BLEEDING CHINA.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 42, 20 April 1901, Page 14

BLEEDING CHINA.

THE Boxers, aided and abetted by the Dowager Empress of China, shed rivers of blood in their efforts to rid the Celestial Empire ot the hated foreigners. The missionaries paid the usual penalty — the lot of the "legion that never was 'listed" is to occasionally lose the head-piece. The almond-eyed Cele&tial has had a taste of the destructive capabilities of the soldiers of Europe, of India, and of Japan, and are somewhat wiser therefor. The foreigners have got possession of Pekin, have slaughtered whole hosts of Chinks, and now demand a cool £63,000,000 for the privilege of leaving the country. It looks very much like bleeding the Chinaman and goodness only knows where such a large sum is to come from. Spread over the nation, it would not amount to much, but the money must be borrowed, and China's ciedit is not good. Europe will have to endorse the bills, or, in other words, guarantee China's credit, as the people of New Zealand guarantee the quality of Suratura tea, by the persistency of their purchase. Suratura comes from Ceylon, and is noted for its purity, strength, and fragrance. Suratura is guaranteed not blended with Indian, China, or any cheap or inferior tea. Captain, 01 — to be more dignified — Superintendent Hugo was a proud man on Wednesday last, when his new fire station was opened with speechifying, and christened with afternoon tea. From the day Captain Hugo landed in Wellington — and that is not two years ago — he has shaken up our City Fathers, and he succeeded in getting for Wellington the finest fire station in the colony. Captain Hugo has brought to bear, upon the planning of his station, experience gained in South Australia, America, Europe, and Great Britain, and he has mixed his knowledge with much uncommon sense. « • • He is a caution to all people who judge others by their looks, for in his work as a fireman he is a constant surprise. At any rate, he has given Wellington folks such confidence in his ability that many fire policies are allowed to lapse. Insurance companies do not flourish in districts controlled by firemasters like Captain Hugo. At Wednesday's christening of the station, Skipper Austin wondered how long it would be ere Petone had such a building, and Wanganui's fire warrior, appropriately named Captain Battle, took a mental note of points he would prod Mayor Hatrick with when he battled for an up-to-date fire station for the City of the Rhine. The Wellington Trotting Club's summer meeting has. been postponed till today (Saturday) and Wednesday next. Given decent weather, there should be a considerable gathering on the Petone Reeieation Ground on Saturday to witness the first day's racing. A capital programme has been drawn up, and the train fares assure a cheap holiday. R J. Barracfrmgh's two well-known cures, viz., Progandra, a certain cure for corns, and Magic Nervine, an equally reliable remedy for toothache, are the subject of an advertisement in another column. The proprietor must have great faith in the merits of Progandra when he offers samples of this corn cure free of charge to any address in the colonies when they are applied for by letter.

The Kilbirnie burgesses are not yet done laughing at the bloomer made the other night by a candidate for their suffrages. It was after this style — "Of course, we want roads. Why, ladies and gentlemen, there are people at Melrose who have been wanting roads for years. They are simply living in. a state of nature." That penny dreadful, " Deadwood Dick," Peihaps may charm the vulgar mind, Though rather apt to turn one sick Whose taste is cultured and refined. But though the mind is high 01 low, The body must its ills enduie ; The thing for coughs and colds we know Is W. E Woods' Greu' PtppiiitMiN r Cuke.