The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3258, 6 March 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1885.

"We have no desire to play the part 1 of alarmists, but there can be no question that the news which we published yesterday regarding the Russian advance on Afghanistan, is of the most serions character as regards the possible consequences. It is not too much to say that the chance of war between England and Russia hangs by the merest thread, -which any moment may snap asunder. Tears ago, when the advance of Russia m the direction of India was talked of, it was said that the wild Tekke-Turcoman tribes would always be able and willing to oppose any Russian force that could be brought against them. Still, the Muscovite march went on, however, and one by one the Turcoman tribes were conquered or cajoled into submission. Then it was announced positively that the Russian advance must stop before Merv was reached, or if it did not,

England would very decidedly interfere. Merv, however, was occupied before anybody m England knew anything about it, and so far as we know, not a syllable of remonstrance was ever made. It did, however, occur to the English Government that it was time the Afghan boundaries were looked after, and so a Commissibn was appointed to settle the question with the Russian representatives. The expedition sent to the locality was headed by Colonel Ridgeway, who subsequently resigned the leadership into the hands of General Sir Peter Lumsden. It consisted of 25 Europeans, 465 native fighting men, 554 native followers* 1276 camels and 774 horses, mules, &c. They had a most adventurous journey, part of which lay over an immense desert. They bad indeed to march over 800 miles of country — generally waterless stone and sand 1 — amid great vicissitudes of climate, the thermometer m the course of the journey falling from 103deg. to lldeg. below freezing point. Yet, as the correspondent of The Times, who accompanied the expedition, proudly points out, they had only to deplore two deaths, one a trooper of the escort, and the other a follower, neither of which could fairly be attributed to the march. The losses among horses and camels could be counted on the fingers of one hand, and one camel who walked off m the dark with his master's load, represented the entire loss m property. It was feared they might suffer from the fanaticism of the natives, but the Ameer of Afghanistan enjoined the preservation of their safety under the most terrific penalties, and they were not once molested. The British Commissioner arrived at il:u frontier, but there he was left for weeks and weeks to cool his heels, the Russian party not deigning to ' put m an appearance. There is little doubt that the wily Muscovite was at his old tricks, endeavoring to gain time. Meanwhile the massing of troops went on, and now we find Russia expressing m the simplest but most decisive fashion her notion of how the frontier line should run, by the artless process of occupying the territory on which she has set her mind. Yesterday's telegrams . stated that, she had taken possession of the Zulfika Pass m the Hindoo Khoosh mountains, arid was threatening Panjdeh, an important strategical position, fifty miles within the Afghan boundary, and about 100 miles north of Herat. There is now little doubt, if ever there was scope for any at all, that the latter place is the object of Russia's grasping lust. True, the Russian statesmen have always stoutly denied the soft impeachment, but one needs hardly to be reminded now-a-days that the sole idea of Russian diplomacy is to lie unblushingly as to her real intentions, and only to make them known when the Power with which she has to deal is involved m a position of difficulty. Russia, apparently, now considers England's hands m a measure tied by the Soudan business, and is acting on her old principle of " England's extremity being. Russia's opportunity." If we may trust the telegrams, England is not going to take this latest move so quietly as she did the occupation of Merv, but has warned Russia that she will resist the absorption of Afghan territory, It is difficult to see how even a " peace at any price " Ministry could do otherwise. By the letter of recognition which Sir Lepel Griffin was instructed to deliver to the present ruler of Afghanistan, m 1880, the English Government promised to defend his possessions against external aggression—that is to say against Russia, which was expressly named — so long as the Ameer should follow unreservedly the advice of the British Government m regard to his external relations. Since then that agreement has been confirmed. Both the Ameer and his people are said. -to be seriously alarmed at the Russian ad"; vance, and are looking to England to : save them. Unless England does take some very prompt and decisive action the result will be an immense blow to! her prestige m the East, the effect of which m India no one can fully foresee. Sir Lepel Griffin himself, m a com-, munication which he wrote recently on the' subject,' : said — " Afghanistan is now a feudatory State oi British India — its independence was always an impossible dream — and we must defend its borders againt aggression. More especially must' we resist the occupation of Herat, which has been justly called the key or gate-of India, and an attack on, which, should bo resented m the same manner as an attack on Portsmouth by the French fleet." Still stronger are the terms m which, the same authority puts before the English public -, what the occupation of Herat by Russia would cost them, even setting aside all alarmist ideas of the invasion of India. "In- th'e firep place," he says, "it should m honor, entail war .with; Russia, m Europe, and Asia, with suck consequences as fortune might determine. 1 Should the 'Government of the day refuse to admit that the honor of the country was so touched as to; make a declaration of war necessary, it would be still imperative to take such measures as woul<jl neutralise the effect- of Russia's occupar tion. The first and inevitable ..step would he the -.occupation and, permanent annexation of Candahar, and the construction of a line ; of; railway to it, and a first - class f ortreßß, the cost of which latter work would ; hot be less than three millions sterling. The Ameer of Afghanistan would disappear, and to England would fall the unprofitable and thankless task of administering* the Asiatic Soudan. ... . . "; England might be further compelled to occupy Bagdad and the shores of the Persian Gulf, while the permanent retention of Egypt would be pressed xipon ' her with, renewed force." . . ; -....- i Enough has probably; been said to show that the position is art eminently critical one. It is clear that the time has now arrived when England is bound to put down her foot and say to Russia, " Thus far shalt thou go and no farther."

Even Mr Gladstone, with all his aversion to war — a creditable aversion j when it does not involve an absolute sacrifice of honor — has recognised this fact, and has given the Czar a very decided hint that the limit of British endurance has been reached. Will Russia take the hint, or will it be necessary to state the position m even plainer and more emphatic terms P Judging from the later telegrams which we publish this morning, the Northern Power was evidently unprepared for the veiy decisive aotion of Sir Peter Lumsden when he boldly called on the Afghans to resist if the Russian advance were continued, or for the probably equally unexpected display of " backbone" m the English Cabinet, The Russian march, therefore, has for the time been delayed, and Russia is loud m professing her pacific intentions. Those professions are worth just as much as all her previous declarations have beenj and no more, and no one can say when she may deem it convenient to disregard them. A great deal, no doubt, depends on the result of affairs m the Soudan, and still more on the attitude of the other European' Powers. The situation is one which will call for anxious watching on the part of the English Government for some time to come. The local Land Office has been absolutely besieged during the present week by persons interested m the sale of land m the Waitaki district, and others having business of various kinds to transact at the office. A Btranger visiting the place during the week would have been amazed if he had been told that this was the .office which it had been proposed to abolish on the score of retrenchment, and he would have been able to form a, good idea of the immense public inconvenience which would have been caused by such a step. "We are glad, "however, to be able to say that the Government themselves have fully realised the inexpediency of the proposal, and have abandoned the intention of carrying it into effect. We have good reason to believe that the office is to be continued and the services of Mr Fussell are to be retained on the old footing. Not only is the convenience of the public thus consulted, but justice is done to a very deserving public officer. The Government deserve credit for frankly recognising the position when it was pointed out to them, instead of being led away by their zeal for retrenchment into economising, regardless of questions of justice and public convenience.

Tnß Rainfall. — The Yen. Archdeacon Harper has kindly furnished us with a statement showing that the rainfall for January was 2'79in., and for February Lectube. — Mr Federli will givo his free lecturo on sub-tropical plants m the Assembly Rooms thiß evening, and, should the weather be fine, there ought to be a large attendance. Saleyabds.— The Washdyke Saleyards Company open their now yards to-day, and for the convenience of those who intend going out an express will leave King's stables at noon for the Washdyke. Education Boabd. — From the returns of voting that were laid before tho Board of Education yesterday, it will be noticed that Messrs Talbot and Gray, and Dr Foster have been ro-elected. Tho other candidates wero Messrs Bruce and Postlethwaito. Sudden Death.— Mrs Gleeßon,the mother of the licensee of the Spur Hotel, Waitohi, dropped dead on Wodnesday. Dr Hayes was at once sent for, and on arrival found Mrs Gleeson to bo dead. An inquest will be held at tho Hotel at 9.30 o'clock this morning. Frozen Meat and the Ihish Question. — In a review of the frozen meat trade tho Anglo-Ne\r Zealander states that Mr Michael Davitt, the Irish Nationalist, is apprehensive that tho large cargoes of New Zealand mutton now arriving m London will render it impossible for the Irish glaziers to pay existing rents. The Scholaeship Examination. — Our readers will see that tho question of altering the date on which the annual scholarship examination commences .has been once more raised at tho Education Board meetings, and that it will be fully discussed at next Board mooting there is no reason to doubt, as the question is an educational one of great importance. £ Sea Bathing.-— A preliminary meeting of gentlomen interested m establishing sea baths hore was held yesterday afternoon at Messrs Jonas and .Bourn's rooms. Thero were present — Messrs Jonas, Broham, Mcc, Ziesler, Rutherfurd.Gook, Ohisholm, Bourn, -Warren, Drs. Drew,; Hogg, -and ; Lovegrove. It was resolved, " That a company be formed for the purpose of establishing sea baths, with a capital of £1000 m£l shares." A sub-com-mittee was then , appointed to obtain particulars of cost, site,' etc.', 'and Mi? "Warren was appointed broker, and will receive appli- j cations for shares. Some 250 shares are said i to be already taken up. •■ , - • . " : '-Feobal' Societt.— A meeting of the Timaru Floral and Horticultural Society was held laafe evening,.at which .Messrs Langdon (Chairman), Morgan, H. Whittafcer, James vUahcr and. y ßqwleß, and; Mr Lough, Hon. j Secretary, w0r0 .. -present. It.- was resolved' that tho Autumn show bo held on Easter Monday,; April 6tl?. Tho - Secretary was instructed to. writo to Mr A. Perry (President of tho Society), and Mr J. Lewis, asking them ;to kindly allow as many of their valuablo plants as possible to bo exhibited at the show, and further that he invite tenders from the Bands for playing on Easter Monday. The Chairman suggested, and the Committee agreed to use their best endeavors to fifduee Jttsmaiiy exhibitors as possible to come forward and compete at .the show, so as to make it all the more successful. The meeting, after passing a, rote of < thanks to - tho Chairman, adjourned till the 13th inst. . ..Temuka , Town Boabd. — The usual monthly meeting of the Temuka Town Board was held on Wednesday evening lost. Presont— Messrs K. P. Gray (Chairman), E. Brown, Gv J. Mason and J. Blyth. The minutes of. th,e previous meeting were read and ; :confii'med; : The Secretary of the .Temuka JFire Brigade wrote,, asking .the Board to loan the Brigade £15 6s to enable them to pay for, the new hose reel, until the [ Brigade receired tho usual grant from the insurance companies. — Granted. The, Overseer's Veport having been read, was approved. It,\vas'decided to'have the Commerce street concrete, water, channels cleaned out, and that, "the attenti6u' of Messrs Storey 'and Windebank bo. called to the state of their crossings in' the sanjb street, stating that unless they clean 'them out the Board, will dp the work at their cost; Accounts to the amount of £41 lls 3d having been passed for payment, the Boar'tj adjourned. Resident Machstbate's Court, Timabu.—At this Court yesterday, before Joseph Beswiok, Esq., R.M,, ; Wm. MoKibbin, Timothy Geaneyy; James Strachan, Isaac L. Morris, Alexander Adams and Edward Acton pleaded^ , guilty to having m their possession light and unstamped weights and imperfect scales, aud were ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. James McAllister was fined Is and costs for a similar offence, the' scales and weights to be forfeited. William Gosling and John Gibson, for having each two unregistered dogs, and Timothy Brosnaham and William Armitage for one each, were fined, tho first two t 2Gs each and the lattorjlOs each. Robert Irwin, for allowing' a cow to wander at large, was: fined 5a and. costs 7s. Donald Ross was charged under the Police Offepcea Act with cruelty lo animals, to wit, a . dog and a calf, which he ,had tied up for two days without leaving [them food .or water. Defendant stated the animals had been fed, and on his application tho hearing of the case was adjourned till the Oth iutt.

Assessmbnt Court. — A sitting of the Assessment Court for the Borough of Timaru will be held at the Besident Magistrate's Court on the 13th inst. : . ' Pohticad Association. — Owiog .to the bad weather laßt evening, we were informed, the public meeting of the Timaru Political Keforin Association did not take place. That well-known and Popular Front Bar of the Bhip Hotel is now Selling Marshall and Copeland's Ales at 3d per Glass and 9d per Qnart. — [Adtt.] Tijiaru Harbor Board. — The next monthly meeting of this Board will be held on Friday, the 13th inst. It has been postponed for a day m consequence of the excursion to Christchurch. Bands op Hope Exhibition.— By an advertisement m our columns this morning the Hon. Sec. to the United Bands of Hope Exhibition notifies that all exhibits for competition at the Juvenile Exhibition, which is to be held at Timaru on the 6th prox., must bo sent m to him by tbe 25th inst. Sporting. — In another column will be found the result of tbe race for the Australian Cup, which took place at the Victoria Racing* Club's Autumn meeting yesterday. The winner has turned up m Ringwood, who ran a grand horse, and did the distance m the good time of 4min ljsec. Corondt, the winner of the Newmarket Handicap, on Saturday last, did not respond at the critical period • m the race, and finished very badly indeed, not even running into a place. Last year the Hon. J. White's eh c Morpeth won the Cup, carrying Bst 61b, and doing the distance m 4min 3Jsec, and m 1883 Mr E. de Mestre's colt Navigator with Bst 31b on him had rather an easy win, the record being 4min 2sec. Thb Excursion to Cheistchtjbch. — In our advertising columns this morning, m response to a numerously signed requisition, His Worship the Mayor proclaims Thursday noxt a public holiday, so as to enable Timaru folk to take advantage of the special train to Ohristehurch. It seems to be the general desire of the citizens that they should be afforded an opportunity of visiting Chrietchurch and Lyttelton, and we look forward to crowded trains. We would suggest that the Mayor of Waimate should be requested to follow suit to him of Timaru, so as to let South Canterbury have an united holiday for once. We notice that Messrs J. Mundelland Co. intend running special coaches on the occasion from Woodbury and Geraldine' to Orari. Mission Services. — Miss Arnold gave the ilrst of her mission services m the Baptist Church, Timaru, last evening, and considering the wretched weather that prevailed, there was a vory fnir attendance. Miss Arnold's subject was the domestic life of the Bengalese, which she illustrated by means of utensils used by the Bengalese, articles of dress, etc. The service was listened to most attentively throughout, and proved specially interesting, as during the course of it Miss Arnold sang some songs m the native tongue. This afternoon at three o'clock there will be a ladies' meeting, when Miss Arnold will give an account of her work among tho women of India. This evening there will be a meeting open to all, at which an account of the Hindoo religion, and especially of Miss Arnold's work among the Hindoos, will be given. Amendment Wanted. — A curious thing, and what to most people would appear an anomaly, was pointed out at the meeting of the Education Board yesterday. It was stated that tho Act lays down that a teacher leaving a school has to give the Board " one montlrs notice," but that the Board on dismissing a teacher has to give him " three months" notice." The Chairman said that the clause containing the words we have quoted required amendment, as m the first place it was almost an impossibility to fill a vacancy m a month, and hence the Board was put to great expense m paying a locum tenens a large salary for a time, and m the second place a teacher, on receiving notice of d'smißsal from the Board, I»as "apt to be careless m teaching during tho three months. In fact teachers were so, and he gave an instance where a school is suffering from this cause, so much so that it might as well be closed. ■ These romarks were made en passant, no action being taken m the matter. A Trip Horne — A gentleman m town received a letter by the last mail from a friond, who was resident for many years m the Geraldino district, from which we make some extracts. After stating that he arrived all safe, the writer proceeds ; — "I will now give you some of the particulars of the voyage. In the first place, we have well beaten all previous records, as we did from Lyttelton to Plymouth m 36 days 16 hours steaming time ; and m all my runs I never had a better passage. The accommodation and the rations were splendid, and taken all m all, could not bo beaten; — what with electric lights and electric bells, fruit for dessert of all kinds and iced creams, not forgetting the splendid mutton chops of a morning (some of the cooks were first-class), there was nothing left to be desired. The weather was very favorable, only one wet day the whole run, being met. with. Of' course rounding the Horn m summer time was not so cold as when I rounded it last yoar. One thing might be improved on the Ruapehu and her sister ships, viz., a blast fan be fitted up to create a draught of air, for whilst at the Bio and going over the line, the bath-room floor m the. second cabin was so hot some mornings that I could scarcely bear it with my bare feet, and I had to: drench it with water. The heat came up from tlie stokehole. Happily the extreme heat did not lost many days. The heat from the ' hole ' is nevertheless a luxury m cold . weather. . The stewards were very attentive, and I may say it is the first time that I have been able to get across without growling at them. Without decent obliging stewards there is no getting along comfortably at -sea. I went ashore at Bio, and found it fearfully hot to mo; to" go about with an umbrella is a necessity; yet m spite of the heat all the gents there wear the regulation bclltoppcr, and the laclies are really well dressed m the most expensive' materials. By • tho - bye, what a stupid manner . thoy have of rockoniiig the valuo of things at the Bio. I saw a very common tweed suit hanging -up m a .shop ticketed only 25,000 reis ; the same when t P; went to a cafo to get some tea, six of us had tea, nnd the bill was 1950 reis. When I saw it I thought we were going to be cleaned out, and that we should all be bankrupt, but after a lot of talk it took only 5s 6d to pay for the lot. Tho most noticeable thing m Bio is its peculiar smells. They are strong enough te lift you off the ground, and they beggar description. * * * The suburban residences are splendid and clean. -* *..*.. One of the best things I saw at Bio were tha magni« Scent mules ; they are used for pulling the tram cars, horses could not do the wort for the heat." ■ •/; ■ v . ' ■ Beware of injurious packages of stuff purr porting to make genuine Hop Bitters ; also preparations and fluids said to contain all the properties of Hop Bitters. They spring up on account of the great' popularity of the genuine, which is only put up m large square panel amber-colored bottles, with the! names "Dr. Soule," and " Hop Bittera " blown m the glass, and is the best family medicine ever made. Read.— [Adtt.] ; .;•.;■•■ j Hop Bittera are the Purest and Best Bitters ever made. Thoy are compounded from Hops, Malt, Buohu, Mandrake, and Dandelions —the oldest^ best, and most valuable medioihes m the* world and contain* all "tfierbest and most ourative properties of all othejr remedies, being the greatest Blood Pnrifier, Liver Regulator, and Life and Health Restoring Agent on T earth, '''■ No. disease or ill health can possibly long exist where these Bitters are used, so varied and perfect aro their operations. : They give new life and vigor to the aged , and infirm. To all whose ', employment -causa ,irregularity of the bowels or urinary organs, or who require an Appetizer, Tonio : ana mild Stimulant, Hop Bitters are invaluable, being highly ourative, tonic and stimulating, without intoxicating.: No matter what your feelings or symptoms are, what the disease or ailment is, use Hop Bitters. Don't wait until you are sick, but if you only feel bad or miserable, us.c Hop Bitters at once. It may saye 1 your life. Hundreds have been saved by so doing. .£SOO will be paid for a case they will not ouraor help. Do not suffer or lot your friends suffer, but use and urge them to use Hop Bitters. Boznember, Hop Bittera is no vile, drugged, drunkon nostrum, but the Purest and Best Medicine ever made; the "lnvalids's |?riend and Hope," and no person or family should be without them. Try the Bitters to-day. Get at Chemists or Druggists. — Adv. (3V The Bad and WqmhliESS are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family modioine, and it is positive proof that tbe remedy imitated is of tb« highest

value. As soon as it bad been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices which the ness and the- people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and m every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their staff nstead, expeoting to make money on " the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put np m similar style to H. 8., with variously devised names, m which the word " Hop " or " Hops " were used m a way to induce pooplo to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word " Hop " or " Hops " m their name, or m any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on a white label, and Dr. Soule's name blown m the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing m imitations or counterfeits.—LAdvt.] (1) SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart — Sell horses, harness, etc., to-morrow. R. Tumbull and Son- Hold a sale of produce and sundries to-morrow. Murray, Roberts and Co., Dunedin— Want a manager for the dive Orange estate, Hawke's Bay. Moody and Zicsler- Have several farms for sale. Hon. Sec. United Bands of Hops Exhibition—Notifies that entries must bo m by 25th inst. Judge, Assessment Court, Borough of Timaru— Notifies that a Court will be held on 13th inst. M nmlell and Co.— Will run coaches to meet excursion train. John Jackson, Mayor— Requisition and reply. Miss Arnold— Will deliver addresses m the Baptist Church this aftenioun and evening. W. Healey— Announces that ho has imported a few patent water-heaters. In bankruptcy — Re Ily. Hodgson. Funeral Notice — One. Impounded — One notice. . Wanted— Two notices.