LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1917, Page 4

LIEUT. T. E. Y. SEDDON’S EXPERIENCES.

At St Andrews and the Link?. IV. It was no distance from Perth to Dnpp in Castle, the home of Sir John Dewar. Sir John, who is a memb3r in the British House of Commons for Invernesshire, was keenly interested in Impelial Federation, and wa had several talks on the subject. It was very pleaßant indesd to find on all Bides a desire to know tbe Dominions better and to understand our country, our ambitions, and our desire for closer relationship. Up to tbe preseut the people of Great Britain have not given the question the attention, nor the thought it deserve*, but there are unmistakable signs that at last the laissey faire policy—the 11 wait and geo ” elemeut —is being eliminated, and soon we can look forward to the time when a nation determined to know itself bettsr, to understand the problems which confront its several members, will confer and face the question. That at first there will ba difficulties in framing tbe constitution of the council in whioh body will be vested tbo powers of deoiding national questions, there can be no doubt, but as difficulties in the past have been surmounted we may confidently look forward to the time when the problem of empire shall be solved, and the aims and aspirations of the young natiecß that compose the Great British nation will have sympathetic attention, and understanding, and be given offset to. Tho question of afforestation at Dupplin Castle interested me immensely. Oak trees have been cut down lately for purposes connected with the war. This is very common throughout England at the present time, and it was rather incongruous to sse amongst busses and taxis and fashionable motor cars in Oxford Circus or Piccadilly and elsewhere, waggons carrying logs of timber which remember one of trolleys carrying timber in our New Zealand towns. Sir John Dewar has gone in for planting spruce and larch and many different sorts of pines, also Douglas Fir (the Oregon Pine ) He told me which mature quickly, so I shall have more varieties to add to our botanical gardens at the Hokitika racecourse. .... On Saturday a shooting party was arranged and Captain Dansey got an assorted bag of hare and grouse, pleaaants and caper caighleys and blackcock. Captain Mason, a nephew of Mr Cathcath Mason —ex-M.P. for one of our Canterbury seats —and now M.P. for Orkneys—was one of the party. Hs is a brother-in law of Sir John Dewar. Instead of joining the shooting party ltook the opportunity of visiting the famous town of St Andrews where, with a most enthusiastic old caddie —whose language was Scotch and difficult to understand—l examined the links where the “royal ancient” game was first made popular. It was a fearfully Btormy day and the wind came in great guata from the 883, bringing drenching showers at times, but still the enthusiasm of a few ardent golfers oould not ba drowned, and they played on despite wind and weather, I was longing for jußt a swiDg or two, but it would have been too risky with my knee. However I saw the Golf Hoaa, the wonderful bankers “Hill,” “Three Sisters,” “The Professor's Nose”'—the nerve trying hole, 17, where champion-ship-after championship has been lost and imputations and tempers ruined. I saw the famous “garden,” which is but a back yard and I saw the biggest green in the world. As I sauntered over the windswept plain with my Scotch friend talking volubly, my mind wandered back to Beenes on oar own little course at Mahinapua, where the breezaa blow from the sea just as the? did at Si Andrew’s, and where the goisa and tussock grow just as the heather growe at St Andrews. I shall have lots fcc tell the Mahiuapua players when J get back. The town of St Andrew’s was a most interesting plaoe, for apart from its “ Royal and ancient ” golf club, with its history of tho great game, its teeming reminiscences of Tom Morris, Kirkcaldie, and others, it has a University whioh was worth visiting. Just outside the college gates, in the

cobbled footpath is a design of a heart, to mark the spot where Patrick Henderson was burned at the Btake. In the College Chapel, I saw the pulpit from whence John Knox preached his flrsfc sermon. There was the wire attached to the pulpit still, tbe wire that supported the dish at which folk were baptised. Only half the hour glass was left the other half being “ stolen ” by an American souvenir seeker. In the Chanel the janitor showed me the vault of a bishop, a vault which cost some sixteen thousand pounds to construct. There were designed and carried out with wonderfnl skill, tbe conception the bishop had of the stages in Purgatory, and the steps reaching to Heaven. It was imperfect, but originally it must have been a wonderful work of art. The Janitor took me through the class rooms, the examination rooms, and the big reception hall, where hung portraits of the Councillors. Nearly all the new students were away at the war and tbe gymnasium aad portion of tbe College were nsad by troops. I was amused when the Janitor, (whose name was Jnever) asked roe if

I krew his brother in New Zealand ? I replied that I was sorry I didu’fc. The Janitor, whose cense of humor must have been sadly missing, said, “1 thought you might know him. Ho is in the Salvation Army in Christchurch.” The ignorance of some of these people about New Zealand ia surprising. I spent an interesting time in the College Museum, and altogeilior had an enjoyable rime at St Andrews. At Dupplin Cactle (mention of which is made in “ The Fair Maid, of Perth”) there is also a model dairy farm where the Holstein haa been used with great success. Oa Sunday we were treated to an experience of the true Scotch observance of the Sabbath. It was a veritable day of rest. I never thought the day could ba so quietly and reverently observed, Nobody seemed to do anything. The only stir we knew was when tbe family went quietly off to Kirk. Wo left in the evening after spending one of the most interesting visits of my life. Perth was very, very quiet. It surprised me chat trains ran on the Sabbath. At night we air.ved at Edinburgh. Lord Dawar, brother of Sir John, a L.iw Lord, had kindly asked us to supper. He was rather like Judge .Dsnniston in appearance, and pliod us with questions ahon? New Zealand, its people, the legal practiouers etc. He has aged a lot, we were told since his only son was killed in France. As President of the Committee which entertains Oversea troops, he waa brought in close eontaci with New Zealanders, for whose good conduct and demeanour be had a warm word of praise. The Committee in Edinburgh puts up the visiting soldia: sat a big three storied house, gives them breakfast and bed for 2/6, and charges 9J a meal. The Committee make arrangements for the men to meet people and to see she sights. ,No wonder our men like Edinbutgh and the good folk there. (To be continued)