Page 2 Advertisements Column 3

West Coast Times, Issue 4872, 23 March 1885, Page 2

Whether the present parleying with Ruspin, result in war or no war, the" scare will have had one effect in this distant portion of the British Empire. It has made us look to our defences, and has shown how easy it would be for a Russian cruiser, or for the matter of tbat, a Russian privateer to levy toll upon our principal harbor town 9. Auckland promptly took the alarm. The local chamber of commerce represented the defenceless state of the city, and a similar state of things was complained of at Dunediu. Now all is bustle and ferment. Guns are to be mounted on Auckland North Shore. Precautions are to be taken against sudden attack at Wellington and Dunedin. The Government have ordered £100,000 worth of munitions of war from Home, in order to carry out, to some extent at least, Major Caulley's detailed ecb.ome of defence. The action of th 3 Ministry in thi3 respect, taken on their own responsibility, deserves the highest commendation. More timid men might have resolved to call Parliament together, and to refiain from moving- until the expenditure had received tbe sanction of the Legislature. Practically however, the Country has endorsed the action of the Ministry. From all quarters we hoar of praise of the course they have taken, and from all quarters indeed, some course to establish a defence system in New Zealand has been constantly insis'ed upon. This is nearly the only Colony which is practically undefended. In the case of war between England and a strong maritime Power, New Zealand would have been a vulnerable point cf attack- Now, let us hope that the new scheme of defence will be no longer a scheme when war breaks out, as it must soon do io. the nature of things. Though haste may be shown in getting our house put in order against some strong man who may wish to seize it, it is better so be partially defended than positively unarmed. There may be time afforded to arrange our protective armour properly. But in any case the Russian advance towards Herat has had lue effect of armiug New Zealand.

We hope that a sufficient uumber of pupils will offer themselves to-day to enable the High School Commissioners to start the proposed school. The nnines of scholars must be sent in to Mr South fc3-day, and if there U a fair number, a short time will see the initiation of the school. Tho arrangements will be easily completed. A building • will be shortly available, which will require little alteratiou to fit it for a school, the services of a teacher will be obtained, aud that which 60 many have asked for here, the establishment of such a school, will be an accomplished fact. If however scant support is accorded by parents it will be evidently difficult to commence operations. We have pointed out the necessity for such a school, and have published complaints respecting the cost of sending pupils to Dunedin and elsewhere. It has been shown that the school will be a boon not only to the rich but to the poor. The fee charged is only £10 103 a year which is surely little enough. The opportunity is offered to parents now, and it is to be hoped they will eagerly accept it.

The Christchurch coach arrived about half»past foui^o'clock on Saturday af teruooc, bringing one passenger, Mr Thomas.

There was an accident to a cart contaiuiug timber, on Saturday afternoon in Sewell street. On? of the wheels sunk through a culvert, nearly opposite the gate of tbo Government House, and it was with some difficulty that it was got out. There is a gaping hole at (he spot.

Mr Greenwood, Dentisf, will re-vi3it Hokiika about the end of March.— Advt.

Good creations are rare. Nothing has been introduced into the market since Wolfe's Schnapps that can compare with that unrivalled elixir, the purest spirit in the world.— Advt.