The Suez Mail.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2502, 1 April 1878, Page 2

The Suez Mail.

[PRESS agency.] NEWS TO FEBRUARY 15. THE BRITISH FLEET L_ m DARDENELLES. BLUFF, this k MELBOURNE, Marcl!;,-:' With reference to the British fleet Jh ceeding to the Dardanelles, a telegraaUHf been received from the Russian Goran^S that Gallipoli will not be occupied ml^a Tuikish army was concentrated thoujE it was thought not improbable ||h| landing of Sulieman Pasha's troqjlg Gallipoli would be made by the BwsiHf pretext for seizing the place by a mujiff main. The second order for the A__ffl| to proceed to Constantinople wasgimM the Sth instant, when he was diretM«| take the Alexandra, Tamarire, Sifeg Achilles, Ruby, and Salamis, theresMili vessels to remain at Besika Bay. f RUSSIANS CUT TELEGRAPH wM The Russiaus cut the land MmJfi lines on the northern shores of theSa'Hj Marmora on the 31st January, ami all then most- direct communicationMßf London and Constantinople has ka||| way of Alexandra and Bombay. ENGLAND DISREGARDS POM PROTEST. On its being announced that tkiß had again been directed to pass tblJm danelles, Prince Gortschakoff in&aifi that the Russian troops would occi^tm city from the land aide. The Portemtt sequence protested against our going S| but the Government telegraphed tin the fleet would enter whether p_i9| or not. Accordingly Admii_l : '_i_H passed the Straits on Wednesday thelJlS and took four of his vessels up to MB Island, about ten miles from Stama| on the Asia Minor Coast, oft the aw Mai mora, two other vessels _erel_g| Gallipoli. The Italian and French (w ernments had appUed for firman for ag of their w Tar ships to go up in consetpaß of their ambassadors notifying tint fll tui-bances were not unlikely, birtthe^B cation was withdrawn. M} Austria has applied, however, dm sending five ironclads. MeantimeDeri™ informed Gortschakoff that Ihe. .Bj Government does not consider the de*| of the fleet any justification forth. sR ing of Russian troops. 1 TYPHUS FEVER—TFBRi™ RAVAGES. m l Typhus fever has been making;■«■ ravages. On 20th January there. ««| Turkish and Russian soldiers ill : otfl| at Kars, 5,000, at KavankatT, TMi*m Erzeroum, 12,000. £ During the war the Russians j «fK 120,000 Turks, and over one hundred m nOnS- ,_fc_T_T I OSMAN PASHA'S/ W\J| The news is confirmed that osn*aiW will be tried by Court Martial W*M sians. The Tuiks are alle« ■ • buried their prisoners alive at iw. J| 300,000 fugitives are stated WjjH stantinople, and every effort is madß_B them. j. dm Her Majesty subscribed £100 to M«« ish Compassionate Fund. MNt\m The Earl of Pembroke gave »| many other large amounts. /JK The office of Grand Vizier was «*m and a new Ministry t^.fijM Ahmed Kessik being appomM|*m of the Council and Minister ««KZB On the following c m_*_i_M attacked the Ministry ; for W%M change without submittmg^tne^w to them. Yesterday it wa. «Wjfl| Very conflicting roinonßjM circulated respecting the »» Austria, but it is genei^ww&M though she acquie«:ed m "kj« objection to the Conference jg-T| Vienna, she is resolved tof»g« interests by the strongest _<^ W°"-W and will-not allow Germany » THE FRENCH PRESS ONESS^ ATTITUDE. :.■,<*■ The French Republij^ *g» tional papers have warmly V»JM lute attitude of the Engli^JJ^B severely condemn action ny « particularly of Mr Gladstone l^fl well as the English P«^ JgJSB the Government has led eitjer « drawal of some claim put«s» or their making knwafiS'W was concealing by arrangement - keOntbe3rdin S t.theC Z arSJ the victorious *qS^_*__3WM officers upon the' sataMjJ^« the armistice, but said ,^om from the end, «»d■.»»**>■ ourselves prepared untu j : . J| able peace worthy of. f^f»« ATTEMPTED AbSAW^B An attempt to assassinate jm off, prefect at St. Petewb^JM the sth by a woman, with two shots fro^StosfS senting a petition. a_lfr^^___ by the Czar and General GoW^ reason for the action. On the same day other revolvers, were arrested: W^pm of the interior, and anotner j| General,*, at Moscow. The Russian press Wgt'dgß with disfavour, beheving^ M he made to reduce l«w ■ minimum, -j _ tvIAKCS 011 RUSSIANS |^MAN%J; A large Russian f«<je» jfc : arrive in Roumama, bn«

■on the south, anddo not cross the Danube, in view of Austrian eventualities: On the evening of theithinst., when Mr Gladstone resumed the debate on the vote of credit, the Prince of Wales, the Crown Prince of Austria, and many other distinguished persons were present. The Princess of Wales was in the ladies' gallery. GLADSTONE THINKS RUSSIA MUST BE CUBBED. In his speech Mr Gladstone allowed that Russia must be curbed, and he opposed the • cession to her of the mouth of the Danube. The Queen is at Osborne, in good health. She is about to proceed to Windsor. The Crown Prince of Austria is visiting Ireland. Several Radical members have expressed. a distrust and dislike ot Russia. A schism - also existed relative to the withdrawal, of Mr Forster's amendment and question opposing the money vote. Lord Hartington, Mr. John Bright and other leading Liberals abstained from voting. Mr Gladstone, Mr Fawcett and others voted with the noes. The Porte made no active opposition to the passage of the fleet through the Dardanelles, and the Sultan contented himself with a protest, thus relieving himself of responsibility in the transaction. The delay in the entering of the fleet seems to have arisen in • consequence of a dispute as to the continued validity of a firman previously granted to the English Government. The latter maintained that the firman was still good, and the Porte declined to grant a new one, and generally hesitated. The releations between England and Russia are extremely strained. " The advance of the Russians upon Constantinople and Gallipoli is believed to be imminent, if not already commenced. . The Russian national feeling is becoming excited at Moscow and St. Petersburg. AUSTRIA'S ATTITUDE. Tbe relations between Austria and Russia are much strained, Austria being thoroughly alarmed at the Russian advances, -aud the apparent indifference of the Czar to Austrian interests. The Vienna Cabinet has alreaky objected to several points of the preliminary peace conditions imposed by Russia. Austrian mobilisation is believed to be imminent. Germany is endeavouring to induce Russia to conciliate Austria, but apparently without effect. The probability and expediency of an Anglo-Austrian alliance at the present 'Crisis is much discussed, but it is believed that Austria will not commit herself before Germany has declared her intentions. Military and naval preparations on a large scale are now proceeding in all the arsenals and dockyards throughout England with great activity. THE PRINCIPALITIES. Roumania strongly opposes Russia's claim for retrocession of the Roumanian portion of Bessarabia, upon which, however, the Czar personally insists, in order to wipe out the humiliation of the Crimean war in Russia. Roumania is estranged in consequence. Seriva is also dissatisfied at the attitude of Russia respecting her claim for territorial compensation. An agitation is proceeding among a certain section of the Conservative party against what they consider as Lord Derby's half-hearted policy, and a few days ago rumours of his -lordship's resignation were rife, which appear, however, unfounded, the despatch of the fleet to Constantinople being regarded as a proof that the Foreign Secretary must now be in harmony with his chief. BRITISH FLEET ENTERS DARDANELLES IN FIGHTING TRIM. Pursuant to orders, Admiral Hornby's fleet left Besika Bay on the 20th Jannary, and entered the Dardanelles, proceeding to Chanak, where a telegram was received directing its return to Besika Bay again. The Sultan had granted a firman for its passage. It was not known, however, whether resistance would be made, and ali was ready on board to force the passage, guns being shotted and run out, galting guns hoisted into the tops, and upper yards sent down. The orders to the A dmiral were not to proceed further than Stamboul, but to keep the waterway open thence to the •entrance of the Dardanelles. WAR FEELING IN ENGLAND.^ In London enthusiastio meetings in favor of the Government were held at the Guild Hall, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, and at the Canon-street Hotel, the Stock and Corn Exchange, at Lloyd's Exeter Hall, Trafalgar-square, and in all the suburbs. Meetings of 20,000 persons were held at Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester; and numerous gatherings which took place at nearly all the principal towns pronounced in favour of the Government and the vote for six millions. On several occasions the Times and Daily News were publicly burnt. Many of the meetings convened by the Opposition supporters were turned into enthusiastic demonstrations in favour of the Government. For several days Lord Beaconsfield was received with a tremendous ovation on reaching the Parliament Honses, and the excitement was greater than any since the Crimean war. Three Russsian war ships passed down the Channel during a fog on the 3rd. - # . At the date of the armistice, 7,000 Turkish troops under Mukhtar, Mehemet' Ali, and Baker Pashas, were available for the defence of the Tchekmedge lines. Hobart Pasha superintended the naval defence. The Malta and Gibraltar garrison number 11,457 men. Immense quantities of supplies and war materials are being sent to both fortresses. A London publisher has received a large order for works on India, to be sent to the 'Grand Duke Nicholas, at Orenberg. A Russian administration is being organized in Armenia, which the people believe 'to be permanently intended. TOBBBS STRAITS MAIL. "**~ Friday.. The E. and A. MailCompany'ssteamship .Somerset arrived at TownsviUe at 6 a.m. yesterday. JShe left Singapore on the6th instant, thirty-three hours late, and arrived at Thursday Island on the 18th, and Cook--town on the 20th. „ '-. . Obitury. —General A* Clarke, Captain T. Edwards, R.N., J.P., and Lady Caroline Beckett. ' ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS. The Lord-Chancellor yesterday lntro•duced a Bill into Parliament to settle the jurisdiction of the English Courts over occurrences at sea within a certain distance of the coast. ~,, The asylum for women and children at Tientsin has been burnt. Over two thousand perished. ' ■ Twelve persons were killed and a number injured in an attempt lo escape from a circus at Calais on a false alarm of fire. A few days later a panic from a similar cause occurred at the Globe Theatre, Glasgow, when twenty persons were injured. The notorious Madame Rachel is under remand, charged with victimizing the wife of a stockbroker of a quantity of jewellery under pretence of providing her with enamel for her face. : W O Jackson, who made the murderous attack upon Mr. Hamberger at Holburn Viaduct, shot himself before he could be arrested. ■ ;, , , , Tom Pat, a Chinaman, who defrauded Lord Charles Beresford of £1,400 by forgeries extending over several years, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. An unsuccessful attempt was made to upset the mail train with English mails between Calais and Boulogne on the 3rd instant. The house of Captain Golds worthy, near Redruth, Cornwall, was nearly destroyedby an explosion of dynamite on the nit. The offender is unknown. An endeavour to blow up the house of a brickmaker at Manchester was made by some Unionists, but failed. Several arrests have been made. ;_,-.; The great. Nihilist trials in-Russia have resulted in the conviction of about 120 of the accused and the acquittal of 80. ■ LONDON, February i 5: # The Attorney-General has stated in Parliament that the hanging of the men on boardthe Beagle was perfectly legal.

A Russian paper states that during \t recent visit of British naval officers tc Vladivostock all works were suspended bj the authorities. . The Privy Council have upheld the decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court relative to the duty on the proper tj left by the late Donald M'Lean. A. statement has appeared in the Morning Advertiser showing that there is still greal laxity in the carriage of gunpowder on board merchantmen ships, A letter has appeared in the Times from Professor Pearson, defending the taxation of land in Victoria. SUPREME COURT.-This Day. Opening of the Criminal Sessions. (Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies). The April Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court were opened this morning, by His Honor Mr Justice Gillies. His Honor was ushered into Court this morning at 11 o'clock by the Registrar, Colonel Haultain. The usual proclamation having been made by the Court crier, Mi J. Molloy, the names of the Grand Jury were called over as follows by E. S. Willcocks, Esq., Registrar:—Messrs. J. H. Beale, A. Anderson, J. F. Clarke, J. J. Dalton, J. Edson, J. C. Firth, W. D. Goodhue, J. Ansen, R. Hall, J. Holmes, O. Jones, A. Morrow, F. L. Prime, H. Ridings, J. Scarrott, J. Wallace, F. Phillips, J. Mowbray, J. Wrigley. Mr F. L. Prime was chosen foreman. His Honor Mr Justice Gillies then delivered the following charge to the Grand Jury: Mr Foreman, gentlemen of the Grand Jury, again I have to congratulate you upon the very lightcalendar withwhich you have to deal on this occasion. There are only fourteen prisoners, although the charges against these f ourteen'are much more numerous. I have had, during the last two years so frequently to utter the same congratulations upon the lightness of the calendar, that it only suggests an inquiry as to the reason or reasons of this apparent lightness of crime in your community. When I look round the other judicial districts I find that serious crime, requiring the action of the Supreme Court, is much lighter in this district than in any other judicial district in the colony. This is somewhat remarkable considering the large population in the judicial district of Auckland, and the mixed character of that population, having so many natives amongst us. It clearly could not be attributed to very great prosperity—any peculiar prosperity, for prosperity generally has a tendency to lessen crime. It cannot arise from that reason. Nor can it arise from a want of vigilance and activity on the part of our police force, for Aye hear of very few crimes which remain undetected. It appears to me that a portion of the reason at least must arise from the very activity and vigilance of our police, which from the certainty of detection tends to act as a deterrent from crime, and it is certainly the highest duty of the police to prevent ciime rather than.detect it after its commission. But from whatever cause, the lightness of the calendar has arisen on these various occasions, it certainly is a matter of congratulation to us ; and I trust it may long continue to be so. Of the 14 prisoners who will be brought before you, three are females, four are aboriginal natives—Maoris. Of these, seven are sent for crimes which have been committed in the city of Auckland, the other seven were crimes committed in the out-districts, at Hokianga, Russell, Wangarei, Waikato, Coromandel, and Whakatane. Out of the over 20 charges which will be against these 14 prisoners, there are only four offences against the person, and of these four one isacase of a younggirlofls, apparently of violent temper, who stabbed her mother. The facts in the case are so simple that I need not make any remarks upon it. There is another case of a Maori woman, in which she assaulted, and, as it is called, thrashed within an inch of his life, her husband. There is this peculiarity in the case—it appears from the depositions that thjs man had been in the habit of beating his wife violently. Yet on this occasion they hadj beenfon goodS terms, and were walking home, near the house a quarrel arose,and she, not on account of the then quarrel, but apparently as taking payment for beatings received before, took up a.stick aud left him for dead, However he recovered, But you are no doubt aware that however the circumstances may palliate her guilt these circumstances would not justify her violent assault. There is another case of a Maori assault on a con•stable who was bringing him into custody for horse-stealing. There are no difficulties in that case, for the evidence shews tbe facts. There is also a case—the depositions were received only this morning—a case of alleged rape by a father on. his own daughter. I have not had time to examine the depositions as carefully as I could wish. [His Honor here explained what circumstances were necessary in order to legally constitute the crime of rape] I merely make this' remark in order to draw your attention to the evidence before you. It is possible the crime may amount, not to that, but to indecent assault. There is a prisoner charged with forgery, who is also indicted for the offence of larceny, and I would direct your particular attention to that charge, the facts being that this person happened to be taken into custody on a charge of larceny from the person; and upon him were found two forged cheques, and I believe there is evidence to shew that he was the writer and signer of these forged cheques, but you must remember in order to constitute the crime of forgery there must be something more than a false or fictitious signature to a document, that there must be evidence of intent to defraud by the forger, and that unless there is some evidence to shew there was an intention to defraud in making a forged instrument then it d6es not amount to the crime of forgery, the intent to defraud being of the essence of the crime of forgery. There appears, so far as I observe, in the depositions, no evidence ot the prisoner having.offered these cheques in any way or even exhibited them for the purpose of gaining credit, and you will have, therefore, to enquire whether there is any evidence to shew an intent to defraud upon these cheque's There must be some evidence to shew that he intended to use these cheques. If you cannot shew this you will not be entitled to shew forgeiy. [His Houor referred at some length to the other cases in the calendar, pointing out the prominent points. With regard to the case of receiving stolen goods, His Honor said it must be clearly shewn that the prisoner knew that the goods were stolen.] ~. , _ ~ The Grand Jury then retired to consider the cases. TRUE BILLS. The Grand Jury found True Bills against Walter Bullivant on four charges of forging and uttering; against Hami Waka, alias Sam, for horse-stealing, and assault; John Williams alias Walters, forging and uttering. FORGING AND UTTERING. - Walter Bullivant, alias Bennett, aged 20, described as a seaman, was arraigned upon several indictments, charging him with forging and uttering certain cheques, in the month of January last, with intent to defraud. .' ' .... ~ The prisoner, it will- be remembered, represented himself to John Ward, aud other painters of Auckland, as one of their trade, and succeeded in getting supplies of paint, brushes, etc., by means of fictitious cheques. . _, _, ~_ " „'-v. The prisoner pleaded guilty to all the offences, but hoped His Honor in passing sentence would take into consideration ihis youth and the fact that he had been aheadj eleven weeks in Mount Eden gaol. •His Honor briefly commented upon the nature of the offences, and sentenced the prisoner to 18 months' imprisonment witl hard labour. PIG-STEALING. -: Hami Waki, alias Sam, a native, wa: arraigned upon an indictment, charging

him with stealing two. pigs on the 2Qth June,. 1876% the property of John Ferguson,near Alexandra. The prisoner was further arraigned- upon an indictment charging him with violently assaulting Constable Robert James Gillies while in the execution of his duty, at Te Awamutu, on the 16th February of the present year. Mr Brown acted as interpreter between prisoner aud the Court. Prisoner pleaded guilty to both charges. Sentence deferred. HORSE-STEALING. . .. ■ ,

Hami , Waks was arraigned upon an indictment charging him with stealing a mare, value £10, the property of Henry Thomas Sibley, on the 6thMay.. Prisoner ple*aded not guilty. Mr Brookiield opened the case for the prosecution. Henry Thomas Sibley, owner of the mare, who had branded her with his initials; John Simpson, bricklayer, who proved the purchase; William Bonar, who identified the horse, gave evidence. Constable Gillies proved the arrest, but had no warrant. _ His Honer having pointed Out that the evidence was exceedingly slender, the jury retired, and returned with a verdict of not guilty. His HonorinformedMrßiookfield that the question of the arrest without a warrant could be tried. No constable had a right to take a person into custody without a warrant in such circumstances. Constables mustbe protected, but in this case it was questionable whether the officer had not exceeded his duty. He would, however ,_ consider the matter, and give his decision iv the inglarceny of a watch. James Williams pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing a watch from Fred. Mayo, and was sentence to one- years imprisonment with hard labour. TRUE BILLS. Wm. Baker, breaking and entering ; Isaac Thompson, horse-stealing. NO TRUE BILL. Namaha Evana Reilly, wounding with intent to kill. HORSE-STEALING. Utiku, a native, was charged with stealing a gelding, the property if James Chase, of Opo'tiki. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty. Sentence, 1 year's imprisonment. WOUNDING. Elizabeth Doughety, aged 15, pleaded guilty to wounding her motller. The mother made a strong appeal on behalf of her child. Sentence reserved. FRAUDULENT INSOLVENCY. David Hamilton pleaded guilty to two charges of fraudulent insolvency, and after some severe remarks by the Judge, was senteuced to one year's imprisonment, with hard labour.