THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1891.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8680, 24 September 1891, Page 4

THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1891.

The Novosti, ati inspired journal, declared, according to a telegram from St. Petersburg!!, 20th instant, " that the Empire of Russia is already too extensive to desire the conquest of India, and urges the British Government to enter into -a definite agreement of amity." Yet only a few days before we got word that the Sultan, instigated by Russia and France, had again called upon England to withdraw from Egypt, and we likewise received news 1 of envoys being sent from St. Petersburgh to King Menelek of Abyssinia, i under circumstances which may induce that Sovereign to do his best on his frontier line to facilitate such designs against the British position in Egypt. The Suez Canal, by substituting a short route for the roundabout ocean voyage, lias rendered Egypt a half-way house between Europe and India, and England's position there has become indispensable to her Indian dominion. It is the policy pursued by Italy towards Abyssinia which h ;ast the Negos, as the king of that country is called, into the Muscovite alliance. Italy, after being broken up for centuries under petty princes, having been ut last consolidated and placed on her natural footing as one of the great European Powers, is not unreasonably ambitious' to revive some of the triumphs of her medireval or her classical history. In this spirit her statesmen' have planned extensive annexations in Africa, behind both the Medi terranean and the Red Sea. It seems a legitimate desire as regards that western part of tne Bight of Tripoli, an extensive and attractive region where you come upon the ruins of the famous Gyrene and other Greek cities, but where there are now few inhabitants except wandering tribes. There Italian colonists would bring back civilisation to the wilderness. But what right had Italian statesmen to plan the acquisition of a country like Abyssinia, inhabited by a fine nation with a peculiarly interesting history they are descended from' the ancient Ethiopians, still call their country Itiopayen, and they are still a civilized people. It is an elevated and salubrious region inland, but the Red Sea coast is flat and pestilential, and the Italian army of invasion, after landing, was so stricken with fever, and the Abyssinians coming down from their hills showed such good fighting quality, that the expedition was withdrawn. It was unlucky for the ,Crispi Ministry, but the project.has not been abandoned, and the consequence naturally is that the Abyssinians seek the alliance of Powers, like Russia and France, who figure as opposed to Italy, and not with her. One of the early Christian Churches, founded in Africa, still survives in this country, though in a degenerate state. It is asserted that it bears a close resemblance to the Greek Church, a fact for the adroit Muscovite to make use of, and we are told that one of the envoys now gone from St. Petersburg carries a request from the Czar to bo allowed to preach in Abyssinian pulpits. We see how busy in various quarters is Russian diplomacy, and there appears to be general unrest in Europe just now. It does seem an extraordinary moment for the Russian Government by that Dardanelles affair to risk the starting of the long-expected European war when famine is abroad in their country and sweeping oft multitudes of the

peasantry. But as disaffection is widespread among both the upper and middle classes, and is notoriously rife in the towns, perhaps they fear that the country people—who,through the Czar's personal influence are still their re-

liance—may in their present misery bo ready to welcome any change, and fall in even with the views of the Nihilists, the most extreme party among the conspirators. And a successful stroke in the Balkan direction for the Pansclavic object, or a brilliant coup dc main , like a sudden burst upon Constantinople itself, would delight men of all classes in Russia, at least all who are not too hungry, and might for a generation draw the claws of the Nihilists. War may be a dangerous game, but the Government may consider their domestic difficulties more dangerous. And now that the Muscovite has set the ball rolling, the German Emperor lends a hand to keep it in motion by an aftront to the memory of the great Napoleon, the idol of France, and by fervent reference to ICorner, the poet and patriot soldier, whose death in battle for the Fatherland is about to be celebrated all over

Germany, when his famous sword song will no doubt be chanted with special enthusiasm. It is easy to understand the effect of all this on the impetuous French nature. The anti-German feeling is described as at boiling heat in Paris. Both the President and the Emperor have been reviewing troops on a great scale. In a word, the situation is like a powder barrel, and it is well if the sparks now flying about do not produce the explosion. It will be acknowledged that under existing circumstances the English Government have shown much judgment by recognising the service to be had in the Eastern Mediterranean from such an important strategic position as the island of Lesbos. That island flanks the passage down the /Egean Sea, and a British fleet emerging from one of its splendid harbours would in case of war bar the advance of a fleet of the Russian

regular navy or of volunteer cruisers coming from tho Black Sea through the Dardanelles. We lately had word that the British Mediterranean fleet was to bo largely reinforced, but a small part of it would suffice for this particular duty, as Russia,- though a : great military Power, is' not yet a great naval one. It

enough to lodTlTlir^fc 1 ZVLT? o£ a LesW »«ft tL a uect to be employed in rftrvo on of the Dardanelles, or in colyine the transport of troops tottife? hourhood. And telegrams renilh , an islet off the shore has been Jiined « » suitable depot for arms a,lore, , f ° required—the Sultan, „L L' becomes avowedly an ally' „i u i* like,, to refes/t„ep

In our correspondence colul Mr James Mackay warns all conce.ll that there may be native opposite lot| * taking possession of some of t land! that were owned l, v . the Eh: Coast Land Settlement Company, a that now belong to the Estates U, pat The report of the Committee l House does not.disguise the f , t i? ] o ' diffioul , ty in so * Jiut . at there a,, difficulties s on« very strong reason' why the i vn, meat should take actio,, ft ® [ assuredly only the Govern,,,, ° deal •with those difficulties ' «ro ; no doubt that the * natives' wi .suffer severely but they, have onh them! selves to blame. They part ,3; tneir lands to the East C6a» U fl (Settlement Company under erta representations that if • they dso it would be very much to their ileiW I hose representations have tuletl ou t to be entirely delusive. A njiber of Europeans put their money fito th same concern, and as the iJesenta .turns; made; have failed, thatfioney i„ gone beyond recall. The Id of the Europeans is total and conlte, and undoubtedly the natives wj also bo losers to a very considerall extent But they have only themsel v|o blame' Iho problem now to be solv] is | 10w to minimise the loss to theinlWliat is proposed <■> that the Govern ;tit shall arrange with the mortgage to take over their claims, and then -ike such reserves for the natives as mil a i ve them abundance of land for leir subsistence, which reserves will irobably when the blocks are sett! , become very valuable. The Gover unit will 110 doubt act fairly all round We have no doubt they could place he whole lands in a position to be ettled at once, without any cost or ass to the colony. If anyone has a bet l- proposal to make, we should like heap it, We must deal with things ; they are. There is not much use in oing back to condemn the conduct o hose who induced the natives to go ;o this arrangement. Anybody may that who chc©3es. In the meantime « problem beiore the colony is to ha\ that large district settled.

1 ! —*"*—■*— "' —- ' ' s A Paris paper publishes w t purports 5 to be a report of a speech adc ssed to the . German troops at the close of 10 military J manoeuvres by the Grand l)u of Baden. ■ The speech is not reported in le German . press, bub according to the jport of it . printed in the Siecle ib was of distinctly • warlike character. He is said 3 have told ' the troops that Germany's .sac ices in the interests of peace had. failed propitiate her neighbours, who were v ting for a t favourable opportunity to beg the onset, and that the time was agai/ncar when ; the German army would havfco unsheath ! their a words in defence of th Fatherland. Had the Grand Duke made s li a speech its importance would not, ( course, be overrated, but ib is doubtfi: whether he has delivered himself of sue sentiment?. We are inclined to regard it the concocj tion of the imagination o a Parisian journalist. The relaxation of 13 stringency of the passport system in Alice-Lorraine is regarded by the Fren .' press as an indication of the Eni]ror's desire to maintain peace. An'oth indication in the same direction is t3 fact that he lias invited the .Czar id Czarina to visit " Berlin, and thai they will meet him in the German Capital next month. This visit, should ißlake place, •' will probably moderate the Rksophile enthusiasm in France. It wa proposed a little time ago to convene an ntcniationnl conference to settle, the. qufetion of the navigation of the Dardanelles This suggestion, however, is opposed 1 • the whole of the Russian press. The llpo proposes to establish a Catholic Domoditie Union, . embodying all workmen .in lurope adherents of the Church of bine. An Englishmen lute given £10,00 to the fund for the relief of the suffeAs by the floods in Spain. By a' railway illision in Germany ten persons were - Ailed and many injured. A bank robbery haioccurred in London, £150,000 worth of shit dated bills having been stolen. ' ' Advices from Wellington annouce the arrival there of the direct mail iteamer Tainui from London. She bringsa good number of passengers, and mails u to the 9th August. The Auckland poi.ion oi these will be forwarded by the M nukau, and are expected to be delivered 0; Saturday afternoon next. ! The Christchurch Press notices it a leading article the formation of the Jational Association in Auckland. After inciting the programme the Press says It is high time the people of the colony, \Ao are alarmed at the rapid rate at wliict the Legislature is drifting in the direotbn 0! socialistic and revolutionary IcgishUon, roused themselves and endeavoured to formulate a definite.plan of action, in vW, nob only of the next general election but of any by-election which may take placeUn the meantime. Every by-election oughhto be fought with the utmost vigour. 'IV whole bearing of the legislation carried aijd proposed should be set forth 011 such occasions in the clearest light. Unfortunately even those electors who are already full; convinced of the disastrous character of tli6 Ministerial policy are frequently not agrccd\ when such an election comes round. They a are found to be split up into sections over \ the questions of education, prohibition, the > female franchise, and many other similar questions. Some of them will refuse to support a candidate because lie is in favour of religious education, others because he is opposed to local option, while a third party will have nothing to do with him because lie supports female franchise: Now, the simple question is, are these mid similar problems to be treated as of more importance than that of the policy of the Government. Upon the acceptance or rejection of that policy the future progress of the colony depends. Most of those electors will probably admit that if the Ministerial'programme as submitted and threatened is carried out, the result will be practical ruin to thousands. They will agret that in the universal stagnation and de struction of confidence widespread injury will be inflicted upon every section of th« community. The owners of property and those who live by wages will alike be included.' . At no period in the history of this country has it been so necessary as at the present time to sink all minor questions, and to ignore all sectional and class interests, for the sake of uniting to save the country from the impending disasters which threaten to overwhelm it."

The case Harry Meyer v. Patrick (J leeson, an action to recover £200 damages fa assault, occupied' the Supreme Court fot the greater portion of yesterday. Tlx action arose out of a fracas at the Albion Hotel. Tho plaintiff was lessee, but his rent being overdue Mr. Gleeson exercised his right of re-entry, and the plaintiff alleged that by direction of the defendant he was violently assaulted by a bailiff named John Russell, who, in trying to cjecb him knocked him down and struck him. After hearing the evidence, judgment was given for the defendant with cost? on the lowest scale. This being the lust civil case to be disposed of, the Court rose.. Our Ivaukapakapa correspondent writes: —"An inquest was held on Tuesday at) Pukerimu, about live miles from Riverheau, by Mr. R. Sinclair, J.P., and a jury of six, of whom Mr. Alexander Stewart was foreman, on the body of a married woman named Ellen Landovicy, who died suddenly in her wliare on Sunday evening last. WGault, of lielensville, was in attendance, and made a postmortem examination. Attar hearing the evidence, which was somewha lengthy; the following vordict was . r - turned That the deceased died in a natural way from hemorrhage caused by » miscarriage.'"

' In fcho London Times wo notice an account of tho Jubilee banquet in commemoration of fcho fiOfch year of the business of Messrs.. Thomas Cook ancl Sons. It wag hold in tho Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel JliStropolo, under the presidency of the head of fcho firm, Mr. John Cook. The / company, numbering In all over 300, included many of the English nobility and distinguished foreign visitors. Among tho apologies for non-attendance were two from Sir. Gladstone and General Wolsoley. The General in his note said, "I should like to have had that public opportunity of bearing witness to the good work you did for us on tho Nile in 1884 and 1885. No one else could luivo have helped as you did, mid believe mo, wo all fully appreciated, tho efficient service ycu rendered to England upon that occasion." After the usual loyal toasts wore given, the toast of the evening by Sir James Allport, " Success to Messrs' Thomas Cook and Hons,", which was fully honourod. Mr. Cook, in reply, said that ho had to express heartfelt gratitude for the way in which the toast hud boon ' proposed and received. It was a source of the keenest regrot to him time his father, Mr. Thomas . Cook, was unable, by reason of extreme old age, to be present that night. A very few statistics would suffice to show tho magnitude of fcho business now being done by the (inn, In 1890 they had 30,348 series, giving facilities over 1,823,959 miles of railways, oceans, and rivers. In the Same year they had issued 3,262,159 tickets. , At the present time they had 4,830,365 tickets in stock,' whilo tho ledger accounts numbered 71!),"). They had 45 bank accounts, 84 otlices,, and 85 agencies. Their staff numbered 2602, and 978 of these wore in Egypt and Palestine. It was his belief that the world would be a pleasanter place of habitation if all the dwellers on its surface were brought closer together, and that international travel was ono of the best preservatives against international wars, ainco it dissipated absurd notions and dangerous prejudices.

Some time ago a memorial to tho ViceChancellor of tho University of Cambridge was circulated for signature by persons resident in Now Zealand interested in education, praying that tho Senate of the University of Cambridge will provido for the admission of properly qualified women to the degrees of that University. Among the '2t559 signatures appended are those of Sir George' Grey, Countess of Onslow, Sir William Fox, members of tho Ministry and both Houses of Parliament, judges, university professors, public school teachers, find members of the liberal professions. The memorial was despatched to England by the direct steamer lonic last week.

Tho Council of the Auckland Institute have resolved to erect a wing to the present building in' Princes-street, in order to accommodate a large number of articles which they aro possessed of, but which at present they cannot display. , Tho new wing will join the present building on the southern side, but will not come to the line of Princes-street.; A space will be left- there which at a future time will bo occupied by a building with a suitable front. The cost of the new building, fittings, etc., will be about £1500. The plans have been prepared by Mr. Bartley, architect.

Our Napier correspondent telegraphed ■last..night*.— Owing to the delay in the arrival of the steamer, Williamson's Juvenile Opera Company M'ere unable to open here Until Monday night; when they •rave t heir initial performance in the Theatre Royal, before a house crowded in every part. '.I.a Ma?cotto' was the opera produced, and it went with great spirit from beginning to end, the principals being called before the curtain after each act and nearly every song. The tableau and dance was encored. The enthusiasm culminated in the last act, when a beautiful series of pictures, formed by the marching and counter-marching of the army of Pisa, evoked thunders of applause. Nothing better than this drilling has ever been seen here—none of the adult companies equalling it. Tho staging and dressing of the opera was sumptuous, and excelled even the adults, and the acting was marked with much spirit. All three papers endorse ths jncomiums o£ tho Southern press, and another big house witnessed the repetition of the opera." To-night 'The Mikado' is being played to another big house. ' The Pirates of Penzance' will be played for two nights before* the company leave for Gisborne and Auckland."

The breaking into the office of Mr. Kntibley, solicitor, Timaru, and stealing cheques and money from a cashbox, proves to bo the work of a lad under 12, who confessed, and was ordered six strokes and was sent to the Industrial School, Most of the property was recovered. The boy is fatherless, and incorrigible.

At a Conference in Wellington, at which the following Polo.Clubs were represented —Auckland, Rangitikei, Christchurch, Amuri, North Canterbury, Waikari, and Dunedin— was decided to form a New Zealand; Polo Association. Lord Onslow accepted the presidency, Mr. James Lance was chosen vice-president, and Mr. Rhodes secretary and treasurer. Tho Hurlingham Polo Club rules were adopted.

As a discrepancy somewhat considerable in extent apparently existed between the City Council's annual returns of dwellinghouses occupied and unoccupied within the city, and those furnished by the census enumerator, Mr. Thomas Seaman, the Council are requested by the RegistrarGeneral to examine into the matter. An enquiry. was consequently made by the City Valuer as to the actual number of such houses now in Auckland in the present month of September, and he finds the total to be 6216, or only eleven more than the number returned by Mr. Seaman five months ago. The detrils of the two returns are as follow :— Census returns : North Ward, 706 ; South Ward, 1700 ; East Ward, 822 ; I'onsonby Ward, 1494 ; Karnngahapo Ward, 955 ; Grafton Ward, 3D!): total, 6205. City Council returns : North Ward, 736 ; South Ward, 1816 ; East Ward, 861 ; Ponsonby Ward, 1455 ; Karangahapo Ward, 964 ; Grafton Ward, 381 : total, 6216.

It is reported from Ilobarb that Mr. Mills, manager of tho Union Steamship Company, has, in consultation with the directors of tho Tasmanian Exhibition, decided to make liberal concessions for tourist traffic during the exhibition. It is expected that tho visitors will number 2000 weekly.

Mr. J. T. B. Dines writes respecting thediscussion at the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board onsick pay and friendly societies, as illustrated in the case recently before the Board. He gives his version of the nfTair at length, which throws no new light upon it, and concludes his letter as follows : —"I would draw attention to this fact, viz., that in no instance have I, as the representative of my lodge, denied that those who aro able to pay should bo made to pay. What I object to is patients being annoyed almost before they aro in the doors of tho Hospital by the inquiry as to their ability to pay ; also the application being made upon those who aro nob responsible for such payment, as in our case we as a lodge were responsible to the member for £1 per week '•luring sickness. It is paid to him, and no other only upon his order. When he gets it ho can do as ho likes with it." At a meeting of the Dunedin Labour Day Demonstration Committee, it was decided to have no intoxicating liquor at the sports. It was decided to ask the City Council to declare a holiday on Labour Day, and to ask the Employers' Association to co-operate in Employers' Association to co-operato in making the demonstration a success. There was li meeting of the Legal Committee of tho City Council yesterday in respect to tho tramway agreement, but the result of their deliberations has not transpired. In the Dunedin Supreme Court an action fought by Mrs. Wright, a widow, against ■Mr. Win. Spence, in which damages wore claimed for seduction of the , plaintiff's •laughter, resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for £75 damages. Gas and coke consumers aro reminded that Friday, 25th instant, is the last day upon which any discount can bo allowed on their accounts. A man . named Qoorge Young has been Arrested in Queensland, on the ground of causing his wife's death by wilful neglect. . A settlor named T. C. Mcllroy, belonging to the Maungatawhiri Valley, was brought to town yesterday by Constable «utchinson,. of Mercer, on ' ft charge of lunacy. He was committed to the Asylum on l ' 10 medical testimony of Drs. Davy and

A meeting of the shareholders in the North New Zealand Woollon Company, in liquidation, was held in.the 1.0. G.T. Hall, Onehunga, last night, for tho purpose of taking into consideration the report of the committee appointed at the general meeting' of shareholders held in Auckland on tho 2lst June, 1891. -Captain T. Pa'rnall occupied tho chair. The report of the committed was read. The chairman said it contained little more information than they had in Juno. His own opinion was that the shareholders had been shamefully treated, and he would like to hear some expression of opinion as to what course should bo pursued. Mr. Morton said they would not Allow the matter to end without eoino determined resolution being carried. He moved " That the meeting adjourn and that two shareholders bo appointed to consult a respectable solicitor, and ascertain whether the shareholders havo not a case to bring before a judge of tho Supremo Court." Mr. Eobb said ho thought it advisable to have a canvass made of the shareholders in order to collect funds to defray the cost of getting an order from the Supreme Court to forco Mr. Barber to produce tho books of the company, After a subscription had been taken up from those present, it was resolved that Messrs. Tole, Jeffs, and tho chairman be a committee to consult a solicitor in tho interests of tho shareholders. Tho usual vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

Tho Newton Band social takes place this evening.

Tradesmen requiring boys can obtain them at the Costlcy Institute.

The District Inspector of Telegraphs invites tenders for 200 telegraph poles.

The City Council invite tenders tor drainage works in Carlton Goro and Grafton Roads.

Meeting of Alfred Gold Mining Company, Insurance Buildings, Ist October, at eleven a.m.

Messrs. A. Young and Co. removed to premises occupied by Messrs. Reynolds and Co., limited, Fort-street.

A meeting of the Lucky Hit Gold Mining Company will be held to-day at tho Victoria Arcade at four p.m.

The contest for the Waikato seat has now begun in good earnest. In our advertising columns will be found the times and places at which Messrs. Lake and Murray will address the Waikato electors.

* Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company have a notification in our advertising columns, which should bo read by all interested in woolgrowing and agriculture, and the farming interest generally.

A special meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Auckland branch, opento all employees of the department,will be held on Saturday, at eight p.m., in the Working Men's Club, for consideration of insurance scheme.

Those who contributed towards the dance in aid of Mrs. McCarthy and family will be pleased to hear that the proceeds amounted to £15 : ibis sum will be handed over to the trustees, Messrs. Devote and Kent. The ladies who had the management, desire to thank all those who so kindly assisted in making the evening a success.

To day, at twelve o'clock, Mr. R. C. Carr has received instructions to sell the Miranda Coal and Iron Company's property at Bridgewater. comprising 1030 acres, with all the engines, pumping machinery, manager's house, workmen's cottages, tools, and everything on or about the mines. Conditions, with inventory, can be seen prior to tho sale at the otfice ot the auctioneer.

Tonics.—Many so-called tonics utterly fail to impart renewed vitality to the weak." The Genuine American Hop Bitters, made by Dr. Soule, never fails to do good. 6