RACE FOR NEWS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 94, 19 July 1879, Page 3

RACE FOR NEWS.

An English exchange gives the following particulars of a race for news relative to the Zulu war, by the Loudon newspaper reporters:—A remarkable scene occurred at Plymouth on the arrival of the Warwick Castle, 'at the unearthly hi >ur of one o'clock in the morning. It was known that a missionary was hoard who |hud witnessed lue. battle of Isandiila, and a dozen or so reporters Were present to take down the reverend gentleman's statement from his own lips, lie was accordingly hurried out ot bed, and was at first disposed to listen to a "'giy" deceiver who wished to otituin exclusive possession of hut information, but tlie others proteste I so vigorously against this that the inhsionary at last said ho had prepared a written account of the disaster, and that as he had lost everything he considered he was justified in requesting to lie paid for it. 1 iii.-ii cam- a struggle between the exclusive journalist an.l his brother of tlie pen. .Mr. Witt took nut of his p.ickct, a roil nt mnuuscripl which the juruier desired to take, but an energetic opponent at once laid hold oi it, and eii.ied the dispute by [ui-.:i\ ; nag it in his own pocket, ami (according t - the Birmingham AlailJ thrusting s.->) iuto the hands of tin- uiiVightod missionary. It wis then arranged tu.it each one present, iueluding tin- gentleman who mid come down from London specially to obtain exclusive possession oi the document, .should " pay the piper," and accordingly every paper was supplied with the same lnate'rial. Between u quarter to time and haif-past seven o'clock tlut morning tiie I'iviiiuuth post-olliee transmitted over liny thousand words ot' news--a feat unaeurd of before the Government took possession cf the telegraphs.