Notes and Comments.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 177, 13 March 1902, Page 3

Notes and Comments.

Captures of British soldiers and convoys have occurred more lord than once,so another makes metiiuen's little stir, but when such a capture, man as Lord Methuen was

included in the " bag " one would have expected more excitement. Certainly the cable was delightfully vague, and this may be partly the cause of the quietude. The public, too, besides ceing too jaded to excite, has u nasty taste in its mouth over that Magersfoutein disaster, although many able men acquit him of blame. As a matter of fact, people are just now beginning to realise the nature of the task our Generals had at the start of the war, in coping with an underestimeted enemy while insufficiently provided with men and guns. Lord Methuen is one of our most useful Generals, still he is not irreplacable, and we are not likely to make much of a fuss over his capture, especially when details are scanty. That somoone is to blame is also very evident, hut the war is going on nevertheless, and such incidents must be expected. Still, it might be a hint to the British generals on trek to have plenty men and to be ready, just in case there might bo a surprise.

There lately arrived in Melbourne a young German cyclist, -n " bearing tbo excessively T t Teutonic name 01 ochweigerhausen, who is engaged on a remarkable tour. Ho is out on a little trip of 70,000 miles, in the course of which ho lias to perform various things not usually included in the fonts of round-the-world travellers who have dropped in on these colonies at the rate of one or two a year for several years past. According to Mr Schweigerhausen's story, to which a Melbourno psper gives somewhat gnardod acceptance, he has to come into personal contact with three kings in his travels, shoot a wild animal in each country he visits, write 100 articles for twenty four German journals, take 1000 photographs, deliver 100 lectures, and earn sufficient money to pay his hiring and travelling expenses. It says something for the tourist's energy and enterprise, that he has already reeled off 32,000 miles, and is six months ahead of his time. He did not confide to his interviewer how ho got on with the Kings. Possibly he waited till he got to Australia where he will find King -Jacky Tacky of Eurroorumba, and numerous other potentates of like dignity, to ' come into personal contact' with them for the price of a drink. If he is <ruick,he might oven catch our local King before he leaves for London. In any case, if he is not tied down in his contract to any particular brand of king he can find plenly—of a sort. In India the traveller seems to have gone out of his way to kill wild animals, since we read of 100 snakes,' mostly cobras, falling to his unerring revolver —which weapon he also found useful in another stage of his travels in keeping back Bedouins, who " moved about like ants." It is mentioned that though he is received with honours in several parts of Australia, dobody turned out to welcome him in Melbourne; not even the North Melbourne " push." It is hinted that the clause of his contract with regard to killing wild animals had a deterrent effect upon these gentlemen. Nothing is mere remarkable about wagers, such as Mr Schweigerhausen's, than the comparatively trifling sums most of the tourists stand to win. Nothing short of fortune would tempt most men to undergo exertions and perils such as theirs. Mr Schweigerhausen's journep, for instance, would not be dear at 10,000. Yet all he will win if he fulfils his contract is £1250. The " Round the World Cyclists' Union " ought to look into such a case of sweating.—Press.

This evening, in the schoolhouso, a very important meet. technical ing will take place education, with the object of forming classes for technical education in this town. The subjects embrace those for the ordinary commercial education, such as shorthand, typewriting, bodk keep >g, arithmetic, and English, besides machine construction, building, science, elocution, horticulture and agriculture for those proficient in the others. Nor are the fine arts and the " leisure hour " work omitted, for painting, drawing, modelling in plasticine, photography and woodwork are included, and last, but not least, cotne dressmaking and cookery, which classez will chiefly interest the ladies (single or double), and bachelors Who now content themselves with meals of bread. Last year we wrote extensi ely on this subject, tmt now we think the public understand the immense benefit to be derived from these ciasses without much more explanation. This they will get at the meeting, when wo hope something definite •will be done. Also, in appointing a committee they should select, those who wisl work. There is too much of the "Oh, he's a good man ; he's not here, but shove him down." That j sort of thing has killed many societies in Waimate, and wants throwing out, hard, Technical education means well trained youths and maidens, skilful in work and play, and io the name of common sense let the movement be pushed ahead. Elaborate j buildings are not needed for the present, until funds . are available, i Classes might be held in several places as far ft« that went—part of the Bornnqh Council chambers is idle nearly all the month save, one night, cud oth°r rooms mi/ht be found. The mnin tiling is to, gut a. Rtfn- 1 - _ H?'"' ""^',;/»'•'! with good t^<^erß^d,m^gem6nt;qonjiuiQAD<>^