THE Bay of Plenty Times. AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1795, 31 January 1885, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times. A ND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

"the Spirit of the Times shall teach me speed.' — KINQ JOHN, ACT IVi , , SATURDAY, JANUARY SI, 1885. THE 3?EOOPS OUT OF THE T _^ -'^>- ..DESEET. Tim absence of any news from Colonel Stewart since - the battle with the enemy was, accordding to a telegram from London on "the 25th, causing some apprehension. And that this feeling was widespread is evident from the fact that on the following day it was announced that Lord Wolseley had specially telegraphed that there was no cause for anxiety as to the position of Golonel Stewart and his -column. This would tend to allay public solicitude, but it is doubtful whether the quieting effect thereof i would not be counteracted somewhat by the intelligence from Korti transmitted via Cairo on the 27th that Lord Wolseley had despatched a large conToy with supplies to, Q-akdul, on the road to Metemmeh. It is clear, how- . ever, that this last step was intended to. strengthen Colonel Stewart against " possible contingencies, and show that, /while quite assured himself of the column's safety, Lord Wolseley had wisely decided to take such measures as would make assurance doubly .sure. That his confidence was well-founded is now apparent from the latest information, which officially announces that — Colonel Stewart had at length reached Metemmeh, and, after severe fighting, had captured that position. The wisdom <si adopting the precautionary „ measure of despatching a reserve f c*^e with supplies will also now be manifest; as this fresh contingent of troops will not only fill the gap made in Cplonel Stewart's column by the list of killed and wounded, but also enable it> virtue of its increased strength, to^fdllow up its victories over the vffebels by attacking them in their ' broken and "depressed condition. The march across the desert had evidently 'been .accompanied with hard work, but that work has been well done, and has proved that, though in overwhelming numbers, the Arabs, with all their undoubted bravery, are ■unable to stand before the skill, discipline, and firmness of the British tjoops. "Whether the plan of operations originaUy contemplated by Lord Wolseley — - iiamely, that Colonel Stewart's col umn, ;'ftftersamving at Metemmeh, should re- • main in that position until joined by the force advancing on Berber under

Oolonelßarle-7 i wjll now be adhered to is doubtful. The fact of the rebelshaving °- evidently concentrated all their avail- g able force in the vicinity of Metemmeh a with the view of opposing the advance 1( on Khartoum, will probably induce a £ change in the. projected operations. It is not at all unlikely that Lord Wol- t seley will now push off all his avail- n able force from Koribi across the desert d to Metemmeh and, if Colonel Stewart, ° who Haß been seriously wounded, c should be unable for duty, take charge a of the force himself, or direct from s Metemraeh the movements against the i enemy. Meanwhile Colonel Sir C. Wilson, with a contingent of troops, has been despatched in two boats to \ Khartoum to render what aid may be needed to General Gordon. It may bo said that the force which accompanies this officer is small. But even a few men qualified to take a special part in the peculiar operations by which General Gordon has so long baffled all the attacks of the rebels would be a valuable acquisition. * So long as the enemy remains in large numbers in the neighbourhood of Metemmeh, not more than a company, perhaps, could be well spared from Colonel Stewart's force ; but the presence of even half-a-dozen men of ability and skill would be highly welcome to the hero of Khartoum. His position there may be secure enough at present ; but any day the Mahdi, who is said to have regained possession of Amderman, may suddenly muster his forces for a fresh attack, in the hope of capturing Khartpum before the column of Colonel Stewart, or a contingent thereof, can advance to Gordon's relief. The arrival, therefore, of Colonel Wilson with a few tried companions and a small detachment of troops will be of great service to General Gordon, not only in relieving him of the oppressive feeling of solitude, which, as the only European in the garrison he must for months past have felt, but also -in assisting him to carry out the tactics he may soon find it necessary again to resort to. It will thus bring comfort to, though it can hardly be said that it will increase the courage of, his lion heart. So, all things considered, the prospect of successfully accomplishing its mission is brightening for the expeditionary army. After a laborious advance up the Nile, extending over come months, the first division of it is now within a hundred miles of its ultimate destination, having twice within the last fortnight inflicted a signal defeat on a powerful enemy, and sent forward a few of its limited numbers to Khartoum as heralds of approaching deliverance. The intense interest, not unaccompanied with anxiety, which the object of the expedition has awakened in England and throughout mg as the crisis approached ; but that crisis may "now happily be regarded as virtually past.

Ah important item in our telegraphic intelligence is the reduction of the Bank rate of discount in London.

True to expectation, the weather which has been so magnificent for some time past showed signs of a change on Wednesday night and on Thursday we had some gentle and refreshing shcwers. The land all around the district has .been thirsting for rain for many days and gardens were beginning to burn, up. There is every appearance of rain for the next few days.

Thursday was observed as a generalholiday and boats "were in great requisition for the day. Picnic parties and aquatic pleasures being the prevailing choice.

The Collegiate School re-opens oh Monday next.

Our member, Captain Morris", was in town on Thursday morning. Though that gentleman is not yet able to move about, he is steadily making way towards convalescence, an end most earnestly desired by his many friends and supporters.

Mr J. Wright, Temple of Fashion, announces a special clearance sale of the remainder, of his summer stock to make room for new goods arriving immediately. These goods are offered at a sacrifice and excellent value can be secured for cash. The opportunity should be siezed by intending buyers.

Mr GK A. Ward, architect, is now preparing plans for a dwelling house for Mr W. W. Commons. Tenders for which will be called shortly.

The following- tenders were opened by Mr G. A. Ward, architect, on Thursday, for the house at OpotJVi : — J. J. Bennett, ,£sps 10s ; G-. Croon (Opot? 1 1), £4G4 ; D. Lundoti, .G430; Mannix Brothers, £427 ; T. Abbot (Opotiki), £4-24. Mr T. Abbot's tender ha-s been accepted.

The drawing in- Minuet's consultation will take place oh Tuesday evering; This sweep is rapidly rilling up.

The' fishers at Plate Island on Thursday caught a very fine specimen of the octopus, measuring over five feet across the body— a very ugly customer indeed.

The cricket match postponed ■ from last Saturday — over v. under 30 — will be played on the Domain ground at 2»p.m. to-day. An extra good wicket will be prepared. We understand that the Te Puke eleven now practising for the return match with Tauranga has received an important accession. r\ the person of Mr Steele, an Auckland player, who has been appointed to the charge of the Te Puke school.

- Mr J. McCauley announces his retirement ±rom business on account of failing health and is now selling off the whole of bis stock, which he offers at a considerable reduction on his already known low rates. Fresh goods just arrived are also to be sold at the same reduction for clearance.

The fishing party to Plate Island returned per s.s. Katikati on Thursday evening; having taken a fair number of fish. The general break up of the weather rather damped the enjoyment of the fishing portion of the programme, but otherwise a very enjoyable time was spent. As will be seen by advertisement, Mr H. H. Smith announces his intention of giving special entertainments on the race nights. Mr Smith's lectures and panoramas are specially arranged with a view to local interest and he has a happy way of entertaining fjhis audiences as evidencod by his success elsewhere.

Not a Beverage. — "They are not a beverage, but a medicine, with curative properties of the highest degree, containing no poisonous drugs. They do not tear down aix already debilitated system, but build, it up. One bottle' contains more real hop strengh than a barrel of ordinary beer. Physicians prescribe them. — Rochester Evening Express, on Hop Bitters. Bead

Now that there is to be a regular servica of the Union Steamship Company's boats, such as the Ohau, between Tauranga and Southern ports, it is contemplated to make arrangements for sending fish to several localities. The refrigerating chambers will afford that facility without which it would be difficult to carry out such an enterprise. The matter is under consideration and we trust will be carried out effectually. The matter of sending fat sheep is also being discussed and with a little energy and oooperation there is no reason why a regular trade should not be inaugurated ; the difficulty, if there is any, can only be .found among the producers: The XJnion Steam* ship 'Company having provided the means of transit, the duty of settlers is to support the movement pro bono publico.

It may. be of some interest to settlers and gardeners to learn that for the last two years repeated experiments have been made here in transplanting turnips with very great success, and, we have learned, the value of utilizing the thinnings from the seed beds. Transplanted turnips grow rapidly and can be brought on in succession without any difficulty.

The New Zealand Farmer, 800, and Poultry Journal is calculated to become a widely patronized journal. The matter contained therein is very useful and instructive and the proprietor deserves great credit for the careful way in which the compilation has been put together. As a medium of inquiry it will be of great use to all sections of the agricultural interest.

The Poverty Bay Herald of the 24th, contains the following: — A telegram a few days ago as to the Government sending Mr Maeandrew to Scotland to bring -out some crofters, is explained by this paragraph : — Mr James Maeandrew, M.H.R. for Port Chalmers, is vigorously exerting himself towards the in'rodujtion.of Highland crofters to Otago, for which purpose 10,000 acres of cultivated land are alono to be set apart by ~tho Government. Mr Macandre w has already secured the hearty co-operation of the Caledonian Society of Dunedin on the subject, and communications in favour of Highland immigration to New Zealand have been lately addressed to Mr Gladstone, as well as to a number of ministers of the Established and Free Churches in Skye, Lewis, and other parts of the Highlands and islands of Scotland. Persons of influence in Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh have also been similarly communicated with, so that there is roason to believe that the project will be attended with success. - The heartrending* persecutions and privations to whicK the Skye, Uist, and Lewis croftora have been subjected for many years past, and which have recently culminated in something bordering upon barbarity on the part of merciless and tyrannical landlords, have enlisted the sympathy of Scotchmen and Highlanders, not only in Now Zealand, but throughout the world.

The surviving members of the " Old Black Cuffs" (writes the Auckland Star) will learn with regret that by the last mail from England, intelligence has been received of the demise, at Southsca, of General Charles Lavallin Nugent, so long and intimately connected with the early days of the Colony. As captain of the Light Company of the 58th Regiment, he served -with great gallantry during Heke's War at the Bay of Islands. But his most arduous work here was in the performance of duties with the. na lives as Native Secretary of New Zealand, and his name was. a household word among the tribes. Major Nugent wa3, we believe, the first Eui'opean to travel overland from "Wellington to Auckland. He suffered conrobbed and detained a prisonor by several of the tribes. On his arrival in Aucklaisi Ms entire apparel consisted of a piece of blanket about the size o£»a pocket-handkerchief. The loyal chief, Toraati Waka Nene, was about to proceed to his rescue with a party of Ngapuhis, when he received word of his safe arrival. Captain Henderson, Eoyal Artillery, was his only companion during this journey, and last March General Nugent was one of the pall-bearers at the funeral of General Henderson, the others being General Laye, Sir W. Power, and Sir F. Clarke, all of whom served in this Colony. ' The deceased officer was married in St. Paul's Church to a daughter of General Pitfc,

Silence, not speech, is in Asia the mark of breeding, and a laugh the one indulgence into which the superior is never, except among his closest intimates, betrayed. — Spectator,

The fishing interest in New England resist the free admission of British-caught fish into American markets.

A terrible political tragedy is reported fi'om La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S. Francis Burton, president of a republican club, while ai-racgiog a torch light procession, was suddenly shot and killed by a dissolute character named Mitchell, who was arrested and placed in the gaol. The, crime caused much excitement, and the procession moved en masse to the gaol-, demanding Mitchell's body. The sheriff stoutly defended the place, but the mob battered down the doors, effected an entrance, captured Mitchell, and hanged him to a tree in the court-house yard.

■Is it .Worth a Trial, — "I was troubled for many years with kidney complaint, gravel, &c., my blood became thin, I was dull and inaciive. could hardly cvawl about, and was an old worn-out man all over, and could get not Ling 1 to help mo until I got Hop Bitters, and now my blood and kidneys are all right, and I am as activo as a man of thirty although I am seventy-two, and I have no doubt ifc will do as weil for others of my age. It is worth the trial."' — (Father.) Notice ■