RUSHING TO REVOLUTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 136, 6 December 1905, Page 4

RUSHING TO REVOLUTION.

We look in vain for a gleam of light in the sombre clouds that still gather over the Russian skies. All the elements seem present for an outburst of tempest and flame to which history affords few parallels. Drawn hither and thither by opposing factions, the nominal ruler of the Empire has wavered, evaded, and delayed —giving way to the national tendency to dismiss a problem with the fatalistic "Nitchevo" — not unlike the Maori ''Taihoa" so familiar in our own land. "It can wait." Had the' earlier demands of the reformers received prompt and sympathetic assent the national discontent would have been in great measure allayed. An honest attempt to redress the grievances of the people by a measure of selfgovernment would have confirmed that touching faith in the almost divine attributes of the Tsar which characterised the peasantry of the country until it was for ever shattered on the fateful "Red Sunday" in St. Petersburg. In the organisation of the Zemstvos there was the gorm of a representative system which had already done excellent work both educational and administrative; and the Duma scheme, had it only been promulgated in time, would have gone far towards restoring confidence. But the same concession which, voluntarily granted, may be accepted with gratitude is liable to be contumeliously rejected when offered in blind and unreasoning panic. The details that reach the outside world, scattered and incoherent as they are, are full of ominous suggestions. Official figures, which are not likely in such a matter to err on the eide of excess, report massacres in a hundred and thirty localities. The post and telegraph ser-. vices are at a standstill ; the military and naval forces are breaking off in all directions and allying themselves with the popular organisations ; while, as invariably happens during a temporary condition of anarchy, the lawless elements of society, emancipated from ordinary restraint, are couimiltilig acts of robbery and violence. The authorities are powerless, and a precipitate exoduß of all in a position to leave tho country has begun. Widespread strikes, business paralysis, enormous financial losses, and depreciation of property of every kind, are among j the symptoms. Following on enforced idleness comes famine, and then, as the pangs of hunger become acute, the infuriated multitudes will "see red," and the heavy acore that the autocracy with its Cossack hordes has accumulated will be wiped off. Count de Witte contemplates resigning, and it is reported that a "Dictator" will be appointed. Too late, as usual— the title is curiously incongruous under present conditions; but the reactionaries have not ceased to rely on force. Press censorship must be suspended when we find a newspaper calling on the people to organise a Government of their own. In the turmoil one figure stands out in strong relief— Father Gapon, the popular priest, who has been pictured again and again as an impractical <md dangerous fanatic. He has been striving to act the part of peacemaker, and has been warning the more ardent spirits not to expect or ask too much. We fear that tho caution comes too late. The constituted authorities appear 'to bo infatuated and obstinate as ever j the populace is .desperate ; and there seems to be every indication that Russia ia rushing headlong to rev.olutiim,.

. Henry Wong Gye, a half-caste Chinese committed from Palinerston North, was brought before his Honour tho Chief Justice this morning for sentence on a charge of forgery and false pretences. Mr. P. Garvey, Probation Officer, stated that accused had been twice convicted of false pretences, and explained that the prisoner had informed him the offence was tho result of drinking. His Honour took into consideration the fact that the prisoner had not been in trouble for some years, and sentenced him to four months' imprisonment. The new premises for the National Bank of New Zealand are to be- erected on the . sit© of the present bank building in Grey-street. The plans,- which have been prepared by Mr. John S. Swan, show a, building of three stories and a basement, with a frontage of 60ft, a depth of 92ft, and a height of 71ft. The building will bo fireproof and earthquake-re-sisting, being constructed of concrete, steel, and brick,- and one of its chief features is a very handsome entrance. It ■will take about a year to build, and in the meanwhile the business of the Bank wilt be carried on in the building in Greystreet formerly occupied by Messrs. Levin and Co, - We have to acknowledge receipt of useful wall calendars for J. 906 from the South British and New Zealand Insurance Companies. Wo have increased our china and glassware departments by securing large showrooms in Farish-street, and invite inspection, which will repay purchasers. H. Fielder and Co. — Advt. The New Zealand Express Company, " Ltd., makes a specialty of handling furniture locally, and also of packing and shipping same. Experienced and reliable men. Rates moderate. Telephone, No. 92.—Advt. Munt, Cottrell, and Co., general carriers, Customs and forwarding agents. Storage a speciality. Furniture packed and removed. Office : Queen's Chambers. Telephone No. 23. — Advt. C, Smith's Mercery Department.— This department is replete with a splendid assortment of all the necessaries appertaining to tho every day wants of gentlemen. Men's straw hats, in every conceivable shape and style, at bedrock prices; real Panama hats from 10s 6d; all sizes : straw boaters, the latest shapes, from 2s 6d; tennis shirts, an immense stock to choose from, in matte and stripe effects, best Value in the city, from 2s lid. We have a grand assortment of pyjama suits, our own make, guaranteed* thoroughly reliable, prices from 4s lid suit, complete. Wo can show absolutely the choicest', variety of scarves and ties in town, all the latest novelties in shape and design. C. Smith, Cash Draper, Cuba-street. — Advt. ATescrs. Stewart Dawson. and Co. have opened up large shipments of jewellery, watches, and silver goods for tho Christmas trade. Other large shipments are due to arrive, this week. Messrs. Hareourt and Co. draw attention to a series of auction sales to be held in their now buildings, 46, Lambton-quay, as follows:— On Friday next, at 2.30 p.m., th&y will sell balance of the unsold sections in the Park Avenue Estate at Lower Hutt. The sections range in area from one rood to two-thirds of an acre, having large frontages. They arc within ten minutes of the present 'bus service. The sections are to be offered on liberal tends. Lithographic plans giving full particulars 'may now be obtained at the firm's offices. A^ furnished nine-roomed balcony seaside residence at K&raka Bay, also two building allotments adjoining same; \a three-roomed cottage, known as St.' Kew, Karaka Bay, comfortably furnished throughout. On. Friday, the 15th inst., at 2.30 p.m., they will offer for sale a block of building sites, being lots 1 to 14, part of section 10 of the Ohiro distriot, having frontages to the old Karoriroad and Holloway-road, and containing in all oved five roods; villa sites, part of sections 29 and 32, Karori district, part of Thorby's fitnn { close to Baker's Hill tunnel, each section containing 20 perches; and a city residence of five rooms Webbstreet. Messrs. J. H. Bethune and Co. announce the sale on Friday, Bth inst., of two sections in Woolcombe-street, part of the land belonging to the St. John's Manse, having a frontage of 100 ft by & depth of 80ft, back measurement being 65ft ; three sections in Glencoe-avenue, off Welling-ton-terrace, belonging to the estate of the late Mr. James Smith ; also five sections in Roileston-street in the same estate,- three having frontages of 31ft 6in and Wo being approached by 7ft rightsoffway, the subdivisions of which have been approved by the City Council. On Wednesday, 13th mat., Messrs. Bethune and Co. will sell, by order of the Sheriff of the Bupreme Court, the leasehold property No. 3, College-street, having frontages of 37ft 2in to both College and Vivian streets. On Friday, 15th inst., tho firm will sell 36 sections, being the new subdivision of Knight's Farm, Kelburne. Plans of this property are now ready, and will Tje posted to any address on applicar tion. On Monday and Tuesday, 18th and 19th inst., Messrs. Bethune and Co. will sell a consignment of 1500 books from one of tiie leading British booksellers. Catalogues are now obtainable, and the books will be on view on and after Monday next, 11th inst. Macdonald, Wilson and Co. direct special attention to a large number of land sale advertisements inserted in our auction columns to-day. On Monday evening next, at 7.30 o'clock, they will submit at their Exchange Land Mart, 24 building sections situate Newtowu South, being 1 the subdivision of Town Acres Nos. 1095 snd 1097, having frontages ranging from 30ft to 33ft to Adelaide-road (on the tramway route), Duppa-gtreet, and Royal-street, by depths of from 87ft to 120 ft, to be sold on specially liberal terms of sale. On Thursday, 14th December, the firm will submit 39 seaside building sites situate at Paekakariki, on the Wellington and Manawatu railway line, adjoining the railway station there and froating tho beach. The sections contain areas ranging from about an eighth of an acre to over an acre e?ch. A special feature *i the Bale is tho liberal terms, offered. Lithographic plans can be had on "application. The goodwill of lease in that wellknown property situated at the Taita, . The Oaks Farm Boarding-house. The land comprise* some 25 acres, and the lease' has some 18 years to run. In Adelaide-road, .near the Basin Reserve, two one-story villa residences, each four rooms and scullery ; in Hall-streot, one-story bay-window villa residence containing six rooms and scullery j in Homer-street, two verandah houses containing five rooms- each ; at Kelburne, building section having a frontage of 50ft to North-terrace by a depth of 136 ft oin (irregular) ; at Island Bay, tho block known aa King's Court, which is subdivided into four building sections having frontages to tho Esplanaclo and the Parade ; building section, Island Bay, having a frontage of 49ft 6in to Derwentstreet by a depth of 166 f t; building sections in Marion-street, Kelburne, Island Bay, and Lower Hutt ; a residence of six rooms, and, adjoining same, large twoEtory building in use as a carpenter's workshop, with all appliances, situated Ebor-street (off Tory-strec-t), to bo sold oi a going concern; the land measures 6.f t by a depth of 80ft. The firm advertise the withdrawal from ealo of cottago residence and, land situate Duncan-terrace, Kilbirnic, which was advertised for the 14th instant. Tho firm insert a preliminary announcement of tho sale about tho middle of January next, under instructions from Mrs. J. H. Kingdon, of 15 building fections tituatc on tho Western Hutt. road, Lower Hutl, within ten minutes' walk from tho railway btation. MeS3M. Baker Bros. /-advertise for salo by public auction, at their rooms, 38, Lambton-quay, on Wednesday, 13th December, 1905, at 2.30 p.m., under, instructions from the Public Trustee, a section situated at Fitchett-town ; also, on behalf of private vendors, a property situated "Wellington-terrace, two cottages at Rcna Bay, and three business sitcp_ pituatod corner of Adelaide-road ami Chilka-street. For children's hacking cough at night Uko Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, la 6d *od 2» 6d.->/fet.