The Timarn Herald. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1884.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2989, 23 April 1884, Page 2

The Timarn Herald. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1884.

Titr. news concerning affairs m the Souylan is so contradictory that, there is ' no malting head or tail of it. A week ov two ago we were told that Gimernl Gordon was m v [very precarious position, that he had telegraphed to s;ay he was "hoping against hope," nnd that thero was a vei-y great fear of his falling into the bands of tlio enemy, and his mission proving a total failure. It was even reported that Khartoum waff m the posaeflfiion of the robcls, and that General Gordon was either a prisoner or m flight. Later on wo wtro relieved by a distinct and pesitivo lis--Burnr.ee from Mr Gladstone that General Gordon was not only perfectly safe, and m no need of assistance, but confident o£ Huccetie,

nd m possession of the means i retreat at any time. Now this ccount of General Gordon's position, liough officially given by tbe Prime liuister, turns out to be either totally ntrue or at lea9t very far from the ruth. The latest news i* that it has i-anspired that Sir Sn.muel Baiter ccently received a letter from General jordon describing tbe stite of aiSuirs a the Sondan and tbe pt.sition t<f tbe [avrisem at Kliavtoum. Iv tlio course it" the letter, Gordon Pasha pro)oaes, m view of the inaction -which is >eing displayed by the British. Governnent m the matter, that ac appeal nhould >c at once made to tbe wealthy Snglishuion and Americans to oonribute toivarda the funds for the lefraying of tho expenses o£ a body of Furkish troops, whose services fihould je engaged to cover the retreat of tho Egyptian garrisions at KhartotiDi anel >tber fortified towns iv the Soudan. It is further stated, as if on good authority, that General Gordou ban telegraphed Erooi Khartoum to the British Government announcing that be intends henceforth to ae:t acoordiug to bis own discretion as regards affairs iii tbe Soudan. This is a nice state of affairs to be sure. Sir Samuel Baker, it may be worth while to explain, is not m any official or public situation. He is taerely au intimate and trusted personal friend of General Gordon, who formerly helel the terribly difficult anel responsible post of Governor-General of the Soudan, which General Gordo.a now holds. Nothing is more tatural, therefore, than that m his despair of getting any satisfaction, assistance or sympathy from the Government who sent him on bis perilous mission with liis life m his hnnd. General Gorelon should write: to Sir Samuel Baker, fully and freely, aud make an appeal to him to do wliat he oan to save him from cfc&tructioE. and his enterprise from failure. On tbe other hand, nothing is more natural than that Sir Samuel Baker should allow General Gordon's letter to " transpire." Sir Samuel Baker is not a politician m the Bense 06 a partisan. But be takes) the keeneso interest iv that branch of politics which embraces the management of Egyptian affairs, nnd he has come prominently to the front lately as a. writer on that subject. He was bitterly incensed against the Government for sending General Gordon to Khartoum without an crray. He denounced that proceeding m a series of stirring letters to the Times, as ii cowardly sacrifice of !i gallant public servant to save tbe Ministry the responsibility of tbe consequences of their own feebleness and folly. Ho boldly predicted tbe failure of General Gordon's intrepid attempt to pacify the Soudan siaglehande'l, and the melancholy clout h of that hero from assassination, disease, or heart-break. Entertaining such sentiments as these, tbeu, on tho whole question of tb</ Sondan, and especially of the employment of bis frijnd General Gordon, it i;; 411 ite m accordance with his character auJ with probability, that, if be received such a letter as that reported, be should make its convents publicly known by way of shaming the Government into a recognition of their duty. The only thing about tho story which seems to 113 to throw a suspicion on its truthfulness, is that General Gordon is alleged to have recommendel tbe raising of a body of Turkißh troops to re'ieve tbe garrisons m tbe Soudan. Geceral Gordon is well known to have the greatest hatred and contempt for tbe Turks ; a detestation of them, m J'act, little less intense than that expressed by Mr Gladstone at the time of the Bulgarian atrocities. In undertaking his journey to Khartoum, he declared that he went to release the Soudanese from the cruel yoke of Turks and Circassians ; for ho included tlie wretched Egyptian Government, oinciala and onieers, m one common category of abhorrence with all the vassids and instruments of Ottoman rule. It scorns scarcely likely, therefore, that m ever ho dire an emergency, he would call m the aid of those very Turks and Circassians whom he was formerly above all things anxious to exclude from the Soudan for ever, Necessity, howevor, has no laws ; anc it is ejtiite possible that General Gordon thinking only of saving the life of the brave garrisons who are shut up witb their women and children m Khartomt :\nd tbe other beleaguered utrongboldf of the Soudan, and who will certain^ be massacred unless speedily relieved had brought himself, us a, lant resource to ask for the temporary assistance oi Turkish troops, who are more easiilj obtainable for money than any others If tbisi intelligence should piove to be true, it will put the British Govern meat m a more embarrassing po3itioi than ever, and reflect fresh disgrnci upon them m connection with a questiot of national policy which has beet burgled wonic than any other withii onr recollection.

ftIACKKNziK Corirrr. — Tho electoral veil: \ for the I'liirlie and Tok.apo Ridings of tho Mac kimzio County arc now open for inspection at. Mr Ciskoy's, Fairlie Creek, und tho Coui:tj olllcc, Buiko'ti I'nss. Tiik DniNK (Jttbstion.— Mr 3. Harding ol Ilpwkc's Bay, will lecturo (o-night m tli< Volunl-cor Ifal'l, Tomiika, oil Urn cheinicn ! propartios of alcoholic drinks, am! will illus 1 trata his remarks by means of cxpcriincr.ti nnd dia^rinifi. Tho' Rev. D. Gordon wil take f.bo chair at hnlf-past seven. Sali: of Ghai,^. — The first grnin auction ol . this season will be held this aftornoon nt the Now Zonland Loan and Mcrc.intilo Apenoj Company's slows, near tho railway station, when soinc IGOO sucks e.f wheat and SOOOsocli! : of odls will bo offdHMl. Mr E. B.Guinne.if will olliciato ns auctioneer. Tho sale com. monces nt half-past throo. An [mfohxant Case. — Wo inuleratimd • that a ealilo mesengo lias boon received from Homo to tho effect that Captain William;) tho owner of the Westport, has wo:i his case againut (ho Govcrnmont of New Zcnlantl bofori! tho Privy Council. It arose out o( the steamoi" Wostport ntriking a snas; at Wcßt' poit sovnmi yearp ago. An ti'LtiMtNATiov. — Last nijjht throi fires, probably of straw heaps, were burning, clone (OKether, on thoßtadown estato, and tin; flames lit up a largo apuco of Mm clouded nkr with n. ruddy glow, fading awa}' to a whilisfi light at tlio upper margin, so ns to present exactly the appearance of a sunrise on a etnal! Bcale. This appearance wns to soino oxlonl due to 11 ltvel-ioppod bank of cloud m the distance, showing beneath, nnel unaifeclcd by tbe illuminated cloud. Tho cfTee! as soon from Tirnimi was very pretty. Road BoAbd EiEraioNS.— An election will bo hold on the 7th May m tho (teraldino Road DiMtrjrt, for tho rotum of two mombers to tho Rond Board, m ,'plaeo of Massra W. Piislletliwiiito and W. Do Rcnzy ; nominationii Ui bo sent m by tho 80111 insft. On tho Biimo day nn ulnnlion will bo hohl m the Mount Peel iliHtrict for tho rotum of two members fo tho Road Board, iv place of Messrs 0. G, Iripp wl R. Mnokay ; norm-

ations to bo made by the Ist May. Tho ii nnunl meeting of ratepayers m the lattei: Bi lit-tiiet, will be held on tho Ist May. f A Valueless DisuKorioN. — A discussion c ook place m the Reeidem; Mugistrate's Court t fe^t:rday on tho right, of a person suing f mother for debt to add to his claim an a imount for "solicitor's fee." It was stated c ,h it the Minister of Justice had objected to p ,ho practice, and this was explained to mean i ,lnt the fee should not appear on the face of ( .ha iiummons, and the objection was got over t Dy udding it to the particulars of the chum t .it<a<:hc(l to the summons. This may ho an ( important difference from a legal point of 1 vivw, but if the feo is allowed all the same, it, Joes not make much difference to the parties. Tie Opera. — It is almost needless to mention that the London Comic Opera Company open iv "Manola" ivt the Theatre Royal this" evening. During yesterday the demand for tickets was very great, nnd thero is little doubt that a brilliant house will welcome the oper ing performance. Several of the company arrived m town yesterday, and expressed themselves as being highly pleased with our Theiitre, which is quite largo enough to show tho magnificent Bcciicry to advantage. From all n ■counts a rich treat is m store for lovers of comic opera, aud we are pleased to see Unit Mr Hallit'ax's effort:* on belmlf of his company are likely to be rewarded by a genuine success. A special feature of interest m lie production of " Munula" will be the dmsiies, which have been specially manufactured for the management, und have throughout; the colonies been pronounced perfect marvels of tho costumier's art. The scene of the opera being laid m Spain affords special advantages for tho display of rich ami appropriate costumes, characteristic of Castihan peasants, hidalgos, waiting maids, mule tcers, and public oil! ;in)s. Barely, if ever, m the history of Timaru has an opportunity beim given of witnessing opera inulcv such favo 'able conditions, and from tho extremely fm cable notices that liuve been written concerning the London Comic Opera Company wlieiever they liavo appeared, a performance complete at all points may reasonably be anticipated Ibis evening. The doors open at 7, and us the overture is ono of the features oflluopcra, Mr Dunning requests his patrons to be sent ed by a quarter to eight. Hu.vrisa.— The fir=.l. meet of the Timaru Harriers m the Fairlio Creek district took plum at Striithcomin on Tuesday, the 15th inst. About forty-live riders were present, amoig them being a fair sprinkling of ladies. Tin) .veatber being unfortunately very warm, tho fcent lay badly, which accounted for the many short and unsuccessful runs. It was not iill some time after lunch, which was kindly provided by M? Maclean, that Mr Thoyer's efforts were crovmed with success. Thii hare was viewed t.way going towards Fairl c Creek. It went through a large grass paddock into sonic tussock land behind Fairlie Croel, where it was killed, the majority of the field being well up at tho death. The cool way m which Mcrsrs Alston and Richardson took almost untried horses over baro wins fences wus the most noticeable feature m tho day's sport. Thf next meet was at Ashwick, with an attendance of about 35. The hounds were thrown off m a paddock neav the house, and hooh found a hare, which took to the hilln, but was finally lost m ths Opihi riverbed. Another hare was tuniei out of the Has, and making towards the homestead, the dogs vrere at fault for a tinm m a plantation. They, however, soon forccc. it into the open again, and aft,er a rattling gallop killed it m tho middle of n turnip paddock. Mr W. Clarksou, who went straigat, was the Ilirsl; ol the field m a', the death An adjournmen" was now made to partake of a capital luncheon prowcled by Mr Gray. After lunch tho paddocks about the st-eepluchase courso were tried without success. An opportunity, however, was given the diild to practico (heir horses over the steeplechase fences. On Saturday tho meet was i.t Kversley, and a have .vas soon found near the mill, which madooff across the road on to Mr McCullough's land. It then circled round the paddock? behind the township, back t.o Mr McCullough's swamp, where it was lo:tt. After unothei unsuccessful run, a movement was made towards Fairlie Creek, w'wre luncheon was provided m the schoolroom. At about two o'clock Mr McCulbugb'3 paddock; were ngain tried, and afforded twe short runs, neither reuniting iv a kill As the sun was getting low, tho hound; were vhipped off, after 11 rather poor ilay'i sport,, chiefly owing U> the Huntsman. Mi Theye 1 , being disabled by t,a accident on tin previous day, and consequently unable t< limit the hounds. In any case, though, il wus a bad scen'ing day. This year there i a marked improvement m fcho quality 01' tin horses ridden, and tho majority of tho rider seemed detormined to be m near tho hound tt 9 the condition of their mounts would alloy t hem. Tho land was m first-rate conditioi for gdloping, and if the weather had beci eoolor there would have been sonio capita runs, T'ith plenty of jumping. Waimate Bonotron Council. — His Wor ship tie Mayor and Councillors Sinclair Cnmonin, Grant, Hunt, Collctt, and Watt were p •osent at the Council meeting on tin 21st instant. After the co:i:irmnMon of tin minutes, correspondence since last nioetin| was rerd and considered, as follows : — Fron Mr Blockwood, of Waito.ki, complaining 0 gross overcharge by the Borough Pound keeper on occasion of bin horses being im pounded. From tho Registrar - General askin,; for Borough statistics for the yea: 1883. From tho Hospital Warder, astin| ngnin for lamp at tho corner of Queen sti'ee and x-oiH to tho hospital, a culvert ther being iiillicr dangerous for travellers mth dark. From Mr Bellamy, asking for re mission of payment of bin Borough nito From Waimato Racing Club, asking for tin uso of Iho Borough Bcscr"o near the n.cc eourso for races on the sth C'uno next. Frou tho Railway Department, informing that sufll oient cncounigoment had not been given 01 former occasions for alteration of railwa; fares from Waimate wten late holida; reductions were made. From Messrs Austin Kirk r.n-1 Co., Christchurch, with price list o drain pipes. It was resolveel — " That thi request nf the Hospital Steward, re orectioi of lamp near Hospital entrance, be grantee on condition that the under warder keep i lighted, and likewise that tha culvert near tin TTospilai park gato bo lengthemod ; " "Tim tho request of tho Waimate Racing Club fo use of reserve near racecourse be granteel i'o tho sth of June next." Mr R. Bellamy wa: allowedtobe exempt from pa) twnt of Borou^l rates for the year 188 1. Councillor Cameroi was nntl orised to sign tho Council's cbequoa It. was iesolvod — " That tenders bo invitoi for tho oßleo of PoundkeepeT for the Borough to be m on tho 13th of May next j" " Tha the Engineer bo instructed to call for tender for culvert ;" nnel " That a i)u!oling of Coun oil bo hold on tho 29th (list, to consido valuation and burgess rolls." The Auditor' report on tho statement for hnlf-year ende-i March 31st, 1884, was submitted. Account: amounting to £G2 12s fid -vero passed fo payment. Tlic Council then adjourned. Wkbiibvan South Ska MtasrojJ. — The Rev Dr Kclynack, General Sccrctc.ry to tho We^ loynn Fo'oign Misnion, deliveied a lecturo ii the Wcuhnan Church lust evening, m advo cacy of the claims of tho Mission on tin sympathy of Wesloyans m this colony. Hii Worsliij) i;ho Mayor presided. Tho a'tond anco was only moderate, the church hcin; about ba'f filled. Tho rov. gentlonmn i; making a lour of the colonies, seeking suppori m tho first place to a " special relief fund, am m tho second place a general mipport of tin Mission. Ho explained that; when, Bonn years ago, tho task of supporting tho Soutl Sea Mijßun was thrown upon tho Church ii the colonies, the Church at Homo generouslj undertook to make good any deficiency at tin end of tho year, and thin ii. had done the deficiency sometimes amounting to £2000. Recently, however, so many pressing claims from new quarters hud boen made upon tho .'nnds of tho parent organization that they wcro obliged to look nbout fot direction:) m which saving cenild be made, and tho Australasian colonies having made imch vast strides, having nclmrtod so much iudopondoi co m other directions, it was thought thoso colonies could well afford to support, unaided, tho South Son Mission, aid tho Cliinose Miiuion m Australia. JYo further aid, thoroftiro, would bo received frcm Homo, nnd thoro being a probability tint thn ordinary ineovno of tho mission would bo iiiaufllciout, an offort was being mtida to raiso a speoial fund to supply nnj doQoioney that might appear during tho next two or throe years, anel at tho Bttme line to giro tho people iid inersaeod

uterest m the progress of the Mission, and | (: 0 Becuro a lurger regular income m| c uture. Dr Kelynack, m a very csellont iiddrcss, showed tlie importance of he South Sea Islands to the colonies, 'rotn a commercial point of view, an importince given them by the effects of missionary sfforfc upon their 'inhabitants, and dwelt at ;reater length upon the improvement m tho nbabitnnts themselves, lie urged that the Church m l he colonies was now well able o support tho Mission, to which r-t present .he contributions only amounted to between 3d and 7d per head of the church adherents per annum, lie ridiculed " depressed times" being offered as an excuse for small subscriptions. He saw hundreds of pounds Bpent m a day at races, and m :i night at circuses and operas, and if one section of the people could afford bo much for these things, another section could afford it for other and bettor things. In a very eloquent passage he pointed oivt that their duty us Christians, and the traditions of their Church, required them to bo liberal m the support of tho Mission. A collection was taken up at tho close of the lecture arid a hearty vote of tliiinks was passed to the lecturer for his instructive lecture. Wicked fob Clergymen. — " I believe it to bo all wrong and even wicked for clergymen or other pnbhc men to bo led ml» giving testimonials to quack doctors or vile stuffs called medicines, but when a really meritorious article i 3 made up of common valuable remedies known to all, and that all physicians use and trust m daily, wo should freely commend it. I thorefore choorfully and heartily commend Hop Hitters for tSo good they have done me and my friends, firmly boliovimj that they havo no equal for family use. I will not ho without them." — Rev. , Washington, D.C. Road Adv. The Gkeatest Blessing. — A simple, pure, harmless remedy, that enres every time, and prevents disease by keeping tho blood pure, stomach regular, kidneys and liver active, is the greatest blessing ever conferred upon man. Hop Bitters is that remedy, and its proprietors nro bein(f blessed by thousands who have been cured by it. Will you try it ? See— Adv. synopsis of new advertisements. Jonas and Bourn— Sell mare and Inijft'y to-morrow. X Tun.bull and Son— Hold a sale or leasehold properties this day. Theatre Royal— London Comic Opera Company appear m " Manilla" this cveniliK. Thomas Teschemaker— Invites tenders for cropping. this eveniiiL'. F. W. Marc-taut— Notifies that rolls for Fairlic and Tekapn ridings arc open for inspection. V. E. Eherrattr— Notice re Geraldine Koad Hoard election. K. Irvine, Clerk Mount Peel Uoad Board-Notice to ratepayers, and election notice. For 'Sydney— Tiniam, s.s., to-morrow. Wanted— One notice.