The unconditional surrender of the revolutionary leaders after the enjoyment for so short a period of the authority they claimed to exercise in the name of the republic of Ireland was a tragically inglorious finale to an adventure undertaken, as they declared in a proclamation, ‘‘at the right moment'' and supported by the ‘‘exiled children'' of Ireland in America and their ‘‘gallant Allies in Europe''.
It is a relief to know that the whole stupid affair is at an end not only at the centre where it assumed the most grave form and where it caused the most serious loss both of life and property, but also at Enniscorthy, and it may be confidently expected that in the other parts of Ireland, where the fire of insurrection burns less fiercely, the outbreak will be speedily subdued.
What is the satisfaction that remains to the insurgents as the result of their mad exploit?
They have demonstrated that only a few thousand Irishmen, comprising for the most part, it would seem, the mere riff-raff of the nation, harboured sentiments of disloyalty to the Empire.
They have evoked expressions of abhorrence and disgust of their conduct from the representatives of millions of sane Irishmen of all classes and creeds throughout the world.
It may be reasonably conceded that Ireland will be a sweeter and better country to live in now that pestilential Sinn Feiners, who were a thorn in the side of authority while they were at liberty, will be deprived of the power to dishonour further the fair name of their land.
■The Cromwell Development Company has made a start on the erection of its power house at Kawarau Gorge, in connection with the electric generating plant which is to be installed for the purpose of supplying power for irrigation and other purposes.
The company has also engaged the services of Mr Phillips, an orchardist, who has had a wide experience in California of irrigation orchard work.
Mr Phillips has lately been employed in the Nelson district, and his services are to be utilised by the company in supervising the work in the Ripponvale farm, and advising the orchardists who may take up the fruit farms there on the best methods to adopt.
■The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) telegraphed to the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. J. Clark) yesterday as follows:- ‘‘It is with very great gratification that I have learned that the Otago military district has found the Sixteenth Reinforcements in full. I hope the same good report may be available when the Seventeenth are required to come into camp. Please do not let your committees disband. Keep them at work, following the men who are on their roll.''
■A Port Moresby patrol, when attempting to arrest near Kikiava some cannibals who had invited a party of coastal natives to a feast and then killed and ate them, were ambushed. Patrol-officer Kirby and two policemen were fatally speared.
■Turtles are so rarely seen about the South Island that the sight of a large one from off Akaroa one day last week caused excitement on the fishing launch owned by Mr C. Bushett.
The animal was described as being about 6ft in length, with a head on it as big as a man's. When the fisherman on the launch attempted to approach it the turtle quickly made off. - ODT, 3.5.1916
