THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1827, 18 April 1885, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

" ThsSpirit of the Times shall teach mo speed.' KING! JOHN, ACT IV.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1885. DEEPER AND DEEPER. Notwithstanding all statements to the contrary the conviction is now rooted that Russia is simply keeping up a "political pantomime to deceive the gullible, while she is really using every precious moment to strengthen her forces for a dash at Herat. To imagine such a thing as that the world will or can believe for a moment that General Komaroff acted without instructions, or, to put it in the accustomed form, "contrary to instructions," is to oredit the ordinary thinker with a measure of oredulity equal to the audacity of the statement. No one pan for a moment believe in the genuineness of these "explanations." It was necessary for the sake of appearances to give some sort of reply to the demand of the English Government for an explanation, and every attempt on the part of Russia to parry the direct question brings her in more guilty of a grave act of aggression, which must either be completed by the further advance of her troops, which is really the intention, and always has been, or General Komaroff must be made a cat's-paw and be degraded for his conduot. His recall and degradation from his command would necessitate a yet further step in the path of humiliation, the Russian army now at or near Pandieh would have to retire into Russian territory. That is beyond the line extending from Russian Sarakhs to a place named Khojah Saleh, on the river Oxus. That is the line claimed by England as the AtVhan frontier. Russia aspnmea 1 the right to consider the boundary should begin at Pul-i-Khatoum, on the river Kashaf Rud, about 150 miles to the north-west of Herat and 52 miles south of Sarakhs, and extend eastward and northward to Khojah Saleh, on the Oxus. Russia's right to this exists solely in the fact that in the recently published Russian General Staff Map to which we called attention some months ago as a significant publication the frontier line is so marked. It would appear that Russian authorities reckoned upon th« fact that as they were allowed undisputed possession of Sarakhs and needed only a few politioal assurances of "nothing' but friendly intentions" to keep what they had quietly appropriated, and could throw that fatal glamour over Mr Gladstone and his colleagues, there was really no reason why they should not possess themselves ofa little more

only a little more pantomime, a slight turn of the mind, and a r'e&dy &b to make all smooth again. (}ul vol un cenfvol itfi &#?{£^-and why not let it be so in tiiis case ? There is no logical reason, for, if it is possible to hide the wrong and expunge it by diplomatic license in one case, it is only logical to do so in another. But there is another side to be considered. The willingness of mankind generally to be imposed upon by fair speeches has its limit, and the conviction ia that the real character of Russian profession is expressed in the words Video -meh'ora ■probofy lie, deter iora septor — that is " I see and approve of the better things ; I follow the worse." Intrigues and cunning may accomplish a good deal hilt history gives abundant proof that the most crafty are caught in their own trap, the presence of a force within the ' scientific boundary ' of Afghanistan has but one meaning, that and is, that Russia meant to insult England by the studied delay in meeting the British Commissioner, Sir Peter Lumsden, and the Eussian Military Commander has been emboldeued by the apparent accuracy of his calculating Government in counting upon the drowsy state of the British Cabinet. The British Lion has been asleep, conscious perhaps of his strengh, the Bear has rudely trodden on his tail and this is just the one step too far, as it lias proved. The Lion may be well disposed towards his keeper in times of ease and quietude, but once aroused, the keeper is in danger of losing all control over his charge, and pay the penalty for his own carelessness. This is the position o£ the British l-rovcmment, and England must fight llussia or else the Lion will have to submit to his tail being trodden on and walk away with a growl only. Eussia fondly in such a possibility and it must be admitted her rulers are showing their wisdom in pushing on their preparations for a conflict with all speed. Indications are not wanting that the British Lion will no longer brook this last insult, the naval forces are evidently to bear an important role in the coming struggle and if on one side the Muscovite can pour in his thousands of Cossacks and all arms by laud, the British fleet can and will occupy the attention of the foe in various quarters and compel Eussia to put forth all its strength in'^ defence, financially the moment could scarcely be more opportune for England or more disastrous for Eus- ] sia, and unless some unforseen chapter in the history of events now unfolding be early disclosed, it may be accepted as a truth that clouds are indeed accumulating fast for a terrific outbreak. The storm when it does break will cany much before it, and the end will be practically an entirely new map of the present undefined part of the world and contain sharp definitions of boundaries of Empires,

Owing to the unsatisf aotory working of the telegraph wires last night no southern telegrams came to hand. The Coptic arrived in Auckland yesterday, and Mr McCandliah may be expected here to-day. Again Tauranga is left out in the cold ! The Hon. the .Premier is off to Taupo. We remind our readers that the sale of the town wharf dues will be held this day at noon. Information reached us yesterday, that an accident had befallen one of Messrg Crimmins' waggons on the Rotorua-Taupo road, about 16 miles on the Taupo side of Ilotorua. Particulars had not reached town yesterday afternoon. The first brewing was successfully accomplished at Mr W. Kelly's Brewing Establishment at Rotorua, on Saturday last. We wish all success to eveiy newly started industry throughout the district. Mr J. Sheehan announces his arrival in Tauranga per s.s. Taupo, on Tuesday next, and will visit the different centres throughout the electoral district at dates subsequently to appear. The friends of the late ©aptain John Todd are notified that the funeral will start from Monzies' Hotel this morning, for the Old Cemetery at 10 o'clock. Weather permitting, a scratch match will be played by our local footballers this after- j noon. Players should arail themselves of i every opportunity for practice in view of the opening match of the season. The s.s. Wellington was delayed on her usual trip here on Thursday evening from i.uckland, and by information received, the delay occurred at Whangarie, probably due to the exceptionally low tides of which notice was received a few days ago from Captain Edwin. The Wellington was notified to leave Auckland last evening, and is due here this morning. The following telegram was read with much interest yesterday afternoon on the issue of onr War Bulletin. " Admiralty propose equipping ffteen fast steamers as cruisers, including the Rimutaka or Kaikoura. The Shah of Persia offers England 40,000 troops." A practice of the rifle club will take place this afternoon at 2. 30 p. m. sharp. Captain Edwin reports at 11. 12 a.m. yesterday. — " Bad weather approaching between north and east and south-east. Glass denotesfurther fall. Sea heavy, and heavy rainfall within 12 hours." A large three-masted steamer was observed yesterday by Mr Chaytor between Maketu and Motiti, apparently steering for \ Tauranga. This vessel was sighted later from here, evidently steering north. The vosbol scorned to be a stranger. A Japan paper dilates on the virtues of an edible earth which it says has been dfiseovered in the Hokkaido. The substance is an oily clay, brownish in colour. No cereals are grown in tho soil, on which shrubs attain to a height of about six feet. The inhabitants of the region, who live chiefly on roots and the blood of animals which they hunt, frequently die of starvation. The attention of the natives was drawn to tho earth by their observing deer eating it, and the people now make ÜBe of it when they are short of other food, rolling it into balls, from winch they make a kind of soup. Air Aiju3Asteb Box. — Young girls finding their complexion growing sallow, and their skin becoming rough or freokly, resort to perfumed ointments for a restoration of their bloom. All such should use Hop Bitters, which will restore bloom to cheeks, whiteness ana beauty to their complexion, making rich Mr^ w^^i^jj^^ and happYaßittues. Head.

We are glad to sco that Mr B. S. Covlett is enabled to resume his occupation and attend to his business aa Architect and Builder, and that ho is again convalescent after the accident by which he was compelled to lay by for a while. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon on the body of the late Captain Todd, found, on the beach at Katikati, before Ca}>t. Tovey, •T.P., Coroner. The evidence of Mr C. Faulkner proved the finding of the body of deceased at Bowentown on the 16th. Alex. Turner dep"tisod that he la3t saw deceased on his way to itatikati on Tuesday, 7th inst. "Witness waa coining to Tauranga in his cutter ; doceased was going to Bowontown ; he hailed him and passed on. Samuel Chapman deposed that he aatv deceased on Tuesday, 7th, before he left Tauranga, and carried, some bottles of beer to his boat. Deceased loft shortly after for Bowentown, and -was seen by Constable Whelan at the time. Deceased waa sober when he loft. James Moir, M.D., gave evidence as to the state of the body, and gave it as his opinion that deceased came to his death by drownin g\ There were no marks of violence on the body. The jury having considered the evidence, found the following verdict — " The body of the deceased John Todd was found washed up on the beach at Katikati Heads on Thursday, the 10th day of April, 1885, and the evidence tends to show that tho deceased fell out of his boat on Twosday, the 7th April, in Tauranga Harbour, and he met his death by drowning and not otherwise, no marks of violonco appearing on the body." It is reported that several of the passengers by the Ruapelm have forwarded complaints to the directors as to tho treatment they have been subjected to during the passage out. The sitting of the R.M. Court adjourned to Thursday morning stands further adjourned to this (Saturday) morning at 10.30. H.H.S. Espiegle, Captain Bridge, waa or* dered to prepare for sea immediately on April 7. Captain Bridge received a telegram containing orders. The blue peter was at once hoisted at the foramast, and activity prevailed all day, everything being* got in readiness. I Largo quantities of stores and ammunition were taken aboard, and instructions were awaited to steam out. of Sydney harbour at a moment's notice. Our "Wellington correspondent telegraphs that the accounts for the financial year are not quite completed, but so far as ascertained they show a surplus revenue over expenditure of between £20,000 and £30,000. Revonue will be lesa by about .£IO,OOO than tho estimated total, but the expenditure has also boon considerably bnlow tho estimate. Railways and Stamps both show a deficiency, but there is a surplus in Customs and Miscellaneous. Other departments come close up to the estimated receipts. The Homo Education Department purchased two magnificent pictures for the National Gallery from tho celebrated Blonheim collection - the "Ansidci" Madonna (Raphael) for .€70,000, and an equestrian portrait of Charlos I. (Vandyke) for .817,500. The total amount of tho supplementary estimates for tbn Education Department was £165,708. The Katikati Pair seems tohavo loft a wonderful impression on the minds of the natives, who, though at first rather dubious as to the real meaning of such an institution, are now alive to the benefits which must accrue to the whole population of the district, and they look for a repetition of the Fair. The most casual observer cannot fail to j observe that Tauranga is highly favoured as a fruit growing district. We speak of quality and variety. Any one walking along the Strand, on any afternoon at this season of the year, will notice the local fruiterers windows carrying evidence of our well adapted climate for orchards and gardens. Rend in comparison the great complaints in the press about the absence of fruit, in Wellington district. Moral — Grow plonty more and ship. Messrs Crosby nnd Crimmins having, as stated in our last issue, bought the whole of Mr Gallagher's plant of vehicles and horses, they are now prepared to lot out buggies, etc , on hire, at the most reasonable terms, to all parts of the district. We trust they will meet with a liberal patronage. The following appeared in the Hauraki Tribune of the 10th instant : — The Katikati Fair on Easter Monday was an unqualified success, a pai-t of the proceedings being an exaot copy of Donnybrook. Some of the Ohinemuri visitors invested in a buggy at the Pair, and put therein a horse who was for the first time introduced into harness; the buggy capsized while going through the Hikurangi Gorge, smashed the shafts, and slightly damaged two of the occupants. The Junior Football Club ia we are glad to Bee, awakening the interest and attention of old players, and it is hoped that by coach-. ing and instruction in the science of the game, several excellent players will be produced. It was with very gsneral regret that the announcement recording the death of Mr J. C. Stone was received here. Mr Stono waa one of the oldest merchants in. the Colony. Ho arrived in Auckland in 1840 and had been thoro over since. He was held in very high esteem by all classes of the community, and was well known as ever ready to join all undertakings for the general good. He was a friend of this district. Ho attended the first land sale in Tauranga and purchased a section on the Strand adjoining tho property held by Messrs Home and Reid. The doceased gentleman also acquired other properties at Katikati and other parts of tho district. Encke's comet, one of a short period ia expected to return to perihelion sometime dur- ] ing the next few weeks. Astronomers can bo on the look out. " Tho war of the Titans was a symbolic and unpractical mediocrity compared with the battle of rates at present going on beween Transatlantic companies and their servitors, the United States trunk lines," observes the St. James Gazette. "Recent financial crises in the States have given an impetus to competition hitherto undreamed of in connection with even the wildest speculation. There was a time when freight rates from London to Calcutta were 10s per ton, and when passenger rates from Glasgow to Belfast were 6d, with a breakfast thrown in. But these sink into insignificance compared with tho proposed emigrant rate from Liverpool to New York of eight dollars, or a little over 30s, and in conjunction with the trunk linos from Liverpool to Chicago, a distance of about 5-1:30 milts, of nine dollars, or about 355; whilo the rate from Liverpool to San Francisco, a distanco of nearly 17,000 miles, is cut down to about £8. Tho idea that emigrants can bo carried from New York to Chicago for ono dollar is, on the face of it, so utterly preposterous that we can only infer tho most unhealthy and ruinous competition for bare existence. Tho Pennsylvania railroad, which is controlled by Mr Vanderbilt, has commenced this insane war, and all the trunk tines have been forced to follow suit. Now, of course, is the time for cheap travelling ; but, we may say, now also ia the time for careful avoidance ;of investment in the companies which indulge in this policy." A manifesto was issued by dynamitards assembled in Paris on March 5, addressed to the Prince of Wales, pledging him safety during his visit to Ireland because he is a Freemason. The document is signed " Michael Flannery." One part of it says : 'Go and see for yourself what the Irish) people have suffered. We shall thank you, although you are the_/residuary legatee of centuries of usurf Jkra and attempted ! extermination." / "A..

Dr Fisher, of Sydnoy, and formerly of Auckland, has been visiting the Wairakei Springs near Taupo, and speaks very highly of their curative properties. One of tin- | springs is said to contain a large percentage of iron, and may be taken internally with very beneficial results. The water is to b( sent to Mr Pond for onreful analysis. Application has been mathe to the Union Steamship Company by the admiral in charge of the Australian Station to stab; upon what terms they would charter one or more of their steamers to be equipped and armed for the patrol of Australian seas should the necessity arise. The Victorian Government have offered to purchase the s.s. Rotomahana. Among f ecent A f chiJPoldgical discoveries is a find bt'onze statue of ati atlilete, in a perfect state of preservation, excepting a clean fracture across the legs, has been discovered in the course of the works connected with the building of a new jjtheatre in the Via Nazionale, immediately adjoining the Gardens of the Colonna Palace, Rome. It ia, therefore, probable that it belonged either to the baths of Constantino or to the Hadrian's Temple of the Sun, which stood near each other at that corner of the Quirinal Hill, The statue measures upwards of six feet in height, and considering how Tery few of the many bronze statues which ornamented the ancient city of Rome have been found, its' recovery constitutes an artistic and archceologieal event of the highest interest, The case against Captain W. Farquhar, of the s s. clansman, for a broach of t\w Shipping and Seamen's Act, in whick he was charged with not having his boats ready for use when at Whangarei on February 21, was heard at the Police Court on Saturday before Mr E. G. Seth Smith R.M. and dismissed, as no proof of the boats' lowering gear being improperly fixed has been shown in the evidence The first and second officers of the steamer, and Mr. Nancarrow, Inspector of Machinery, who made a survey of the boats on March 26, were examined for the prosecution. For the defence, Captain J. Molven/.io aud several other master mariners, were called as witnesses, and His Worship dissmissed the information, considering it unnecessary to proceed further with the defence. Mr H. Williamson appeared on behalf of the Collector of Customs for the prosecution, and Mr. E. JBesketh represented the defendant. A luminous tree grows in a valley near Tuscarora, Nevada, U.S.A. At certain seaons the foliage >jivea out sufficient light to enable anyone near to read small print, while the luminous leave 3 can be seen at a great distance*. The phenomenon is attributed to parasites. The late Dr Christopher Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln, was ono of the Eleven of Winchester College at the first cricket match botwetn that school and Harrow — that is, in the yoar IS25 — and his brother Charles, now Bishop of Hi. Andrew's was one of the Harrow School hleven at that matoh. The latter becamesecond master aud subsequently Fellow of Winchester College, while the late Bishop became head master of Harrow. King Louis of Bavaria intended to spend last Christmas in one of his gorgeous secluded hunting castles, the " Hut," near the Austrian frontier, which was adorned and furnished injthe "Niebelunge"' style, but the palace was burnt down a day before the king's arrival. It is supposed that the "Hut" was rifled of its costly .contents then tired. It was a chance remark that led Henry Bessemer to his method of improving gun metal. After many experiments, and being sneered at as an enthusiast, iron that coat £7 a ton was turned into steel worth from £50 to £60. In 14 years his experimental works, having returned 57 fold, wore Bold for 24 times the subscribed capital, and his manufacture is estimated to bo worth £20,000 000 yearly. The return of the Jewa to Palestine has been a favourite hobby of zealous and philanthropic persons in every age of Christianity. It has failed hitherto to interest the people most concerned, but the Jewish Chronicle records a movement which may have serious results. A conference is no -v sitting at Kattowitz, in Upper Silesia, to frame a project for transporting the Hebrew populations of Eastern Europe to the Holy Land. Many of the most important towns in Russia, Poland, Germany, and Austria are represented by delegates : the Conference is to last a week, and over £10.000. has been subscribed. That sum would go but a very little way, iv truth, but as the first token of interest ou the part of the Jews themselves it is significant. If they can be brought to entertain the i lea it might be realised. We are not used to think of the Jew as an agriculturist, aud the fundamental objection to the scheme which experienced persons adduce is his incapacity for pioneering. But the persecutions in llussia have revealed that many thousands of the Chosen People are engaged in farming there, and in Austria, Poland, and the Balkan countries. It is these persecutions doubtless, and the prospect of more, which huve stirred the Jews at last. They may well think that if go they must, Palestine is as good a land to colonise as the Western States, and they would be fulfilling prophecy into the bargain. ( There is no serioua reason for believing the idea impracticable, if money enough be forthcoming, and the right class of colonists be found. — Exchange. The Baronesa Dowager Rothschild, who has just taken up. her residence at Cannes, has had removed to her villa from the Gulf of Juan an auracaria, which has not its equal in the country. It weighs 28 tons, and was drawn on a dray to the town by 32 horses. The Jewish Chronicle states that a conference attended by Jewish delegates from many of the most important towns in Russia. Poland, Germany, and Austria, is being held at Kattowitz (Upper Silesia), to deliberate upon the question of promoting the Jewish colonisation of Palestine. The conference will last about a week, The fund in aid of the movement is said to exceed £10,000. Queen Victoria is (io. King Christian of Denmark is G6, and his wife, the Queen, is a year older. The Emperor of Austria is i)i, and hia wife is 46 ; while King LeopoU, of Belgium, 49 years old, has a wife aged 1 50. The Sultan of Turkey is 42, King Oscar of Sweden 55, Louis of Portugal 40, Humbert of Italy 40, and President Grovy of France 71. The wife of the Russian ruler, is three years younger than her husbjuul, the wife of the German five, and the Queen of Italy seven. In the past 30 years the average of a man's life has improved 5 por cent. — from 41.9 to 48.9 years, and a woman s life 8 per cent— from 41.9 to 45 2. Of every 1000 males born at the present day 44 more will attain the age of 35 than used to be the case previous to 1871, and every 1000 persons born since 1870, will live 2700 years longer than before. T hi& is due to civilisation, and especially to improved sanitary methods, which is adding an average of nearly ten years to human life in every century. Woeking Men.— Before you begin your heavy spring work after a winter of relaxation your system needs cleansing and strenthening to prevent an attack of bilious or spring fever or tucknoss that will unfit you for a" season's work. You will save, time, sickness and expense if you will "use one bottle of Hop Bit^ra in your family this month. Don't wafe Bead

Russian engineers claim that Sevastopol is stronger than ever, owing to its monster guns, torpedoes, and improved earthworks. ]Vlr Vail, the "cattle king" of Nevada, began business twenty years ago with a capital of 500dol. He paid the 500dol for a Durham cow and from that cow he has sold 40,000d0l worth of high-bred calves. They are having an uncommonly hard i winter, in KufopU Cold weather and heavy snows in Russia, Polaud, and Austria have ! even driven wolves down to the iuanube, and even there they are nearly starved. Of the 2,739,028 people found in Paris by a recent census only 7- "),000 were born within'the walls, The metropolis drains the smaller towna< A French chemist bag obtained, /orm th c outer layer 3of biir'ch park a nlac'k. gum which possesses the' ordinary properties of gutfcapercha, and also the pow'df td fe'dist the injurious influence of the air and the corrosive action of acids. One fruitful result of the efforts of the Presbyterian women in Scotland to promote female education iv India is seen in the gift or £3500 for that department of work from T. M. Russell, Esq., formerly of Calcutta. The thrif fcleasness of the Duke and Duchof Teck is a cause of much worrimenfc to the Queen, Teck's wandering's on the Continent and his continued impecuniosity have gained for him the sobriquet of "The Tramping Prince." Protestant mission work commenced in China in 1799, when the English Baptist Mission sent out the Rev. J". Marshman. Since then 42 societies have sent out 856 missionaries, including 133 single ladies, but not including wives of missionaries. It is said that the skin of Canvi, the Paris murderer, has been tanned, and will be used in binding the books and documents relating to his crime, which were published. The force of the remark "War means money" — unintelligible to most people — may bo explained by the following 1 futures. The cost of a " Woolwich Infant^" the familiar term for an SO-ton gun, is precisely £9,026 13« 11;! d. O f this amount £G,57u ltis 2jd represents the cost of the material used, £1,51)7 9s Bjkl the labour expended on it, and £832 what is termed "indirect expenditure." These figures avo from tho official returns. It will bo seen, therefore, that in these modern times a nation that has to keep up " first - class armaments' ' must be ready to meet " war estimates' 1 on a gigantic scale. In his lecture, in Melbourne Mr Sala referred to the events of the Russo-Turkish War, and this led to the mention of the late Lord Beaconsfield's name, which was received by the audience with a perfect storm of applause, enthusiastic, general, and long-sustained. "Would we had a statesman of tho same mettle at the head of affairs now," said the lecturer; "one who would give us peace with honour, or war with hononr." And agam the hall echoed with cheers. Events pointed to the probabilities of a war now. Ho would enjoin caution, but not apprehension. Ho would say, "Take care of the Russians ; they hate us, and mean mischief, On the other hand, their national finances are so hopelessly bankrupt that they will not venture upon hostilities unless they believe there are British statesmen in power who will allow them to bully us. Do not fear their navy, for such is the rottenness of the whole administrative system that it is a mockery, a delusion, and a snare." As there has been some talk (says a contemporary) of calling out the first-class militia in this country, it may be explained that this class includes men between the ages of 17 and 30. There are certain exemptions, applicable to all classes, such as the law officers, membsrs of ihe General Assembly, secretaries and under secretaries of the Colonial Government, the clergy and ministers of all re'iyious denominations who are officiating ministers within the meaning of the Marriage Act, college and university professors, sheriffs and constables, telegraph •lerks, warders of public goals and limatie asylums, and attendants at hospitals, post* masters and mail carriers, officers acting in the management or collection of the customs reveuue, schoolmasters actually engaged in teachiug, seafaring men otherwise than watermen and boatmen, Volunteers, and persons afflicted with lunacy or physical infirmity, •'The Review," a London publication devoted to insurance interests, reprints the report and balarce-sheet of the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, and noticing the chairman's remarks at the annual meeting as to reckless competition and abuse or inequality of tariffs, says : "It is very refreshing to kear the chairman of au insurance company speak out in this manner, for it would appear as if statements of this kind must be the herald of immediate reform. The fire insurance business, in faot, in the Australian colonies could not very well be muqh worse than it is at present, as there is hardly any tariff at all, and even on the more reputable class of risks the tendency of rates ia still downwards. We trust that the plain speaking of Mr jßituhie will produce some good results, whilst we may remark that the aooounta are preparod in a very satisfactory manner The National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of JSTew Zealand appears to be in possession of ample assets, and to be managed with all the ability which the present state of insurances in the Australian Colonies will permit to be exercised. By the chairman's speech the Company is shown to be possessed of experience and knowledge of; how things stand. We may therefore confidently expect that during the ensuing 12 months the decisive action taken by the British offices will find responsive echo in the antipodes, and that the Company may by next spring be able to report a more satisfactory state of things as feeing in existence than that shown by the papers before us. The accounts of the Company are clear and satisfactory, in. which J point it sets a good example to many of its contemporaries.