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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8929, 19 December 1887, Page 4

Russia is becoming a terror to other Powers than England, for Germany and Austria are alarmed at her military preparations. However, the latest expression is peaceful on the side of Russia, for the Journal de St. Petersbourg, which is a semiofficial paper, says that the peace of Europe is long assured, owing to the good relations between Russia and- her neighbours. But these relations are not good, but are strained because of the massing of troops by Russia in situations favourable for attacking her neighbours. The latest phase of the Irish trouble is the arrest of Mr. Sheohy, M.P., for the use of inciting language. Despatches respecting the health of the Crown Prince are of a more hopeful character. It is now stated that the reason why the Governor of New Caledonia removed the Rev. J. Jones from the island of Mare, was because his actions were of such a nature as "to compromise public order and the loyalty of the inhabitants of the islands." Mr. Jones, however, denies that he has been in any way guilty, and claims compensation. It will, we believe, be found impossible for English missionaries to carry on operations in islands ruled by the French, as they will always be jealous, and it is impossible for the mit« sionaries to avoid expressions of opinion in regard to the action of the authorities towards the natives.

The Speech of the Governor of Victoria in proroguing Parliament is of a glorifying character, as was appropriate to the forthcoming centennial display. The prosperity of the colony is great, and the revenue abundant.

At the KM. Conrt on Saturday, before Mr. fl. G. Seth Smith, R.M., an application was made to vary a judgment summons in the oase Masefield v. Waller. Dr. Laishley appeared for the applicant, and Mr. Theo. Coop* for the defendant. The evidence of Mr. Maselield was taken, and some argument ensued between the opposing counsel regarding the effect upon the case produced by the recent change in ownership of the steamer Oreti. His Worship made an order deferring the payment of the first instalment under the summons from 19th December to 19ch January.

The Otahuhu Summer .Races were held on Saturday last, and a report of the meeting appears in another column. It was unfortunate that the otherwise excellent arrangements were marred by the fact of the races not being run to time, and exactly an hour was lost from this cause, the last race, the Flying Stakes, which was announced to take place at twenty minutes to «ix p.m., not starting till twenty minutes to seven. As a consequence, those who waited to see this race missed the train which left the racecourse crossing at twenty minutes past six, and were of necessity compelled to walk to the Otahuhu railway station, and there await the 7.20 train to Auckland. Needless to remark, this condition of matters was the cause of loud complaints from those who had perforce to tiudge'down the railway line to the station.

By the lona, which arrived from Mercury Bay on Saturday night, a bushman named Madden was brought to town for medical treatment. He h«d been engaged in squaring logs in the bush, and had accidentally inflicted a severe and dangerous wound on his leg. Madden was, immediately on the arrival of the steamer, taken to the Hospital by some friends, where his wounds were promptly attended to, and he is now progressing favourably.

On Saturday a competition was held among the pupils of Dr. Campbell's Free School of Arts for the time-study prize medal. There were 28 candidates for the prize, which was won after an exciting contest by "Hebe," the second and third places being filled by " New Chum" and " Wren" respectively. Since its establishment by Dr. Campbell about eight years ago, the school has made great progress, and the friends of the pupils will have an opportunity of judging of the excellence of the work done, at an exhibition which is to be held on Wednesday next at ten o'clock.

With the approach of the racing season, numbers of " speelers" have made their appearance in Auckland, and several of this objectionable class were present at Otahuhu Races on Saturday. Though the plying of their calling has been declared illegal, they pursued the even tenor of their way without interruption, and seemed to do good business at the various games of which they had the direction. It is high time that summary proceedings were taken to check the practices of these men ere the Christmas race* meetings are upon us, and we hope that Inspector Shearman and the police force will take immediate steps to put down this evil, which iB beginning to assume alarming dimensions.

This morning Detective Tuohy proceeds to Papakura to conduct the prosecution ic a charge of cattle stealing preferred against a man named James Bentley. It appears that in July last Mrs. Letitia Craig, h settler at Hnnua, missed six head of cattle from her paddock, ana though diligent search was made no trace of tbe animals was found. On the 7th instant, however, the animals were identified with some placed for sale in Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's yards by James Bentley. Bentley states that he purchased the cattle from Mr. T. L. Wallace, of Wairoa, as long ago as April, 18S6, and that on buying them he had marked them with his own brand, which they now bore. Mr. Wallace, however, it is said, on viewing the beasts, declared that they were none of his stock, and it is also alleged that the' branding is not more than Bix months old. The matter will be decided to-day at the Court, Mr. Bentley having engaged Mr, W. F. Buckland to defend him.

Admiral Fairfax and Mrs, Fairfax have kindly given their patronage to the Amateur Operetta Company's performances of " Breaking the Spell" and "Rose of Auvergne," and will be present at the Opera House on Friday evening, December 23rd, to witness the representation of Offenbach's comic operas.

In regard to the pair of carriage horses brought from Sydney for Admiral Fairfax, which were landed from H.M.s. Nelson on Saturday, it appears that through some negligence they had not passed the examination necessary before they could be legally landed. Thus a technical breach of the quarantine regulations relating to the importation of animals occurred, and the horses, which had been placed in the stables at Government House grounds, re« mained in quarantine all day yesterday, permission not being even granted to take them out for exercise. Admiral Fairfax understood that the horses would have been examined before they were landed, but this, from some cause or another, was neglected. The ship's dog has also been quarantined, although he has been upwards of three years in the colonies, and has been already three times in this port. Ho doubt the restrictions regarding the horaea will be removed to-day.

terdVevi^gtl?Re^ e^a^r b H. H. eniDg , tbe Rev ** C - H. H. H. Lawry delivered soecial * n<i reference to the recent deJth <Sf mJTVi® widow of the late Rev. John Hobbs S?' former minister read a hri»f ts 71)9 sketch of the deceased fc? y Lawry gave a stirring account Mr< .hips and trials of early SioLr New Zealand and the islands with ?. ia Mrs. Hobbs and her late husband bo long connected. The hymns «„J i - 6 the service were all chosen specially for? occasion, but in accordant with /Jul he pressed by Mrs. Hobbs the ncinitl ex ' draped At the close of th Enffu* Garland announced that the fnnoMi , ' take place at two o'clock this afternoon d On Saturday afternoon the harbour m . sented quite a gay and animated appeal through the number of yachts h«,l„ 4 the Auckland Yacht practising a number of evolutions. Thev J"' sented a very pretty appearance. P On board the barque Lurline. which , rived on Friday last, are fifteen very fiT Guinea fowls. They were obtained M late master of the barque at Rio J aDeir 7' h ' have reached here m very eood conditio The Thames Advertiser ° Saturday say,. — It will be good news and glad tidin. ! to not a few of the tradespeople to learn S the county chairman, Mr Alexander BroS' has succeeded, through the county b&nL in making another 'rise,' the exact ' being, we believe, £2000. That pecuniae assistance will enable the Council to eon., up some old standing accounts." The annual trial fives of the St. Geor«'. Rowing Club took place at Judge's Rai l Saturday afternoon. Pour crews compel and through the kindness of other clnhi sufficient boats were mustered to row th trial in one heat, which, after * good race was won by a crew consisting of A i ;uu (stroke), W. Lusk, J. Cooper, wS? E. H. Clayton, and T. Carmichael (bteer-oar)' The occupants of the police cells Hijh street, at a late hour last night comprised four drunkards and a man, named Geore» Evans, arrested on Saturday night by Cot", stable Hansen, on a charge of assaulting Henry Conway outside the Opera Home." &

A woman named Sarah Rowe, an inmate of the Avondale Lunatic Asylum, died at that institution on Friday evening. On Saturday an inquest was held, and a verdict brought ia of "Death from natural caused."

Constable Foreman arrived in town from Helensville on Saturday in charge of a woman named Mary Edwards or Curtis, who was en route for Mount Eden to undergo a sentence of a fortnight's imprisonment for disorderly conduct on the railway line.

The Christmas tree and sale of work in connection with the Epiphany Church was oontinued on Saturday afternoon and even, ing, and was well patronised, a large amount of goods useful and ornamental being disposed of at good prices. The Christmas tree was a feature of the bazaar, ann contained a gseat variety of articles of fancy work, which are wholly the work of Mrs. H. McKean. Daring the evening several selections of pianoforte music were rendered, and a busy evening terminated at ten o'clock.

The sale of work in the Protestant Hall, Newton, which was opened on Friday last aid of the funds of the Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Church, was largely attended on Saturday evening, and the stallkeeperi were kept busy in supplying the wants of the purchasers.

While the p,s. Britannia was coming ashore on Saturday last, and when about starting, a man in a small dingy wishing to tow with the steamer, was going alongside for that purpose, when in endeavouring to sncure one of his oars that had dropped overboard, his frail craft capsized, and the man was precipitated into the water. He wai, however, quickly rescued by those on the steamer named.

The New Zealand Times, referring to the Public Works Statement, Bays:—"The general verdict on Mr. Mitchelson's Public Works Statement is exceedingly favourable, the only regret commonly expressed being that to which we gave utterance yesterday, namely, that a still more rigorous policy of 'stopping the leak' was not adopted, and several useless works discontinued forthwith, instead of throwing away more good money after bad."

The distribution of prizes to the pupils of St. John's College, Tamaki, will take place on Wednesday next (the annual "speech day") at three p.m. A special '"bus will leave the Union Bank at a quarter to two p.m. and Bishopscourt at two o'olook,

The usual evangelistic service in the City Hall was well attended last evening. Mr. Wm. Beaumont presided, and an address was delivered by Mr. D. W. Virtue, from Hokitika, It was announced that next Sun. day evening a special Christmas service will be held.

We notice that Messrs. Vaile and Douglas are holding a sale of books to-day. In the catalogue there appear many rare and valuable works, notably Angsts' New Zealanders. This book is extremely rare, there being only about tea copies :in the colony. Several other important works on New Zealand will also be offered, betides books on other countries, books on travel, history, theology, art, poetry, etc., indeed covering the whole range of literature. Among thfi authors figure Shakespeare, Milton, Disraeli, .Raskin, etc.. Many volumes »rs beautifully illustrated, and altogether the sale is worthy of the attention of lovers of high-class literature.

It will be seen by an advertisement In another column that Mr. D. Norden, late of Woodbine Cottage,- Grey-atreet, has re-opened "His Lordship's Larder" in firsfcclass style, and we are sure all who pay him a viiit wil be pleased with the result.