SOMALILAND AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 35, 10 February 1909, Page 4

SOMALILAND AGAIN.

Four or five years ago Somali Land and' its Hullah were frequent topics of comment and criticism in the British Press, for England has had an intermittent "little war , -' >on hand there for a ?I6ng time past, and' nobody has ever pretended that the country is reliably pacified. - The .Somali are a fierce and dangerous' race; loving fighting for its qwn sake., -apparently incapable 'of following peaceful pursuits, and accepting a temporary cessation from war only as an evil to be endured under-the pressure., of superior strength. The Mullah is an Arab fanatic—most of the negroid races of Eastern Africa are tfuctured largely'with Arab blood—who, according to some accounts, claims to be the successor of the Mahdi, and, in any case, exercises great ascendancy over these warlike savages. When he first emerged from obscurity some years ago,"the British Government, as usual, refused to take'his rebellion seriously. Our part of Somali Land is a British protectorate, the rest-of this "Horn of Africa" being (diviided into "Spheres of 'Influence.'" claimed by France and Italy; and the military force "in the British part oi. thjb country' wae small and isolated-. .It was only after two or three flying columns had »been cut up, with heavy loss of British officers, and; serious damage to our prestige in East Africa, that the Imperial' authorities Began to make en effort to put down the Mullah. Two strong columns traversed the country in different directions, and Inflicted crushing defeat on the Somali whenever they made a stand. But the Mullah, like the Mahdi, showed ffimself .a consummate strategist and a splendid leader of irregular troops. His force numbereo. at least 30,000 men, of whom the majority Were well armed and .mounted; and when his bands were too closely pursued they usually took refuge in *-ome inaccessible part .of the country. After his last defeat, the Mullah seems io, ■Have'jgone into hiding somewhere in Southern Abyfcs.in.ia or, according to another account, beyond the border of Italian Somali Land. But his , latest exSloit shows that he .maintains his ascend hey over his savage tribesmen, and that ■his ambitions have not been quenched by hie reverses. As Somali Land lies close to Uganda and Abyssinia, it is l .a matter of some importance to England that peace should -be maintained there. But considering that most of the country is a barren, rocky dfesert, and the inhabitants are most intractable savages, it .would seem that there is a great deal in the advice that Mr. Winston Churchill tendered to the British Government after his recent African tour, to .cdnceritrate upon Ugandsi, the richest and most prosperous Teglon in East Africa, and leave Somali Land se verelj alone.

A. considerable »rea of Crown lknds will 'be available for settle meat purposes during the next few weeks. -Three Sections, comprising 893 ' will be opened for renewable lease at Otanewainuku on April 14: The land is of good quality nad is situated almost 19 miles from Tauranga. Four township lots at Kihikihi and a email rurel section neat Opotiki are to be disposed of by auction on 'May 7. Three email lots in Matainata township and one lot of two acres in Methuen- hamlet will be opened for application on renewable lease on April 28. On the same date 2956 acres will be opened for renewable , lease in Matamata settlement, -weighted with.. 1676 ! for improveiriehte 'on the'laid>' .tpg6ther_ with-, a smaller lbfc Tutarurii yiilage, on the eanie date. Section,?, Blpck jfll., in the, Maungatautari survey, district, cpneisting of 92 acres,; will te ' open jo? renewat)le' leMjr on Ajgrii"l4. ; " ~;. '-■ .•

11l the Engineers' camp at Fort Caut* ley, one <if-;thie.-Bie?nberij C?orp.-. Painoj did a -yery plucky and 4»r*ve-acti6n; : >ia saving Sapper -Hiai|tie v from drowning -whilst; swimming off Cheltenham Beach. Has tie gab out, of hie depth; and, ~into the strong current which sweeps round the rocks, when Paine went to Shiii assistance, and alter a hard struggle succeeded in bringing hini ashore; It was touch and go. with.;'both of 'tne.ni. On the Sunday, morning, after church parade, the Chaplain (Rev. Gray-pfcson) presented Corp. Paine vwitb. a beautiful medal, subscribed by-the members of the corps, and gave a very nice speech. The whole affair wae a great-surprise to the Corporal; but it was ai'brave act which -was -worthy of lecbgnition. The corps is trying to • get the> Royal ! - Humane Society's • nftdal for 'Mm:

An "elderly gentlfeman,"Mr ; . Wilson; ■who, until *eefdeot of Drury^jaind , ntf^'resittee , aVMoiint EdenV was retiirnhijg' Sffme' last evening after having driven, hie eon.over to thejßemuera sheep sale, when just abiout opposite the echool-hpusfe in Valiey-rbad" the horse began to play upl ' And'the fractious animal, increasing in its excitement, ended by lashing out with such vigour that -the trap was finally pretty tell kicked to pieces, the old gentleman ard one. part being thrown to one side of the road, the remainder, barring the shafts, to the other. Mr. Wilson, although not seriously hurt, was yet much shaken and bruised, while he received also a nasty scalp wound. Taken into a neighbouring house he was attended by Dr. StopfordJ who treated his., hurts and sent him home, where he will be compelled to remain quiet for several days as the result of hie untoward experience. The horse was captured by some passers-by, but the trap was ruined entirely.

Iα introducing the objects of the Citizens' League last night at the Federal Hall, the .chairman. (Mr. C. P. Murdocn) said that t.he League originated from a casuai four' who, in dfettisiing matters generally, found ' that * theii • opiliions were much in common. The gentlemen comprised and represented different shades of social and political opinion, and realising that men so differently circumstanced could on certain questions , entertain a common and unanimous belief of what was right and what was wrong, concluded that what applied to four or five persons : would, if tested, be found to apply to the citizens generally. These .gentlemen cided to endeavour to prove or disprove' this belief; anff-witn' this end in view resolved that they would assemble and bring with them a few ; whbm they thought would entertain the seme or very similar opinions.

. Probate has been granted by- Mr. Justice Edwards in , the estates of Mr. W. McKenZie (Mr. Nolan), Samuel Roe (Mγ?" Nolan j, Elizabeth -'Mawer (Mr. Holloway), Percy Alexander Stewart "(Mr. Clayton), Austin Williams (Mr. Alexander).

The following telegram has been received by the Mayor of Waihi from the Minister for Mines: "In reply to..your wire re unemployed, I regret that, in view of the fact that Parliament has not yet authorised extension of the Waihi railway line, the work cannot be commenced. I will,-however, arrange for" a fair number of men .to be employed' on railway construction ~wpr,ks.. between Whangarei and Aawakawa/f '":." \ '.'■'

At Waihi this morning a lad named Henry Roland Harris was remanded till the 16th inst.. on a charge" of attempting a 'criminal offence upon a girl under the age of 13 at Te Aroha on the 7th inst.

On Monday a motor-car on its way from Paeroa to Waihi, driven by Air. Russell, came into collision with a horse and trap on the Waikino side of the tunnel. The occupants of the trap, it appears, did not notice the car until it was close upon them. The driver of the trap jumped out, and before the man who was with him got hold of the reins, the horse swerved in the direction of the car as it was passing, causing a collision which resulted in some damage to the latter. The horse and trap were uninjured save for the breakage of a britchin" strap. a

The Hon. J. A. Millar arrived at Rotq> rua last night, and proceeded to. the Grand.Hotel, -where, the Premier is staging. Mr, Millax; expressed,regret oh 'be-' ing unable to.accept,, the,,inyitntipu. to remain in Tβ Arpha, more as he had never been there!..'. Tiie engine of the special train, had. to return to Thames from Morripsville. Mr. Millar expressed great satisfaction with. what he saw at Price's Foundry, Thames, and expressed the opinion that it was a great work for the firm'to he able to turn out one engine every six weeks. He considered the work he had seen highly satisfactory. At the present time 190 men are employed at the foundry. At Mbrrinsville the Minister inspected the yard of the junction. It was pointed out that the place was full of curves, so that it was impossible to have long trains on the straight. Although the Minister is travelling in a nicely furnished car allotted to Ministers he has in it a. table on trestles, and between stations he is occupied with Mr. Rohayrie studying plans- • •■ '"

In the Thames Police Court yesterday, in the ease of Patricjc Tlmmins, of Te Aroha, charged with having committed a criminal assault upon a girl 12 years of age, the jury returned in four hours', time, when the foreman said they were unable to agree. They were fhen discharged. A new trial will be held at the sitting of the court on May 11. Prisoner was admitted to bail. A native named Wliarekapu Hape was charged with naving committed an assault with intent te do bodily harm. Mr Perritt, of Paeroa, who appeared for the accused, intimated that Hape was prepared to plead guilty to common assault, under gyat provocation. The charge was then withdrawn, and a charge of common assault substithted, and after evidence as to provocation had been given, a fine of £5 and costs was imposed.

The annual meeting- of the Auckland Club wa» held .yesterday; afternoon,. It was shown that the club was prospering financially. Mr Earl wae re-elected president.

> jfcr some time past the resident* of DevbnporT have felt" the want of suit : able bathing' accommodation.- on the beaches ■of ,the borough. "Various schemes lave been before' the council, but so far nothing appears to have been done in the matter. ' At'last "night's meeting of the council * letter from a local resident was received, pointing out that there was urgent necessity for some accommodation. ~; ;-.lhe»>:Maypr,s Mr. W. Handley, explained that a scheme for suitable accommodation on the foreshores was under consideration, and would be placed before the council at an early date. Mr R. H. Froude characterised, it as a standing disgrace that the/bordiigh should.be bathirigj sheds.' , ';' They should be'erected at once, and he moved that two temporary sheds should be erected forthwith, on ea6h of the following beaches: — Cheltenham, , Narrow;,- Neck, and 'Stanley , Bay. The motion -was carried. », .. -•, ■',-, | .' The Premier, lias appointed Mr.-A. K. Bent, present, clerk of the Court, at Rbtorua, and registrar of electors, the>e■turhing officer, for the Bay of Plenty electorate for the licensing election. He has also appointed Mr. Keeve, clerk, of the Court at Whangarei, returning officer, for Mersden. Instead of the ordinary Wednesday night band concert, arrangements have been made by tha Auckland' Braes Band Association for a grand massed band' performance to be held in/aitl of the funds of the Newton Braes Band, which: is attending the Hastings Band Contest towards the end : of the present month. The programme is ,a good one, and exceptionally attractive. The Newton Brass Band will:play the grand test Hem, "II Crociato in .Efcitto ,, ' fThe"Crusader "in.'ljgypt)', alsp, . the . test march; 'the other bands will each Contribute one of special mention r befrig We "Motor Bide" J 'bjr' the Auckland Garrison Band, in response to numerous fequests.' The public are asked to attend and' to support liberally tie youngest contesting band in Auckland. . ■ -: j 111 response to the advertisement re the opening' of North 'Auckland Main Trunk Line to Wellington, and ,the gathering of < old Albertlandere on Monday next, February -jfwtk inst., Mr. Bβcroft and Dr. King have received about sixty replies. The Railway Department will convey intending visitors at excursion fares—6/6 second-class; 11/6 firstclass—as far as Wayby, knd then free from there to Wellsford/Further particulars may "be ascertained : from the secretaries and 'also in tomorrow evening's "Star."--'' : '■'■?■'■' .."'•;../•''. %.-. - •Mr. K«esing, jeweller, of Onehunga, has very generously jdonated a valuable silver watch and chain, 'with greenstone pendant, .to. the Mangere Schools Comiriltfie'e?" The ' has /decided to offer Mr. Keesing's present as first "prize | for the""boyV* championship rkce of 220 yards, to b.e run at 1 the annual schools; picnic, to fee held, next Wednesday at Pukaki. "Very keen interest is being taken in this race by the boys ; of. both, schools,' and a Jiealthy.rivalry fostered! by the headmasters, 'Messrs. Clarice, of' Mangere School, and N. Lambourne, of the Bridge School. ' Rotorua is very'tuil of visitors at the. present time. When the express arrived; there on' Monday night several propria-: tors of boarding establishments had to tell'intending guest* that their h6uses ■were -full. • Evidently Eotorua is having ' / j In the bowling match played oil Satur- ; day between the Hospital Board honorary' arid medical staff, the former won by 23 points to 14 points. The ecofti wits inadvertently given in the reverse way in our report. ■,-.,, Mr. B. A. PattersohJ' of the Government Land Purchaste Department, and his clerk, are at present in Paeroa. Mr. Patterson's mission is to complete the purchase of several blocks of native land- On the Hauraki • Plains', which Mr. Jas. MacKay had preliminarily got artisans for. On Pridity. last 3lriH. Farrow, -of Hanmer Springs, lost a valuable sheep-dog in a. rather peculiar manner. The animal was chained up near some manuka scrub, yrhen a swarni of bees settled Some two or- fhree away: The bees were naturally ejecited when the , - dog'barked; "he" gttt' stung all over, and died ma moments:'On investigation it was found that would have been extremely difficult to place a pin between the stings in the leathercpjlar.. ' ' ;' . . ]■ Prospecting is looking up. Kecehtly (suys the "Western Star") a party of prospectors arrived-at Qrepuki-from .the North Island, heavily laden -with provisions, and material,.to last a considerable time. In their commissariat is 12001b. weight of-flour, done up in. her-metically-sealed tin*, each containing fieibs. By this the whole Way be judged. The party, so we understand, intend taking all their stuff; per medium of the' wagon, to Mussel Beach, arid, making this a bass, prospect the .country to. \he west and north. Some ;of the party are not unfamiliar with the' locality, and htiving made sucji extensive preparations, for a lengthened stay, they are evidently sanguine as to the results. Wβ wish, .the party good luck. Undoubtedly thecountry, out,.west is, in parts,, rich in minerals. : - --■ . i-, ; . ■ .• .-■ '.': As announced in this issuej Mr. Nodine (of Messrs.-Nodine and Co., Wellington, well and widely known as leading specialists in all classes of ladies' tailoring) will 'visit Auckland on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 15th, 10th, and 17th,- with a- splendid range of newest samples and styles for autumn; arid will; take measurements for present arid hiture requirements.' itr. Nodine's address' during his stay will be Central Hotel.— (Ad.) Look put for our window displays ■of men's shirts at 3/11 and 2/11. A popular line, not many left. Geo. IPowlds.-^Ad. j' 2-dome white kid gloves, 1/9 pair; 2-doine suede beavers and grey, 2/8J pair; long white <Jbtton glovee, ll|d. pair; short ditto, 9Jd., IOJd., 1/I}, 1/4J, up; tan hose, plain and ribbed 1/4J and 1/9 pair; long lace mitts., 7}d», Bid., ; lOi'd., 1/1J; coloured ditto, blue, green, and brown, IOJd. pair; long silk gloves, i/-, 1/6', 1/11, "out they go."— : At McCullagh ari4XJower's sale.—-(Ad.) ' ; .'.' r Attention is drawn-to an advertisement in this issus of a caseipfppisonirig successfully treated.by Mr Hood, herbalist, Grey-street.—(Ad.) .. The Collar Shop, where every shape in linen and celluloid' can be procured for certain. Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) •., "Clean Sweep" Jap. Bilks, white, and col., 63d. yard. Lining saftris (striped), 1/6, now 53d., or 4/11 dozen. White or navy radium silk, 1/6 yard. Chiffon taffeta (double widthy, from 3/9 -yard. McCullagh and Gower's -Sale.—(Jjl.) . Thie is the item you want, fi5 v ßtri.w | boater. The best are at Fowlds', Victoria i Arcade.—(Ad.) j

; "Clean Sweep" dress lengths, 2/6,.2/11, 3/6, ;.3/\X;i,: each; dark dress materials from 6id yard {double widtH)f cbldiired wool canvas voiles, l/lljd, (slightly soiled on edge), B|d yard to clear out. McCullagh and CorA sale:—(Ad.) -