The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1885.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7223, 11 April 1885, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1885.

Thb news received yesterday afternoon of the conflict which took place on March 30 between the Russian troops and the Afghans near Penj-deh is undoubtedly of the gravest character. Its effect on the London Stock Exchange in causing an immediate fall of over 2£ per cent, in consols and 10 per cent, in Russian stocks is enough to show how it was regarded at Home. But, apart from that, a knowledge of the circumstances which preceded it, and of the significance of an actual combat between the Russian forces and those of an ally whom we are bound to protect, will be sufficient to convince everyone that we are within measurable distance of war. ' We will not Hay that war is inevitable, but it is very nearly so. It is somewhat remarkable in these days of telegraphic communication that the news of the engagement was 10 days in reaching England. The accounts of the affair and of its results are conflicting, and it does not yet appear certain that the Russians had the best of it. It appears, at all events, that they did not advance from the position they had occupied at the commencement of the battle, though they are said to have captured, the Afghan artillery. The Russian Foreign Minister, M. de Giers, seems to have taken the earliest possible opportunity of waiting on the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg to disowD, in the name of the Czar, the act of General Komaeoff, and to express a hope that it would not break off negotiations. The statement that the Russian generals were not apprised of the agreement of 13th March is, however, extremely untrustworthy. Seventeen days had elapsed between that date and the date of the engagement, and news of the latter reached Horn ein 10 day s. If the speediest possible means were not taken to apprise the Russian Governor and Commander-'in-chief of so important an arrangement as ono stopping the advance of troops on either side, why were they not taken ? This is an old dodge of the Russian Government, and it is noticeable that while, according to the cable message, this assurance was given to our Ambassador on the evening of the Bth, and would be immediately telegraphed to London, Mr Gladstone, speaking in the House on the 9 th, makes no mention of it, but says that explanations had been demanded. It is quite possible, as we said the other day, that M. de Giers may have been labouring for p«ace, but that the military officers are bent on forcing a war. It seems part of the policy of the Czar to allow his generals great latitude, and then to disavow their action when it suits him to do so. But this cannot possibly satisfy England. Whether M. de Giers means war or not, the Russian general seems to have meant it, and we may any day hear of an advance on Herat, which is only about 50 miles distant from Penj-deh, while it is at least 250 miles cUatont frolll OUC lUCliilU froniioi-. Sir Peter Lumsden with his few hundred followers may therefore ere long bo shut up in that very ill-fortified place and cut off from all communication with the outer world. It will take at least a month for a large force to reach him from Pisheen, and at the outset the Russians will have an undoubted advantage. It is stated that a Russian army is even now advancing towards the Afghan frontier. England, however, cannot possibly withdraw from the position she has taken up. Either Russia must retire from the disputed territory, where her presence is a menace, or a declaration of war must follow within a few days. Germany may at the last moment intercede, but the matter has gone almost beyond mediation. Of the ultimate result we have no fear. For the firs

three months Russia may gain some advantage, but by that time England will be able to put forth her power. We can, if necessary, obtain the assistance of 100,000 native allies and 100,000 Afghans. The force at Suakin could, if required, be withdrawn, and that place left to the friendly care of Italy. This little army might be made the nucleus of an Anglo-Turkish force

to march on the Caspian and endeavour to intercept Bupplies to the Russian army, while a fleet would operate in the Baltic and Black Seas. We could harass Russia in so many ways that it seems even yet improvable that she will stake all on the hazard of the die. Yet it is the weakness of despots that they become slaves to their military commanders, and General Komakoff is probably a fair specimen of that class. There is still time for the Czar to draw back, but dare he ?

The position of Harbour Board affairs is certainly not a happy one. We do not venture to prophesy the issue of the present imbroglio, neither is it desirable to pronounce an explicit opinion upon the dispute between the Chairman and the Engineer, pendinw the report of the Works Committee aud further proceedings thereupon. But it is clear that either the one or the other must be relieved of his official duties. As Mr Eoberts correctly put it, the existing relations between the Chairman and Engineer are evidently such as cannot last. The old saying touching the instability of a house divided against itself is specially applicable in this case. If the Chairman's conclusions are correct, the Engineer is unfit for his office; and equally, if the Chairman is in the wrong, he will have inflicted serious injury on the Board's officer, and shown his own incompetency for the position which he now occupies. So far, therefore, as these two gentlemen are concerned, the whole quarrel is in a nutshell. But this is not the only question at issue. Large sums of public money are being expended on worka intended to improve the harbour, and much uneasiness is naturally felt by the public as to the proper application of the funds placed at the Board's disposal. Unless these works are skilfullycarried out, themoney Bpent upon them will have been literally thrown into the sea, and the last condition of the port will be worse than the. first. The allegations of Mr Ross are to the effect that there have been certain deviations from the plans of Sir John Coode, and that these deviations will necessitate the continuous dredging of tho Victoria Channel, Mr Barb controverts this statement, and quotes Sir John Coode in justification of the course pursued. Between the two statements there is a very wide di-

vergence, and it behoves the Works Committee, to whom the whole question has been referred, to make a searching inquiry into the accuracy of the Chairman's statement and the Engineer's denial. It will never do to allow any doubt to exist as to. the effect of the expensive works now in progress. The Committee may, and probably will, call to their assistance the most able and competent engineers before venturing to decide a matter of such grave importance ; for it is not to be supposed that the members of the Committee are competent.to pronounce a positive opinion without professional aid. Into the merits of the dispute we do not now propose to enter. Thai somebody has blundered is but too evident, but who is the blunderer remains to be ascertained. One thing, however, strikes us with astonishment, and provokes a feeling bordering on distrust. In the course of discussion it came out that there are two plans—one hanging up in the office, on which the lines are laid down diversely from the "approved" plan, which is retained in the Board's Bafe, in charge of the Board's executive officers. The exposed plan is stated to be in accordance with Mr Bakr's lines, but the other is not. How this could have occurred is a question that demands the most rigid scrutiny. Why an official map, admitted to be incorrect and misleading, should be publicly exposed in the office and the correct plan kept locked up in a safe, surely requires some explanation. Who altered the plan 1 And by whose authority was the altered plan placed in the Board's office 1 Explanation is all the more necessary because, in reply to Mr Elder, the Chairman admitted he was of opinion that if there was an error the office map was the cause of it. Then, again, it seems a little peculiar that the Engineer is not entrusted with the approved plans. Surely he is the proper custodian of them. Mr Ross explained that he thought it only right that the plans should be in the keeping of the executive officers of the Board, so that " they might be beyond the risk of being tampered with." But, as Mr Wales pointed out, the certified plan hung up in the office shows a different line to that on the original plan, and it necessarily follows that the latter has been tampered with. We sincerely trust that this grave imputation of untrustworthiness will be satisfactorily cleared up. There has already been quite too much bickering between the Board and their Engineer, and the public have a right to know who is to blame, and yet more to be assured that the Board's funds are being properly expended. It will never do to go on after the present unseemly fashion; and if somebody has to be hung for the mischief already done, the sooner the unpleasant catastrophe is over the better. Whilst treating of this subject we may take the opportunity of saying that it would be more satisfactory if, in view of the many harbour works now beiDg prosecuted, and the large contingent expenditure involved, the Government were to obtain the services of a highly-trained experienced marine engineer from England to supervise all such works as are now in progress, or may hereafter be undertaken in the Colony. Such an appointment would tend to restore confidence to the public mind, and the expense incurred would be trifling in comparison with the certain economy assured. Our supplement contains our Home, Amorican, and Australian letters, a review, Passing Notes, Bporting news, and a quantity of other matter. Reports of the local Courts and letters to the editor appear on our fourth page. We are compelled to hold over our report of the onnrmi m H etlii B o£ the Acclimatisation Society. This morning's cablegrams in regard to the Afghan frontier question will ba read with much interest. Thoy give information of an engagement between Russian and Afghan troops near Ponjdeh, and of the communications which have passed between England and Russia in regard to the matter. It appears that the attack cannot altogether be regarded as an aggressive one on the part of the Russian troops, because it was to some extent provokad by the Afghans. Great excitement has been caused on the London Stock Exchange by the threatened possibility of war, and stocks have fallen largely.

The Public Works Department have 70 men engaged at work in connection with the defences of Dunedin. They expect to have one gun mounted at Forbury Head by Thursday next, and all the guns in position at Lawyer's and Taiaroa Heads in the course of four weeks.

During last week the Victorian Government communicated with the Union Steam Ship Company with a view to the purchase of tho Rotomahana for a fast patrol-boat, and today • a cablegram was received from the Admiral in charge of the Australian station making overtures for either the charter or purchase of the vessel. No definite arrangement, however, has been come to as yet. The following potitiona for adjudication as debtors have been filed during the week: — Robert Kilgour and Allan M'Naughton, of Dunedin, aerated water and cordial manufacturers ; John William Henry Sachtler, of Port Chalmers, hotelkeeper, A detachment of the Dunedin Naval Artillery will proceed by the 230 train to

Mussel Bay to-day for the purpose of taking

one of the seven-inch guns out of store. The gun is to be mounted at Forbury Rise during the coming week.

The Hon. Mr Larnach completed his tour oi

the Otago goldfields yesterday, arriving in Dunedin in the afternoon. He expects to leave for Canterbury about Thursday next.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs as

follows:—" The Government this (Friday) morning received a cablegram from the Agentgeneral stating that the situation in regard to Anglo-Russian affairs remained unaltered An hour or two afterwards another cablegram wftß leceived, similar information to

that cabled by Reutor, of the engagement between the Russians and Afghans on the Khuak River. The opinion was expressed that the action of Russia in advancing on the Afghan frontier, after England's demand that

;he Russian troops should be withdrawn, muat

inevitably be followed by a declaration of war. Presuming it possible that his Exoellency the Governor might have received some further information, I interviewed Major Eccles, his aide-de-camp, but was informed that no communication on the subject had been received by his Excellency. I have it on undoubted authority that Colonel Hewitt has accepted the position of commandant of the Volunteer forces of the Colony, and will leave for New Zealand almost immediately. The police throughout the Colony have been instructed to proceed with the enrolment of the first-clasß militia between the ages of 17 and 30, and have tho work already in hand in Wellington."

Several of the inevitable telegraphic errors occurred in our reports published aB to the Hon. Mr Larnach's movements upon hia recent goldfielda tour. The Minister was, for one thing, made to take the road upon Easter Sunday, which day, aa a matter of fact, was spent quietly at Naseby, a start being made early on Monday morning for Alexandra. An earlior telegram, too, contained the astounding information that the Minister of Mines was occasionally, while upon the road, in the habit of eating and drinking for 12 hours or so at a stretch. The sentence, as is obvious upon the face of it, should have read " not at all for 12 hours or so at a stretch."

In welcoming the New South Wales contin gent to Suakin, Sir Gerald Graham said

" In the name of the forces under toy command, I give you a hearty welcome as comradea and brothers in arms, who have come to share the perils and toils, and I hope the glories, of this expedition. lam proud to bear with vou tho name of Englishman, We belong to a country on which the sun of hope and freedom ever shines. The heart of every Englishman beats responsive to tho magnanimous spirit of tho Colonies—a spirit which knits us together as members of ono Empire, pledged her honour to maiutain, We honou

the feeling wbiah has led you to leave your pleasant homes, your wives, your children, and your friends to share the perils of the campaign of n dreary war in the desert against its savages/and wo know you will oheerfully submit to privations. All are comrades here. You know that severe discipline is necessary for the safety of an army in the field, and I feel assured that you will submit to this now as in aotual fighting, remembering that the eyes of your country—of the Englishspeaking races throughout the whole civilised world—arg upon you, I am certain that you will uphold the honour of the Empire. I feel proud to command such a force, and sure that you will do the greatest credit to the Colony that sent you and the race to which you belong." It will be seen from our advertising columns that the first conversazione of bur Otago Early History Society is to be held at the University on Friday evening next. We have seen the programme now being framed, and should judge from it that the conversazione will be one of rare excellence and interest to us as colonists. The articles to be exhibited comprise many that are probably unique. The Council of the Society hope that anyone possessing articles of interest will lend them for the occasion. They may be forwarded to £>r Hocken. It is to bo hoped that the forthcoming meeting, which is to inaugurate the now Society, will not only be well attended, but will also be the means of inducing numbers to enroll themselves as members, and bo to further its interests. The Vienna correspondent of the London • Daily News telegraphed as follows a few weeks ago:—"A strike of a novel kind today astonished the Vienna public. No newspaper contained any Parliamentary report. Yesterday a deputy, Herr Schonerer, asked the President to expel the newspaper people ' who lounged about in the corridors, and wrote nothing but lies after all." Upon this corre spondenta and reporters of every party struc work, and refused to send in a word of the ! debate. They afterwards signed an address to the President, calling for a full apology, as he had'upon a former occasion given permission to the journalists to remain in the corridors where they obtain information from members. The journalists assemble to-night to consult upon the form in which the Parliamentary proceedings are to be published, but they will continue on etrika until an apology is made. The newspaper editors have all sided with the reporters," The Clutha Leader reports that a ma named James Paterson, a shoemaker, leftn there on Monday morning and has not since been heard of. The circumstances are such as lead to the suspicion that he has been drowned in the river. He had been working for Mr P. Mason for the past 12 months, and without tolling anyone or drawing the wages due him, left at 9 o'clock on Monday morning, taking with him two carpst bags containing some clothes and tools, The most valuable portion of his tools he, however, left behind. On Wednesday the two carpet bags and his hat were found on the river bank below the railway bridge, but neither the man nor his body has yet been found. Paterson was a native o f Renfrewshire, was unmarried, and had besn in the Colony for about 10 years. The half-yearly business meeting of the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association was held in the Coffee Palace last evening, Mr A, Burt (the president) in the chair. A report submitted by the secretary at this meeting proved that the Committee., which is a large one (composed of the representatives of the various local industries), has been doing good work during the past six months. After routine business had been transacted an interesting discussion took place as to the best means to be adopted for impressing upon the general

public the desirability of purchasing Colonial

made in preference to imported goods. The suggestion made by the Hon. the Premier, that this Association should assist in the

revision of tho customs tariff, was also fully considered. Amongst those who took part in tho general discussions was Mr Joseph Hatch, M.H.R., of Invercargill, a recently-appointed member. The Chairman, in a few concluding remarks, congratulated the members on the measure of success hitherto attained, and expressed a hope that each member, by using his direct influence, would go on csntributing to the further success. The usual vote of thasks to the chairman terminated the meet" ing. Fifteen new members have been added to the Association during the past six months,

Mr Thomas Hislop, the well known solicitor,

has agreed to become a candidate for the Oamaru seat in the House of Representatives. Mr A, Dornwell was yesterday granted a slaughterhouse license by the Taieri County Council. The application caused some discussion, but only two members of the Council raised any objection to it. Mrs Laavitt delivered a lecture at the Great King street Independent Church last evening on " The Medical Use of Alcohol." The Rev. J. White occupied the chair. Mrs Lsavitt said there were 250 medical men in England who at one time administered alcohol medicinally, but who now refrained from doing so. Not only was this so, but since the treatment adopted in the London Temperance Hospitsj had proved so successful, alcohol in other hospitals was not given to nearly Buch an extent as some years ago. She claimed also that statistics proved that in hospitals where alcohol was not used the death rate was lower than in institutions where the reverse was the case. There were about 60 persons present at the lecture.

The annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday. The annual report was adopted, officers, council

and committee were re-elected, and reference

was made to the necessity of protecting the native animals of tho Colony—a question which is to occupy the attention of tho Council of the Society at an early date.

Mr Matthew Burnett, the Gospel temperance lecturer, wh" has been doing such good work in Invei .orgill and neighbourhood

lately, will begin a Beties of lectures in thiß city on Tuesday evening next, The lectures will bo given in the Garrison Hall, and will extend over the week. Mr Burnett has been 21 years in the Australian Colonies, And has devoted himself to the temperance cause with

;ho happiest results,

The monthly meeting of the George street School Committee was held last evening, and attended by Messrs Simpson (in the chair), M'Donald, Adams, Wain, and tho Rev. Mr Beckenham. The head master reported that

the average attendance at the school for the quarter was 772, and the number on the roll 914. A communication was received from the Education Board stating that they had paid £35 10s into the Bank as the quarterly allowance of the Committee for school purposes. Accounts' amounting to £18 Cs Gd were passed for payment.

At the Princess Theatre last evening a per-

formanca was givon by Mr Hesford, the wellknown actor, Miss Amy Nelson, and a company of amateurs. Three pieces were produced —two comediettas—" Disinherited " and

"Indelible Marking Ink," in which Miss Nelson and Mr Hesford appeared, and with

the assistance of several amateurs, succeeded in entertaining tho audience. Tho principal piece was the Irish drama " Handy Andy," which was played by the same company some weeks ago. Last evening the performance showed a considerable improvement on the part of most of the amateurs, and Mr Hesford and Miss Nelson were of course quite at homo in tho characters they represented—Andy and Oonah. During the evening St, Patrick's Brass Band played a number of musical selec-

tions in a very pleasing manner, and gained considerable applause. Thiß evening there will be another performance, when a comedietta, "Borrowed Plumes," and the sensational melodrama " Jack Sheppard " will bejplayed.

Tho Australian Blondin, who has returned to Dunedin after a lengthoned tourin other parts of the Colony, gave an exhibition of his skill last evening on the roclaimod ground, on the site lately occupied by Ohiarini's Circus. His feats on the tight-rope in imitation of tho great Blondin were witnessed admiringly by a largo orowd of people. Tho North Dunedin Band played several lively airs during the performance.

The Faust Family, assisted by Misses Heath and Horley, gave another of their clever ontertainmenta at the Lyceum last evening, andt as on previous occasions, their various aorobatic feats were gone through in such a manner as to meet with the hearty approval of tho audience. The vocal selections contributed by Miaaes Heath and Horloy were also very well received. To-night will ba the last appearanoe of the Faust Family at the Lyceum, and a performance will ba given in tho afternoon for the benefit of school children and families.

Mr M Pym will eoll property In Queon stroot to day.

Mo3sra James Samson and Co. will sell furniture. &c to-d»y. A reading entitled " Faith," from one of the addrossea of Dr JO3Oph Paiker, of tub City Tomplo London, will bo glvon ia the Garrißon Hall t>morrow eveniosr by Mr A. Brunton. fiJTho Montccillo Football Club open their season at the Manteolllo ground with tho match President v. Vice-president. President's side :Vf fiannatyne (cap-

fa!n). Bock, Noel, T Home, Oowle, O Home, Taylor Hlndle, James, Rlddoch, Johnson, Pethorlck, Carter, N Cooper, Paterson, Skitch, Wteh&rt, Dewar, Dallas, M'Crorle, Ferguson, Smith. Viec-pto9ldcnt's eldo : 8 Lclth (captxiu), Twlnamo, Austin, Gregory, Altkon, M'Coll, M'Karlane, Coopor, Stanbrook, Shepard, Infield, Wood, Wallaco, Monison, O Lolth, Thomson, T Dallas, Doiidg, Brown, Hoskoth, Robertson, and T M'CaUum.

In the " Globe" consultation on tho Ohrtatchurch Autumn ness, the largest pr zo (£lßl 4b) went to a cabman in Ch'istchurch, and tho Stcorui-lirgcst (£l2O 16s) to a Christchurch horsoJraler. The anniversary 6ervle:s of tho Great King utreet Independent Church will bo hiM on Sunday, and the soiree on tho 2tstlnat.

- Mr D. M. Speidlng will sell property at Hillsldo on Tuesday, 21st iußt.

Messrs Maclean and Stewart will ssll horsos at Timaru on Saturday next, 18th inst. Tho half-yearlv meeting of South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club will be held and Monday, 13th inat.

Mo3srs Wright, Stephenson; and Co. will edl horses to-day. . ■ . . , Messis James A. Pork and Co. will soil canarlos today.

Mr W. Corrle Johnston begins a month's mission in the Princess Theatre on Sunday, whon throo meetings will bo held. Four evening' meetings durlDg the weak will bo held in tho Athorjamrn Hall.

Tho lime for receiving tenderu for the Little River contract has been oxtended by the Public Works Department till thu 80th inst.

Mossrs Wright, Stephcnßon, and will Bell property, horses, buggios, furniture, &o. at South Dunedin on Thursday next.

Xue Colonial Co-operative and Agency Company will sell sheep, cattle, &c. at Stirling.on Tuesday. At the Ro:ident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning a renuwal of n pawnbroker's license was granted to Abraham Myera.

Under the a'ispicea of tho New Zeiland Manufacturers'Association a lecfura on tho ■'Report of the Technical Education Commiseioa" will be deliversd by Profeasor Mainwaring Brown on Monday evening. The lecture h to be followed by a discussion on " The best moans of. extending Technical Education in New Zealand."

War I—The Itueeians may boat tho Afghans, but when they meet Englishmen they will gel sals. In addition to tho proposed defences for thta Colony, let every family lay in n sup.-ly of ammunition from A. DoRNWfLL. Ptimo cuts cf Eoef, 4d to Bd per lb; Mutton, 2d j and a large essortmont ol hmallgodds at prices to meet tho tlmes.-[ Advt ] Intending exhibitors In tho art and homo industrial sections of the forthcoming New Zealand Industrial Exhibition requlro to have their entry forms sent in to tho local secreiary prior to tho 31».t inst. In "Ribio Hjod'a" consultation on the Christchurch Autumn racos tbo lea'ding priza cf £1293 fell to a EOlicitor in Christchurch, and tho next of £640 to a lady at Kaniriora; whilst a waiter la Christchurch got one of £270. A special consultation ailed up with M2 r> shares in two days, and a corn merchant in Ohmtchnrch took the flrst prizo of £160. On Sunday evening, at (ho Lyceum Hall, Dr York will commence a course of lectures. His first subject will be "Tho Science of Life; or, How to be Happy." It was the Port Chalmers Band which played the brigade in from Tahuna Park on Monday evening— not the Garrison Bind, as stated. The <3rahd Hotkd, Duhedin.-"Ou! of all question the finest hotol in Australasia."-Melbourne Argus. Thiß hotel has been so substantially constructed that it is Insured for 80 per cent, lower premium than any othor brick hotel In the Colony. Table d'hote at eparate tables.—[Advt,]

Cash buyors of drapery, should note the fact that at Cartbr and Co.'s, tho great ready-money drapers, of Georgo atreet, they can obtain considerably more for their money than at any other ehop in tho city. The whole Eecretiß that they import their goods direct, and sell at the emallost possible profit for ready money. Their customers do not havo to pay for other people's bad debta.- [Advt ]