada, two cablegrams girdling the globe. One, going easterly, occupied 625 minutes; the other, going westerly, took 810 minutes. The New York “Tribune” congratulates Great Britain on the magnificent achievement in the completion of the eable, which is an iuceutive to America.

The first cable across the Pacific line was from the steamer Anglia to the King. Sir Joseph Ward states that the Pacific cable will be open for traffic in a few weeks. The staffing of the different stations will contribute to a slight delay. The cable has been put down by the contractors a month ahead of contract time. The rates to Canada and the United States, plus terminal charges, will probably be as follows:—Commercial messages, 2/ a word; Government, 1/4; nress, Bd. Lord Tennyson, the Acting-Gover-nor-General, has received a cable from the King, in which His Majesty snys he rejoices to think that the people of this country and those beyond the seas were strengthened by another bond. The original message to the King reached him via the western route in one hour five minutes, while a message by the Last took an hour and twentysix minutes. The Eastern Extension Company explains that it took an hour and twelve minutes to get the message from Suva to Adelaide, and that it took only fourteen minutes between Adelaide and London.

The Pacific Cable Board will charge 3/ a word for ordinary messages, 2/ for Government messages, and 1/ for press to both Australia and New Zealand. The Eastern Extension Company is likely to lower the New Zealand rates. The Postmaster-General has received no official intimation regarding the Pacific cable rates. The Federal Government has no desire to charge less than the Eastern Extention Company, and therefore inaugurate a cut-throat competition. The following cable message has been received by the I’remier from Sir John See, Premier of New South Wales, acknowledging congratulations on the completion of the Pacific cable:—“Join with you that the best interests of the C mmonwealth, the colonies, and the Mother Country have been greatly augmented by the all-red line, which will promote strong kinship throughout the Empire.”

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. The minute by Sir John Forrest (Federal Defence Minister) on the Imperial Conference has been published. He thinks we must accept Admiral Beaumont’s opinion that it is beyond the power of the Commonwealth at the outset to create a force adequate to the naval defence of Australia. To provide even the small squadron proposed by Admiral Beaumont would cost £3,600,000 as follows: —Two firstelass cruisers, £ 1,000,000; six secondclass cruisers, £2,500,000; depots, stores and naval needs, £lOO,OOO. Under existing conditions he does not recommend the establishment of an Australian navy. He fears it would not be very efficient, for besides the enormous cost of replacing the fleet from time to time with more modern ships, there would be no change of officers, and crews, who would go on year after year in the same ships subject to the same influence and with deteriorating effect. He advises that Australia should not get the idea that it has different interests from those of the rest of the Empire. There is only one sea to be supreme over, and we want one fleet to be mistress over that se i. Sir John Forrest speaks <>f the desirability of having one fl et maintained by the whole nati n, every port contributing to its support, an a plan to be mutually arranged, not necessarily on a uniform basis of construction. Arising out of this would be the consequent necessity for the over-sea dominions of the Empire to be adequately represented at the Admiralty. He feels this could be arranged on a mutually satisfactory basis. In time of war there could not be any division of responsibility, and until a more extended federation of the Empire is established that responsibility would have to rest on the Imperial Government.

He urges that greater facilities should be granted for locally-trained boys entering the navy, and also making it easier for officers to enter the navy. He suggests a conference in London of representatives of the colonies to discuss the strengthening of the naval defence of the Empire. Sir E. Barton has communicated to the press the full text of the resolutions at the Imperial Conference. BRITISH SHIPBUILDING. The contracts for the construction of four steamers have been welcomed on Teeside, where 4000 shipbuilders are idle. A number of the Morgan combine cargo steamers are being transformed into passenger vessels at Belfast. The Atlantic Transport Company have ordered three steamers of 12,000 tons from Harland and Wolff’s. The Admiralty has notified shipbuilders that it will in future enforce penalties for late delivery of thirdclass cruisers. Mr. Arnold-Forster, Secretary to the Admiralty, has stated that as far as naval requirements are concerned the. Admiralty must approve of the designs of new Cunard ships. The Admiralty tenders cabled on October 21 are for a 13,000-ton firstclass cruiser, with a speed of 22 knots, the guns to be within a citadel instead of casements. There are to be several 9.5 guns. The cruiser squadron is gradually being strengthened, and will include the Drake, King Alfred and Good Hope, two of the Brilliant class and three of the County type. AMERICAN ELECTIONS. The American elections are being conducted quietly. Congress at the beginning of March will consist of 359 members. Governor Oden has been re-elected for New York.

One hundred and ninety-six Republicans and 176 Democrats have been elected. The Republicans carried Massachusetts, Connecticut,, Michigan. Pennsylvania, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Illinois; and the Democrats Allabama, Florida, South and North Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The Republicans carried Ohio, Indiana, lowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, Montara, and the majority of the New Jersey and Maryland seats. The Democrats carried Virginia, Georgia, Louisania, Missouri, Texas and Colorado. New York City gave the heaviest Democratic vote on record owing to the revival of the Tammany party.

THE KAISER’S VISIT TOENGLAND. The Kaiser has arrived at Kiel, en route to England. The Kaiser has sailed from Kiel by the Hohenzollern for England. A number of British torpedo destroyers escorted the German Emperor on board his yacht, the Hohenzollern, to Sheerness, the battleships in harbour firing a salute. At ten in the forenoon the Kaiser was entertained at Shorncliffe, where Lord Roberts received him. The Kaiser was wearing the uniform of the First Royal Dragoons, of which he is honorary colonel, and riding the white charger which he used at Queen Victoria’s funeral. He reviewed the troops in pelting rain and a gale of wind. Addressing the Dragoons, he made sympathetic reference to the late Queen, and called for cheers for the King. After lunching with the officers of the regiment, the Kaiser proceeded to Sandringham. via London. The public were excluded from the stations en route. The King met the Kaiser at Wolferton, shaking hands and saluthig the Kaiser’s cheek. Extraordinary precautions were taken at all the irnction stations, which were cleared half-an-hour before the train passed, and were closely watched by detectives. The English newspapers are friendly towards the Kaiser, but are reserved towards Germany. The “Times’ snys it is impossible to forget Germany’s eamraign of animosity and seurri'itv which the Government did not nttemnt to check. It is imperative that Britain should

pursue a vigilant national policy, keeping a wary eye on Germany, who unflinchingly pressed advantages in regions where British interests predominated.

SOMALILAND. Commandant Viljoen has enquired of Lord Roberts whether the Boers might offer their services for the Somaliland expedition, adding that if acceptable he might also proffer his services. Colonel Swayne has arrived at Aden and is temporarily advising the Foreign Office on the condition of Somaliland. Colonel Manning has arrived at Berbera and has assumed the supreme command. The advance has been deferred awaiting the African protectorate troops. The force available on the 27th inst. will be 3000. A larger force is discountenanced. Details of artillery and special service officers from Berbera are advancing immediately from the base between Berbera and Illig. Colonel Manning dispenses with Indians as far as possible, except for holding the line of communication, owing to the difficulties of transport and climate and the necessary camp followers. Preference will be given to the protectorate regiments. The general advance will be begun about the middle of December, when Colonel Swayne will have returned to his post. The season is now favourable for an advance. The Mullah, it is expected, will no doubt utilise his opportunities to carry on a boastful propaganda.

Uneasiness is felt at Aden at an unconfirmed report that he has raided an advanced outpost near Cahotleh, capturing an important camel transport.

Colonel Royston, of Durban, offers the services of 500 Natalians for Somaliland on the same terms as the irregulars in the Boer war. The War Office has cabled to Lord Milner regretting its inability to accept a Boer contingent for the Somaliland expedition. Colonel Swayne is ill and has sailed from Aden for England. The Mullah, with 2000 riflemen, a Maxim and 15,000 spearsmen, with reserve supplies of camels and sheep, is a few miles from Bohotleh, in Somaliland. The British garrison, numbering 500, with two guns and two Maxims, is entrenched in a stone fort.

Colonel Manning disbands the trek Somali levies, retaining a few picked mounteds. He recommends that three months’ independent reserve supplies are necessary; also that wells and goods depots should be established, and that transport reserves are required to protect the lines of communication.

Somali spies report that a large caravan of rifles, under a European, arr traversing the Welbe country to join the Mullah. The decision not to employ Boers in the Somaliland expedition has caused great disappointment in Johannesburg. THE HOME RULE BRIGADE. Mr William Redmond, M.P. for Clare, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Kilmainham Gaol for intimidation. The Irish Independent Nationalists declare that the policy of obstruction has failed to redress a single wrong, while abstention from the Education Bill debate has inflicted an immense injury on Catholic interests, enabling the secularists to wring concessions from Mr Balfour. Mr Denis Kilbride. ex-M.P., has been sentenced to imprisonment for four months at Mountjoy for intimidation in Tipperary. CHINA. As the result of the British Ambassador’s demand, an edict has been issued ordering the beheading of the military officials who refused protection to Messrs. Bruce and Lewis (the missionaries who were murdered by a mob), the permanent disqualification of other officials, including a prefect, and the banishment of a number of subordinates. The “Times’ ” correspondent in Pekin (Dr. Morrison) states that promotion of a fourth-grade official to the rank of mandarin of the first

grade has been gazetted. The advancement ia due to official smuggling, in defiance of the protocol, of Mausers, rifles and cartridges into Kwangs!, and placing them at the disposal of the Governor, against the rebels. China thus repudiates the prohibition on the importation of arms, and the material used in their manufacture. The majority of the arsenals are manufacturing at high' pressure. The “Mornig Post” says that owing to Great Britain’s objection to the limitation of China’s sovereignty Germany has abandoned her demands, and China will not accord special economic or political privileges in the Yang-tse Valley to any foreign Power. LORD ROSEBERRY. Lord Rosebery, addressing a gathering of 3500 people at Edinburgh under the auspices of the East Scotland Liberal League, referring to the idea of a conference of Liberal leaders to consider a common plan of campaign against the Government, warned the party of the necessity of showing some sense of their Imperial responsibilities. He acknowledged that generous terms had been granted to the Boers,. and added that as Great Britain must govern the Boers, he would not be scrupulous about the cost, if, as a matter of high policy, more money were granted for the restoration of farms and dwellings damaged by, the ravages of war. Mr Chamberlain’s visit to South Africa, he said, was an exemplification of the Liberal League’s doctrine, bat he doubted whether, as there was a man of strong will and ability already in South Africa, the advent of another similarly constituted would conduce to harmony. The speaker reiterated his previous views as to the Liberals and Ireland, and ridiculed the resumption of the Newcastle programme.

He complained of the War Office, and said that in the absence of determined efforts at efficiency he would have retained Lord Kitchener for the Secretaryship of War. He condemned the Education Bill, and suggested a compromise on the basis of the Scottish system. The “Times,” in commenting on the speech, complains that it is small, cavilling, and specious. The “Daily News” says Lord Rosebery is coming into line with the rest cf the Liberal party. THE DOUKHOBORS. Mounted police follow the Doukhobors. Many of the fanatics have dropped exhausted, and asked to be carried in litters with their co-reli-giomsts, fearing to miss Christ’s second coming. The Manitoba officials are entraining the Doukhobor women and children and sending them back to their villages. The Doukhobors, during a snowstorm at Foxwarren, slept in a grove of alder bushes. Their sufferings were terrible, their only covering being cotton clothes. Many contracted pneumonia. Their food consisted of wild berries and raw wheat. They fought for food given by the wayside, and continued their marrh to Winnipeg, refusing to listen to arguments and advice. SERIOUS POISONING. A serious wholesale poisoning affair which has occurred has caused much sensation in Melbourne. The sufferers were the children who took part in a United Primitive Methodist Sunday school picnic. A party of about 500 children from the Sunday schools left Williamstown for a picnic spot on the Werriba River.

Just after luncheon many of the children began to drop down sick, rapidly manifesting symptoms of ptomaine poisoning, till over one hundred sufferers were ‘ lying on the ground in great pain. Medical help was sent for and the farmers in the neighbourhood gave valuable assistance and provided conveyances to take the children to the railway station. On the arrival of the doctor the free use of the stomach pump relieved the worst cases. A special train conveyed the patients to the Williamstown Hospital. There were twenty-five in great danger for a time, but all have nq* recovered.

The eau«e is somewhat obscure, but the sickness is believed to be due to ham sandwiches, which were packed in air-tight boxes, being left exposed to the strong rays of the sun. A number of adults were slightly affected. Great excitement prevailed at the hospital, where a crowd of parents and relatives of the sufferers besieged the gates for news of the sufferers. SOUTH AFRICA. The Government notifies that the grant of three millions under the Vereeniging terms is not applicable to burghers in good financial position. The notification corrects the current impression that any burgher Buffering from war losses is entitled to a share in the grant. Another notice claims interest due on the late Government advances to burghers. Seventy irreconcilable Boers have sailed from Capetown for the Argentine, where they are to receive a thousand acres each free, and five thousand acres additional at 8d an acre payable in five years. Many more are afraid to sail, being sceptical as to the promises made. A new ordinance in the Transvaal provides for the application of local option by a majority or excluisve control of the liquor traffic by trusts for public purposes. The employment of barmaids is prohibited.

The Government has submitted a vote of three million pounds for free grants for burghers and two millions for loyalists in the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony, and three millions for supplementing the leans to burghers and loyalists. In the Assembly Sir Gordon Sprigg, in Committee of Supply, moved the reorganisation of the forces' by the appointment of a commandant-gen-eral and staff, and the selection of a new corps from the district mounted forces, involving an extra outlay of £130,000 per annum. Mr. Sauer protested against the mania for arming everybody. Mr. Malan’s amendment to reduce the vote by £ 14,000 was carried by 34 to 29. This was Sir Gordon Sprigg’s fourth defeat.

Mr. Schermbrucker moved to report progress to allow Sir Gordon Sprigg to reconsider the position; but Sir Gordon Sprigg resisted this, and with the help of the Bond negatived the motion by 40 to 19. The projected vote of three millions for loans is intended to enable the colonies to make loans in accordance with the Vereeniging agreement. They will repay Britain out of future colonial loans. Mr C. T. Ritchie, Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the House of Commons to proceed into Committee of Supply, intimated that the Government originally understood that the free grant would emannate from a colonial loan, but would yield to the Boer interpretation in order to prevent a grievance. The present moment was unfavourable for a loan. It was anticipated that a favourable opportunity would occur in the spring. The Supreme Court of Pretoria, in an action for recovery of rent, decided that Kruger’s proclamation of October 25, 1899, abrogating payment of rent and interest during the continuance of hostilities was invalid.

The invalidation of Kruger’s rent proclamation has created the greatest consternation in Johannesburg, owing to fears of a general foreclosure. An appeal has been made to the banks to avert their threatened ruin.

Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, Governor of Cape Colony, on Saturday cabled to Mr Chamberlain that he had received his Ministers’ confidential minute as follows: —“Ministers are informed incidentally that - Mr Chamberlain intends to visit South Africa, and beg to convey to Mr Chamberlain the entire satisfaction wherewith they have received the intelligence. They desire to receive him as the guest of the colony, together with any others accompanying him, among whom they hope Mrs Chamberlain will be included, and trust he will be able to spend at least a fortnight and visit the eastern and northe* districts, where he will receive a most hearty welcome. The people will be disappointed if they are debarred an opportunity of personally expressing their apprecia-

tion of his invaluable services to the colony and South Africa during the prolonged period of unexampled difficulty." Mr Chamberlain replied on Monday that he had received the cordial message with threat pleasure, and would gladly accept the invitation, adding that his wife much appreciated the kind reference to her. He hoped the details of his visit would be arranged Botha, De la Rey and Schalk Burger were keen listeners to the debate in the House of Commons on the motion for granting financial aid to the new colonies.

Eight millions were voted without a division.

Mr Chamberlain, in a conciliatory but strenuous speech, declared that he was predetermined to listen while in South Africa to any representative men or body. He repelled the notion that the vanquished must be treated better than the victors, or put in a better position than before. The three millions was not intended as compensation for war losses. Our care was firstly to the destitute, and secondly to those needing assistance to make a living. If more money was wanted the Government would not hesitate to ask for it, but not a penny would go to rebels. His aim was to aveld the kindred peoples into a great African nation under the British flag. Replying to Sir H. Campbell-Ban-nerman Mr Chamberlain added that if a distinction was necessary those assisting us in the war must certainly be afforded more favourable treatment than those opposing us. Mr Chamberlain’s speech created an excellent impression on the Continent.

The grant to the sufferers through the war is acknowledged to be a noble example of generosity, some newspapers describing it as unprecedented in the relations of victor and vanquished. Sir W. Harcourt made a pessimistic speech. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman recognised that Mr Chamberlain was going in the right spirit and hoped his expectations would be fulfilled. Natal and Cape Colony have placed cement and manufactured timber In transit xto the Transvaal on the free list.

The Assembly has resolved that the colony’s representative at the Customs Congress should ’ ask for free exchange of all Souith African products, giving preferential treatment to colonial wines and spirits. Mr Chamberlain states that 70,000 out of 123,000 people in the concentration camps have been repatriated. The camps are still costing £200,000 a month. All excepting 3000 Boer prisoners will be repatriated before Christmas. Lord Milner, who has arrived at Johannesburg after visiting Standerton and other south-eastern pastoral districts, declares that the Boers have lost everything except their land. Happily, however, the value of land has risen considerably. The' prospects of the agricultural and mineral industries, especially coal and iron, are bright. The Government are starting form schools to which boardinghouses will be attached. Large quantities of Krupp, pompom and Mauser ammunition have been dug up in the vicinity of Harrismith. Mr Malan withdrawing his opposition, the military vote passed the Assembly unamended. The “Standard’s” Brussels correspondent says the Boer generals will try to obtain an allowance for Kruger, a whole or partial amnesty for the Cape rebels, especially those at Bermuda, and permission for the delegates, Fischer, Wessels and Wolmarans to return to South Africa. Prior to Mr Malan withdrawing his amendment to the Military Vote in the Cape Parliament, Sir Gordon Sprig’S appealed to the Afrikander Bond to trust him. Mr Sauer explained that he had previously thought it was his intention to arm one section against the other. Sir Gordon Sprigg, after the vote, thanked the Bond for its generosity. Large South African for electrical machinery, horse ploughs,

and finished doors and windows are being placed in America. The Johannesburg Chamber at Mines has increased the wages of native labour to 50/ a month.

Lord Milner has urgently asked for several thousand harrows for the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. The Crown agents ordered 2000 in Canada for immediate delivery and invited fresh tenders for the remainder in England, where they are not stocked.

Horse sickness being prevalent In many parts of the Transvaal and Orange Colony, Lord Milner is purchasing all the donkeys available, and has imported 10.000 small, hardy, Madagascar cattle, which are better able to resist the disease. He is also lending hundreds of steam ploughs, charging 5/ per acre. AUSTRLAIA. Madame Melba will make three appearances in grand opera. Twelve persons at Randwick, Sydney, are suffering from ptomaine poisoning through eating brawn. Owing to the continued drought the Rourke water supply has been shut down for 15 out of the 24 hours. A shipment of 75,000 bags of maize has arrived from Argentina at Sydney. Mr. W. H. Cooper, of Melbourne, has won the Single-handed Bowling Championship of Australia. Lord Tennyson, the Acting-Govern-or-General, who is suffering from appendicitis, is making steady progress towards recovery. At the sheep and cattle sales heavy catalogues caused a restriction in prices. No New Zealand stock were offering. The mail steamer Sierra, which has arrived at Sydney from Auckland, has been detained, owing to the reports of plague from San Francisco. Sir Richard Baker, President of the Senate, has been appointed one of the Federal representatives at the Delhi Durbar. New South Walee returns show that the area under crop for wheat has fallen 143,000 acres below last year, while the area under crop for grain Is 915,000 acres less.

Madame Melba received advice that a donation of £l5OO would be sent from New York towards the sufferers by the drought, but has now cabled cancelling it.

Counsel for the defence of the Keniffs (who are standing their trial for the murder of Mr. Dalke and Constable Doyle) said he would bring evidence to prove an alibi. One witness, when cross-examined, admitted that he would tell a lie if paid for it.

A tram guard named Russell shot his wife dead.at Erskineville, Sydney. The deed was caused through domestic unhappinest over the wife’s passionate love of dancing. Russell fired three shots into his body, and died subsequently.

Madame Melba writes to the press to say that she had no idea that her action in seeking contributions for the drought sufferers would be regarded as a reflection on the credit of the Commonwealth or the ability and generosity of Australians in relieving distress. She has now informed her friends that the local response has rendered outside assistance unnecessary.

A cyclone at Canoivindra wrecked many houses, and the Presbyterian and Catholic Churches. Numbers of people are homeless. Roofing and debris were carried for miles. Peak Hill and other townships in the district suffered severely. Houses were blown down and unroofed. The storm was succeeded by dense darkness, caused by the dust-clouds. At Sydney on Saturday a report received from the Government commercial agent in London states that a clause is being inserted in the new army contracts that frozen mutton and rations must be supplied from the British

colonies. The clause was to com* into operation on November 1, but owing to the drought in Australia and the consequent high prices, it la doubtful whether it will be given effect to at present.

Regarding Mr. Brodrick*s criticism on Australian troops. Sir E. Bartos denies that disparagement was implied. He was urging the propriety of forming a trained reserve in the colonies to act with other troops of the Empire in the event of war. While speaking of the colonials with great admiration Mr. Brodrick pointed out that the training of European troops was so long and thorough that similar training was required for colonials if they were needed to participate in a European war.

The Kenniff brothers (James and Patrick) have been found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder, on March 31, at Maranoa, of Mr Dalke (a station manager) and Constable Doyle.

The Keniffs both solemnly declared that they were innocent. James Kenniff, addressing the Chief Justice, said: “You never gave us one atom of justice. I have no other wit nesses to call, except Almighty God, to show I am innocent. I hope when Your Honor shuffles off this mortal coil, you will find I am innocent.”

In sentencing the Kenniffs the Chief Justice declared that he fully agreed with the verdict.

(The crimes for which the Kennlfs are to be hanged created a great sensation in Queensland a few months ago. The had for a long time given the authorities much trouble, and In March they visited the Merivale station, Maranoa, and stole several horses, and subsey stuck U P » teamster and robbed , 011 Suaday, March 81, they killed Mr Dalke (manager of the Meteor Downs run), and Constable Doyle. The police were hunting the three brothers Kennif, and Mr Dalke and Doyle, who were accompanied by a black tracker, ea J ne “P wlth and captured James Kennif. The other two Kennlfs came to the rescue of their brother with revolvers in their hands, and several shots were fired. The black tracker (Johnson’ ran away, and told what had occurred. When the police came to the scene of ©hooting, all the men had disappears ed. Then the chase after the bushrangers but it was a long time before they were captured. Some days after ’the chase commenced the missing constable s horse was found by a party of police wandering in the ranges, about ten miles from the scene of the encounter. It was making for the police station at Upper Warrego, and had probably ben turned adrift, or had escaped some days ago. Two pack bags were strapped across the saddle, aad on opening them the police found they contained charred human remains. They were filled with charcoal, charred bones, buttons and teeth. It is supposed that the Kennlfs murdered their victims and roasted their bodies on the spot, afterwards placing the burnt remains In bags, in the hope of finding a place to dispose of them where they would not be likely to be found. It is surmised that the bushrangers Intended taking the horse away, but that it became frightened und made off towards its stable with its terrible burden. It was believed that the Kennlfs had a “down" on Mr Dalke, because he had prosecuted them on a previous occasion, and because, moreover* he was again helping the police to arre-w them fo*. horse stealing.!