RANGITATA ISLAND SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2138, 16 December 1890, Page 2

RANGITATA ISLAND SCHOOL.

A lecture in aid of the incidental fund of the Eangitata Island School was delivered in the schoolroom by the Eev. T. A. Hamilton on Enday evening last, the subject of the lecture being “ Africa.” There was a very large attendance, Mr Grainger, the chairman of the School Committee, occupied the chair, and introduced the lecturer in felicitous terms, stating that Mr Hamilton had had personal experience of the vicissitudes of African life and practical acquaintance with bis subject, he having served on board a man-of-war stationed on the west coast of Africa. The lecture would therefore not be altogether second-hand knowledge, and those who had been privileged to hear other lectures by Mr Hamilton from year to year would hail his presence once more with extreme pleasure. The chairman also explained that in former years a charge of one shilling per bunday had been made on all denominations who used the schoolroom, but the Revs, Messrs Bunn and Hamilton had for several years each given a lecture annually in aid of the school funds, and the direct "taxing the Gospel” had now become a thing of the past. Several hymns were sung at the opening and close of the proceedings. The lecturer, who was greeted with hearty applause, handled his subject in a masterly manner, and, assisted by a well-executed map of Africa drawn in chalk upon the blackboard, gave graphic descriptions of the history, life, scenery, Ac., of the “ Dark Continent." The mystery existing for years with regard to this wonderful country was being penetrated by bold explorations, and popular superstitions and errors consequently dissipated. Africa was not merely a dreary waste of burning sands and “ a waste howling wilderness,” filled with wild animals and cannibals and wholly given to slavery, but abounded in fertile spots in its interior, and was amazingly wealthy in its production of gold, ivory, diamonds, Ac. Its" value to England in exports was over 30 millions sterling annually, and this in spite of the many difficulties and dangers besetting commerce and trade, owing to lack of roads, Ac, and the hostility of many native tribes, md the rapacity of Arab slave dealers. Popular interest in Africa had been

aroused by Dr Livingstone’s noble work on the Zambesi and in the Lake districts, and Stanley’s expeditions up the Congo, proving it to be navigable for large steamers, and the discovery of vast resources, together with the prosperity of the English and Dutch settlers in South Africa, and the military events of late years in the Ashantee, Soudan, and Zulu wars, bad drawn the attention of the whole civilised world to this vast continent. The aggressive activity of Christian leaders in mitigating the horrors of slavery, the deaths of Bishops Mackenzie and Hannington, the tragic end of the heroic General Gordon at Khartoum, the sufferings and peril of Emin Pasha and bis ultimate relief by H. M. Stanley, have resulted in an international interest, and the vast wealth of the country, to annexation of “ slices of the cake ” by Germans,

French, Italians, etc. Dealing first with the ancient history of the country the lecturer reviewed the former greatness' of Egypt, of which the ruined city of Thebes and its magnificent Temples, the Pyramids, etc., were evidences, and following up the river Nile spoke of the discoveries of Sir Samuel Baker, Speke, Grant and Burton, and of Mungo Park and others en the river Niger. That a great deal had been known of Africa before, and since lost, was shown from the fact of a map drawn by a man named O’Gilby, in Charles 11. reign, about the year 1670. This map delineated the lakes and rivers and towns almost as correctly as the latest work of geographers. To the Portuguese navigators, Bartholomew Diaz and Vasco de Gama, stimulated by the example and efforts of Prince Henry, belonged the honor of doubling the Cape of Good Hope and opening a route to the east. The Dutch established a colony in Southern Africa, followed by the English, and, working from Capo Town and Zanzibar, the energetic missionaries Moffat and Livingstone had penetrated far into the interior, giving, by their travels, «fcc., to the outside world, a deeper knowledge of the people and the country. Commander Cameron, Lieut. Wissman, Stanley, and a host of brave men had each added their quota, and each year fresh light was being thrown upon “Darkest Africa,” The Rev. T. A. Hamilton’s own personal experience on the west coast were a striking feature of the lecture. He sailed as midshipman on board H.M.S. Gladiator in 1866, with Sir Arthur - Ord on board, on a voyage of inspection of the various west coast settlements, the British Government being anxious to determine the advisability of retaining them or otherwise. Bathurst, on the River Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cape Coast Castle, Accra, Whydah, and Lagos were severally visited, Several incidents of negro life and character falling under the lecturer’s own observation created much amusement. Graphic descriptions of the deaths of Gordon and Livingstone, the meeting of Stanley and Livingstone, the scenery of Central Africa, the defence ©f Rorke’s Drift, • &c., concluded a most interesting and enjoyable lecture. ' On the motion of Mr A iray, . seconded by Mr Swaney, a very hearty : vote of thanks was accorded to the , lecturer. The chairman hoped that the lecture would stimulate the young people to j read more and make better use of the ] existing library, and strive to leave a mark themselves on life’s roadway. — < “Lives of great men all remind in, We should make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us f Footprints on the sands of time.' 1 i A coffee supper, bountifully pro- ■ vided by the ladies of the Island, i followed the lecture, and taken to- 1 getber sent all to their homes refreshed i both mentally and physically. 1 The proceeds amounted to £3 7s 6d. I