Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8420, 20 January 1899, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING.

GISDOHNE, FIUDAY, JANUARY 20, 1899. THE SAMOAN CRISIS. Tub trouble that has arisen over the Kingship of Samoa is a trouble the settlement of which will not be accomplished in a day or nn hour. It is not a matter involving simply a tribal dispute between Pacific Islanders, to be arranged, as in olden times, by the plentiful spilling of blood, nor is it a matter that is likely lo be .settled by any civilised authority that has been set up on the islands. With a .startling suddenness that is remarkable but not uncommon, the theatre of great international events has been changed from Egypt and the Ear East to a group of islands in the Pacific, lying within five days' steam from our shores, and if we mistake not Samoa will bulk largely in the affairs that hold the attention of the world for a few months to come.

Tlic conduct, of Germany, it will ho seen from an excellent review of the situation given in an interview by Mr W. L. Rees, lias been one of continual aggression anil interference. From tlie very first ( ienimny has cast longing eyes upon the group anil desired to make it a colonial possession. The position of the islands and their fine harbors give tliem great strategical value. They would afford Germany a magnificent naval base, within easy striking distance of British possessions. The Hermans have also obtained large monetary interests in the group, and in pursuance of the policy they have exercised in other parts of the world— quite recently in Kaiochou— they would by obtaining possession close the door against other nations, securing for themselves exclusive trading rights. Needless to say, such a policy is entirely opposed to British views and one to which England can never submit. It is moreover in direct opposition to the treaties existing between Germany and Samoa as a sovereign state, and to the articles of the Treaty of Berlin, in which Germany, America and England agreed to assume tri-partite control. The support accorded to Mataafa in his latest outbreak, and the refusal to uphold the joint civil authority, is a direct vioUtiou of that treaty, and puts an end to the Government of trinity, which without allowing the Samoans any privileges of autonomy was bound to he unsatisfactory. The question now is, who is to ausume control ? The Samoans cannot be left to themselves, or they will exterminate one another. England and America, to preserve their own self-respect, cannot after what has occurred allow Germany to have her own way, and America's intentions may be pretty plainly guagetl by the remarks quoted by Mr Rees as having fallen from Mr Bayard. Germany, with her large commercial rights, is sure to resent annexation or control by either America or England. What is to be done V Meantime the Britishers are protecting the newly appointed King, the civil authorities, anil the lives of the foreign residents, and having the matter in hand they are not likely to relinquish it until peace has been restored amongst the islanders and the international dispute is settled.

The local rowing representatives leave for Auckland by the Elingamite on Sunday.

Mr W. 0. Sheet's tender at, £1159 has been accepted for the erection of the Convent on Kaiti.

Owing to the Elingamite not arriving in port until Sunday the meeting of the Land Board called for to-morrow morning has been postponed until Monday morning at 10 a.m.

Tho excursions to the warship Tauranga held yesterday afternoon under the auspices of the City Band were well attended upward; of two hundred and fifty persons visiting the ship during the afternoon.

The departure of H.M. ships Tauranga and Royalist from tin's port was expedited last evening, as the vessels received orders to proceed forthwith to Wellington to coal. It will be seen from our cablegrams that the Tauriinga is to be sent to Samoa.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a Horticultural Society was held last, evening in the room over Mr DahympleV There was a fair attendance, amongst those present being a numhcr of Indies. The objects of such a socioty were set forth by Mr Uarlon, one of the conveners of the meeting, who referred to the great need of such an association in this district. It was unanimously decided to form a society to be called the Cool: County Horticultural Society, the membership fee being fixed at 2s fid. A provisional committee consisting of Messrs Darton, Guilliaid, Beere, Buslmell, and A. L. Muir was appointed to draw up rules and submit tho same to a meeting to be hold on Alonrlay evening next. Twenty to thirty ladies and gentlemen gave in their names as willing to become members of the society, and as many more were spoken of as intending members. The question of the election of officers and other matters will also be dealt with at, the meeting on Monday evening.

In reference to the meeting of the Cooperative Building Society, to be held in Wesley Schoolroom this evening, a would-be shareholder writes: — Sir, — •' J .see a meeting of the Co-operative Building Society is convened for this evening lo discuss mutters relating to the Society. It is now over two months since the last meeting was held, and so far us I have been able to learn the .Society has not been as well supported as it might have been ; but I am certain, were it decided at this evening's meeting to adopt the rules and regulations of the Napier Starr-Bowkett Society, which give members power to dispose of their appropriations as they deem Ht, the full number of shares would be readily subscribed. The Societv would iitonee become popular,aii<l once thoroughly under way its success would be assmed. The promoters have very wisely attempted to make the undertaking a popular one with the public by doing away with exorbitant entrance and withdrawal fees, which are loudly complaiued of iv other like institutions."

-Mi" A. I. Danvns-, veterinary surgeon, notifies a visit to Uisborne. ' t Mr .lames McKcc has a new advertise- ' ment in this issue. ' In the Wairarapa lliu codlin motli lias oven taken to attacking walnuts. ' Attention 11 directed to the Mark Wav ( House new advertisement over the leader. , County r.ites leniaining unpaid after < Mondiy will have an addition of 10 per eenl. made to them. ' j It is sluted that £10,000 was spent in two mouths at the llagey liistitute, Auckland, in efforts to ciuc inebriates. Mr Henry Lewis announces a monster cleat ing sale of drapery uith a special attraction of a lihcr.il discount of os in the C on e\ory casli pm chase. It is stated that Major Kemp's daughter, U'iUitori.i, will come into a clear .C'iO.OOO from her lather's interest in the Jlorowhenua Block. The Tiniaru Herald thinks it is time for (.'aptain Russell to eonimciice the fullilnicnt of his promise to stump the country and expose the misdeeds of the party now in power. To show how the quality and breeding of Mr Espies mns is appreciated, at yestprd.ij's. sale a prize two-tooth Stud Lincoln realised the high price of 1.") guineas. The sale was a most successful one. News from the Mahia states that the operations at the wreck of the Tasmania have been hampered very much by changeable weather anil the distance the cutter Coralie has to run for shelter when bad weather comes on. Complaint has been made by ,i number nf country settlers that drivers pi traction engines and threshing machine-, travelling on the county roads fail to observe the order of the road and draw to t he side to allow other vehicles to pass. The consequence is there have been several narrow escapes from accidents lately. The Verto Company have taken the Theatre Royal for Thursday and Friday, the - 2(ith and 27th (race nights). This company have been showing to excellent Inisiuess in the south. One of their principal attractions is said to be a line panorama of the American-Spanish war .mil the -Maine disaster. ■Sub- Inspector Galliraith, now engaged investigating the (iatton horror, is a lilcnbeim boy. As a member of the Armed Constabulary force in 1.57.1 be distinguished himself in the football Held. Resigning from the fforce after the arrest, of To Whiti, he became a cadet in the Queensland police, and lias .since risen by merit to his present rank. Mr ¥. Bourkc, who has announced himself as ii candidate for the Masterton seat, is a young man, whom the Daily Times clashes as a .strong man, who knows his own mind, possesses a good lighting capacity, and intends to win. The paper predicts a great light between him and Mr Hogg, and though politically opposed to the latter acknowledges his loyalty to the electorate and the indebtedness of the district to him. Mr R. C. Cox writes to the Evening Post as follows : — " Sir,— On Monday, iZml January, the railway authorities at Nelson sent an excursion train to Motupiko, consisting of four engines and between 35 and 40 trucks and carriages, containing about 800 people. Going tlnoiigh the. tunnel, which is about tbree-quartcis of a mile long, it took between Si and 10 minutes to get through (nearly all up-hill), instead of three minutes. The consequence was nearly all the men, women, and children got almost suilbcated, not mentioning the fact of the state all were in with the coal dust and spoilt clothes. Another two or three minutes longer would have told a fearful tale ; as it was, several women collapsed. The sequel to the robbery case reported in our last issue, and the results made at Murewaiyeslerday by Const,! ble.Sniith, was that a Native boy named Wircmu I'ohatu, about 17, years of age, was charged at the Magistrate's Court this morning (befoie Mr J. Booth, S.M.), was charged with having on the IStli January, at Murewai, stolen 16 gild rings, four imitation gold rings, six gold brooches set with greenstone, three silver watches, one American gold watch, one hair wutc.li chain with greenstone pendant and other jewellery, of the total value of i'4'2, the properly oi Mansen Hannah. Sergeant Bhu;k appeared on behalf of the prosecution, the accused being undefended. Hearing of the case was adjourned until the following morning. We understand that Constable .Smith succeeded in recovering the greater portion of the missing jewellery. Writing on the East Cape Lighthouse to the Wellington "Post," a correspondent says :— Can you inform me who is responsible for the unsatisfactory state of atl'airs in connection with the men employed at the above Government contract. These fifty men or so were among the unemployed most of the winter, md four months ago gladly accepted the work, with the understanding that they should come back to Wellington about Christmas, if only to get a supply of clothes, etc., but no; they must return to the primitive dress of old Adam. Now, with camp struck, they have been waiting since the Ist of December for the promised steamer to bring them down. (Poor fellows, they don't know how to treat Government piomiscs.) But here's the Hincmoa laid up, and the TuUnekai used by our gay Premier and his relatives. Of course, the relatives and friends of the unemployed should never dare to question King Dick's actions, but cringe even to him for favours. Illness in the camp, if there were towns near. Surely such treatment is only meted to State prisoners, vho, by-the-hye, are much better fed at this festive season than these men. Mr A J. Ruddiclc, the new Dairy Commissioner, has promised to visit the East Coast at an early date. After an inspection of the Taranakiand West Coast districts, ho speaks in sanguine terms of the present condition and prospects of the butter and cheese industry, owing to the abundance of rich pasturage and pure water from the mountain streams. The principal object of the proposed central dairy school, about to be established in Taranaki, is to train makers and managers for _ the butter and cheese factories. It is not, however, intended to impart merely elementary instruction, but to teach the scicntitic principles of the industry to persons who have already mastered its rudiments. Though nothing has been definitely arranged, there is reason to believe that the fees will bo merely nominal, in order to secure a cood number of students. Among the existing defects observable in many of the New Zealand dairies, says Mr Ruddiek, is a lack of knowledge of the control of temperature, inattention to details, and want of cleanliness in milking yards, and in handling the milk itself. Mr Ruddiclc is an energetic-looking young man, with a pronounced American or, rather, Canadian accent. He comes of a race which possesses all the cuteness and push of tinYankee, with less tendency to spread eagleism. In his recent journeys through the country he has traversed long distances on a bicycle. Another crowded house greeted the Rickards Company at the Theatre Royal last evening, when n capital programme was submitted andreceived by the audience with much acceptance, almost every item being enthusiastically encoied. Mr" Harry Rickards quite surpassed himself in his several vocal numbers, which were capitally rendered. His first auuu, " East and West " represented to the audience the two sides of London society, which were faithfully pourtrayed. "'it must have been the Lobster" fairly convulsed the house with laughter, whilst the coster song " Our Little Nipper" was splendidly given. Signer Ugo Biondi introduced a novel sketch entitled " Scandal in a Restaurant."' and appeared to be even quicker in making his changes than on the previous evening. He kept up a running lire of fun, and was frequently applauded for his ell'orts. A farcical and musical comedy entitled " Pink Notes " was the prominent feature of the first part of the programme, the characters being represented by Misses Noui and Katie Rickaids, Miss Nellie' Wilson : and Messrs Harry Kickards and ! James Foreman. The Misses Rickards I created a most favorable impression. Both i ' acted with spirit, and made the most of 'j their respective parts. Mr Riekards introduced a song entitled, "How th*V ' Apologise," which was yieatly amirc- . ciatcd by the audience, Mr Hamilton , Hill was encored for his siiving of "The King's Minstrel" and "Queen of My : Heart," whilst Miss Clara Llewellyn received a similar compliment for her I vocal numbers. Miss Lottie Moore and Mr Albert Bellman delighted the audience with the sketch "In Clover," for which ' they were deservedly encored. Mr J. W. Winton repeated his ventriloqual entertainment with much success, whilst Messrs Foreman and Faiuian were well * received in a sporting patter song, which J ' was full of fuu. An entire change of pro- }. gramme was announced for this evening, J when the company close their Gisborne * season. The first part ol the programme ' will include a poetical drama in one act } entitled "Blind Love," specially written ; by Mr Bernard Espinasse for Miss Noni \ Rickards. i

The Nelson Colonist says that a woman recently walked from Karamea to Collingwood, a distance of one hundred miles, accompanied by her husband, in two days. One of tiie Masterton applicants for an old age pension is (says the Star) a woman owning to SS years. She was born in 1810, thu.-i having lived (luring the reigns of four monaivhs of Knglund— from George 111. to Queen Victoria. A letter received by a Hamilton man troin Mexico says :— " General Tessazas the Mexican cattle king, told me he has" just received CSO.OOO in cash for the sale of steers for the year. I asked him as to Ins slock, and be told me that last year be branded .l->, 200 calves, that he owns .'00,00(1 acres, Sl',ooo sheep, 200 000 cattle and 3(10,000 goats. 1 don't know how many horses. The year before last he slaughtered 10,000 mares for soap to t'et rid of them." ° Replying to our advocacy of the claim of Mr Urroll to full Cabinet rank, the \\ anganui Chronicle says :-"Our contemporary appears to forget that if the Premier were to ciexatc Mr Carroll to full rank as a Mnn.-ter, with the emoluments attached to that olncc, be would |, a y e to be content with one Minister less than lie has now lor instance, ,f the Premier were to drop Mr I hompsor, 1U1(1 givo t]|e folios to Mr Carroll, his Ministry would be complete according to the statute, he law only allows of six fidlv paid Ministers, and the Government only managed to work Mr Carroll in as a seventh by virtue of an old statute that was thought by most people to be obsolete Lbe statute in question permitted of the appointment of a Minister to represent the Native race at half the salary paid to other Ministers. It was never intended thai such a Minister should hold a portfolio, and exception is taken every session, when the estimates are under discussion, to the position held by Mr Carroll, as being an e.-asion of the statute, but provided the way were clear for Mr Carrol! ., promotion, we are fully persuaded that our Poverty Bay contemporary is very far wrong in its estimate of the advantage such promotion would be to the Ministry and to the country. In our opinion there is no future before Mr Carroll, he will : never be any better than he is. It is true . that he is a pleasing speaker, and that he is well acquainted with Native customs ; it is further true that he is popular, in the sense that he IS good-natured and inoffen- ; sive. Lut beyond that he counts for ; not lung Indolence is wrapping itself ■ around him as a shroud, and he cannot evoke energy enough to so much as ruflla ; bis temper. No elevation to higher office ; would arouse Mr Carroll from his lethargy, .-ems that the Premier has not given him . full pay and position before this."