Wanamatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1891. Africa.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 28 April 1891, Page 2

Wanamatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1891. Africa.

Twenty years is but a short time, yet, the fact of a trader, in 1870, using his eyes, has caused an amount of interest in the " Dark Continent " unknown before. The Cape of Good Hope, a point all mariners" were anxious to pass in their voyages to and from the East Indies, has long been known. The Dutch East India Company took possession of it in 1652 and until 1795 it remained in their possession. It was then captured by the English but restored to the Dutch in 1808. The English again took it, and by the peace of 1814 retained it. The Colony has since prospered. In 1870 a trader noticed in the hands of a serving-lad a pretty white stone, which he obtained, and it proved to be a diamond valued at £500. The point where this discovery took place between the Vaal and Orange rivers, in Griqua Land, is not far from the celebrated Kimberley mines. A few years afterwards the find of the diamond known as the " Star of Alrica " which is valued at £25,000, created an intense excitement, and brought a rush of prospectors. We all know of the finds that have since taken place, and how excessive competition had reduced the pride of these stones. The fortunes of the Kimberley hung in the balance, when a young man, now world wide known, stepped to the rescue. Mr Cecil Bhodes, and with him. Mr Beit, began secretly to acquire the main interest in the three other large mines, and at last amalgamated them in one colossal syndicate. By

these means the industry "was preserved and the two movers became millionaires. Since then Mr Cecil Rhodes has been most prominently associated with commercial undertakings to open up the continent, the most ambitious being the British South Africa Company. The chairman is the Duke of Abercorn, and the object is to extend the railway system of the Cape Colony to Matabeleland which the company has been granted the right to occupy. They have evidently a long journey to go, as the present start from Kimberley will only open up a small portion of Mashonaland at the south, leaving Matabeleland ta be approached frpiiv the Coast by the Zambezi or the Pungwe rivers, through Portuguese territory. In July last Mr Ehodes became Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, and he has thus both personally and politically vast interests in all questions affecting South Africa. The Cape Colony, bounding the southern portion of the new company's property is bound to take a lively interest in its progress, and the Premier is also bound to be as muph interested in securing open communication to the company's land that trends along the whole western boundary of the Portuguese territory, A year ago the partition of the wnole of 'Africa was nearly wholly and peacefully accomplished, except with Portugal, and at that time, the President of the South African Republic, General Jouberfr was in London, as was also Mr Rhodes. The South African Company's property winds round the Republic's territory on the inland boundary, and closes it up to Manicaland, which it will be remembered had been offered to the Portuguese. Our latest cablegrams announce the " backing down " of this irascible little State,. and it is not difficult to imagine that the Cape Colony's protests 1 c the East Coast concessions, and the Boers announced intention to annexe Manicaland, have been only the levers used by diplomatists, to secure the desired end of having their proposals accepted.

Before Mr C. Enderby's departure for New Plymouth, many of his friends met at Cawston's Hotel to an impromptu supper, which had been arranged to take place very hurriedly, as the exact date of his leaving was, not known. It, however, pas ed off very successfully, the toast of " Our Guest " being drunk with musical honours. Many other toasts and speeches were given, some relating to the interest Mr Enderby had taken in all kinds of sport in Foxton, and regret at his leaving. After the toast of " The Ladies " had been duly honored, "Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close a very pleasant evening. A contemporary the other day drew attention to the fact that down the railway line the richnoss of the soil was so great that the apple trees were bearing a second crop ! It may be as well to mention that the soil has nothing to do with such an occurrence, but the peculiarity of the weather. Jajnost orchards around town some, trees h&ve blossomed quite ' recently^, and .where left on, have formed srhail apple?." We should advise their boing removed at once, or the trees will have no apples next season. Tt will be seen from the notice advertised by the Returning Officer, that a very lively interest will be taken in the election of a Licensing Committee for the Awaliou district. Nine candidates have been proposed, and only five are needed. It is said that the struggle means whether a license for a public house shall be granted for Canipbelltown or not. Electors must not forget that nominations for members of the Foxton Licensing Committee must be made by noon of Friday next. A committee from the two County CounCouncils of Manawatu and Horowhenua met at Shannon on Saturday, and we are glad to say that tL ey have admitted the necessity of having a larger punt at the Shannon ferry. The London Bellringers gave their entertainment on Saturday to a packed house. The performance was a very enjoyable one, arid we-shbuld have alluded more fully to it had the company not announced that they left direct for Sydney. We think they may credit themselves with taking the largest amount in this Hall for any one night, as their treasurer informed us he had received £45. Yesterday morning a man named Henry Webb, workitg at Messrs Buckman's mill, appeared before E. 8. Thynne, Esq., J.P., on>jged with having, oft, Jh> 19th of this month, been guilty of riotous and disorderly behaviour, whilst drunk. He pleaded guilty, and the Salvation Army Captain and Mr Stansell having appeared and stated that the accused had apologised to them for his conduct, the Court fined him" 10s and costs 14s, or 48 hours imprisonment '. * In the Times of February 12, Dr Dawson Burns states that the people of the United Kingdom spent one hundred and thirty nine and a half millions sterling, or £3 13s per head, on intoxicating liquors. This is an increase of seven millions over the drink bill of 1889. This vast sum equals onetwelfth? of the estimated income of a'l persons in the United Kingdom ; and it ie eleven times the capital of all the industrial and provident societies. Missionaries state that out of a popu'ation of 112,000, no less than 104,000 persons regularly attend Wesleyan services in Fiji. At the lunoheon given after Mr W. T. L Travers 1 marriage, the Premier mentioned that he hoped it would not be long before Mr Travers was called to the Legislative Council. A nice little wedding present to be suggested, the only drawback being- the doubt of the Premier remaining long enough in power to give effect to his hopes. A very valuable historic relic is now in Saffron Walden, Essex,. in the possession of a member "of the Society of Frieuds. It is the well-authenticated document signed by Charles II and Arlington, his minister, for the release of 492 Friends and other Nonconformists in the year 1(572. Among the eminent names thereon is that of John Bunyan. : A Church of , England bishopric of Mashonaland (Africa) is ; about to be created. The Wesleyan Missionary Society i 3 a^o about to establish a mission in Mashonaknd, and the South African Company will give £100 towards the expenses.

The cow we mentioned last week as running about in a very unsightly condition, has, we are glad to state, been destroyed by its owner. The animal had not long been his property, having, it is stated, i been purchased by him for seven shillings and six pence ! It needed but a very slight knowledge of the value of stock to have suggested to the purchaser that a cow that could be purchased foi 1 suoh a sum was not likely to be quite Bound. Weddings will soon be taking place in this town again. We hear of three that are proposed to be solemnised during next month. Mr Hillary has arranged to lease the Public Hall for the next four months, and intends doing his best to popularise the more frequent use of it. Possibly he had earlier intimation of the above festivities .than we had. * '-- Mr Bradcook, who has been taking a holiday tour through Australia, returned to town on Saturday night. He says he has enjoyed himself very much. He left Wellington for Sydney by the s.s. Jubilee, and speaks very highly of the comfort and attendance to be found on that vessel, making a marked contrast to the Union Company's boat in which he returned. From Sydney he went by train to Brisbane, from there by sea to Melbourne, and from that port to New Zealand. He has brought back a few opossum and bear skins, which he shot, as well as samples of silver ore. He has left the skin 9 and specimens at this office for any one to have a look at. He also has the skin of a carpet snake, measuring 12 feet in length. In Brisbane Mr Bradcock met Mr Rousell, who stated his intention of starting fruitgrowing at Ipswich, a place a little to the south of Brisbane. Mr Bradcook's brother Joe, has got a billet as driver of a coach plying between Brisbane and Ipswich, At Sydney, Mr . William Gray was met with, who desired to be remembered to all here. He is on one of the newspaper staff's. At Armadale, Jack Beeves was met with, and by Mr Bradcock a letter has been sent to his father. Mr Joseph Collins was met with in Melbourne. He is still pursuing his trade as a printer. One matter should certainly be attended to. Mr Bradcock went the Sydney Museum and there saw some very bad specimens of New Zealand Flax. They were not halfj scutched, and were very badly washed, : being a brown colour, though kept under a glass case. He rightly suggests that no time should be lost in having neat samples made up and sent over. So say we. i All will regret to learn that Mrs Brebner, the wife of Mr Brebner, stationmaster at Westport, died there yesterday morning. She leaves a very large family of young children. Two lads named Deacon, aged 15 and 10 years respectively, were placed on trial at Sydney, charged with the murder of an old man at Gol Gol, whom they shot while lie was lying in bed. The motive of the crime is said to have been spite. The younger boy turned Queen's evidence, and the elder one was sentenced to death. A battle has taken place at Iquique between the insurgents and the President's troops, resulting in the defeat of the latter. The insurgents are now besieging this city, and it is believed if they succeed in capturing it the rebellion will be brought to a close. The will of the late Phineas T. Barnurr, has been sworn at under one milli n sterling. Ha'f of the members who were returned to the Canadian Parliament at the recent general election are charged with obtaining their seats by means of corrupt practices. Sir John McDonald, the Premier, and Hon C. H. Tupper, Minister of Fisheries are amongst the number. Saturdays N. Z. Times says : — Yesterday morning Mrs E. Heighton, widow of one of the victoniß in the Sheily Bay disaster, cancelled her retainer to Mr E. G. Jellicoe, who has hitherto been acting on her behalf, and instructed Mr A. J. Coates to act for her in connection with the gun cotton explosion and other matters. Mr Coates having advised her that she had no case. Mrs Heighton at once instructed him to stay all further proceedings in the charge of manslaughter against Captain Falconer , and;oonsequently, though the case must be called in the usual oourse next Tuesday, no evidence will be forthcoming, and the matter will drop. Even more banqueting ! The Premier and Minister for Lands were entertained at Eketahuna by the Knights of Labour on Friday. Wise men. Twelve thousand Colliers in Pittsburg have refused to go out on strike for eight hours a day, and their decision has, dismayed who are. promoting a general^atrikeiinMay. -s -:. Messrs Ross and Sandford, The Bon Marche, Palmerston N., beg to announce the arrival and opening up of their first Direct Shipments of New Goods for the Autonin ;_£eTason, * Comprising $ Latest .Novelties- for Ulsters^ Mantles; tCloaks, Dress Goods and Millinery. The whole Embracing the Handsomest, choice on this Coast. They respectfully invite the Inspection of purchasers. Ross and Sandford, The Bon Marohe, Palmerston N. For the seasonable, the attractive, the fascinating in material, shapes, styles, and the very latest fashions and novelties, juet to 1 band per steamer. Itimutaka, ladies should not fail to embrace the opportunity now offered, and pay a visit to the mantle department, at Te Aro House. We are now showing some marvellous " creations " in ladies' sealette jackets, and specially note the following :— " The Melba," with deep beaver facing, high Fife collar, which can be worn in four distinct ways, and at prices ranging from 3 to 6 guineas ;" " The Bamsay," faced with nutria fur, reversible collar, cord ornaments, latest styles, from 2 to 4 guineas, at Te Aro House. An exceedingly handsome garment in " The Douglas " sealette jacket, faced with Persian lamb and real astrachan, high reversible medioi oollar, lined silk throughout, from 2£ to 5 guineas. An equally charming qealette jacket is " The Isle of Wight," with deep facing and collar of pure squirrel fur, price 5 guineas, at Te Aro House. : in j plushy seal, plush'ettes, and sealette jackets we have an immense variety. A finer assortment was never yet shown in the colony. The new stock is larger, better selected, and more complete than we have ever previously been able to exhibit, and we are sure that any lady requiring the latest fashions in jackets of eiery description, ulsters, macintoshes, fur lined cloaks, travelling wraps, Ac, will find everything desirable now on view, at Te Aro House,— r A dvt. PERSONS OF DELICATE CONSTITUTION, who are ob iged to abstain from ordinary Coffee, should try Crease's Taraxacum ob Dandelion Coffee, which is recommended by^ medical authorities as a Very valuable beverage i for "perisbrfsNvho suffer from weak' digestion, flatulency, and nervousness. Sold in lib and Jib tins, Is and 2s.