The Anglo-Russian Difficulty.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 86, 20 April 1885, Page 2

The Anglo-Russian Difficulty.

Mr Gladstone has con firmed the rumours of peace by stating that, there is n probability ot tho difficulty being settled upon terms honourable to both parties. Tho phrauo has a plofisant and re-assuring sound, but opinions differ as to what would constitute an honourable settlement, and thero is a strong suspicion that the Gladstone Cabinet are too eager to avoid war, and therefore willing to accept terms which givo Russia tho kernal of possession, and loavc England with tho shell of peaceful assurances and barren promises. It is disclosed in to-day"s telegrams, however, that with all the Ameer's professions of good will he does not love or tru°t England too. well. He is said to prefer the cession of Penjdeh to Russia rather than permit an English occupation of Herat. There is much shrewdness, too, about this decision. Penjdeh was never ruled by the Ameer, and he probably has no strong dcairo 1.0 undertake the work of compolling tho turbulent Turkomans to maintain order. In letting Russia taka Penjdeh he gives away what belongs to somebody else; but in allowing England to occupy '

Herat ho has strong reason to fear that they will novor dolivor up possession, and that tho indopondonoo of his country will bo gono for ovor. Tho risk of future invasion by Russia is only a distant contingency. Abdurrahman Khan was long enough the rocipiont of Russian protection and kind ness to havo receivod assurancos of their desire to cultivato tho friendship of tho Afghans, and to mako common causo with thorn against the English. The Ameer may think ho wili bo (ib!o to play oil' tho Russians against tho English, and throw his weight' on either side, as circumstances dictate, If tho Aincor should odboro to this resolution England could only attack tho Russians by lirst conquering the Afghans, and apart from tho policy of oucli a course jusfc now, tho pro text that wo woro fighting in tho Fulfilmont of our treaty with tho Amoor would no longer servo us. That shiun -will sooner ov later havo to bo thrown aside, and English inlluonce will have (o bo established in Afghanistan whotbor tho Amoor likos it or not. England will havo to occupy Herat, not as a guarantee for tho security of Afghanistan, but of India. General Koinarofl now admits that ho know of tho agrcomont ontorcd into with England boforo ho attacked tho Afghans at Pcnjdoh, and ho announces that he has already assumed tho Govornmont of that town. This fact, in connection with tho intolligonco that Oonoral DoudonkolT hat) been ordered to ndvanco from Sarakhsnnd purniio his march closo to lforut, looks as if tho Russian (!ovcrnment oithor dosiro to wilfully insult England and provoke war, or rely upon her roadinosd to swallow any amount of humble pio that may bo sorved up with Muscovite sauco. Tho Gladstono Cabinet may bo proparod for such a ropast, but \yo mistako tho temper of tho nation if it will display an equal ponchant for 'that kind of faro.

l!y tho Waihora to-duy, Mr Hugh Craig, manager at San "Francisco for tho Now Zoaland Insuranco Company and tho Now Zoaland Loan and Moroantilo Agency Company, roturncd to Auckland uftor a visit to Australia. Ho procecdn to America hy tho R.M.S.S. Zcnlandiii about tho :28 th inst. lion. Dr. l'ollon, arrived by Iho Waihorn, and in tends going to England, via 'Frisco, nlso by tho Zo.ilandia.

Tho Auckland portion of tho Htoamcr Coptic's cargo includes about !!00 tons of pipes for tho Auckland Gas Company.

There was a heavy drunkards' list at tho Police Court this morning. Six porsonn pleaded guilty to a lirst ofl'onco, and a lino of 5s and costs was inflicted in each caso. William Bibby admitted that this was ilia socond odoneo, and a lino of 10s nncl costs wns imposed. Polly Knox, alien Mary Ann Dorrick, wan charged undor tho Polico Otl'onccs Act with having boon twico proviously convictod of drunkenness during tho last six months. Sho admitted tho soft impeachment, and was ordored to pay a tino of £5 and costs, or go to prison for fourteen days, and chose tho lattor alternative This coucludod the business. Messrs Whitcombo and Moody were tho presiding Justices.

Tho inquost on tho body of William Vaughan was hold on Saturday aftornoon boforo Mr 11. C. Barstow, Evidonco similar in offect to tho information already pub lishod was givon, and tho following verdict returned :—" Tho jury are of opinion that tho deceased took arßOnic poison, which caused his death, but tho ovidonco is not sufficient to provo whothcr it was takon intentionally or othorwiso."

Tho following notices of motion havo boen handed in for tho next mooting of tho City Council by tho Mayor:— 1. "That in pursuance of clause 12 of the Liconsing Act Amendment Act, 1882, Mr Henry Ridings bo appointed to take tho poll, in accordance with subflection 2, suction 4, of tho Licensing Act, ISSI, ro Local Option." 2. "That thin Council, in pursuance of tho provisions of tho Municipal Corporations and Rating Acts, 1876, and umondinonts thoreof, will, on tho eevonth day of May noxl, mako and lovy a genoral rate of ono shilling in tho pound on all assoesablo properties within tho city of Auckland, payablo in ono sum, on tho lirsfc day of Juno, 1855." By Cr. Crowlher, " That tho Engineer bo instructed to excavutc anil proparo for sale tho allotments having a frontage to ICarangahapu Uoad that wuro previously snrvoycil."

Captain Scotf.of tho cutter Li/.zio, informs us that a terrific storm, blowing with hurricane forco, was oxpurionccd at Norfolk Inland on tho 10th of March. Tho euttor had a very rough timo, and had hor main boom carried away, whilo on tho island tho galo was folt vory sovcrcly, destroying all tho crops, blowing down large trees, lifting tho roofs from houses, and also destroying a largo quantity of foncing. Fears wore entortained for tho safety of tho cuttor, which, had she not boon a good sea boat, would noy^t.- havo livod through it. Uoforo tho hurricauo camo on, sho had landed hor passengers. During tho forco of tho hurricano, thoso on tho cutter could not hoar ono another speak, and could hardly broatho. Tho Lizzie loft Norfolk Island on March 22nd, and experienced nothing but [rales of wind from tho S.E., until arrival at Whangaruru on April 11th, when sho put in short of provisions and throuch stress of weather. Loft again on tho ISth, arriving in Auckland on tho 19th,

Mr August Vollbracht 'returned to town today after visiting tho tobacco growors in Povorty 15uy and Hawko's Bay districts.

Tho first football matches o£ tho soason wcro played on Saturday aftornoon, on tho Metropolitan ground. Two teams from tho Uraftwn Club, captained by Messrs Biggs and Lccky, playod a match, and tho latter won by '- tries against nil. In tho Domain the Albert Club played 19 now members against 14 old mombors. Tho latter won, .■scoring a goal against a try.

Tawhiao, who arrivod at Orakoi on Friday night, accampanicd by a numbor of Waikato natives who intond being present at the Maori Parliament at tho Bay of Islands, today. Ho was attired in a "ehiny, silken boavor " and a vory prosontablo waterproof overcoat. Tawhiao and his compatriots will loavo for Russel by tho s.s. Cilonolg, which has bcon specially chartored, at !) o'clock tomorrow morning.

A nun.bor of ladios and gontlomon availed thomselvos of tho opportunity of taking part in tho Auckland Fishing Excursion at noon on Saturday, by tho stoamor Alexandra, but as tho woathor was not favourable tho catch was small; tho vcs?ol only wont just outsido tho Head. Thoso excursions havfi boon vory onjoyablo, and tho ladios havo shown much enwl-itivo skill in the gentle art of angling. This was tho last trip of the season. Mr Aitken's prizo of throe guinoas was won by Mra DaWßon, who in turn offered a prize of two guineas, which was won by Mrs Nolson. This lady, desirous of continuing tho interest of theeo pleasant fishing trips, offered two consolation prizes—No. 1, two pairs of ladies' gloves; No. 2, one pair of do, Miss Florence White was tho successful competitor for tho first pri;:o, and Misa Annie King for the second prize.

Promises of increased and improved accommodation at tho morgue havo beon made again and again, but notwithstanding tho urgency of theso roe|uiromcntH, nothing has yet boon done. On Saturday last a body had to bo movod from tho slab (o mako way for that of MoKolvie, and if several deaths wero to occur nt tho samo time, there would bo practically no room fnr moro than ono body. Gas is not laid on to tho building, and a post-mortem examination had to bo made the other evening by the light of candles hold by two policemen.

Thieves aro notoriously impudent, but it is not often wo hear of a policoman being the victim of their light-fingered pranks. What appoars to havo been a case in point, however, happened at the rocont Dovonport racee. A constablo on duty left hi 3 waterproof overcoat in the Stewards' room for safety, and tho place being locked when ho took his departure, ho was compolled to leave his precious outer garment until tho following Monday. Thon ho was informed that it could not be found, and tho subsequent search failed to secure its recovery. It is not wholly improbable that tho coat was takon by mistake, ana if so, it is to bo hoped that it will bo loft at tho North Shoro polico station.

A child of eight months, named Daniol Ryan, eon of William Kyan, of Cox's Creek, died somewhat suddenly yesterday morning. The little one had boon ailing several days, and it was believed that the cause was teething troubled, from which ho had suffnrod very much on tho way out from London rocently. Medical assistance was not thought necessary until too late, and the child died as stated above. The death ■was reported to the police, and by them to the Coroner. Dr. Philson, however, did not consider an inquest necessary, under the circumstances.

Dr. Mackellar, formerly houeo surgeon of tho Auckland Hospital, who hat; been on a trip to the South, returned by tho Waihora today with the intention o£ .settling down licro. At the last mooting of the Hospital Committee, Dr. Mackellar wua olected- a member of the honorary medical staff in connection with that institution.

The littlo Church ofr tho Epiphany was crowded last evening, whon the Rev. Dr. O'Collaghan doliverod an oxcellont oxtomporo sermon on "Yo are the salt of the Earth," being ono of a series of discourses on diilicult passages of Scripture. The discourse w;is a thoroughly prairttliiloxposifcion of tho text, with physical Ifcwto'ations in connection with tho Christianity of tho ago. .Tho first concert in aid of the now Churol) funds will bo given on Friday ovoning next by tho St. Sepulchre's (!lco Club, particulars of which will duly appear.

In tho hurry of going to pross on Saturday atrornonn somo matter embodying a resolution of censure passed at a mooting of tho creditor.* of Martin Konvick was detached from (ho roport of tho mooting. and placed at tho font of II short " loca' " announcing tho adjournment of tho meeting of William Corboit.'s creditors. The consorjuonco was to credit Curbott with the blame attachable to Korwick. Wu trust that this explanation will bo aulliciont to retrieve tho oll'octs of tho inadvortont blunder.

Tho Anglican Churches do not hold thoir Homo Mission Sunday on tho same day. Tho results of collections at present aro us follows :—St. Sopulckro'H, i'.'i.'J Ufa' (id ; St. Mnlthow's, .CIG 17s ."Sd ; St. Mary's, Parnoil, .Cl sls «ld; All Saints', £12. Total, ill 1& Id.

Lord Pombroko, who has novor completely recovered from his recont severe 1111108?, is meditating a long Hoa voyage, which will not improbably carry him an far as Now Zealand and Northern Australia. The tour will Ijo mado in a splondid now steam yacht of ;i(JO tons, which is being specially built by Laird J3ros., aid should bo roady for soa in a month or two.

A coronial inquiry into tho circumstancos attending tho death of tho lato Mr W. F. Clarko, of Queensland, who died at tho Star Hotol on Saturday morning last undor circunistancos already statod, took place at tho Star Hotol on Saturday afternoon boforo Dr. Philson, Coroner, and a jury .^ Tho witnesses examined wcro Irono Clarko (docoascd's widow), Drs. Coomand Macmullon, P. LcQuohiio (tho chemist's assistant who sold tho decoded throo bottles of chlorodyne), and Adam Cairns. Tho evidence adduced did not olicit any now fact of importance Tho verdict of tho jury was to tho effect that tho docoasod eamo to his death by taking nn over-doao of chlorodyno by misadvonturo.

Prof. Thomas, tho judge selected, has reported on tho children's essays for which prizes woro offered by tho Socioty for the Prevention of Cruolty to Animals, lie recoimnonds that the prizes be awarded to the following compotitrrs : —Class I. (8-10 yoars of ago), "Tender and True," To Awamutu School j Class 11. (10-12 yoars of age), " Tonco n, Jlien," Boresford-stroot School; Class 111. (12-14 yoars of ago), "Footprints pn tho Sands of Timo," Wollcsloy-stroot School ; Class IV. (14-1U years of ago), " Nil Uosporandum," Kauacranga Boys' School. Asubcommittoo consisting of Mossrs F, Lurkins, G. N. Brassey, and Judgo Munro, havo selected prizes for tho winnors, and thoy will bo forwarded as soon as possible

Tho Nowmarkot Amateur Dramatic Club porform tho comody. " Not Such a Fool as Ho Looks," at tho Nowmaikot Hall this Ovoning,

" Ivo " dolivorod last night in tho Opera House, before a numorous audionco, a bio graphical locturo upon " David, tho Man After God's Own Hoart." Horovicwod tho various incidents in tho lifo of tho Scriptural horo, and condemned him as a lustful hypocrite) and bloodstained monster. Signor Trada's Italian Band played a numbor of musical soloctions in tho coureo of tho evening, and amongst thorn Mr Webbo's waltz song, "My Love, I Lovo Thco Best." Tho Chairman (Mr XV, Cooper) took occasion to mako somo ironical romarks upon tho recont inciting of religious young mon to form a Godly Voluntoor corps.

Shortly after tivo o'clock on Saturday afternoon, »<no of tho tramcars wus going down Wollosloy-stroot when tho brakes wcro found to bo powerless, and would not hold, Tho car wont down tho hill ut a rapid nito, and ran off tho lino at tho United Service corner. Tho occupants woro Hovoroly thrown abouland shaken. Mrs Koes, of tho Ponsunby Circulating Library, had hor loft wrist broken, whilo a young man named Maxwell and several othor passongers sullorod bruises. Tho two former woro attended to by Dr. Tennont. In futuro oxtra precautions will bo taken to sco that tho brakes aro right boforo tho car begins the descent of Wollosloystrcot.

At tho usual fortnightly mooting of tho French Literary Society on Saturday cvoning (Mr E. K. Watkins presiding), Mr Albin Villoval (Hon. Secretary) delivered his promised lccturo on " Leon (iambotta." It was a clevor, critical, and appreciative discourse, and evoked froquont bursts of applause In concluding his roviow, Mr Villoval expressed tho opinion Unit hud (jambctta lived, Germany would ero now havo restored to Franco tho lest provinces of Alsaco and Lorraine An animated alaciißsion ensued.

In tho good old missionary days it is said that tho Maoris woro induced to attend church through tho promise of preoonts of Hour and sugar. On ono occasion, at a Northern mission station, tho supply of those commodities had run short. On a Sunday morning a guiloloss Ngapuhl walked up to tho missionary and said, "fiula tnornin, Mitta Minitor. Any piour this morning '" " No, Jack," ropliod tho minister, "1 am sorry to fay that I havo no Hour for you this morning." Tho savage's brow clouded. "Aro you not going to church, Jack?" quoriod tho missionary. "No foar, Mitta Minitor—no prour, no haroruia" (no Hour, no hallolujah),

Says tho "Waikato Timos " of Saturday:—"Our roadovH will bo surprised to hear that, nftor tho olaborato coremony attached to tho turning of the sod at tho I'uiiiu rivor on Wednesday last, tho prosecution of tho work is to bo delayed. On Thursday morning, by appointmont with tho District Engincor, Mr Hales, Mr Isaac Coatos, tho contractor, and his Huroties attonded at tho Public Works, Auckland, for tho purpose of signing bonds, Sc. Thoy woro informod that thopapors would not bo ready until four o'clock p.m., and uleo that cortain clauses woro proposed to bo addod to tho conditions about works being stopped in caso of war, and no compensation to bo allowed, or eomothing to that offoct, At four p.m., on again visiting tho office, it was found that bonds could not bo signed until tho extra conditions wero eont up Scorn Wellington. Undor these circumstances Mr Coatos returned homo, and has stopped all preparations for starting tho work uutil a furthor development of tho Govornmont intentions takos place"

In his address to his constituouts at Masterton, Mr. Bootham said ho thought tho San Francisco mail sorvico would be continued, and would, undor the now arrangements, qrovo profitable, tho American Govornment nave subsidised tho line. Ho took Bomo credit to himself for havieg assisted in gotting tho Amorican Government to moot tho wish of tho Colony of New Zealand. When in Washington he had iutcrviowed the Minsters, and pointed out that tho balance of trade was against Now Zealand, and hoped what ho had done had assisted in bringing about tho present arrangement. They had now tho direct atoam Borvico for no expenditure They had only paid £13,000, aud that was for the weight of lottors and paper*!. Ho thought that a good trado might bo established with Kio Janeiro in prodnco from New Zealand. The captain of tho Doric had informed him that rabbits, which are such a nurse in New Zoa land, would readily find a sale in Kio Janeiro at 4s. each, and the expense of freezing and carrying would leave a good margin for profit. Potatoes that had been shipped from Lyttolton at £1 per ton had realised £7.

Tho householders of Lowor Papakura Valley, noar Manurewa, havo rocently potitionod tho Board of Education for tho establishment of a public school there—a desideratum that imperatively needs to be supplied. Tho locality is one in which thero aro no loss than 30 children needing tuitional instruction, some of those being ovorl2yearsofago. Fiomthenoaroafcschool, boing upwards of thvoo ruilos from tho reddonees of most of tho parents, a to-and-fro walk of about 6J milcH its thus entailed upon tho little ones, co that it is only fair and reasonable that tho prayer of the petition should be promptly granted, especially as tho residents are prepared to place a suitable and centrally-situated building at tho disposal of the board for the purposes of tho required school free of any charge. In wet weather tho roads in tho locality aro all but impassablo, and this being so it is a matter of impossibility for the children to attend the existing school in the valley with anything like regularity. There are many full-time public schools in the Auckland provinco at which, according to the last official report, the pupil attendance is not larger than 14 or 16, or about half the number that would attend the proposed Lower Papakura Valley School were it sanctioned. In this onlightened and progressive ago, primary education should, if poMiblo, be brought within the reach of overy family in the colony.

The cricket match Eden v. Winka and Hall resulted in a draw in favour of Eden. Scores: Winks and Hall, 63 ; Eden, 5 wickets down for 54, when stumps were drawn, at 5.30.

Tho final performance of "Fun on tho Bristol " was given at tho Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, boforo a large audience. Mr Sheridan nnd Company leave for Sydnoy to-morrow evening by the b.s. To Anau.

Tho inquest on the body of William McKelvio, who shot himself in tho Titirangi Bush on Saturday, commenced ut Glooson's Hotol at 2.30 p m. today, and was proceeding when wo wont to press. Tho evidonco related ontiroly to tho circumstancos immediately connected with his death, and did not go into tho shooting of Stewart.

Tlio annual mooting of tho Gordon Football Club was hold at tho Masonic Hotel, Princes-ntreot, on Saturday evening, Mr F. D. Clayton in tho chair. Tho report showed that the Club had played twelve 'natches, won G, lost 5, and drawn 1. The following oflicors woro olocted :—Captain, Mr F. D. Clayton ; Secretary and 'Treasurer, Mr H. B. Lusk ; Committee, Messrs Ansloy, Jordan, Ij. Moldrum, Wood, and Webstor. Tho Qub colours wore altered from crimson to grew.-

Scholarship rogulationKfurmod tho subject of a discussion at tho Board of Education on Friday and on tho motion of Professor Tuckor tho following resolution was agreed to : " That regulation 2 of tho resolutions of Fobruary 20th. ro scholarship, bo changed GO as to road : Tho junior scholarships shall bo tonablo lor two yoars, and shall bo open for competition to all pupils attonding primary schools, whogo ago shall not exceed thirteen years at tho timo of entering on such scholarship; and tho sonior scholarships shall bo tonablo for throo years, and shall bo open for competition to all pupils attending public schools, and also to all othor persons who shall be undor tho age of (ifteon yoars at tho timo of examination, provided no pornon shall hold junior and senior scholarships at tho eamo timo. Mr Luko moved an amendment providing that tho scholarships should bo opon to boys and girls of any ago lawfully attonding tho public schools. Professors Aldis and Tuckor and Mr Upton wore appointod a committee to consider the subjects of examinations for scholarships, tho minimum proportion of marks, and generally such conditions of election nnd tenure as require to bo specified : tho committee to consult with tho Inspector."

Now published, April numbor of "New Zealand Farmer, Hoe and Poultry Journal.' This is a very attractlvo number, w«U illustrated, und contninn, among mnDy others, or' tic)oß on Rotuil PrlciiS in Rolntinn to Wholosalo Valuos-Tlie Sugar-Hoot TnduHtry-Tho Vuluo of Agricultural Kxporimentß—Now Products— Farming and Gardoning Oporations for April, for Northern and Southern Districts The I'lough, and Ploughing—Managcrmint of Pigs— Hreeding of AjTßhiro Cattle-Merino Stud Hums (illustrated)— Agricultural and PaHtoral Mattorß In Otago-ManaKemcnt of Dairy Stock Tho V.X.C. DorbynndMelbournoCup Winnerß (illustrated) — Turning Lawns (illustrated)—a mnnbor of articles on Fruit-growing (beautifully illustrated), etc., oto.—Poultry and Apiarian mattcra—Homo and Household Pagen, including Tales and numerous articles of domestic uixl general interest.

Mombors of Bands of Hope aro re([uostod to nsseniblo to-morrow ovoning in tho l'ittstrcot Wcsloyan School-room, at half-past seven, for tho practice of piooon to be Bungat tho annual gathering on Quoen's liirthduy.

The Auckland Philharmonic Socioty concert, " Tho Lay of tho Boll," a cantata based on Fclilllor'u pomn, will be glvon this evening, in Bt. James a Hall, by 85 performers and 85 vocalists.

Mombers of tho Parliamentary Union will do woll to take notice that a meeting of importimco has boon convened for this evening at Kobson's Hooma.