THE New Zealand Herald. SPEOTEMUR AGENDO. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1876.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4692, 27 November 1876, Page 2

THE New Zealand Herald. SPEOTEMUR AGENDO. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1876.

Mr. Rowe was very unfortunate at his' meeting, at Grahamstown, on Saturday night. If we remember aright, during the session, he was wont to make strong statements about having the unanimous confidence of his constituents, and about Sir George not having that confidence, and on one occasion he challenged' Sir George to resign, and to fight an election at the Thames. He must see now that that was a very rash challenge, and people will be inclined to think that it was something like braggadocio. We are inclined, however, to attribute Mr. Rowe's failure in great part to his conduct since the prorogation. He quite needlessly put himself in an attitude of hostility to his colleague. He ought either to have stayed away from Sir George Grey's meeting, or have attended in a friendly spirit. We have no doubt the people of the Thames intended to read Mr. Rowe a lesson which we hope he will lay to heart.

The news which we publish to-day from London is exceedingly disquieting, although the situation is not so bad as to preclude all hope that war may be avoided. Russia, we are told, has prohibited the export of horses, while Turkey is preparing its army to encounter a more formidable enemy than the Ser-. vians, and has determined to send a fleet of ironclads to the Black Sea. From England, we hear that there is increased activity at Woolwich and Portsmouth. All these items of news seem to shew that Russia, Turkey, and England believe in the possibility of a war—a wax in which England would be involved by interfering to prop up Turkey. Undoubtedly Russia holds the key of the position. If the Emperor of Russia and the people of Russia are determined on war—if they consider that the present is a good opportunity for realising the desire of Russia, handed down like a tradition, to aggrandise the Empire by seizing on Turkish territory, then the likelihood is, that war will be the result. It will seem to Russia that there never was a better opportunity far an assault on Turkey. Sultan after Sultan ha 3 been tried, and all of them, down to the present, have proved wretched incapables. Turkey is burdened with such a monstrous debt that it seems impossible she could long continue a struggle with a powerful foe. On •the other hand, Russia is in a splendid position. Her army is in first-class order, while her Black Sea fleet could no •doubt easily cope with the Turkish. ■ The Emperor is apparently inclined for war, while the Russian army would go into it with enthusiasm. If Russia is really determined on war, nothing can prevent it. England would view with great alarm an attack of Russia upon Turkey, but what could she do to prevent it 1 Her former ally, France, would not stir, and although Germany and Austria would not look with anything like gladnesß upon the aggrandisement of Russia, they would not actively oppose, but would attempt to make a bargain to their own advantage on some minor points. Lastly, the horrible attrocities perpetrated by the Turks in Bulgaria have cut off from it the sympathies of England, and indeed of Europe, and so strong has been the feeling excited that we do not think the British Government would dare to go to war for the preservation of the Turkish Empire as it stands. Mr. Gladstone thinks that the Government is unnecessarily alarmed at the attitude of Russia, and advises combined action with that Power in erecting the rebellious provinces into independent States, and thus putting a stop to the rule of Turkey in Europe, Russia guaranteeing not to occupy Constantinople. The latest papers shew that Lord Derby was hopeful of securing peace upon a basis that would give security for the future for the Christian provinces of Turkey. In regard to the position of Russia, Mr. Gladstone said ; —" Every circumstance of the most obvious prudence dictates to Russia, for the present epoch, what is called the waiting game. Her policy is to preserve or to restore tranquillity for the present, and to take the chances of the future. We have acted towards her as if she had a present conspiracy in hand, and as if the future did not exist or never could arrive. But, regard it or not, arrive it will." It seems to ub that the only hope of peace lies in England and the other Powers compelling Turkey to yield to the demands made by Russia, which, under the circumstances, seem reasonable. It may be true that Russia has excited the Slavic population, so aa to bring about the present state of things ; but, if so, Turkey has fallen completely into the trap, and must take the consequences. Judging from the telegram, the Powers seem inclined to take up the position of dictating to Turkey, as we are told that the Porte has accepted tho proposed conference on Turkish affairs, yielding to the counsels of the Powers. Even if the demands of Russia are complied with and fully carried out, we are afraid, they will only be the means of patching up peace for a few years, and that,, sooner or later, the Turk must disappear from Europe. There can be little doubt, however, that the seizure of Constantinople and the Dardanelles by Russia would very greatly increase the strength of that Power, arid would to a corresponding extent depreciate the power of Great Britain. But England, notwithstanding her fleet, could not cope with Russia alone, and therefore we suppose her best policy is to endeavour to get Turkey to agree to some plan, for the better government of the Christian provinces, and to be content with that patching up in the meantime. • A war between England and Russia would be exceedingly awkward for the colonies. Trade would be greatly affected, and the "war risks" would be much felt. We cannot think that there'is any danger of. Russian i-cruisers visiting our ports,' and levying contributions. p!n : Our. cities, but ■ considerable uneasiness would be felt. During the Crimean war a descent on Melbourne was projected, and this time it might be carried into effect,

V. ItiSconatiSing^tobe v af>letofinistfup our noticljof tKejEuropeaniiewß with tne'.yery BatisfMtory/intelligsncQ thatcompetition .is vigorous in the wool, market, and that prices are very firm; and that flax is 111 good demand at full rates.

The annual gathering Of'the schools inconnection with the. Auckland Wesleyan Sunday-school Union took place'yesterday afternoon in the Choral Hall, and passed oft in a very successful manner indeed. The large building was filled in every part. >5 The different. schools were represented as follows Pitt-street, 35 teachers and 320 scholars; Grafton Road, 20 teachers and 170 scholars; Parnell, 9 teachers and 60 scholars; Union-street, 10 teachers and 60 scholars: total, 74 teachers and 610 scholars. A large number of the parents and friends of the children were also present, so that, in round numbers, there must have been 900 persons inside the building. The Rev. Thomas Buddie presided, while seated on on either side of him were the Revs. W. J. Watkin, R. S. Bunn, and W. -Kirlc. The service was commenced with the singing of a hymn. Two addresses were delivered— one by the Rev. W. J. Watkin, and the other by the Rev. R. S. Bunn. The firstnamed gentleman took his text from the 144 th Psalm. His remarks were so simple that the most infantile mind could grasp their full import, while they at the same time proved interesting to the more advanced both in years and in understanding. Mr. Bunn delivered an earnest and impressive address, exhorting the children to declare themselves for Jesus, the captain of their salvation, and to avoid procrastination as one of their most dangerous enemies. A collection was then taken up, and realised a sum of £10 2s 6d. The assemblage dispersed after the benediction had been pronounced by the Rev. W. Gittos. The little folk deserve to be complimented for the very orderly manner in which they conducted themselves during the service, and for the attention which they paid to the addresses. The singing was especially worthy of commendation. The members of the combined choirs of the Pitt-street and Grafton Road Sunday-schools were ranged in tiers, facing the audience, and under the able leadership of Mr. Ryan sang very sweetly and in good time the hymns selected for the occasion. Mr. W. Caley officiated at the harmonium.

By the next steamer from San Francisco, due here on Sunday next, will arrive a troupe of twenty sable vocalists, entitled the Georgia Minstrels. Their fame has preceded them, and we feel assured that they will meet a hearty reception, they more so as they will be the first real nigger minstrels who have ever visited Auckland. The class of entertainment provided by them is evidently more enjoyable and freer from vulgarity than the kind for which our burnt-cork friends seem to have a particular weakness. It is stated that the Georgia Minstrels have had the honour of appearing before Her Majesty and several members of the Royal Family. The following extract from a prospectus issued by the ad vance agent, Mr. P. H. Kirby, will give the public some idea of the treat in store for them:—" It was a revolution to the people of the North, for we have been accustomed to associate the idea of negro melodies with the meretricious trash that had so long passed current as such in the minstrel halls. Here, for the first time, we heard the sad, sweet songs that did not seem to be composed, but to well up as they had done for many shameful years from the hearts of an oppressed people. It was this, and the fact that the singers themselves had

'learned in suffering what they taught in song,' that created the enthusiasm which followed the Georgia Minstrels all through America, and perhaps in a still higher degree, through England, Scotland, and Ireland."

We learn that the Rev. T). Bruce, of St. Andrew's Church, who, a few weeks ago, went down to Tauranga to recruit his health, has been successful in establishing a position for the location of two Presbyterian ministers for that district—one to be stationed at Tauranga, and the other at Katikati. An influential committee was formed at Tauranga, who have temporarily secured the Temperance Hall until such times as a new church shall be erected on a site of land which Mr. Bruce, some ten years ago, selected, situated centrally in the township. The Katikati residents were invited by Mr. Bruce, and about sixty of them urged upon him the necessity of inducting the Rev. Mr. Mark to the office of minister. The occasion was very impressive and satisfactory. Mr. Bruce left Tauranga in the early part of last week, in the Rowena steamer, for the purpose of visiting Mercury Bay, Whangapoua, and Coromandel. The Baptist Church of Christchurch, since the resignation of Mr. Morton in June last, has been without a pastor. Without losing any time, however, a letter was sent to Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, asking him to choose a successor. In about ten da 3's after its receipt, Mr. Spurgeon wrote two letters to the church here. In the latter, dated September 23. which was read publicly to the congregation at the Hereford-street Church, he stated that he had chosen what he believed to be " the mrm." Arrangements had been made, and passages taken for the young minister and his wife in a steamer whicn would leave England in about a month after the date of the letter. The Rev- Mr. Dallastone is therefore well on his way out, and may confidently be expected in a few weeks. At all theWesleyan churches in the Auckland and Manukau circuits, sermons were preached and collections taken up yesterday on behalf of the Missions. At the Pitt-street Church the Rev. W. J. Watkin occupied the pulpit in the morning, and the Rev. R. S. Bunn in the evening. The day's offertories amounted to £13 2a. This evening a public meeting will bo held in the abovementioned church, when a report of the Missions will be presented, and addresses delivered by ministers from the Mission Station. The Rev. George Brown will also continue his narrative of personal experiences in connection with the forming of stations in the Duke of York group and in the islands of New Ireland and New Britain. A telegraphic message has been received at the Thames that the Hon. F. Whitaker will visit that district on Tuesday, the 28th iußtant, on matters connected with the government of the district, when oppor-

tunity will be taken by the S'r Walter Scott Lodge of Freemasons to af&liate Brother Whitaker as a member of the Lodge. Invitations have also been sent round to give a banquet at the lodge-room, in honor of the occasion.

An exceedingly violent whirlwind passed over tho Kuri Bush district in Otago lately, destroying on its course, which extended over about two miles, the settlers' growing crops, improvements, and live stock, and demolishing the bridges and culverts along the roads. The damage sustained by some of the settlers through this unusual visitation, amounts to about £300. Haymaking is proceeding apace in all directions, the weather being very favourable for that purpose. At Onehunga and other localities in the neighbourhood of Auckland, large quantities of hay have been stacked within the past week, whilst scores of acres of grass have been mown down during that period.

Thp exhibition of tho Mirror of England at the Thames has enlisted the admiration of all classes, the attendance being on the increase every evening. On Saturday afternoon a performance was given specially for children, at which there were upwards of one thousand present;-who thoroughly enjoyed the treat. / Should the weather .continue fine, the members of tho Hobson Company and Band and_ Naval Brigade and Band contemplate :having a march through the suburbs on Friday evening next. Suburban residents .will doubtless hail the newß with extreme pleasure. •' The "Wellington Argiis''aays ; that the appointment of Dr. Skay as a member of i the Board of Health is .an indication :that the Government mean to retain his services, although his salary was struck out by the Horn

The arrival oi the jLeeNLoch h« been anxioualy looked for by VMiouß peraons,;. bnt by none more'so police, have been on the alert'for the last'fortnight'" The sighting of. her by the s.B. lona on Thursday last increased the interest, and for the last 48 hours the signal" Btation at the. North Head and the harbour have been doubly/guarded by the police awaiting the .arrival,of the .Loch Lee. At 10 last night a three-masted' schooner was ■ Been coming up, and a waterman's boat was at once' pressed into the police service, and Detective Grace and Sergeant :Martin .proceeded to some distance beyond the railway wharf, only to be "sold," as it turned out to be the three-masted schooner Fairlie, from Napier. The boat retnrned, and the police - had comfortably got seated ashore, when a second vessel came round the Heads, and ] another trip into the stream had to be made. This time, however, they " struck ile," for it was the Loch. Lee. Communication was entered into with the captain and others respecting a little episode that had taken place at Tonga, or one of the adjacent islands. It appears that Captain Lombard, of this city, who went down to dispose of the cutter Bella, on behalf of Mr. Niccol and others, was successful in Belling her, and having received her purchase money, engaged a passage on board the Loch Lee. He states that one day he put the money—about £350 in gold—in the captain's cabin, with the latter gentleman s permission and knowledge, and the two went ashore, the captain recommending Lombard to take it with him, as he always did. This, however, was not done, and on his return the money was gone. No tidings could be learnt from that day to this, although divers were engaged in searching under the ship's anchorage, and every possible means employed to find the property. No search was made last night, Detective Grace contenting himself with enquiries, to be renewed again, possibly with a search. The news of the loss was brought up some days ago to the Bay of Islands by the whaler Magellan Cloud, and from thence transmitted to the police here.

An old man named John Home, a bricklayer by trade, and living in York-street, Parnell, has been missing from his home since Friday morning. He left his home at half-past nine o'clock a.m., and was last seen at 3.30 p.m. on St. George's Bay Beach. Home was seventy-five years of age, and he complained of his being obliged to knock off work through increasing infirmity. He has, in consequence, been for some time in very low spirits. He told his wife on Friday morning that he would take a walk, but he has not since returned to his home. The Parnell constables and the Water Police have been active in their search for the missing man, but no tidings of him have been found.

The Otago Daily Times has the following :—Of the large lot of eggs of the Californian salmon brought to New Zealand by the Bteamer City of New York on her last trip, it seems that about 40,000 were sent by Dr. Hector to the Bluff, and were at once taken charge of by Mr. Howard, who had them conveyd to the Makarewa Pond. The result has been very successful, and the method of packing the ova is proof of the thoroughly practical acquaintance which the Americans have with this subject. The ova arrived on Sunday last, and on Monday morning early Mr. Howard, the Hon. Mr. Nurse, and Mr. Burton, who had come from Wellington in charge of them, proceeded to examine the boxes. On opening the first one, it became patent that they had not reached their destination too soon,

as the fish were being hatched out in the boxes, and this process was actually going on in the spoons with which they were being removed. Several of the young fish have died, but the majority of them are looking, healthy. Curiously enough, a number of the fish are deformed, and many in the eggs appear to be in a similar condition. The eggs present a different appearance to that of the English salmon ova, being much larger, and of a deep red colour. It is estimated that abont 20,000 fish may be obtained, and should such prove to be the case, there is every probability that they will be reared to maturity. The spring which supplies the hatching boxes at Makarewa with water does not, we believe, ever record a temperature so high as 50 degrees, even in the hottest weather; and this circumstance, coupled with the fact that the experiment has been placed in thoroughly competent hands, augurs well for its result.

The Poverty Bay Standard of the 18th inst. says :—"We believe it was the intentention of the Commissioners to finish their inquiry yesterday afternoon. Had Buch not been the case, we should have taken the liberty of suggesting the advisability of these gentlemen putting themselves in a proper position with respect to the public when they require the attendance of witnesses to appear before them. It appears to have been their habit not to issue writ 3 of mandamus or other written documents, citing persons into their presence, but to send a constable with a viva voce request, in the ' York, you're wanted' style. . It would not have surprised us to learn that some unofficial heretic, whose belief in these gentlemen's orthodoxy was not very great, had refused to attend to such an off hand, if not discourteous, kind of invitation."

Speaking of the sparrow nuisance, the Waityto Times says " The destruction of the sparrows has been commenced on a wholesale scale in Auckland. As far as the sparrows are concerned we are glad to hear it, for a greater pest and curse to the farmer and especially to the gardener, was never imported into the colony than that bird, not even excepting the Scotch thistle, twitch grass, and the education rate. It is time that the Acclimatisation Society came forward, cried peccavi, and made amends for the error it has committed by organising sparrow clubs for the destruction of this feathered vermin—otherwise we very much fear that many an innocent songster will share the fate of these grain and fruit-eating rascals in their indiscriminate extermination by poison."

We understand that Messrs. Pond and Tunny, chemists, of Auckland, are uegotiating for the purchase of Whale Island from Mr. George Simpkins, the respected owner. Doubtless, should the negotiations come to a satisfactory termination, the wonderful waters of Whale Island, and its other valuable resources, will be fully investigated and utilised. — Bay of Plenty Times.

The Poverty Bav Standard of Wednesday last Bay:—"On Monday last Mr. Richard Kelly started overland, via Wairoa, with 90 horses for the Auckland market. He expects to be about a month on the road. These make up a total of 496 horses taken by Mr. Kelly to Auckland in the space of three years, and they are reported to be of a nsefnl kind, and many very superior in quality."

For the Mayoralty—the election for which takes place on the 20fch proximo—the following gentlemen are said to be likely candidates, namely, Messrs. Prime, Hurst, J. P. King, and Goldie. Wo have not heard whether the present Mayor is to be a candidate or not.

BThe new Central Board of Health has resolved that cholera, smallpox, scarlatina, diphtheria, enteric or typhoid fever, typhus fever, and measles should be proclaimed to be " infectious diseases" within the meaning of the 20 th section of the Public Health Act. -

Our late Governor, Sir. James Fergusson, is spoken of by Scotch papers as a likely candidate for the representation in Parliament of the Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities,, vacant by the "elevation of LordAdvocate Gordon to the Appellate Court.

The Waiicato Times of Saturday last says: —" We learn that tho King and his party, now in the Pirongia ranges, thiß side the confiscated boundary line, have coianienced the regular occupation of the laid'preparing, for ''cultivation. j ..

Mr.H.M. Shepherd's tender to erect the lighthouse tower, &c., on Portland Island for £1916 has been accepted. The highest tender was £3229.

We are glad to<hear fromTaurangathat there is no truth iri3thefreports, aboUt ; the. 'natives being armed and- being determined to 1 resist the prospeotorii "The indications ■ found by the prospectora'are said to. be excellent. We hope they wilTjjjirtf'the district a •thoroughexploratioiL'; ! -'-^ The first meeting of the Central Board of Health, as newly constituted under the legislation of thepast session, _washeldatWellington on the 20th'inst; The members present were the Hon." Dr. Pollen, Colonial Secretary (in the chair); Mr. G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary; Mr. : W. 1 Seed, Secretary of Customs; Mr." W. KB. Brown, Regis-trar-General ; Dr. Skae, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums; Dr. Hector, C.M.G., F.R.S.; and Captain. Johnson. Under the Btatute the first meeting ~of the Board was declared by the proclamation of His Excellency the Governor, published in the last General Government Gazette. A resolution that his Excellency the Governor should be advised to declare by' proclamation that cholera, smallpox, scarlatina, diphtheria, enteric or typhus , fever, and measles, should be beemed to be " infectious diseases " within the meaning of the 20th section of the Public Health ,Act, was carried nem eon. A motion that a circular should be issued to each of the Local Boards of Health, in which term municipalities and road boards are included under the Act, requesting them to report to the Central Board on the 31st of March annually, was also carried, it being decided that a printed form should be prepared for such returns to be made, in order that when made they might be identical in form. The provisions of the Act give the Board power to fix the dates of all future meetings, and there being no other business to dispose of, the meeting was adjourned sine die.

It is a well-known fact (remarks the Melbourne Herald) that most of the persons employed in the banks of this colony who have within the last few years being convicted of stealing moneys belonging to' the banks have been brought to ruin by betting onhorse races and gambling in other ways. The various banks have begun to recognise the danger of allowing their employees to gamble, and seem determined to prohibit it as far as may be practicable. It is Btated that the other day .a dialogue, of which the following is the substance, took place between the manager of one of the banks in this city and one of the clerks :—Manager: "Is it true that you have won £500 by betting on Nemesis?" Clerk: "It is." Manager: "Then you have your choice of two courses; furnish to me immediately an account of your debts and your assets, or resign your position here." The clerk chose the alternative first indicated, and the account shewed a balance in his favor of £500. The manager addressed him thus : " You must now lodge this £500 to your credit; and if it is again discovered that yon bet or gamble in any shape or form, you will render yourself liable to immediate dismissal." The clerk lodged the £500 to his credit, as required, and it is to be hoped will also carry out the final salutary injunction of his manager.

The Taranaki Bulletin of |the 18th has the following :—" Two gentlemen who took their | departure by the steamer for the Manukan on Thursday last, travelled overland from Auckland on horseback. They left the Waikato on the 12th October for Napier, arriving there on the 20th, From thence they proceeded to Wanganui, and then came on here, travelling by the Mountain Road, The visited the White Cliffs and took a tour up the Tongaporutu River, when finding it would be impossible to ride back to Auckland by the West Coast, they disposed of their horses here and took the steamer.. They speak of the land on the Napier side as being very sterile, and of not much value, but of it here they hold a very different opinion." . The Nelson Colonist states :—" We hear that the Maitai river is to be thrown open for trout fishing, and that licences will be granted upon payment of one pound. Those who know where to go will find the fish plentiful, and we should advise them to look to their tackle. The trout are lake trout and some of them are nearly three feet long." The Wellington Evening Post says that one of the questions for consideration at the forthcoming conference of Good Templars will be whether the negro race is to be admitted into the order. We notice by the Wairarapa papers that some of the settlers in that district are desirous that Mr. Broomhall should pay them a visit. A man named Alfred Colville was sentenced a few days ago to 14 days' imprisonment for stealing carpenter's tools at Cambridge. We have to acknowledge the receipt of £2 from Mr. A. Christie, for Mrs. Leatnam. The Bay of Islands Coal Company intimate that, in consequence of the gauge of the railway being altered, no coal can be delivered from Saturday, December 2, to the Monday following.

The banks will be closed on Thursday next (St. Andrew's Day).