THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE' TOWARDS INDIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 7, 10 January 1899, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE' TOWARDS INDIA.

Two cabled items from Cnbul direct, attention to the future of Afghanistan, and the Eastward advance of Russia in that direction. We learn that the people of Herat are alarmed at the action of Russia in pushing- forward her line of railway within some thirtyfive'miles of that city, and that the Ameer has issued a proclamation with the object of reassuring- them that the

Czar is 'merely solicitous for Hie organisation of his dominions.' Following- on thin news comes the report that the Ameer is in bad health, and that his medical adviser states that he cannot live long-. These two fact's, the proximity to Afghanistan of tJiu Hussian railway 'terminus, which also means the proximity of llussian power and intlneuce in a degree we are apt not. to appreciate fully, and the imminence of a change of rulers which in that wild country may occasion no end of trouble, are points of great importance. Kushk is a place on the Kussian frontiers in Central Asia, and lie?; about a hundred and fifty miles south of Merv, which is on the main line of the Kussian trans-Asiatic railway. At the latter place Ihissia has now been established for years, ever since Skobeloff conquered "the Tekke Turifomuns. As Lord Roberts points out. Russia gained immeasurabJy by the conquest of Merv, for it allowed her to transfer her base of operations from Orenburg which is about 1050 miles from Merv. to the Caspian which is ,only about 500 miles away from the latter place. Long before the Russians had advanced so far Lord Roberts and others declared that there was great risk to India in not opposing- the Muscovite movement, but they were laughed at. The truth of their views was shown in later years when the position of Russia at, Merv made j.t possible for General Komaroff to dictate terms to the Boundary Commission which was sent to define the northern'limits of Afghanistan. Now Russia has laid the rails a hundred and fifty- miles nearer to Afghanistan, that is up to the very frontier. Between that point and Herat lies a spur of the Paropamisus range, offering, we understand, no insurmountable obstacle to railway construction. The veal obstacle is the opposition of the Ameer. Were that opposition removed by the hitter's death, and in his place there happened to be a ruler favourable to Russia, as the Ameer lias been to England, is it not most likely that "Russia would push on to Herat ?'.Once in the Afghan territory, it only requires a glance at the map to see how comparatively open is the line of march to Quetta and the Eolan' Pass. Of course the advance on Herat would not be accomplished without overcoming the remonstrance and armed resistance of England; but, supposing it to be accomplished in spite of that resistance. It is impossible to .nark the insidious or open steps by which Russia is creeping ,neai'er to our great Indian possession without entertaining the thought that in spite of all she says to the contrary its acquisition is her final aim.

To show how useless it is to attempt to profitiibly market an inferior quality of fruit,, and how the reputation of Auckland apples is injured by fruitgrowers who send moth-infested consignments to the Southern markets, we may draw attention to an item, hi Laery and Co.'.s (Wellington) weekly report of December 30th: — 'Apples: supplies increasing; choice Sydney dessert, well coloured, 6/ii to 7/6; medium to good, 3/ to G/. Only /inferior and moth-affected, descriptions have so far reached us from Axickland, for Vvjhich nominally 1/ to 2/ per case is current value.' Surely it is better in the interests of the Auckland. fruit industry to ship no fruit to the South rather than waste time, money, and ruin the reputation of Auckland fruit by sending away rubbish of this kind at. the very beginning of the season.

Mr A. T. Potter, of Whangarei, is at present in Auckland, having been instructed by the Agricultural Department to make a house to house inspection of the vines in the County of Iklen. These steps are considered essential in view of the manner in which the vine disease known as phylloxera vastatrix has been spreading in the Xorth.

The railway revenue for this colony for the nine months to date is expected to reach £50,000 more than for the corresponding period of the previous year, but the expenditure has been very heavy, on account of bridge-building in Hawke's Bay, and relaying rails on Southern lines. ,The experiment of running four express trains weekly to Xew Plymouth so far has proved successful, and has relieved the traffic greatly.

The important question of thoroughly draining the Borough of Parnell is to be considered at the next meeting1 of the Council. Last evening the new Mayor, Mr Hugh Campbell, gave notice that he would move in the direction of raising a loan for drainage purposes. The necessity for the work was shown by the fact that certain houses had to be notified not to let their drainage flow through private property, while a case of typhoid was reported from another part of the borough. %

The election of members of the Harbour Board takes place (hiring the first, week of next month, and the appointment of chairman is made a fortnight later. There is likely to be more competition fr seats than usual. Mr J. C. Macky is stated to be a probable candidate for. the Devonport seat on the Board; in that case Mr Ml Niccol may seek a seat as representa*tive of shipping interests. Mr J. H. Withe'ford is talked about as a likely candidate for Birkenhead. Messrs \V. J. Napier and A. E. T. Devore have been appointed to act for the Government oii the Board for some years past.

The following' notices of motion will come up for consideration at the meeting of the City Council on .Thursday evening next:—His Worship the Mayor to move: 'That a return be procured from the Government Valuation Department of the ratable value of property in each ward of the city, and such other information as they may be prepared to furnish upon the terms stated by them as having been paid by the Wellington city authorities for similar information.' Mr Masefield to move: (1) 'That the Streets Committee be requested to arrange at an early date' to call for tenders to cut. a cartway through to permanent level in Swanson-street, from Albert to Hobson Streets, making' branch connections in Chapelstreet, north and south, and to include the formation of Brunswick-street, from Hobson to Custom Streets;' (2) 'That Ihe Traffic Inspector be supplied with unifoi'm and cap, similar to that worn hy stationmasters.'

On January ISth next Captain Jackson Barry will celebrate his 80th birthsay. Eefore leaving for the South he intends to take a few friends to see !iis discoveries of minerals in the King Country. He intends shortly to de'iver lectures in Devonport and Auckand, which should.be of special inter•st. The old pioneer Informs xis that he is having a good sale for his books.

At the Marine Engineers' Examination held last week by the New .Zealand Government the following passes were obtained by W. 1 Robinson's pupils (Wellesley-street School Engineering flosses):— George Slade, thirdclass certificate; G. T. Tupp, river engineer's certificate; J. Lisle, thirdpjjiss engineer certificate; F. Henry, third-class engineer's certificate; W. E. Gibson, marine driver's certificate; ('. K. Vercoe, marine driver's certificate; E. T. Walker, river engineer's certificate; E. T. Frost, marine driver's certificate.

Immediately after the discharge of a prisoner whom Dr. Laishley was defending yesterday at the Police Court he" represented to His Worship, Mr Brabant* the presiding Magistrate, the dilapidated condition of. some of the bound books of Statutes provided by the Government for use in the Police Court-, by reason of which great inconvenience was-often experienced. Thus he pointed out that the volume purporting to contain the Statutes of 18S4 lacked some leaves of 'The Police Offences Act. ISS4.' whilst: the volume containing 'The Justices of the Peace Act. 1882,' was, in a most doleful condition;,. Indeed, in the latter instance, even the index for the whole volume is missing.

The cutter Coralie left Gisborne today for the scene of the wreck of the s.s. Tasmania, near Table Cape, Mahia, where salvage operations will be conducted on behalf of a syndicate of Gisborne residents. The intention is first to thoroughly explore the vessel, and, if possible,' secure Mr Rothschild's jewellery, for which a substantial reward is'offered. If the condition of the vessel is favourable, an attempt will then be made to raise her,, and" the. promoters of the enterprise are sanguine as to the results. Gisborne will be made the headquarters of the syndicate. A meeting of the executive of the Auckland Ratepayers' Association was held last evening in the Alexandrastreet schoolroom. Mr Graves Aickin presided. A letter was read, which it was decided to send to the City Council at their next meeting, dealing with inconsistencies in the valuation roll. It was also suggested that circulars be sent to all members of the association, asking them to attend the Council meeting on Thursday evening next.

The annual accounts of the Harbour Board for 189S will be placed before the members shortly. It is gratifying to know that the net revenue is £44,912; 19/6 as against £42,326 14/11 in 1897, beii/g an advance of £2556 4/7. The revenue has been showing a steady increase each year, as will be seen from the following figures: — 1804, £33,545 30/9; 1895, £55,905 12/11; 1896, £37,529 13/9; 1897, £42,326 14/11; 1898, £44,912 19/ G. The increase in revenue for the past year is somewhat due to the fact that in October 1897 the wharfage rates on farm, produce was raised from 3/ per ton to 1/0. - ■' '

The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Natives' z\ssociation was held last evening in the Tailoresses' Hall, Cook-street. The vice-president (Mr J. O'Brien) presided. A letter was received from the secretaries of the Sir George Grey Memorial Committee, inviting the association to collect subscriptions in aid of the memorial. It was decided to open a subscription list. The women's branch of the association wrote wishing the 'meeting" 'the compliments of the season.' It was resolved to reply suitably, and inform theladies that their kind wishes were fully reciprocated. The secretary, read the resignation of Mr T. Foley from the Executive Committee. The chairman said they were sorry to lose the .serviced of Mr Foley, and he proposed that the meeting, while accepting Mr Foley's resignation, with regret, should ask him to reconsider it. The resolution was passed unanimously. The chairman stated that since the last meeting £2 had been devoted to the emergency fund for a deserving case. The chairman's action was approved. The chairman of the Picnic Committee reported that all arrangements were progressing satisfactorily, the pictxic promising to be a great success.

The little son of Mr E. A. Hutchings, of Kawakawa, aged one year and a-half, plunged his arm into a pot of boiling water on New Year's Day, and received a very severe scalding up to the elbow. Dr. Sweet gave the little sufferer the benefit of his skill, and he is favourably towards recovery.

On Wednesday last a man named Collier was riding out towards Whareora, when his horse slipped on a bridge and fell on him, severely injuring his leg near the ankle. A message was sent into Whangarei, and Constable Sheehan arranged for a trap to go out and bring the man in. When he arrived the leg was so much swollen that it was impossible to ascertain whether the injury was a fracture or a bad sprain.

A correspondent writes:—'Several visitors to the Exhibition with whom I have come in contact have all said that they consider the beautifullyworked tablecloth ■with imitation cups and saucers sliown by Mis O'Kouke in the home industries section is itself well worth a visit.'

A meeting of the Devonport School Committee was held last evening for the purpose of selecting a successor to Mr C. Semadeni, who resigned the position of first assistant at Devonport School to take charge of the school at Pukekohe West. Mr Oliver Mays, chairman of the pommittee, presided. There were eight;, applications, and after the qualifications had been gone into, Mr S. H. Macky, son of Mr S. C. Macky, was unanimously selected for recommendation to the.Board of Education to be appointed first assistant at Devonport School. For some years past Mr Macky has been in charge^ of schools North "of Auckland.

Messrs Rymill Bros., of Adelaide, who came across to Auckland to race their yacht Geisha in the Intercolonial Yachting Championship, left for Sydney last evening by the s.s. Westralia. Members of the Auckland Yacht Club and yachtsmen from other local sailing elugs were present at the departure of the steamer to say goodbye to the visitor^. The latter have greatly enjoyed their stay in Auckland!, a7id hope to pay this city another visit next Christmas.

At Tauranga last week Mr R. C. Jordan, ■, surveyor, met with an accident near Waihi through his horse starting- while he was in the act of mounting. It was at first feared that one or more of his ribs had been fractured, but we are glad to hear that the injuries are not so serious as at first believed, and that Mr Jordan will probjably be fully recovered in a few days.

The ladies' waiting-room on • the wharf at Birkenhead has been lifted back four yards to give more room for traffic on the teol The enlargment of the Isoriueote wharf is begun.

At the Police Court this morning" ■ ■ Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., uned Wil- I Jiam Duffft'y and Edward Sarsfield; "■[ :""M Sinneft 10/ 0r.48 hours for drunken- ■'•>' ness: Annie Dunn and <Jol:n Wilding, ;-;. ; each 20/ or 7 days for similar offences; ,j.-.-t three first offenders he discharged /.? with a caution; Charles Hudson was ;. J ordered to pay €1 per month in sup. port of his mother, and Joseph Weston 2/ a week for his mother. A num. :• j ber of maintenance cases were ad- ;: I jonrned. The charge of assault andr v ;i robbery against Robert Stanton and " ; Robert- Johnston, which was heard- - at the Police Court yesterday afternoon, was ultimately adjourned until to-morrow. The only witnesses eX-v'-vV1 amined yesterday were Dr.\Scott and ;./ the man" Charles Perrin, on whose in- W formation the charge had been laid, c: ; I The premises at the foot of Grey- .i ! street that were gutted by fire some i ; months ago, on which occasion ttto Chinese inmates lost their lives, are now being renovated, the contractor *- (Mr Pollard) making good headway* | | with the work. The charred wood ' ' has been replaced by new timber, } ! and the buildings extended backwards :; j upon a brick foundation.

At the Native Association sports next Saturday there /will be races for - .jj? native-born volunteers, and the No. 1 and No. 2 Native and. College ilifles -W will compete in bayonet exercise, for which Sergt.-Major Carpenter will he , , judge. .• .. : ■ i vfe ; The Melbourne Waxworks at the "■ Agricultural Hall continue to be well patronised. Each evening a stamper- ■ •foTmance is given. Mr Fuller has placed 500 chairs in the Hall so "hat .fe the entertainment can be witnessed in . , ; coiT/forft. The waxworks will be open all this\week. The farce of 'The Doctor's Shop^-will be repeated to-night. • if The New Zealand Native Association hold their annual picnic and \-' sports next Saturday at Pine Island. Some splendid entries have been re- ' I ceired by the secretary for the different events, and a good day's outing is promised. Ferry steamers -A-ill ;i leave Northcote Ferry Tee at o'clock, and again at 1.30. Hot water ■/■>£ will be provided to picnickers free of. f;:-: charge. Nominations for all events are extended until this evening at the Metropolitan Hotel between 8 and 9 o'clock. A first meeting of creditors of H Joseph Partington called for this.i»' morning was adjourned until to-mor-~~~4 row at 10 a.m. The Northcote English -Church ■ $[. vestry have arranged for the Eav. Canon Haselden to conduct an entertainment in the Gladstone Hall on the 24th inst., entitled 'A. Country Settler's Winter Evening- Entertain- J^ ment.' The proceeds go towards the iS cost of repairing the parscnage. ' \|3 The Ferry Company notify in another column excursion steamers tomorrow for Lake Takapnna, St. Heln ier's Bay, Rangitoto Island, and the M fishing grounds, the time of departure being set forth in the advertise- ?:-a| ment. Mr Mac Duff Boyd, Professional Violinist, Karori Road, Wellington, writes: 'I have suffered for year ■ from indigestion, dizziness, and headache. I have tried everything in the shape of patent medicines and have Found no relief., : I have the greatest pleasure ; in saying that I have tried Nurse Woodward's Health Syrup,. and foutidj after using «ne bot£le, instant relief, and would recommend it to ail-those :■" who suffer from, tl^is übqsv tvoub]^some affliction, especially professional musicians.' —(Ad.) ■-. .;; - -3j As for" C.S; Corsete clock-spring' '•' steel practically unbreakable... All I drapers.—(Ad.) Great variety and splendid:-:value in' tennis, white and Charley's Aunt shirts at Geo. Fowlds.— (Ad.) M Geo. Fowlds is offering extra- good ■'■^m value in- cashmere and Merino socks at Is and Is 6d per pair.—(Ad.) Geo. Fowlds sells colonial tweerl suits that look like tailor-made at 255; spieridid value.—(Ad.) , When tired and thirsty call at Geo. i-5 Fowlds' for an iced.drink from the *j» great American soda• fountain.—(Ad.)