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Wairarapa Standard, Volume 11, Issue 1270, 1 February 1881, Page 2

A telegram dated January 27th says;— Telegrams are to hand from Natal, stating that news has been received from the Transvaal that a successful sortie has been made by the British troops from Pretoria; The Boers’ laager was captured, and a heavy loss was inflicted on them in killed and wounded. News also received in Natal from the Gover-nor,‘Brigadier-General Sir George Colley, who had reached the Ingogo from Newcastle, states that owing to heavy rains the rivers an swollen, ancl'the advance of his force for a time prevented.

The Hon Mr Oliver, and Major Atkinson arrived from Dunedin at Invercargill shortly before 10 on Thursday evening, having been delayed ' en route by inspection, of the rival routes -for the Edendale-Portrose Eailway. They were met at tii.o Railway Station by a large crowd, part of whom cheered, while others signified their disapprobation, especially of Mr Oliver, by hooting him there, and following the Ministerial party 1 to the Club Hotel, hooting, groaning, pnd hissing vigorously. The outbreak of the Pohdomise and other South African tribes is reported as likely to be speedily quelled. The N.Z. Times says the total reduction in the Property Tax .assessment' made by the Board of Eeviewers' for Wellington City and Hutt County was within a trifle of £25,000. The reduction made in Christchurch was £3458, and in Sydenham £2510. This means about £lO4 less revenue than would have been received had the valuation remained unaltered.

The Cricket Match between the Australian Eleven and the Christchurch Fifteen commenced on Saturday. Christchurch went to the wickets and ,wero disposed of for 90. Canterbury took the field at Ip.m., and when the stumps were drawn the Eleven had scored 95 with the loss of 3 wickets. ‘ About 6000 people were on the ground.

There is a lonian lecturing in Wellington on spiritualistic and herterodox matters. She has a good command of language and some power of ridicule. Her lectures are considered instructive by some people, blasphemous by others. She had some pains to obtain a place to lecture in on Sunday evening but obtained after some trouble the Theatre in Tory-street. She had not a large but an applauding audience. The subject of her lecture was “ The woman tempted me and I did eat.” .For those curious in these matters we may state that she has chosen “The Devil” for her next Sunday’s theme. It is currently stated in Russia and other political circles that in view of the success of General Skobeloff’s expedition against the Tekke Turcomans, and the retreat of the latter from Geok Teps, the Russian Government is now averse to continuing the campaign, and that further hostilities will not be proceeded with.

The butter carried by the steamer Protos to London realised one shilling per pound, the total return showing a large profit. From the fresh meat, after payment ot all charges, there is a profit of fully £IOOO. This is remarkably good news for the Colony, the importance of which cannot be overestimated.

It is announced that the British Government is in accord with the other Powers in regard to the action' to be pursued for the settlement of.the Turko-Grook difficulty, and has agreed’-to the proposed Conference at Constantinople. At the same time it is known that the Powers 'have been informed that England still belieyes the compromise decided on by the Berlin; .Treaty to be yet binding on Turkey. The Christchurch- Globe has an artio'e ’oh the night side bfnhtnrb,'in which it says : 11 On the northern- side of Gloueester-street such nameless acts of indecency are nightly carried en as to render’ this’side also quite impassable for any decent female. Now, we ask anyone whether snoh a' state of- things should be permitted, to exist in any part of the colony. Wo foel sure of this, that if such a plague-spot were known to be either in Auckland, Wellington, or Dunedin, no time would be lest in cutting it away,. But in Christchurch it is not only allowed to remain under the very eyes of the police authorities, but, as it were, with their concurrence, because they, in common with other portions of the public, have to suffer from it.” What makes this scandal more revolting is the High Church Charaoter’of Christchurch. Its very streets are named after English and Irish Episcopal sees. It brings to mind ■ the old saying “ Themearer to Church the further from God.” ’ ’ : j

What appears 7017 like a case of suicide occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning. It appears that-: Mr William Welch, of the Taitai, an old settler was staying with his brother on the Cpaki, above Mastertbn. He left his brothers house on Friday evening, and went to the men’s whare, and on arriving lit a candle with the apparent intention of going to bed, but a Mr Roberts, who occupies the whare, on waking up, saw the caudle still burning, and went to see the cause, but found Welch missing, nor had the bed been occupied. Roberts looked about outside, but thinking no harm had happened to him, a proper search was not made until Sunday morning, when they found Welch a few hundred yards from the whare income .rushes with a knife in his hand and bis jugular vein cut through.

We are requested to draw special attention of buyers and sellers cf stock to F. 11. Wood & Co’s cattle sale which takes place at the .Eising Bun Yards oiT'i’hursday next at 2 p.m.

"We hear that Mr Ivess intends starting another paper in Wellington. A man named Sofski, whilst riding on Sundaymet with a nasty accident. Cantering along the road to Waihenga his horse suddenly fell, coming on top of his rider breaking his ancle, and otherwise hurting him; It is stated in Wellington that Mr Gimino of the Central is in treaty for the Marquis at Carterton. ’

The Lyttelton Times hears on good authority that Mr Eichardson will not take office as Public Works Minister even if Mr Olivet is got ridol. Captain Bussell is pointed out as being eligible for the control ol the lands if ft JHawkes Bay man is wanted. In the House of Commons Thursday evening. the debate ou the second reading of tUe Irish Coercion Bill, giving the Viceroy power, until October 18b2, to arrest and detain all persons guilty or suspected of treasonable •conduct, and to limit the sale and possession of arms, was commenced. Several members spoke during the evening, but the chief speaker was the Eight Hon John Bright, the. President of the Board of Trade, who addressed the House in strong terms of the justification of the action of the Government in proposing coercive measures for the repression of the prevailing disorder in ' Ireland, The debate was resumed ..on Friday when Mr Gladstone made alengthy speech inthe course of which he reminded the House that the increase of agrarian outrage and the Land League had progressed together and were Strongly connected. 1 The coercive measures which the Government proposed to adopt aimed solely at the punishment of evil doers and a bettors, in the agitation. ‘The debate was again further adjourned. , . There was a banquet given to the Hon. Major Atkinson and Oliver on Friday night at Invercargill which was attended by 35 Ministerial supporters. The Major presided avowedly in a neutral capacity. Major Atkinson pleaded the urgency of retrenchment, and advocated true patriotism, instead of mere popularity hunting, He denied the accusation .that the position of the colony had been depicted by him in too dark colors, and expressed his confidence in the recovery of the colony and its renewed prosperity if there was a due exercise of thrift. Mr Oliver claimed indulgence on the score of the difficulties he had encountered in reorganising the railway service. He denied that he had purposely disestablished the Southland workshops for the benefit of Dunedin, and said he had only given effect to the recommendations, of Mr Maxwell, who found four men pottering away at a one-man’s job. Tho rest of the speeches had no special significance. One or two tried to introduce local grievances,. but were put down by the more sensible banqnetters. F. H. Wood & Co., held a very successful sale on Saturday last, when they disposed of a quantity of general merchandise, furniture &o, A quarter acre section of land in Carterton which realised £175, a surburban section of 60 acres partly bush and partly laid down in grass at Manriceville was knocked down to Mr James Hansen at £l5O. Some other town sections in Carterton were offered but withdrawn not realising the reserve prices fixed by the sellers.

The privileges of the Wairarapa Jockey Club Races were sold by public auction at P. H. Wood & Co.’s auction rooms on Saturday by Mr J. M. Girdlestone. ' There was "a large attendance and the bidding spirited. The No. I Pablioan’s booth was the-first snbmitted;and realised £36, Mr Hr, Laughlan being the purchaser; No. 2 Publican’s Booth was purchased by Mr G-. Jones at £35, the competition up to £3O being keen; Grand Stand Bar and Eefreshment Booth were bought by Mr Faber for £l3 10s; No 1. Eefreshment Booth was bought by Mr D. Barratt,- forvfilg; No. 2 Eefreshment Booth, Mr J. Olayson, £lO 10s ; Gates, Mr G. Coker, £181; Race Books, Mr A. L. Webster, £2l; Horse Yards, Mr T. W. Braggins, £8; exclusive right of nil games, Quick & Smart, £l4; Fruit Stall, Sofski, £3; Outside Fruit Stall, Mr J. Jones, £5. News has been received from the Transvaal that the rivers having fallen, th.e force under General Colley has been able to continue its advance in the Transvaal. The bodies of Boers which were sighted a few days ago were again seen ahead of the line of march, and were apparently preparing to oppose the advance of the colonial troops. Sir George Colley at once ordered the artillery to open fire, and the infantry followed up to attack, but the enemy declined an engagement, and retired in haste. This telegram was fipm Capetown and dated the 28th of January. Later on the same day the following message was despatched. Telegrams from official sources have been received this evening from Natal, announcing a serious British defeat in the Transyaal. The information to hand states, that Sir George Colley made an attack in force, on the Boer position at Langaaok. Heavy fighting ensued, but the enemy offered a strong defence, and finally inflicted a severe repulse; on the colonial force, which was compelled to retire with heavy loss in killed and wounded. Sir George has now decided to await the expected reinforcements from England and India before resuming offensive measures against the Boers. On the: day following the following details were given. Further pews to hand from the Transvaal states that in the defeat atLangsaok Sir George Colley’s force lost 190 rank and file killed, and five officers killed and three wounded.

There was an alarm of fire in Masterton on Sunday morning, when flames were seen- to be issuing from the kitchen roof of the Club Hotel. It was, says our contemporary, the result of, a badly-built chimney—but in a short time the danger was over. The Fire Brigade was in prompt attendance. The damage was slight. -

The practice of buying and selling wives still continues in sol .0 parts of England. In a recent assault case heard at Barnsley (Yorkshire) one witness swore to having bought ,his wife for ninepence. Another witness, a woman, swore that her husband had sold her to another man for half-a-orown. To corroborate her testimony, she handed To the Bench a lengthy document, signed by three witnesses, on a penny receipt stamp, whiohstaied that Charles Clarke, her husband, agreed to sell her to Peter Scott,; of Sheffield, for 2s 6d, from the-first day .of February, 1878, from .which time until death he would'not annoy her, ’ ■ -: , ■ ■

The Daily says- the arrangements for bringing His Excellency into "Masterton, are as follows: Mr James Macara- will drive the Viceregal party through the.bush in baggies, on Thursday next, He is instructed to arrive ot Masterton at 3,30 p.m., and a special train is ordered for 4 p.m.

The Otago Daily Times denies the rumor of Mr Oliver’s intention of leaving office and the Times should know, for Mr Oliver is one of the proprietors of-our Southern contemporary, . ‘ ‘ r ‘, ■