Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1900. The War.

Manawatu Herald, 6 March 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1900. The War.

From what Lord Eoberts has told us of his inspection of the position held by Cronje, that it was almost impregnable against assault, it is very fortunate that the capitulation took place. It would appear, therefore, that Cronje was perfectly justified in holding out as long as he did and would have been justified in forcing the British to storm his position, but like many others was overruled by the majority. The attack of General liuller on Spion Kop appears to be now justified by giving a provision convoy an opportunity of passing into Ladysmith. This further news shows how impossible it is to judge of our generals' action from the news cabled out. Some months ago, at the commencement of the war, when Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking were invested wf pointed out the probability of thei being able to withstand any assaults, basing our opinion on the review of M. Bloch's book which recognise. 1 ! the tremendous difficulties attendant on war with the new weapons employed. He laid down the statement, which the results of all tho fighting in. South Africa has proved to be correct, that the moral superiority of attack would be more than counterbalanced by the tremendous accession of strength to the defenders which results from improved small-arms ; that battlen Tvonld seldom be decisive, the victv. \

Mofc being in a position to pursue, and the retreating force falling back on new position's a few miles to the rear and entrenching themselves for fresh resistance ; that entrenchments properly adapted to modern fire would be invisible ; that satisfactory reconnaissance would be much more diffiqult than formerly. We have our turn to come for attacking fortified towns and it will be interesting to notice whether any better progress will be made than General Buller managed to make against the entrenched forces around Ladysmith. If we cannot proceed quicker, the more's the pity as the nearer wo approach completion of the war, and the longer we are delayed at the last points the more time will our continental enemies have to parley about intervention to preserve the independence of the subdued States. The continental press has commenced ventilating the question but the cable news tells us the various Governments " are irresponsive." Well they might be, but there is that something vaguely threatening, to which we have so often drawn attention to, that needs the very closest attention being paid to our colonial defences as well as to the defence of the Empire.

Cr Spelman is, we are glad to say, so far recovered from his illness as to be able to return to his home. He was ; however, not well enough to attend the meeting last night.

The Manawatu County Council invite tenders for the supply and delivery of 210 yards of metal on the Foxton-Shannon road.

Notice i's given that the supplementary valuation list is open for inspection at the Borough Council office.

Messrs Strang Bros, have some draught and light draught horses for sale, also some first-class oats of last

season

On Saturday night at the Palmerston hospital Mr Patrick Murphy passed away. At a sale at Rongotea he met with a serious accident by being thrown from his horse. It is stated that the unfortunate man was at the hospital twelve hours before he was attended to by any. doctor, and if this is correct the management of that institution certainly needs improvement. Thf> deceased was to be burier! 10-uuv at Pakaerstou.

A young girl is wanted as a general servant by an advertiser at Levin.

The Rev. J. A. McWickle, the new assistant curate for the Foxton district is now paying a visit to the Rev. H* Leach.

Six scutchers and two prcssers (by contract), arc wanted for the Burnside nill, Takapau.

At a vestry meeting last night the i.-nder of Mr T. Easton was accepted cor the addition to All Saints' Church.

Not to be behind in patriotism Mr E. P. Osborue has made eight towel racks which the Mayor is selling, tin proceeds of which Mr Osborm donates to the Mayor's fund.

The Rev. James McWilHam had intended to have taken the service at All Saints' Church on Sunday evening, but owing to feeling poorly was unabkto fulfill the engagement. It was or this account also that he was unableto take part in the Thanksgiving service in the park.

Mr Chamberlain" told the House of Commons that the troops contributed by the colonies "outnumbered thu British army at Waterloo." It has Ween pointed out that there were bui'--24,000 British troops on the ridge a Waterloo, and if we include the troop* raised in Cape Colony and Natal, there are 33,000 colonial troops under, Lord Roberts' command, and of these rhorr than 7,000 are Canadians and Australians. ,

In the " Within the colonies " notes in the February number of the Review ef Reviews we read — " Mr Seddon, when bidding farewell to the second New Zealand contingent, said bluntly that 'if necessary every man in New Zealand capable of bearing arms would go.' Mr Seddon is not a diplomatist, who talks in chill and accuratelymeasured syllables. That sentence vvas, no doubt, flung off in the natural irdour of the moment. It was the lighting man that spoke, not the statesman. But the sentence, if it has amused, has also delighted, the seven colonies. That is how Australians would have their political leaders talk M'ben the Empire, for a just cause, is at wwatr t

We regret to have to record the death of Mr James Charlton Sly, which occurred at his residence on Waihoanga road, Otaki, on Thursday morning last, at 8 p.m. The deceased gentleman was in the 69th year. Old settlers will have a kind remembrance of him for his ever ready hospitality to travellers from Foxton to Palmerston. The deceased and his family had in the year 1869 to leave their home near Jackeytown and come into Foxton for safety from the natives, having hid their furniture inthe bush.

Otaki is going to send a nurse to South Africa, the lady chosen being Miss Nora Stevens (daughter of Mr John Stevens, M.H.R. for Manawatu) was to leave Wellington yesterday en route for Dunedin, where she joins the other nurses. Miss Stevens learned nursing at the Wellington Hospital, nit has for some time up 'to herpresent . departure, been at the Nelson Hospi(al. She is a thoroughly qualified nurse, and in physique, as in every other qualification, is said to be just the right person to send ; in addition to which it must be stated that, immediately the matter was mooted, Miss Stevens was one of the first to volunteer for the work.

The " Woomera " tells the following wonderful tale :— A Maori named Hori Wakatntti is seeking divorce 'from his wife Ani Wakatutu on the ground of cruelty. It appears that Ani had been to see an exhibition of firevorks at Wellington, and was much taken with the large sky rockets, which threw out lovely designs in stars and cresents as they. flew h«avf»nw^rd". She n. i -keH the man in charge to give her one, and he obliged her. ho pleased w.t;, she with her new toy that she took it to bed with her that night. While her husband slept she could not resist tin temptation of seeing what the rocket was made of, and to forward ,her purpose she, sheltering her evil design beneath the connubial blanket, placed a lighted match to the tail of it. Noone seems to know exactly what followed, beyond the fact that Hori wasj seen making for the nearest waterhole as if a legion of devils were after him, looking more like a comet than a human being.