N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1886.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 767, 12 November 1886, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1886.

Russian intrigues in Bulgaria proceed apace. The Bourgas disturbance is stated to have been traced to the instigation of General Kaulbars, and it is evident that it was quelled only just in time, for immediately afterward 'a Russian warship arrived there, bringing a force of 1200 infantry. Had this force arrived only a little sooner we should have seen Bourgas as well as Varna in the occupation of Russia. Austria meanwhile has evidently taken the alarm, and is disposed to intervene with or without the countenance of Germany. Some light is thrown, by the late Home papers which the Tongariro brought, on the extraordinary drama of which the exPrince of Bulgaria was the hero. His abdication, which at the time seemed inexplicable after his enthusiastic restoration, is attributed to a conviction that Berlin and Vienna desired his abdication. He himself, in his proclamation, declared his conviction of “ the sad truth ” that his departure would contribute to the liberation of Bulgaria, and that he “ sacrificed all ” for her “ good and independence.” It is evident, therefore, that he expected a Russian occupation; but it is suggested that may be another reason for his departure. He may, when first elected, have secretly pledged himself to Russia to resign if called upon. This would explain the Czar’s anger at his independence, his own strangely worded telegram of submission, his final abdication, and his statement, mentioned by so many reporters, that he would return if elected by the Sobranje and supported by the Powers. He would then be unfettered by any pledges. Some of the English papers disbelieve the rumour that he detected evidence of alienation among his people, but think that the state of his health had much to do with his decision. He was pronounced to be “ evidently suffering under a condition of nervous prostration, scarcely intelligible in so strong and brave a man.” It is pointed out .that Russia has a legal right of veto on any election of a successor, and in the present temper of the Czar is certain to exercise it. Thus, though the Sobranje may go through the forms of an election, the three Imperial Powers are evidently determined to organise Bulgaria as they please. The British Government is said to have been deeply irritated by the events in Sofia. Indeed, Sir James Ferguson, who represents the Poreign Office in the Commons, publicly deplored the “ treachery and violence by which the Prince’s reign had been interrupted.” The British Ambassador at Constantinople, Sir E. Thornton, and Great Britain’s representative at Sofia, have been recalled to confer with Lord Iddesleigh, and it is remarked that the Russian Press evidently expects resistance from England to Russian plans, and was, therefore, bespattering that country with abuse as a secondrate Power. One London paper obaerves —“ It is difficult in the present temper of the public mind, to see what Lord Salisbury can do, beyond using the English veto,’which might include the Turkish, against the Russian nominee. The only chance of effective interference lies in a new divergence between Russia and her allies, and Prince Bismarck is evidently determined to prevent this, his ultimate object being, he says, to ‘ reconcile Austria and Russia in the Balkans. As their interests are entirely opposed, that is difficult work ; but the Chancellor may be thinking of a partition. It is said the German Staff would approve one, as Russia, if extended down the long line from Bessarabia to Constantinople, would be open to attack as she is not now.” This is a somewhat novel, but quite reasonable, idea. It is unquestionably the fact that Russia by extending her boundaries will lay herself peculiarly open to a flank assault from Germany, whereas at present a German invasion of Russia would be attended with many formidable difficulties. On the other hand the probable advance of Russia seems to have been viewed with the deepest repugnance by the Porte. It is stated that when the mail left the Sultan was calling out fresh Reserves, and that in Syria there is much resistance to the decree, the conscripts flying in thousands and being pursued by cavalry. A London paper remarks in reference to this report. ; — t: The statement is probable

enough, as the Sultan must have resisted an occupation of Bulgaria; but that danger appears for the moment to have passed away, the Czar contenting himself with an indirect predominance in Sofia. It is probable, as Prince Bismarck desires peace, that peace will be kept ; but the Panslavist party is urging war, and Russia is governed by a man of uncontrollable will. If steadily resisted by the Bulgarian Assembly, he may employ force, and then war will have approached very near. The Hungarians would be wild with excitement and fear, and the Hapsburgs might be unable to resist the popular pressure., It must not be forgotten that the Austrian and Turkish Fleets—not to speak of the English—could stop a Russian invasion by sea, and that a land march across Roumania would leave the Russian army exposed to a flank attack by the whole force of Austria. The Powers will wait, we think; but the headstrong character of the Czar is an unknown factor in the situation. That is just the factor which baffles all calculation. Readers ot Kinglake’s “ Crimea ” will recollect his graphic and dramatic description of that fatal first step on the part of the Emperor Nicholas which rendered war inevitable. After relating—in that singularly picturesque diction which gives to his book so great: a charm, and has caused much historic inaccuracy and personal unfairness to be forgiveinglv overlooked —the couvse of events which led up to the irrevocable act, notably the weakness of Lord Aberdeen, and the hatred borne by the Czar to the British Minister at Constantinople, Lord Stratford de Redeliffe, Mr Kinglake depicts the climax in a few pregnant words : “The Czar rang the bell and ordered the occupation of the Principalities.” Surely so portentous an act involving such tremendous consequences to the whole civilised world was never related in terser language. The ques tion which now keeps the world in a state of intense anxiety is this —Will the Czar some fine day “ ring the bell and order the occupation of ” Bulgaria ? ____________

A very different version, of the Heathcote fatality from that telegraphed on Tuesday night by the Press Association, and published elsewhere, has been subsequently forwarded from Christchurch, and will also be found in another column. It will be seen, that, according to the later version, the disaster was due to the boat getting into rough water, when one of the girls spraug to her feet in alarm, and so precipitated the very catastrophe of- which she was in dread, causing the boat to capsize, with the result that she and her three female companions were drowned, the two young men having a narrow escape. . We are, of course, unable to say which .is the more accurate version of this shocking casualty, but for the sake of the survivors we sincerely hope that the later account will prove to be the correct one, and that the young men will he relieved of the terrible responsibility which the first report cast upon them, of having caused the. death of these four young girls.by a stupid and dangerous practical “joke” We shall heartily rejoice to find the more favourable account established, and regret that in such case so cruel a misstatement should have been telegraphed all over the Colony in the hurry caused by holiday hours at the Telegraph Offices. It lias been well said by a shrewd old and experienced sportsman that there are three things with which no liberties should be taken or jokes attempted—boats, horses, and firearms. The greater adepts men are in the use of these things, and the more experience they have had with them, the more careful they will invariably be found to be. It is the ignorant and iuexperienced who indulge in tomfooleries with horses, firearms, or boats.

Professor Ives, of the Adelaide University, South Australia, has been good enough to forward to us a long and interesting letter just received by.him from Sir George Macfarren, the distinguished English musician, who holds the important positions of Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. Its subject is the promotion of sound musical education in the Australasian colonies. We regret very much that the extreme length of Sir George Macfarren s. communication renders its publication in our columns impracticable, but we may touch briefly on one or two points. The object of the letter is set forth in the following introductory remarks : I have thought much and earnestly on the subject to which, last spring, you drew my attention, namely, the greater or less desirableness of establishing an University musical professorship or a musical academy in a colony adjacent to that wherein you are discharging the functions of the musical chair. The result of this thinking is a conviction of the high importance of the question—importance to art, importance to England, and importance to that filial regard of Australia for the Mother Country, which was so nobly evinced m Mr Dailey’s tender of participation in England s perils through the late Egyptian war, and is

reported to have had many an utterance which, if necessarily less practical than this, has been no less genial. lam no politician, so will venture no further consideration of aspects of the matter that may have political bearing ; but I have had such musical experience as perhaps may justify the expression of an opinion formed upon it that may strengthen your own views or even be offered to the judgment of others.

Sir George Macfarren proceeds to sketch in vivid and telling language the great musical revival which has taken place in England during the present generation, a 3 did a similar revival in the generation which preceded it, and to quote a brilliant list of English musicians who have won name and fame for themselves, and honour for their country, while rendering splendid service to the cause of music. He goes on to remark that “ the influence of the German Georges and the Italiau itinerants is now passing away, and we find that the musical faculty is, as of yore, indigenous in Englishmen, among whom are claimed some born in North Britain and some in Ireland, and some who, drawing their first breath in Australia, are not to th.B Mother Country more aliens than they are in blood, in heart, and in intellect.” Sir George remarks that “ Australia has produced statesmen, heroes (in spirit, though opportunity fail them), architects, mechanics, and manufacturers ; but as yet, except as executants, that youngest of the continents and quickest in development has sent no musician among mankind to prove his tuneful consanguinity with his European kindred.” He asks why this tuneful power is thus far dormant among England’s Southern relatives, and ventures as an answer that it is not for want of example, not for want of emulation, but for want of schooling, that Australians have hitherto been unable to mauifest their innate capacity. He admits that the greatest masters have not been trained in the highest schools, but he points out that the influence of a great musical institution radiates far beyond its immediate limits. Sir George Macfarren therefore earnestly advocates “the establishment of a great colonial school, where perhaps the world at large may throng the outer courts, and therein refine their taste, while earnest students may enter the inner temple for the exercise of their devotions to that art which is not to be sought in vain.” We cordially wish success to so excellent a movement, and we sincerely trust that it may speedily assume a practical and permanent shape.

Another interesting illustration of the friendly notice which New Zealand always elicits when she goes to the London money market for a new loan is afforded by a pleasant paragraph which appeared in a little London paper called The Weekly Bulletin, described as “ a journal of finance and investment, edited by Kenneth Fearington Bellairs.” The paragraph runs as follows : New Zealand —We notice that this loanIngged Colony is attempting a fresh loan of £1,500,000 sterling. We hope they may get the money 1 Tasmania is also coming forward, but her finances are undoubtedly in a. very prosperous condition, and no doubt she will get what she requires at once.

If that “hope” were sincere, it has been realized. We have “got the money,” although undoubtedly by a narrow “ shave,” thanks to the multiplicity of such amiable efforts as the one just quoted. The comparison of New Zealand with Tasmania, to the entire disadvantage of the former, is entirely characteristic of the writer. He may be only ignorant or only disingenuous, but he is assuredly either the one or the other.

The “ sixpenny telegram ” experiment in England does not appear to have been a marked financial success at first., but its results se9m to be improving as time goes on. In the House of Commons recently, Mrßaikes, in answer to Mr Shaw-Lefevre, gave statistics from a statement (too long in its entirety to read to the House) showing the financial result of the reduction in the telegraphic tariff. The total number of telegrams under the new tariff during the last three months of 1885 and the first three months of 1886 amounted to 16,787,540, as against 11,314,423 in the corresponding six months of the previous year. But the loss of revenue during those six months amounted to £22,000. During the last five months the number of telegrams amounted to 17,369,151, as against 11,125,794 in a similar- period last year ; and although there was a decrease of revenue amounting to between £15,000 and £16,000 on the first two of the last five months, there had been an actual increase to a small amount during the last three months, so that practically the decrease on the last five months only amounted to about £SOOO, and he trusted that would be nearly obliterated before the month expired. A report, showing the average of words used in addresses and other information, is in preparation, and will be made public.

We have received from the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company copies of their list of prices at the September London wool sales. Compared with those of last year and the earlier sales of this year the prices are remarkably good, though, as we said before, they do not approach those of the prosperous years 1872-73 74. The best class of New Zealand greasy combing merino wool brought a 3 much as Is per lb., which is a grsat rise from the 8d or Bi-i of a few months ago, but is still a long way from the Is 6d, or even higher, of twelve or fourteen years ago. At the September sales the best greasy crossbred wool

brought better prices than the merino, a few bales going as high as Is 2d per lb. On the whole, greasy wool is better than washed or scoured to judge the market by, as though the quantity of grease is variable it is less so than the quality of the washing or scouring. There are one 4 or two evident misprints in page 51 of the list, where 2 bales of greasy pieces are set down as bringing Is 3d per lb., 13 bales of greasy locks Is 4jd, and 8 bales of greasy combing Is skd. Y7hen this can be correctly stated the proverbial leaps and bounds will be going on with great vigour.