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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77

Chapter I. — Bislisy Bound

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Chapter I.

Bislisy Bound.

Early in 1904, when it became known, amongst the riflemen of New Zealand that a team of 12 men was to be sent to England to compete for the Kolapore Cup and the King's Prize, great interest was aroused as to the principle of selection.

On the opening day of the N.Z. Rifle Association meeting for 1904, Colonel Collins announced that the men would be chosen from amongst the highest scorers of that gathering, "subject to certain powers which the Executive Committee reserved to themselves," and general satisfaction was thereupon expressed.

Ultimately the team was composed of A. Ballinger (who went Home with the team of 1897). R. King, and G. Hawthorn. from Wellington: W. Cox. from 'Auckland; W. Drnmmond, from Dannevirke; and of Nelson, Ching. and Irvine (the present writer); Sandford. from Christchureh; McKenzie, from Oamaru; Shanks and Domigan, from Gore; and Smail, from Kaitangata. These, under the command of Colonel Collins, sailed for England in the R.M.s. Athenic on April 26.

It has been said that voyages are as much alike as "peas in a pod." It is to be hoped that this was exceptional in one particular how to be mentioned. Influenza of a somewhat severe type attacked the vessel in such a style that out of 250 passengers hardly 50 escaped the onslaught. The doctor's hands were full. Of course, we had the usual rough weather as far as Cape Horn, and rounding it the waves were freezing as they fell on deck.

And afterwards, as might be expected, cold and influenza and all misery vanished like magic before that beneficent north wind. A note was made of the coincidence that the Equator was reached on the very same day of the month that the '97 team crossed it seven years before.

On entering the harbour of Rio de Janeiro even Ave New Zealanders were struck with the grandeur of the hills, which, ranged in tiers, surround the town. Many of the peaks were almost perpendicular, and the morning sun was showing them up in their rainbow colours.

Like many a city largely inhabited by people of Latin descent, Rio looks best at a distance. Its population of 800,000 appears to the stranger to combine the vagabondage of all nations under Heaven. In and around the town much of the natural beauty is spoilt by the indolence and filth of the people. "Where every prospect pleases and only man is vile."

The vegetation is tropical; palms grow in profusion, and to a great height. Very large and sweet oranges during the fruit season sell at 6d per 100.

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The Cathedral is said to be the richest in the world, much of the wealth of the late Emperor Dom Pedro, being deposited there. Most of the internal trouble of the country is caused by the slaves, who, freed in 1889, are not yet capable of taking their places as citizens and colonists. From a defensive point of view Rio Harbour should be one of the strongest in the world; it has room for an immense number of ships, and owing to its shape might easily be made a second Gibraltar.

From Rio to Teneriffe some trying weather was experienced; tropical showers were followed by a hot sun, and while the decks were drying the moist heat was almost intolerable. Early in the voyage a Sports Committee was formed, and amongst the items of a highly satisfactory programme were a fancy dress ball, a trial by jury, and about 20 different kinds of tournament games.

The members of the team won a very large share of the prizes; cricket was the only game they could not hold their own in. Owing to the accuracy and precision necessary for a successful shot, under present-day conditions, it is a rare thing to find a man first rate as a rifleman and successful at field games. However this may be three matches were played—team versus the other passengers. The team lost two and won one.

Teneriffe was reached on June 6, and the passengers went ashore for a few hours. Almost on the spot where we landed Lord Nelson lost his arm when he tried to surprise and capture a fort.

A stone in the fortifications is to this day shown which, when struck by a cannon ball, broke and splintered. It was one of these splinters which nearly cut off his arm, necessitating amputation.

Owing to his boats getting scattered, and losing their way in the darkness, the attack failed, and Teneriffe possesses in its 500 years old cathedral mementoes not very pleasing to British eyes—two flags, which were captured from our great sea captain, and are placed in the sacred building. This latter was erected when Spain promised fair to become the great ruling Power of both the Old and New Worlds. The town is now very small, and has little of interest to strangers. A short distance outside is an arena large enough to hold many thousands of spectators; here, on occasional Sundays, bull fights can be witnessed.

Now we came in for one of the pests of travelling—beggars. Many of the inhabitants seem to drive a thriving trade in mendicity. A sad case was pointed out to us by one of the team, who in 1897 saw a cripple who could only move about on his hands. The same man was shown to us near the same spot, still begging, in 1904. His seemed to be a genuine case.

To mere strangers passing through, the place is chiefly noted for its excellent tobacco, which can be bought at 2/ per lb., and also for silk, which while some so-called is worthless, yet other is very fine, and is worked up into graceful shawls.

Numbers of invalids from the Old Country spend the winter here, or in the group—places which Pliny, nearly 2000 years ago, christened "The Island: of the Blessed." They are just five days' sail from England.

It may be noted that our boat was carrying 80,000 carcases of frozen mutton, and we were much gratified when on leaving Teneriffe we were shown the refrigerating machinery. All being interested in the industry, we were pleased to see the meat in excellent condition. Three kinds of machines may be used. Perhaps the safest and most popular is the dry air machine made by Haslam, Bell and Coleman. With this machine the air is first drawn from the hold where the mutton is stored, and put under a pressure of 50lbs. to the square inch. After going through the compression it is hot, and it passes through brass tubes still under pressure, with cold water on the outside of the tubes. Thus the moisture is separated from the air, and drawn off. The air is then put into an expansion cylinder, and used to help in driving the engine, and now being free from moisture and heat passes into an exhaust cylinder, and from there to the snow box, where it reaches a temperature of about 40 degrees below zero. Then it is forced into the hold amongst the carcases. After absorbing the heat from the meat, it is drawn out, and goes through the same process all over again.

From the Canary Islands right to the Thames we were in the midst of historic scenes dear to the heart of every Briton, for it is the battleground where for a thousand years we have struggled for supremacy on the sea with France, Spain and Holland.

As we pass Vigo, Finisterre, and Camper down, we must agree with Campbell, page 3 and say, "The spirits of your fathers shall start from every wave." The Athenic reached the Tilbury Docks on Sunday, June 12. From there we went by train to London, a journey of about an hour.