The Situation in the Soudan

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 78, 10 April 1885, Page 2

The Situation in the Soudan

The break-up of tho Mahdi's forco—supposing this to be completely accomplished through intornnl dissensions nnd tho collapse of Osman Digna's rebellion, which is alroady reported to havo taken placo— will not by any means finally disposo of tho Soudan question. Though tho rebels, by slaughtering General Gordon and tho whole of tho Egyptian garrisons, havo relieved tho British Government of its chief duty in tho country, thore still remains the problem of pacifying the population and securing tho safety of Egypt proper against similar risings in future. Writing a fow weeks ago, the military correspondent of tho London "Times" said: " Tho crushing of Osman Digna will bo a purely military operation, and tho tactics of desert warfare are simple; but as soon rb tho rebel chief has been finally disposed of, the native quostion will assume great importance. On tho tact and skill displayed in dealing with the friendly, the wavering, and the beaten tribes, groat issues may depend. Starting from the shores of the Red Sea, a native movemont in favour of order and reorganisation, and based upon confidence in the powor and good faith of England, may bo developed which will materially aid us in determining tho futnro of tho Soudan. Evacuation pure and Bimple is now impossible." But so far as disclosed, tho British policy does not contemplate anything else than evacuation of tho country—that is, the Soudan is to be left independent and selfgoverning, the suzerainty of the Khedive boing abandoned, and the native Sultans re-established in their rule. It is the latter work which will requiro great skill, tact, and firmness to accomplish succcstKllly; and it is greatly to be mentioned if thero is now in the Soudan a British officer capablo of carrying on the negotiations. To ensure a satisfactory settlement of tho native quostion in Wig Soudan demands a demonstration of JVitish powor, coupled with kindness and forbearance, such as will begot in the native mind a wholesome rovor,enco and respoct for us, with a desiro t_ cultivate legitimate trading relations If this is kept in view at the presont juncture in the parleying which will naturally follow after British successes, tho difficulties will be lessened, and permanent good results may be obtained.

Thero are very few alterations in our market price-list this week. Butter has been reduced to 8d per lb. wholesale, and lOd per !b. retail. Eggs remain at last •week s quotations. The Premier left Whangarei yesterday for Dargaville, and Mr Hales (District Enfineer) hastened from Auckland to meet im there. Both gentlemen are expected back to-night by train from Helensville. For many months past the kauri gum market has been in a very bad way, and there havebeen very few buyers. Merchants now seem inclined to reduce their prices, and next week will probably see a movement downwards. For this month so far about 130 tons has come into Auokland from various sources. Present quotations appear in our weekly price-list.

The first oranges of the season have not gone off well, and bidding at the auction sales proved by no means brisk. The cargo ox Lilian, which arrived on Monday, sold slowly, and before they were discharged the Aurora arrived with another 100,000. These were to have been sold by auction on the wharf to-day, but only a few lots were disposed of, and BJd per dozen was the best price offered. For the balance 6d per dozen was offered and declined. A vessel signalled at the time of the sale, and supposed to be the Ada C. Owen with another batch of oranges, had no doubt considerable effect on the bidding, and there appeared a prospect of cheap oranges for some time to come.

Mr Matthews, sonr., was appointed Clerk of Works to the Art Gallery Buildings at the meeting of the City Council last evening. The salary is £?50 per annum. In roply to a question by a Councillor, Mr Matthews said ho was 73 years of age. " Yes," interrupted Cr. Goldio, ovor ready to point tho moral, "and ho a teetotaller. If he hadn't been, ho would not havo lived to that ago." Mr Matthews is ono of tho oldost buildors in Auckland. Ho was tho contractor for tho old Auckland Savings Bank, rocontly pulled down.

The time for recoiving tondors for tho Government contract for tho supply of 15 0,000 croosotod _leepers is extended to 30th hist. Whitopino is now included in tho list of_ timbers that may be supplied. Soe advertisement in to-day's issue.

Mr Gravos Aickin montioned at the Chamber of Commorce mooting yostorday aftornoon that a numbor of merchants had mooted tho dosirability of laying down a cable botweon New Zealand and Fiji, and that in all probability the Committee would comi.lor tho matter. Mr Stout might bo interviewed in regard to it, or Sir Julius Yogel communicated with.

Considerable interest appoars lo centre in tho corcmony of turning tho first soil of tho Trunk Railway oxtonsioii on Wednesday next, Our Waikato correspondent telegraphs :—"Tlio first sod of tho Trunk Railway will be turned on the south bank of tho Punui. Government havo cngagod the To Awamutu Band for tho occasion, and arrangements aro also boing mado for tho nttondnnco of tho To Awamutu Cavalry."

Tho following tenders wore opened on Wednesday, April Ist, by Mr R. Mackay Fripp, architect, for tho erection of stables at Camp Farm, Otahuhu :—B. T. Lochart, £298; N. Pollard, £282; J. Mathoson, £279; J. J. Woods, £209 12s Cd ;F. R. Alterdon, £203 ; Wrigley and Handcock, £241; 11. H. Holms, £240; J. R. Oilman, £220 ; Smith and Roe, £195; J. W Malmborg (accopted), £191 17s 6d.

It transpired at tho meeting of tho City Council last evoning that tho causo of tho rocont impurity in tho city wator supply was a loakago in tho dam of tho littlo spring, but it was boing repaired. Cr. Waymouth was desirous of holding on inquiry, with tho view of discovering on whom tho responsibility of tho leak rested, but tho idea wub pooh-poohed.

Tho churchwardens of Christ's Church, Ellorslio, having applied to tho Shaw, Savill, nnd Albion Company, of London, for tho remission of tho frieglit charges on tho memorial windows prosonted by Mr 8011, nnd brought out in tho s.s. Coptic, tho Company havo gracoously acceded to tho request, and Messrs Cruickshank and Co., tho Auckland agents, havo forwarded a cheque to tho churchwardens refunding the amount paid in froight.

Somo excitomont was caused in Frooman's Ray this morning by shouting and screaming proceeding from a house in that locality. Constnblos Bernard and Collis woro attracted by tho noiso, and hurrying to tho house, found that a domostic quarrel was proceeding botweon a marriod woman and her mother, whilo to add to tho effect tho bailiff, wcro also in tho houso. The constables managed to suppress tho row, which had attracted quito a crowd of inquisitive individuals to tho neighbourhood of tho houso.

A tiro took placo last wook at Matakoho, which destroyed Mr Isbintor's stable and other outhouses, nnd bnrnod to death thrco horses and a working bullock. A quantity of harness and implomonts was also lost, and it was only by groat oxortions that tho firo was prevented from destroying tho houso and store.

The second of n sories of lectures respecting experiences of mission lifo in India was givon in tho Wollosley-strcot Baptist Church last evening by Miss Arnold, of tho South Australian Baptist Mission. Thero was a fair attendance, and Mr F. Battloy presided. Tho discour. o was a highly interesting ono, nnd was explanatory of tho work of tho mission. This afternoon, Miss Arnold addressed a mooting of ladies on tho subject of Christian work amongst tho women of India.

At tho mooting of tho .VaHto Lands Board yesterday, Mr I). A. Tolo, Chiof Commissioner, presiding, a quantity of ordinary business transacted, It was decided to offer for leaso tho land applied for by the Miranda Coal Company for a canal. At a previous mooting it had boon docidod to call tho townahij. of.Vhnu North " Gordon," but ns there was already a township of that namo in tho colony, it was docidod to ronamo Whan North " Wolseloy."

Thoro was another largo nudtonco at tho Opota Houso last ovoning, when " Fun on tho Bristol" was repeated with unabated success. Many of tho songs woro oncored, and the greatoat morrimont prevailed throughout tho wholo programme. Tho Company's season is now drawing to a closo, and concludos on Saturday night, so that to-night is tho last but ono of this most amusing comedy in Auckland.

Mr C. Noill, of Nowton, writes complaining that McCuno has beon unfairly treated by Raynor in tho walking contest, which takos placo to-morrow. Jfo says: The fifty pound n-sido was to bo posted in four paymonts—tho first throo on Monday nights (every wcok), and tho balanco to bo put up ono weok boforo tbo raco, which was last Saturday, <ttb inst. McCuno's backor and himself reckoned it was Monday, and did not givo it a thought, until a gentleman camo up to him on tlioracocourso and asked him if no had forfeited. He was staggered at tho question ; but when ho came to think it over, it was Saturday and not Monday, as ho supposed, and so was too lato. Ho nt once hunted Rayner up, and told him how it was, and offered to go into town and doposit tho money at once, but Raynor said ho would sottlo it at night. When thoy met Rnynor's party claimed tho £25 deposited, but after a lot of discussion ho offered to tako half—£l2 10s—which McCune had to agroo to :—laying odds of £G2 10s to tho £50 of the " champion longdistance walkor of Australasia."

The total inadequacy for local requirements of tho existing wharfage and shed accommodation formed the subject of forciblo representation to the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon by Mr John Boss. Ho pointed out that importers wore put to unreasonable dolay in obtaining delivory of thoir goods, and that, althougn tho Customs officers did thoir best, thoir number was too small and tho accommodation too limited for the demands mado upon them. He therefore moved, "That tho attention of tho Harbour Board be directed to tho inadequacy of the present wharfage and shed accommodation, which is causing serious loss to importers ; that the delay in tho dolivery of goods is vexatious, and calls fir immodiato attention." In seconding the motion, Mr Matthew Clark fully bore out all that Mr Ross had alleged. He also stated that, having occasion on the previous day to visit the Queon-street Wharf, ho found strewn over it cases containing about £25,000 worth of porishable goods. They had lain thero throughout tho previous night, and had rain fallen, thoir contents would havo been irretrievably spoilt. We need hardly add that tho resolution passed unanimously.

Tho Chamber of Commorco adoptod the Committee's report, a synopsis of which appeared in our last impression. In speaking to it Mr John Lamb stated as an illustration of tbo vagaries of our railway tariff, that it was cheaper to import wheat from Dunedin than to bring it down by rail from the Waikato. Tho resolution of tho Invercargill Chamber of Commerce advocating intercolonial free trade was referred to the Committee for consideration. Mr Digby Tonks and Mr R, K. Davis were elected members of the Chamber. Mr G. P. Pierce drew attention to the desirability of having the quarantine island of Motuihi connected with the mainland either by means of telephone or telegraph. He said that it was a most desirable thing that theso means of communication should be at once provided, as in case of vessels arriving at the Etation with sickness on board it was necessary to have speedy information, so that no time might bo lost in despatching medical aid and taking the usual precautionary measures. Sonmos Island, at Wellington, and tho station at Lyttelton had those means o'. communication ; but in this, os in all other matters of Government expenditure, Auckland was 20 years behind the rest of the colony. He therefore moved, " That the attention of the Government be called to the necessity for at once establishing telegraphic communication with Motuihi Quarantine Station and Auckland." The resolution was passed, and will be forwarded to the Government.

We are glad to learn that the railway I authorities are making arrangements to run 1 a special excursion train to Te Awamutu on Wednesday next, when the ceremony of cutting the first sod of the extension southwards of the trunk railway will be performed. At the meeting of the Board of Education this afternoon, the resignation of Mr •I. M. Dargaville of his seat as a member was received. The balances at date were stated to be:—Building fund (credit), £5,86t Is 7d, Education fund (debit), £1,443 : General balance, £4,417 3s 7d. With reference to the wildly-oxtravagant and distorted account of New Zealand which was q*ioted in tho Star of Wednesday from tho English papor "Justice," we aro informed that the writer is n young man who came out tr> the colony last year, and left it after a slay of four weeks. His frionds in Auckland aro much annoyed at his action, and wish it understood that ho has written on vory slight knowledge, and in a condition of mind, through disappointment and other causes, not at all favourable to candid treatmont. A mooting of tho creditors of Ponsonby Poacocko, School Inspector, was hold late yesterday afternoon. The Board of Education having declined to retain one-half the debtor's salary for tho creditors' benefit, it was rosolved, " That tho Assignee apply to the Court undor section! 10 of the Bankruptcy Amendment Act for a summons to tho debtor to appear and be examined as to his moans of satisfying the claims of tho creditors," Tho following orthographical puzzlo was amongst the letters read at tho City Coui.cil meeting last evening:—"Auckluno, Aporl Bth, '8!>. To his Worship the Mair and gentelmen of the Citoy Counsel I hoirbuy, sond in my claim £1(5 damage dun to my property up to date. I had the four roomOH in tho front houso let nt thur* toon shillings por wool; and tho bak house let at sovon shillings which is one pound per wool. I am loseing through tho ingory dun to tho property.—Yours rospectfuly Lour Hopson street."

Tho fifth annual exhibition of tho Auckland Society of Arts opens to tho general public ot noon on Thursday, though tho formal oponing is not until Friday night, when a convorsaziono will be givon. A largo number of paintings have boon received, including contributions from Gibbs, Power, Gilford, and other artists of repute in various parts of tho colony. Two English artists aro also among tho exhibitors, viz., Messrs Peyton an Montbroy. Tho musical competition is likoly to prove one of the greatest attractions of this year's exhibition. Art Union tickots, etc., may bo had from Mr Witheford, Shortlandstroot. Mi Holland is now recoiving paintings at tho Choral Hall, and will givo any required information.

A mooting of thoso interested in tho formation for this year of St. Stephen's Mutual Improvement Soeioty was held on Wednesday night. A fair number responded to tho intimation. Tho officobcarora wcro oloctcd, and various other preliminary arrangements mado. It was agreed to meet every alternate Wednesday night at S o'clock. A programme of tho coming session will soon bo drawn up and circulated among members and friends, and from tho material in hand it is likely to prove a vory attractive one. Rev. D. W. Runcitnan, President of the Society, will delivor tho inaugural address on Wednesday, tho 22nd inst.

At Whangarata, on tho Waikato Railway, a firo Drok6 out on Monday in tho hou_o of Mr Coonoy, and tho house and contents were completely dostroyod. Mr Coonoy and four of his children, who woro in tho house, had a narrow escape with their livos, boing awakened about midnight by tho barking of a dog, whon tho houso was found to be in flames.

Tho arrangements for tho 12 hours' walking match betwoon Rayncv and McCuno for t'so a-sido aro now comploto, nnd the affair will tako placo to-morrow in tho Theatre Royal. At ton o'clock the track will bo measured off, and nt 11 precisely tho start will bo mado. Mr W. Mottamhaaboon appointod judge, and Messrs Joughin and W. Graham aro to act as referees. Both sides appear equally confident of winning.

Princo Wellington, of Tonga, whoso death was recorded in our last issue, had a groat liking for Auckland-built schooners. A fow months ago ho gave Mr C. Bailey nn ordor for a handsome schooner-yacht, and this vessel would havo been already undorwuy but for the vory necessary conclusion of an agreement iv tho shapo of a " doposit. Last mail the Princo wrote in forming Mr Bailoy that ho was unwell, nnd would attend to matters in connection with tho schooner before tho noxt vossol loft. His death, howovor, provonted him carrying out his intention, and deprived Auckland of a nico pioco of work. Prince Wellington was a voiy largo man, as may bo inferred from tho fact that in his yacht tho cabin had to be mado quito sovon foot high, and his state-room unusually capacious, iv order to comfortably accommodato him, for, liko tho Dragoons in " I'ationco," ho was " a man of full habit."

Facts —Closo conflnomont and careful attention to all factory work gives tho operatives pallid faces, poor appetites, languid, miserable feelings, poor blood, inactive liver, kidneys, &c , and all tho physicians and medicine in the world onnnot help them unless thoy get out of doors or uso American Ca's Hop Bitters. Nono need suffer If thoy will uso It freely. Sto.

Honry Goorge's theories of giving the land to tbo people aro attractive, but they laok tho utilitarianism of those principles upon which tho Industrial and Provident Building Soolety (CJuoon-street, corner of Vulcan Lane) dally secures land and houses for industrious men.

Professor Jules doßernard, whoso dancing cliihsos horo last season woro very popular, Intends remaining in Melbourne, whoro ho now is. but his labours hero will bo continued by Professor Btbron, recently from Paris, whoso announcement appears In our advertising columns.

Tho annual meeting of tho Grafton Football Club will bo hold this ovoning at 8 o'clock in tho United Sorvlco Hotel.

An eclipse of tho sun occurs September 8, vißlblo in Now Zealand ; but an eclipse In tho fancy goods trade occurs this evening, visible from 7 to 10 at the corner of Queen and victoria streets, during whloh time, howovor, the London Arcade will be Illuminated, as for 21 d«ys an eclipse salo will be hold, the ltko ot which has not been seen ln Auckland boforo. Wo refor our readors to the advertisements on the 3rd and Ith page of tho Star.—[Anvrj.

Why, oh why ? Why does a donkey profor thistles to corn ? Answor: Because he's an ass. Why will some pooplo persist in buying ponr goods nt big nriooa when they oan securo articles of Al quality at about 60 por cent, loss than thoy aro in the habit of paying. Where . Why, at Haton'B Co operative Utoro, fnoxt tho Crctorlon, Hobson-stroct. You can Purohaso Prime Canterbury Bacon. 8d: Fresh Butter, 8d; Pigs' Chcoks, 2d p_ r lb; Factory diceeo, Od por lb; Othc Dairies from 2d por lb; Apples,6lb for Is; nnd Bankruptlot of Grocories must bo Sold.