The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4120, 4 November 1870, Page 2

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUCEO, NON URO. If I have been extinguished, yet there rise A thousand beacons from the spark I bore.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1870.

It is difficult to derive any very definite conclusions from the meagre and disjointed news which the last mail has brought. But if we look at the European complications in the light of our own immediate interests as dependencies of England, it cannot be said that the aspect of affairs is very reassuring as to the continuanoe of peace. The neutrality of England was still intact, and indifference to the issue of the conflict was the expressed deliverance of the national will; but it requires no searching to see that that indifference was passing into a shadow, and the neutrality which had been already angrily challenged by ons of the combatants ' will probably soon have followed. That some alteration in the peaceful attitude of England was anticipated, may be fairly gathered from the glimpses that we have of the warlike preparations and the bellicose aspect of the nation. The publio, we are told, are in a state of great excitement regarding the military resources of the country, and the discovery made that the greater portion of their arms of precision are on the other side of the Atlantic. A military spirit has taken hold of the popular mind, and recruiting ia rapidly proceeding. Forts and harbour defences are being hurried on; the dockyards are in unwonted activity 5 experiments are being made with mitratlJears and torpedoes; the Volunteer service is assuming the character of the conscription ; and a, demand is made to place the military resources of the Empire under the command of some well-known organiser, such as Lord Lawrence or Lord Napier, as Minister of "War. All these warlike indications are not without a cause, and, if we note the expression of popular sympathy, it is unmistakably tending in the direction of -interposing the power of the Empire for the protection from annihilation of the gallant nation that was so .long the faithfnl ally

of England. It may be that there is not much in the passage of arms that has occurred between the Prussian Ambassador and. Earl Granville. Belligerents are notoriously sore on the subject of neutrality. Believing in the justice of their own cause, and borne away by the heat of the struggle, they cannot understand impartiality, but feel that those not for thorn are against them, England, by treaty, has been under the necessity of supplying coal to France, an article which Prussia regards as contraband of war. But besides this important aid to warlike operations, Prussia has attempted to fasten on England the old American charge of conniving at the manufacture and supply of arms to France ; and there is a significant sneer in the question put by the German plenipotentiary as to what he was to understand by the expression "English neutrality." There is also an unmistakable showing of the teeth of the British lion in the reply of the English Minister, that "England " acted strictly in accordance with inter- " national law, and with the conduct of " Prussia during the Crimean war." All this does not bode well for the peaceful temper of the English nation; and when to this is added the suspicion that the Royal family is leagued with Prussia for the stifling of republican liberty in the sister nation, it is rery evident that England is just in that condition when a very slight offence would produce a declaration of war. Now those causes of offence would not be very difficult to seek. Belgium, in ■ disgust with the imperialism of France, , 1 and the royalty of Prussia, which had plotted for her destruction, has promptly recognised, and ex- j pressed her sympathy with, republican France ; and to an army like that of Prussia, flushed with conquest and maddened with blood, this presumption from a little neighbouring Power must be very galling. If sincerely sympathising with suffering France, the Belgians have a ready means of invoking English intervention j and, by a little provocation judiciously applied, the hasty blow might be struck at Belgium that would bring to the aid of Fiance the thunders of the English fleet. Prussia is apparently in the mood for quarrelling with England ; and with all these elements of war scattered around on every side, it will be a new page turned in the history of nations if peace is still preserved. ! It would be comforting if we had any means of fathoming the intentions of the two other great Powers, which, like England, are watching the progress of events, and rapidly arming, Russia and Austria are in accord : what is the basis of their understanding is at present unknown, but it will have a momentous influence in the moulding of the future history of Europe. If their understanding is the armed convention proposed to, but declined by, England, it will be well for the peace of Europe ; and the intervention of theße great Powers joined to that of England would at once bring the war to a close. But it is to be feared that the mortal struggle of France and Germany has been taken advantage of for further interference with the " sick man of Europe." Turkey haß been always viewed with a covetous eye by Russia, and it is known that Russian policy, unlike that of other countries, does not alter; but the line of foreign policy chalked out by the Czars is followed out by every successor. The disniemberment of Turkey is known to be j included in the predestined policy of Russia, and it is to be feared that the hour lias come. Altogether, dim and disconnected as are the tidings by the mail from Europe, it is evident that the atmosphere was full of war, that tbe elements were gathering, and that the storm had almost burst. A few days will give us more distinct details ; but so far as we can gather from the news to hand, there are but few grounds for believing that peace will bo preserved in Europe.

Our monthly summary will be published on Saturday next. Persons desirous of securing extra copies would prevent disappointment by leaving their orders at the publishing office, Queen-street, up to this evening. The Provincial Council sat yesterday. The business on the notice paper was postponed so aa to allow the House to proceed with the consideration of the Busby case. A lengthy debate took place. The motion of want oi confidence standing in Dr. Sam's name being withdrawn, various other amendments were proposed, the Council evidently inclining to shrink from the responsibility of ousting the present Executive. Ultimately Mr. Philips'a motion was carried, with an addition moved by Mr. Swanson. The Council afterwards despatched a vast amount of business. A motion by Dr. Stratford relative to the fortication of the city was negatived, and the matter of the disposal of the Barracks remitted to the consideration of a select committee. An address to the Superintendent was agreed upon, recommending the establishment of a market-house for the city of Auckland. A sitting in bankruptcy was held yesterday. Simon Lipstine passed his last examination ; and Mr. Hees gave notice that he would apply for the bankrupt's discharge next sitting-day. Mr. Hesketh intimated that he would oppose the application. There was bub a solitary drunkard before the Bench in the Police Court yesterday, besidea an undefended charge of stealing. The only other case was a charge against the owner of certain sheep, of having driven them when infected with scab. The attention of farmers and settlers, and also of batchers, should be carefully given to this subject, as an effort .is being made to eradicate the disease from the district ; and the penalties for neglect are exceedingly severe. In another column will be found an extract from the Sheep Act, referring to scab ia sheep. In our shipping news we give a full account of the launch of the new steamer ' Napier,' from the yards of Messrs. JSiccol and Son, North Shore, yesterday afternoon. The vessel is to be placed in the trade between Napier and this port. A lecture on "British and Irish Poets'' will be delivered this evening at the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street. The lecturer will be the Key. Father Carden ; and we have no doubt tfhe lecture will be of an interesting nature, as it is a subject that affords considerable latitude to the speaker, and may be made exceedingly entertaining to the audience. The ironwork for the lighthouse to be erected at the Sandspit passage has been prepared by Messrs. Fraser and Tinue, of the Phoenix Foundry, and is to be shipped in a day or two. The contractor is Mr. Heron. Intimation has been received by Captain Best, of the Thames Naval Volunteers, that he may havo for the use of the company two 24-pounder howitzer guns, at present lying in Auckland. ' The guns are to be placed at Tararu, but as the platforms are not ready it will be some time before they can bo put in position. j| Mr. Harry Bush, boatman, caught a sole in the Thames on Monday^ exactly similar* to tho fish bo highly priced in England. Mere Kuru, of Ohinemuri, ', has caused three unlucky diggers, on "their/ way from Shortland to Taurangg. tp.saek for work, to be turned- pack, "on, the- vre&ftice ihaVthey The 'menniid heavy awaga 'on. their ■bac.k^ and had wafked the' whole distance; . ' '

In another column the proceedings of a public meeting held at Papakura on Wednesday last are reported. The meeting almost unanimously approved of the policy of the present Government. In correction of our remarks yesterday on the failure of the case Ashtonv. Probert, at the Police Court, the day before, we have been requested to state that the Highway Board in question did not initiate the case without legal advice, but they directed their collector to consult a solicitor before laying the complaint. We understand that *n amended information has been laid against the same individual, and will be, t heard on Monday next. ' A general meeting of the Auckland Rowing Club was announced to be held last evening, but, owing to there not being a sufficient number present, the meeting lapsed. We have received a very excellent sample 1 of paste blacking manufactured by Mr. Williams, of Elliott -street. Unimportant as this new industry may appear, it is nevertheless I one that deserves the heaviest encouragement. Every new industry started in our midsb adds another aid to prosperity, affords employment to our population, and keeps money in the country which would otherwise be sent out of it. Statistics do not show the quality of blacking imported into the colony in any period j but, no donbt, the quantity is considerable. We hope the new industry will prosper. The dividend of half-a-crown per scrip share in the Shotover Goldmining Company will be payable on the 9fch instant. The Thames Advertiser has an article on the great want of water supply to the goldfield, and says :—•" For the last two months, Grahamstown may be said to have been dependent on a spring of water coming out of the hill near Ballin's soda-water manufactory. Three men have, however, taken up the ground near as a mining claim, and Wednesday's working made the water useless." The half-yearly meeting of the Band of J Hope Goldmining Company will take place this eveniug. The monthly inspection of the squadron of the Royal Cavalry Volunteers will take place this afternoon, at the Whau. Thia morning, at 5 o'clock, the Naval Brigade will muster in Fort Britomart, for the purpose of practising shot- and shellfiring with the garrison guna. A call (the seventh) of 6d. per scrip share in the Nonpareil Goldmining Company has been made. OnWednesdaylastthePresbyterrmetatSt. Andrew's Church, to consider a call received from the congregation at the Whau, requesting the Rev. A. C. Souter to become their pastor. Mr. Souter however announced to the Presbytery his intention of immediately joining the Church of England. The Rev. Mr. Macnicol was therefore placed ia charge of the district. The last of the series of the winter entertainments in connection with the Pitt-street Mutual Improvement Class is to be held tonight in the schoolroom. A branch telegraph office is to be established at Grahamstown. The office, which at preseat closes at five o'clock, will also in future be opened between 8 and 9 p.m. The Wardenship of the Thames goldfield has, it is said, been offered to Mr. Hugh H. Lusk, M.P.C. for Parnell; but Major Keddell is spoken of at the Thames as the most probable successor of Mr. Davy. Mr. Thomas Leigh White has become the legal manager of the Inverness Goldmining Company, in the place of Mr. A. Boardman, resigned. Measrs. E. and H. Isaacs will sell, at U o'clock to-day, at the stores of S. Hague Smith, kerosine, iron bedsteads (assorted sizes), and a general assortment of hardware. Also, ex ' Countess of Kintore,' 15 oases and casks, comprising tea trays, planes, brushes, candlesticks, Sco.— [Advt.J