THE LATE QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2056, 10 September 1885, Page 4

THE LATE QUEEN OF MADAGASCAR.

-o- - Queen Rwavolma II , Q.ieen of Madagascar, died on Ktth July She succeeded to the tin one on the death of Queen Kasorheuna in 18<iS. As she wis known to bo in favour of progress, her accession was generally hailed with satisfaction After she had been elected Queen, she embraced the Christian religion. The late Queen, while her deceased predecessor lay in state, lead portions fioni an old Bible which for sonvj time lay on the table in the palace. From a nemtal of the Book the Queen decided to embrace the faith for which many of the chief people of her country had suffered loss of life. Her coronation was maikedjby the absence of idol* and other symbols of heathenism, and the canopy above her throne was inset ibud with Scriptural quotations. The idolatrous practices by which vast numbers of innocent peisons were slaughtered were abolished One of these practices was the saenh'ce of children born on " unlucky days " by placing them at the entrance to a cattle pen, and if the child was passed over unhurt it was preserved, as this was regaided as a token of pood luck. The Queen, being of a kind and intelligent nature, was gieatly distie3sud by the p-i sedition-, which hal occuned in the pist, and within sight of her pilace. It was her wish to suppress idolativ, winch hid borne such e\ ll lesults, and to substitute foi it .something better ; and fiom her accession till her deith oho his been strictly faithful to the wilfaic of hei people Under her sway education made i.ip.d advances, and in the principal schools in the provinces thcie weie about 110,000 bdiolats. Frequently the Queen displayed her mteres" in this woik bj personally distributing pit/ s it the schools. According to native law, all men in Madagascar are liable to Gove'iiment service in lieu of taxes. The Queen enacted, however, that tecahers and othets occupied in education should be exempt ft om such service. Other refoi mi which she made involved the extinction of vested interests. Officers were accustomed to s-eenre to themselves the services of men of lower grade, and many had thus acquired command of a thousand subordinates, but by a new law thirty was the maximum number allowed to the highest officer in the country. This reform was hailed with general sattsfac tion. Great reforms were inttoduccd in the army, nnd the system of life service was abolished, the longest peiiod of cervice now requited being five years Many reforms in the administiutioti of justice have likewise been made, the w hole system bjmg rotten and corrupt Litigation was frequently kept pending for years, bribery was common, and suitors unable to pay costs were consujuently sold intoslaveiy. Under the new system the decisions foimtrly resting with judges were p'aeed in the hands of a jury ot twelve ofhceis and a chief judge. The late queen has also laid the foundations of constitutional government, and important olricef, which she established arc now held by native gentlemen, educated in college.it Antananarivo. In 1877 Queen Kanavolani effected the emancipation of allMo/imbique slaves in her dominions, and the importation of slaves yvas rendered lllegil. Though domestic slavery still exists, it has been shorn of its wot st features, and public slave markets have been abolished. It is believed that Rasendranosa, niece of the Queen of Madagascar, who is the legal successor, will be placed upon the tin oik. Much, however, depends upon the Prime Minister, Rainilaiarivony, who, although a commoner, was the husband [of Queen Ranavoiana, and holds such a powerful position that he has been described as the Warwick, or king maker, of the island. Rasendramora is said to be a handsome woman of about 20 years of age. She is neatly white, herfeatnies being more European than Malay in type. About two years ago she tnanied a young man named Andlionaly, who was educated for the medical profession at Edinburgh, and was doctor to Queen Ranavolana. The maniage, however, turned out tin happily, and the luckless husband, having struck his wife, was tried for high treason, and condemned to death. Through the intercession of the Pi line Mmisser, the sent* nee was commuted to banishment to a southern province. P.amilaiarn ony is rcsolutdy opposed to yielding any temtojy to a foreign power.

11 Druywump " is a iie«v word just invented in Kansas. Its meaning is sometimes obscure, as the Pioliibitionists apply it to the whisky men and the whisky men hurl it back on the Piolubitionists. Wk in'! ii- vi tint if e\ory one would use American Co's Hop Hitter-, fn i ly there would be murhl**ss sickness and misery in the world, and people -ire tjst lindintr it out, whole f.tmilifs Keeping well at a trifling cost by its us( . \Vc advise all to try it. Read. Yes 1 It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlirk and C ran well have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from rnuntr> customers «tn their excellent pirkinf; of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, tr. I adirs any gentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garlick and Cranwcll'i ti thh Cheap FurnUhinp Warehouse of AurkI.md. Furniture to suit all rl«i(<es ; also Carpets, Floor Cloth's and all House Nero*s.inei. If yonr new house is nearly fininhrd, or, you are (joins; to get marrird, visit G.trlick id ( ranwcll, Queen-»treft and I ome-slreet, Auckland. Intending purchasers can have a ( at&logue t#n free.