THE RELIEF OF TOKAR.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1657, 6 March 1884, Page 2

THE RELIEF OF TOKAR.

Thebe is much of importance and interest in the cable message published in this issue, and as will be seen the anticipation of General Graham's advance upon the enemy being crowned with success has been fulty realised , not only has he secured a victory over the opposing forces, but has been able to relieve the besieged garrison of Tokar. Taking into account the fact of the past victories of the rebels as well as their individual bravery, it is not surprising to learn that they offered a resistance stich as they did ; and, though we have to record losses on our side of more lives and amon^ the wounded Colonels Barnaby and Bai!'on, as well as Baker Pasha-, still this first decided success over the enemy, though he was well posted and well armed, will not fail to produce a wholesome effect. Baker Pasha is reported to be severely wounded. This well-known dashing cavalry officer, ever the leader in the charge where opportunity offered, doubtless was with the cavalry at El Eeb. The last intelligence re- 1 ceived of his movements was that he j had gone to Trinkit&t with General Graham and Admiral Hewitt, there to await orders before making any forward movements against the rebel Arabs ; the advance from Trinkitat to the relief of Tokar has evidently been the occasion which offered a good opportunity to attack, and the result we know. The bravery of these Arabs is ! acknowledged, and their masterly tactics in making vigorous attacks on our troops in detached bodies prove them to be no mean foe. Their defeat is an I instance of how a small body of disciplined troops well handled can cope with a very much superior force in numbers. The value of discipline tells, and the rebels have learned the lesson that many others have learned before them, that whatever they may succeed in accomplishing against irregulars and local troops, it is quite another matter when British infantry are opposed to them. The tenacity shown by the defenders of the forts is specially noted in the despatch ; they seem to have been not only well posted but well armed, and the fight was stubborn. Thus giving honor to whom honor is due, it must be admitted the Arabs are no mean opponents, and their dash is compared to the marvellous courage exhibited at Ulundi, which in other words tells the tale of a fierce fight, and a need of coolness and judgment in receiving the onslaught. The proportion of officers who are reported wounded is very large in comparison to the number of men. It is difficult to account for this, and points to one of two causes : the necessity for greater exposure in modern warfare, or the enemy singling out officers as objects [of attack in the hope that their destruction would produce disorganisation among the troops under their command. The battle of El Eeb has been more than a skirmish, and as a test of the powers of the attacking British force and the nature of resistance to be met with has not failed to produce a powerful effect upon the morale of the rebels, as on the following afternoon General Graham's troops entered Tokar unopposed. This news is gratifying indeed, for it was unknown how many inhabitants were in danger of sharing the same fate as those of other places who have been forced to capitulate. The items of intelligence of which we now treat, though very limited, contain matter sufficiently important to warrant the conclusion that a marked change will be apparent in the rebels after this defeat. The proclamation by Gordon Pasha at Khartoum is remarkable, and points to one of two things and probable issues : either he finds the Mahdi not so approachable as was anticipated, or, he having secured his co-operation, finds it expedient to increase his moral authority and position in view of possible jealousies or disaffections among the immediate followers and advisers of this prophet. The proclamation is significant, and the information altogether contained in the telegram that speaks of the enthusiasm at Khartoum subsiding, and the proclamation of General Gordon being ridiculed by the troops beyond, has elements in it of anything but a peaceful nature. However, one important point is gained, and the news of the victory at El Reb and relief of Tokar may materially alter the aspect of affairs in Khartoum.

Captain Best, pilot and harbourmaster, has been appointed a member of the Regatta Committee in lieu of Captain Ellis, resigned. The s.s. Staffs brought a number of cattle and sheep from Opotiki yesterday, consigned to Messrs Home and Harvey tha Strand,

It will be seen by the report of the proceedings of the County Council, that body contemplates taking steps for a further loan of £5,000, under the provisions of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. We learn with regret that the horse President, lately purchased by Mr C. H. Gledstanes, of Katikati, died yesterday of internal inflammation. We sympathise with Mi" Gledstanes, whose enterprising 1 spirit deserved better success» According to A Press Association telegram from London, March 1, the new Electoral Reform Bill will, it is estimated, create two millions of additional votes, and Mr Gladstone suggests that an additional representation in the shape of a limited increase in the number of members in the House of Commons should be granted. At the R.M. Court on Tuesday a number of small debt cases were .set down for hearing. Two casea of some importance were also on the list. J. H. Taylor v. N.S.S. Co. was adjourned for one week, plaintiff paying costs £3 3s. A. H. Ferguson v Watson and Penny, claimed damages for non-fulfilment of contract in selling a Thorse. The foresters' Ball, to be given on the ISth inst , will probably surpass any festivities of the same kind on former occasions. The Committee are completing their arrangements, and everything promises well. They have succeeded in securing the services of Sheehan's Band. Prices of admissiott, and all particulars, will appear in a future issue. There is some hope for the Otumoetai residents having their wishes acceded to in reference to a special school district for that locality. It is out of all question expecting that children should attend the Tauranga District School, or the yet Wilder notion of going to G-ree£ton> the geography of which locality has got, in characteristic parlance, "mixed." The Regatta Committee are progressing well, and we learn that they have secured the services of Sheehan's Band, which will be down here for the Regatta, and will also play in the evening at th** ball to be given by the Forestera. Everything is being done to ensure success and encourage aquatic sports. We appeal to the public to accord their hearty support. The enterprise shown by Mr dh&dwick in the matter of the reward for the successful find o| a payable goldfield is meeting its reWard in one way. The natives, among- whom the Maori translation of the notice has been circulated, are active in their search, and we learn that some rare speoimens of quartz have been brought from Whakamaraijiai whiph promise well; they havte bfeeh left tb be testedi This cricket match on Saturday will be between two sides chosen by Messrs GoldSmith and Farrer, when it is to be hoped that every one will turn up, as it will be the last match before meeting the Te Aroha eleven. Mr Farrer' s side— Messrs jfarrer, Griffiths, Warbriok, Brabant, Bonner, Thomson, Gray, Rutherford, and King. Mr Gold-Smith's side — Messrs Gold-Smith, Ralston, Whelan, Jordan, Pyke, Clark, Hall, Buckland, Hoben, and Ginderß. A Domain Board, consisting of Colonels Roberts, Captain Wjray, R. M. j Messrs Robinson, C. L. R., Livingstone, and Yorke, have been appointed to take charge of the reserve of 50 acres round the disastrous spot Te Ngutu o Te Manu, where Von Tempsky fell in 1868. A plan is to be prepared showing all the points ' of interest, and ten acres will be fenced off and treated in every re. spect as a cemetery. The remaining forty acre 3 will be fenced and leased for grazing. At the opening of the R.M. Court on Tuesday, after the adjournment for lunch, George Pevreal was brought up by the police on the charge of uttering a false cheque. Information had been received by the Sergeant of Police that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of the prisoner. He how asked for a remand till Thursday. The prisoner was asked if he had anything to say. He replied he was guilty, and would like the matter settled. Remanded until Thursday next at 10 a.m. The Severn Tunnel which will be the longest in England, is 4J> miles long and crosses underneath the river Severn about 16 miles from Bristol, 1\ miles beingi under water. The Great Western Railway Company, which is the promoter, will save 45 minutes in the journey from London to South Wales, and the ferry service at Bristol will also be dispensed with. The work was commenced 1 1 years ago by the- Great Western Company itself, and carried on by it until the works were flpdded out, when, by the advice of Sir John Hawkshaw, it was handed over to the contractor, Mr. T. A. Walker. The tunnel will be 25 ft. wide, 25 ft.high, and will be bricked from end to end, the thickness of the walls varying from two to three feet The work is expected to be finished in about three years. That there is a good reason for the s,s. Wellington not coming here last ■ trip from Auckland as advertised we are supposed to accept without question, but we are not disposed to do so. We do question very much the conduct of the Northern Steamship Company in thus treating the people of Tauranga. Ostensibly the steamer is gone to coal, and the tides don't suit, and the rest of it. We say unhesitatingly it is a direct insult to the inhabitants, and an injustice to the local ageut, who, with every desire to do everything for the good of this place, is handicapped by the atrocious management of the Company at head quarters. The Northern Company are deserving of no support from the people of Tauranga, and the principle of throwing a bone to a dog will inevitably bring its reward. The proposed Harbour Board, we are told, is a true bill. The preliminaries are sketched out, and application is to be made to the Government accordingly. If it is to be we can only urge upon the promoters of the scheme to take a leaf out of the book of other Harbour Boards, and obtain a 3pecial Act, and have a workable machine, and do not; get appointed under unworkable Acta. It will be something to begin with, we opine, to be saddled with the annual cost of maintenance, and there is not much doubt the Government will hail with delight a proposition that will lighten the drain on them. They will find a nice easy way of getting clear of their responsibilities, and we shall walk in the steps of those who have walked before us, and inevitably find the same holes to tumble into as we progress. The ordinary monthly meeting of. the Directors of the Tauranga and Katikati Permanent Building and Investment Society was held at their Board Room, Spring street, on Tuesday, tho 4th inst., at 7 p.m. Present— H. S. Brabant, Esq , Vice-President (in the Chair), Messrs G. H. Whitcomo, J. H. Sheath, W. M. Commons, David Lundon, and C. A. Clarke. The Secretary (Mr I'itzGibbon Louch) read the minutes of last meeting, -which were confirmed. The applications for loans were read; one was granted, one deferred till next meeting, and one declined. Throe investing subscription shares, two fully paid-up investing shares, and seven borrowing shares were allotted. Amounts received since last meeting, £169 10s 4d ; cheques issued, £34 4s lOd ; total loans advanced, £7,.'J70 ; total shares allotted, £1,699. The R.M. gave judgment on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the case of A. Ji. Ferguson v Watson and Penny. The case was one brought by Ferguson, of Tauranga, against Watson and Penny, of Opotiki, the plaint being that the defendant sold, by their agent, a certain mare for the sum of £30, upon which purchase a deposit was paid, and the plaintiff had suffered loss by non-delivery, and now looked for damages in compensation to the value of £100. The Court was of opinion there was not sufficient corroborative evidence to support the contention of either side, but there had been want of ordinary prudence in the transaction, it being "unbusinesslike." The judgment of the Court was the option of a non-suit or a judgment for £1 10s, and each party pay their own costs. The judgment for £1 10s was accepted accordingly,