THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1885.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7272, 10 March 1885, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1885.

As will be seen from the telegrams of this morning, Earl Granville has sent an ultimatum to Russia demanding the withdrawal of her troops from Afghan territory. This quite confirms the opinion expressed in our issue of Friday last, that the English Government must needs demand the recall of Russian troops or offer the alternative of war. And, from the particulars supplied, there can be no doubt that England has determined on war if her ultimatum is not accepted. The garrisons of Quetta and Pishin are said to have been strengthened, and the

Ameer of Afghanistan is also sending reinforcements to the frontier of his territory. It therefore now only remains to be seen which of the alternatives offered her Russia will elect. We are inclined to think that, all things considered, she will ultimately deem prudence the better part of valour. The alliance entered into with Prince Bismarck and England's present Egyptian difficulty emboldened this sudden move into Afghanistan. But, since diplomacy has failed her, thiwugh the firm and, perhaps, unexpected stand taken by England, it is probable that, though assiduously preparing for war, she will yet deem it prudent to fall back rather than fight at present. The truth is Russia is not yet ready to attempt the invasion of India, and her present move is, by the seizure of certain passes, to isecure a gate for the purpose when she is ready. She must wait until the lines of rail laid down of late across Central Asia,

are near enough to her advanced posts, because such communication has to be depended on for the reinforcement of troops and of warlike material, and various other stores. It is evident, from recent accounts, that it will take a twelvemonth yet for rail to be extended to Merv and Sarakhs, and nowadays a great many strange changes, unexpected events, fit into the period o.': a twelvemonth.

But there is no longer any scepticism as to Russia's designs on India; all doubt on that point has disappeared for some time back. In the January number of the Nineteenth Century, the Hungarian traveller Arminius Vambery, well-known for his explorations in Central Asia, contributed a paper explanatory of Russia's proceedings in that quarter, and showing how unmistakeably the invasion of Hindostan is the goal, although he thinks the project does not date so far back as is sometimes supposed, and that it has been really contemplated only within the last twenty years. He tells us how the Turkoman tribes have been subdued, and how the Shah of Persia is as mueh a creature of the Czar as the vassal' Khans of Khiva and Bokhara. He says that from Odessa, in European Russia, there is now rail to the Caspian; and that besides the Government fleet, the petroleum trade from Baku has placed a great deal of shipping on that inland sea, which can be crossed in twentyfour hours. He does not state the exact pdint south to which the railroad from the eastern shore of the Caspian has yet reached, but he says that it will be soon possible to transport an army from Odessa to the neighbourhood of the Afghan frontier in six days.

Among the advantages possessed by Russia for such an invasion, he cites the fact of her Government's despotic power, untrammelled by Parliaments, and admitting of action with secrecy and despatch on the scale required. He quotes Skobeloff's idea that the equestrian hordes of Central Asia would, allured by the plunder of India, join a Russian army as eagerly as of old they followed Tamerlane and other, chiefs of their own race for the same object. But it does not seem to have occurred to the impetuous Skobeloff, or to M. Vambery, that the expectation of such an avalanche of ruthless freebooters would combine all the more heartily in resistance the populations as well as the armies of Hindostan. We observe that the writer referred to is to furnish a second paper on the subject in another number of the magazine, and in that he will no doubt refer to the obstacles which await a Russian invasion of India. Not long since we heard and mentioned at the time in these columns the fact of a journal ia Tiflis, said to be the organ of the Governor of the province, being censured by the authorities in St. Petersburg for speaking too plainly on the subject of these obstacles, in the face of which the journal considered that Russia could not try to establish her own dominion, but to weaken that of England by restoring the independence of some of the native states. One of the obstacles referred to was the peninsular form of the country, facilitating a Power commandiug the sea to send assistance from without, and act from so many points. Another obstacle for an invader exists in the number of diverse and even conflicting popular tions "within the bounds of India which are dominated by England, and have no bond of union or agreement except British rule. For instance, the Sikhs so numerous in our army, are at hereditary feud with the Hindoos. The Ghoorkas, from whose Himalaya valleys many excellent regiments of infantry are obtained, have nothing in common with the inhabitants of the plains of the Ganges or Indus. The Belooch, the Patan and Mahratta, the Mussulman trooper, theßajpoofcfrom the old Sepoy recruiting grounds, Malays, Burmese, and men of the various aboriginal hill tribes—warriors unlike in race, language, manners, and professing four or five distinct religions, compose England's native army in her great Oriental Empire. The composition of the army is quite, different from what it was in 1857, when it was mainly drawn from a few provinces.

The duel on the Afghan frontier can scarcely come off for at least a twelve- • month and in these days that is a trying spell of, time for such an alliance as Prince Bismarck and M. de Giers have called up—a temporary understanding between States, mutually suspicious because naturally antagonistic. The two Western nations, to preserve the balance of power, were the old antagonists of Russia in her designs on Constantinople. But she has now not only an antagonist but a rival in that direction, since Austria has become strong by practical union with Germany. Austria seeks to extend her seaboard along the Adriatic, and even to the JEgean, and she still more urgently and notoriously desires to rule at the mouth of the Danube, in order to command the navigation of that great river, which traverses the heart of her Empire. If we look at the map we see how completely such a step would cut oft' Russia from the Balkan peninsula, and her hopes of Sclavonic annexation in that quarter, and the suspended ambition about Constantinople, and how it would transfer to Austria that great prize of what used to be European Turkey. How can there be confidence in any alliance between parties so much afraid and so keenly watchful of each other 1 And there are other matters quite as grave, in which Russian interests clash with those of Germany and Austria. Who can foresee how another year will affect the present curious Continental alliances 1 Meanwhile, it may be inferred from the fact that the Emperor William is impressing upon the Czar the desirability of an amicable arrangement of the Afghan difficulty, that Germ-any is desirous tha,t for a time, however brief, the occasion for a general war may be avoided.

'_ The s.s. Arawata left for the Fiji last evening, with passengers and cargo. Amongst the latter are 2000 bags rice and 229 onses meat from Welliugton. From here waa shipped a very large and varied cargo, consisting of potatoes, kerosene, ale, salmon, cabin bread, butter, soap, preserved and salted meats, timber, Ac. On the way the Arawata is to call at Russell for a supply of coal, &o. We understand that news has been received in town that coal has been found in the shaft sunk by the Miranda Company. This is regarded as important, as showing that eoal exists over a large area. .. . Several chiefs have been despatched from Waikato to the North and other parts to beat up attendance for the great Kingite meeting to be held shortly.

Tbe political atmosphere is thickening. It is full, to-day, of rumours of war. The Russian adyance in Central Asia has at last awakened England to a sense of the danger which threatens her Indian possessions. The British Government have now acted with a prompitude and firmness which are commendable. They have insisted upon Russia retiring from the positions she has occupied on the Afghan frontiers. Earl Granville has addressed an ultimatum to that effect to the St. Petersburg Cabinet. Russia, however, does not seem inclined to yield to the British demands. The situation, therefore, is extremely critical. In the meantime both. Powers are making extensive preparations for war. Writing only two years ago, with reference to the Russian railway from the Caspian via Kizil Arvit, to which point it had then been extended, Askabad and Sarahks, towards Herat and Candahar, Mr. Charles Marvin, in his work "The Russian* at Merv," eaid : " Thanks to the evacuation of Candahar, we stand in this position in regard to the key of India—that though we may protest, we J cannot enforce compliance with our wishes. Had we retained Candahar we could have held over Russia's head the threat of occupying Herat in the event of the railway beipg pushed menacingly in that direction. That power has gone from us for ever. The Gladstone Government flung it heedlessly away, together with all other fraits of the eighteen millions sterling invested in the Afghan war. The threat to occupy Herat is a weapon which is now in Russia's hands. Before a single sepoy could arrive before Herat to defend it, Russia, thanks to the Trana-Oaspian railway and her new position on the Perso-Turcoman frontier, could be mistress of the place an entire fortnight, any fraction of whicu period would be sufficient for her troops to put the fortress in a condition to resist an English siege ; while at the 1 same time Russia could pour reinforcements into Herat from the Caucasus a clear month in advance of English succour arriving on the scene from this country." Since taese words were written the Russians have occupied Merv, and it is apparent that they are now advancing upon the " key of India." Sergeant Dnnny, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, arrived, yesterday from Wellington by the a.e. Manapouri. He brings the warrant to take over the accused William Sheeban, and has also the depositions taken at the preliminary trial at home. The annual meeting of the Mercury Bay Timber Company was held yesterday at the company's office, Fort-street, Mr. T. Peacock, M.H.R. (Chairman of Directors), presiding. A dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum was declared. Messrs. J. M. Clark and Thomas Morrin were re-elected directors. A concert was given laet night in the Lome-street Hall, under the auspices of the 1.0.0. F., Auckland district, in aid of the widow and children of the late Bro. Peter Crompton. Among6t those present were His VVorshipthe Mayor (Mr. W. R. Waddel) and Mrs. Waddel, and the performance was also under the patronage of the Auckland Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Hughea, while the Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Morris, played in the principal streets prior to the commencement of the concert. At eight o'clock the hall waa crowded, and the programme opened with a pianoforte duet, "Fairy Queen" (Sydney Smith), played very tastefully by the Misses Hayles. "Tit for Tat" (Pontet) was well aung by Miss Peace, and in response toan emphatic recall, she repeated the lasl. verse. Wallace's beautiful song, " Alas I those Chimes," was sung with much pathos by Miss Gribble, while "The Wind and the flarp" (6. Glover), by Misses Peace and Gee, was another good number. Mr. W. Edwards was in capital voice, and sang "Keep thy Heart for Me" (Wallace) splendidly, his tine tenor voice being heard to greatadvantage, and he was most vociferously encored, giving " Napolitaine" (Lee) very feelingly. Mr. A. Smith was very happy in two recitations, and brought down the house. A aand jig by Riley Brothers was well received and recalled. The other items were :—Song, " The Tempest of the Heart" (Verdi), Mr. R. W. Soeats ; song, " Reiga of the Roses" (Caroline Lowthian), Miss Wright; duet, "Fairy Dreams " (S. Glover), Misses Peace and Gee, encored; song, "Vote for O'Rafferty" (music by Mr. J. Spry), Mr. T. Leedham, encored; piano duet, selected, " Palermo " (D'Albert), the Misses Hayles: eong, "Down by the deep sad Sea" (Thomas), Mr. W. George. Miss J. Hayles and Mr. A. Bartley played the accompaniments. At the * close of the concert . Mr. C. S. Wright returned thanks on behalf of Mrs. Crompton and her children. The eoncert was wound up with a select quadrille party, and dancing was kept up with much spirit to an early hour this morning. The Rev. J. Floyd, who arrived by the Australia from San Francisco, belongs to the Christian Brethren, and is going to Wellington, to assume the pastorate of the church of that denomination there. He ie accompanied by his wife and child. On his arrival here he was welcomed by some of his. coreligionists. For some years past a bridge has stood in lonely isolation on the sea beach at Cox's Creek, as neither the Government nor the old Ponsonby Highway Board would bear the cost of making the approaches. The general belief has been that the bridge will rot to pieces before the matter is settled. We learn, however, that some public spirited Pousonby citizens are moving in the business witti a view of getting the approaches made, the bridge utilised, and the present scandal removed; On the arrival of the Manapouri yesterday f roiii the South, Sergeant Pratt arrested on warrant a passenger named Frederick Lacey, alias Henderson, who is charged with the larceny of a gold diamond ring, stated to have been stolen from Mr. Cheymal, of the Star Hotel, Wellington. There are several cases of measles in the city. A fresh case in the South Ward was reported to the Sanitary Inspector yesterday. Mr. Hudson, the district traffic manager of the Auckland railways, has made bis arrangements for St. Patrick's Day. On that day a special excursion will be made to Waikato, leaving Auckland at eight a.m. and Newmarket at ten minutes past eight. Passengers will be conveyed to Mercer, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Ohaupo, and Te Awamutu. The return trip will be made from Te Awamutu at a quarter-past five o'clock. The fares will be very low, 6s 6i for a return ticket from Te Awamutu secondnlasa, or 93 first-class, being the only charge. The Waikato Horticultural Society will hold their exhibition at Hamilton that day, and the races at Kihikihi will also take place. The races at Henderson's Mill will also be held that day, and a special train will leave Auckland for the races at a quarter to twelve a.m., and from Helensvilleatten minutes past eleven for the race-course The fares from Auckland will be 3s, and from Helensville 4s 6d, which will admit the holder to the course. On Saturday last Mr. A. Vollbracht paid a visit to the tobacco plantation of Messrs. Cairns and Cummings, at Mangere. There is an extent of eight acres in cultivation, and Mr. Vollbracht found the plantation in excellent order. The plants are vigorous in growth, well developed, and free from blemishes of all kinds. There are three varieties ef tobacco grown in the plantation, viz., Connecticut, Havana, and Pennsylvania. Some of the leaves of the Connecticut variety have developed to a large size, and of excellent quality. Mr. Vollbracht brought with him a number of the leaves, which he intends to cure, and place on exhibition at the forthcoming show in the Drill-shed, under tbe auspices of the Gardeners' Horticultural Society. The leaves are finer than the bulk of the tobacco grown in America, and as all the portions of the plantation are of equal merit, it shows that the soil is good, and that the care bestowed upon the growing crop has been all that could be desired. Mr. Cummings has had considerable experience in the cultivation of tobacco in Victoria, and his work at Mangere shows that he ic master of his work. Tbe leaf of the Havana variety is very much smaller than that of the other kinds, but it has reached full maturity, and gives promise of being a profitable crop. As the distance from Auckland to the plantation is but a short one, those who take an interest in this industry and the visitors amongst us may gratify their wish by going out to the plantation, which ie not more than seven miles or so from Auckland. The s.s. Manapouri, which arrived yesterday, - has on board 24 horses which were shipped at Wellington for Sydney. They are fine upstanding animals, and well suited for light -draught purposes. Cagtain Morris, M.H.R., is still confiued to lufj room from the consequences of the accident which he met with in Wellington during last session.

Sisters, in Mechanics' Bay mTdniJt " Sunday were yeeterda/ charged !? th Police Court with being found withnnf he case on board the boat, which 1, th? eX * perty of Mr. F. William" fiih d ' Jf* , The accused belong to that cU« rf w jS£ who, when out of employment whi^ 8 fishing season is over loaf about and aIL ,1 ' night where they can, but general' stables and out-houee. or aboard the LS -hipping craft lying in the bays. The bS .Moody .nd Whitcombe) discharged two of them yesterday with a ti on 2* was their first appearance before the Conrt and sentenced the third, who had been m viously convicted, to seven days' imprison rnent. * a% At the Resident Magistrate's Court Ob. huhu, on Friday, a civil case, Dennis vj Nicholls, was tried. It was a claim for is, for damages done to premises while in hii forloT' Judgment waa B iven for Plaintiff At the meeting of the New Zealand Tin; versity Senate yesterday, Professor MaT gregor brought up a report of the committee on affiliated institutions. The report etatS that three of these institutions; viz. &T John's College (Auckland), Nelson Collet and Bishopdale Theological College (NeUon) are not fulfilling the conditions of affiliation This report will no doubt occasion some JZ easiness to those connected with these Col leges. The report of the committee will hi. considered by the Senate to-day. The half-yearly dividend of the Bank of Australasia (at the rate of 14 per cent, ner annum) will be payable on the 27 th bat Mr. C. E. Hilton writes on the Hospital controversy, in reply to "Outsider" and • strongly defending Dr. Bond. "Another Outsider" writes on the other side. \y e think no good object can be attained by continning this controversy at present. The Garrison Band played at the Albert Park on Saturday afternoon. There was » large gathering to hear the music. As the evenings are drawing in, these performance! will only last about a month longer. Lord Macdonald and Lieutenant Liriiu. stone paid a visit to the Thames on Saturday They were shown over some of the mines bv Mr. D. R. Gellion. ' A citizen informed a friend yesterday that he had been forty-five years in Auckland and never been out of the district. He used to shoot mullet at the mouth of the creek which flowed down Queen-street, and at the place which is now the busiest in the city. The nomination of candidates for the Newton Licensing Committee took place on Monday, the 9th instant, at the Hall of Commerce, Surrey Hills, when. Mesira. John Gittos, Richard Hellaby, Robtert Laing] Charles Frederick Partington, and Robert Taylor Warnock, being the only gentlemen nominated, were declared duly elected by the Returning Officer, Mr. Seaman, To-day a special excursion will be made to Henderson. The fares will be very low, so as to place a day's outing within the reach of all. We are informed that before long manga, nese is likely to be extensively worked in the North Island. Since the year 1833, when the shipments from Auckland amounted to over 2000 tons, the quantity sent home has been very trifling. The price of manganese has lately doubled in the London market, the principal rise having taken place the last few months. ' The recent developments, owing principally to the exhaustive experiments of the Hadfield Steel Company, clearly prove that the theory of Messrs. Bessemer and others, ■ that the use of more than 1 per cent, of manganese in th« manufacture of steel was hurtful to tho metal, is exploded, and experience now points to the me of 20 per cent, of manganese in the manufacture of all high-clasis ateel. The large increase in the demand for manganese which this discovery must naturally bring about, coupled with the knowledge that the stocks are very bare, and the home mines holding out signals of distress, indicate etill higher prices, and an era of success to those engaged in manganese mining. The annual meeting of householders of Woodside South educational district was held in the school-room on the 28th of February, when the following were elected a school committee for the ensuing year, viz.:—Messrs. Shaw, M. Galloway, F. Wood, J. Kerr, D. Burnaide, H. Brown, and C. H. Lupton. At the meeting of the newlyelected committee, Mr. W. Shaw was elected as Chairman, and. Mr. C. H. Lupton as Secretary and Treasurer. At the annual meeting, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring Chairman, Mr. R. W; Brown, who is leaving the district, for the great interest which he has so long taken in school affairs. In him we indeed lose a kind neighbour and persevering settler.—[A Cor« respondent. J A most successful fruit and flower service ■was held in St. Luke's Church, .Remuera, on Friday evening, It had * pleasing effect to see the display of fruit and flowers all tastefully arranged, and being the unselfish offerings of the Sabbath scholar's to the patients in the Hospital, and those living in the old men and old women's Refuge. At the service, the Rev. G. B. Munro occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Revs. C. Murray, J. 8. Hill, and W. S. Potter. The choir, ably conducted by Mr. Hesketh, rendered, "I will lift up mine eyes," and several other anthemi. Solos were also rendered by Miss Flanigan, Mrs. Sibald, Miss Kilgour, and Miss Herd, all of which were warmly appreciated by the audience. During an interval of ten minntai a collection was made on behalf of the Sab* bath School and Band of Hope Fundi, and a copy of the British Workman given to each of the audience. Votes of thanks were awarded by acclamation to those who had rendered solos, to the choir, the speakers, the Chairman, and to Mr. Hesketh for their kindness in contributing to the evening's enjoyment, after which the pleasant and profitable evening was brought to a close by the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction. The Rev. W. E. Rice will be a paseenger to-day by the s.s. Manapouri for Sydney, en route for Adelaide, where he has accepted a call to preach with a view to the pastorate of the Baptist Church of which the Rev. A. W. Webb was lately minister. The Hospital Steward desires to acknowledge through, our columns the receipt of fruit from the vestry of St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, from the Rev. G. B. Monro, St Luke's Remuera, for the use of the patienti of the District Hospital.. There are complaints made as to the tramcars not keeping their time-table trips. A Queen-street solicitor, who left his office at four m. the other afternoon to go to the western suburb, after waiting twenty minutes for the five minutes past five tramcar, at last took a 'bus. On going up Wellealeystreet the horses jibbed, and he got out and gave up hie seat to some passengers with luggage, taking his chance of another trm " car. Ultimately one came along, and after dodging on the various sidingn for the care to pass coming in an opposite direction, Dβ was at last landed in Ponsonby at six o'clock. He thinks that kind of thing would beer "a new trial." Among the passengers by the B.e. Man* pouri from the South yesterday w»s Mr. #• Goldsborougk, of Melbourne, one of we largest wool brokers in Australia. He » staying at the Prince Arthur Hotel. Major George also returned to Auckland, as jell *» a number of local clergymen who bad been attending the Presbyterian Assembly « Christchurch. Bishop Moran, of Duneain, was a passenger, and i.i at present enjoyin. the hospitality of Bishop Luck. The comic opera of "Fatinitza" w»repeated last evening to a fair audience« the Opera House by the Pollard Juvenile Opera Company. The opera will be repeats* to-night. The young woman, Mary Jane Sjelau*. who met with an accident on alighting dj> the train at Penrose station on Fehra "w^ r and was subsequently removed to tne xi pital for treatment of her injariM-* , a H ea pound fracture to her left leg and cruuw foot-died yesterday. It appears Mw »P ding, who was a daughter of Mr. £*>? Spaldin*. Great Sonth Road, near Peng was a passenger by the evening . n> Xk. leaves Auckland at half-prH eight ocloo* On the train getting to Penrose and ■Jjgj^ , she attempted to get out, having a pare each haad, but stepped into th spac tween the carriage and the P la '£."" ate iy ceivinsthe injuries which have nlbmat J cost her life. She was taken to and attended to by Dr. Scott *£0 re mended her removal to the Hospital « she was taken by her father. At Wβ pital he blamed no one but bars 6 fle accident. An inquest will be held Hospital to-morrow afternoon.