The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 218, 20 September 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1870.

Tbb present state of European affairs, if it do not involre us in the disasters of invasion from the enemies of England, ■hould serre to show in the most forcible manner, our anomalous and dangerous position. As a portion of the British Empire, the Queen's enemies are our enemies; and however disinterested we m ly be as to the success of the French or Prussian armies, or indifferent as to the balance of power in Europe, we are b<>und hand a-.d foot, incapable aiikV o; retaining our neutrality, or making independent effuris for the protection of our territories. All the dependencies of En^and aro exposed to the chances of the European conflict; but it is not too much to say that not one Of all is so utterly helpless as New Zealand. Exposed on every side to hostile cruisers, every portion in comparative proximity to the seibo.ml, tMs country is at the msrey of any aq.nicii-.n sai'ing

round the coasts. Victoria, with her single point of attack and defence, and with her wealth and thoroughly efficient volunteer force, and comparative pre paredness for repelling attack, and no native conflagration smouldering, is in a state of great excitement, and in ihe earnest discussion oi every meaii3 of avoiding or repelling hostile attack. It has been'proposed that independent action should be taken, to show the determination of the people to observe a strict neutrality in any complication by which England may be involved and to "call upon England and the European and American powers to recognise and respect this position of neutrality." The proposal, however impossible, serves to show the consequences of having so long deferred the question of the formation of friendly relations and alliances with the great powers of the world, as a guarantee of neutrality and safety in time of general war. As a portion of the Empire, such a course could ncver^l be taken. Neither would England permit it, nor would the possible future enemies of England, by treaty or guarantee, ignore this point of weakness in the British Empire, and relieve England from the responsibilities of the defence of her colonies, or the humiliation of losing them ia time of war. But when England made overtures towards relieving the colonies of the responsibility of Imperial connection, and herself of ileir exposure in her wars, that was the time to have foreseen and provided for this day of danger. It is difficult to know what should be done in the chances of impending war. Local defences may be raised against irregular cruisers, tvho might make descent upon our coasts, and in their action show themselves exempt from the rules of honorable war. But as to New Zealand puiting herself in an attitude of defence against a navy, we may as well repose ;*ur faith on the mythical " last ship, last penny, and last man" of mglanJ. We would mourn over the threat'ned independence of the colonies ; we m«y now well weep over the evils of our dependence. We may yet hope that Knglish statesmen will save us iv spite of ourselves, and, knowing the impossibility of defending the colonies, compel them to accept oi' independence, while separation may avail for their safety.

At the Prince of Wales Theatre last night Miss Rose Evans made her debut before the people of Auckland as heroine in " Lady Audley's Secret," and with great success. The after-piece wa3 " The Spectre Bridegroom." The same programme will be repeated to-night.

We call the attention of the City BoarJ, and certainly not without occasion, to the rough state of the pathway leading from the corner of Princes-street to the Supreme Court. The footpath in question has been lately renovated, and a layer of boulders (we can call it nothing else) has been laid dawn, making ittotally impossible for those who have any regard for their shoe leather to walk upon it. Wo feel that we have only to firing this complaint before the enegetic chairman of the Board, as the grievance could be easily remedied, either by a slight coat hue of loam, or the applicati jn of a roller.

The s s. Go-Ahead will leave for the Bay of Islands t'-"; .row afternoon at Z p.m., and not this .ay p.* previously advertise 1.

Fi-oia the Otago Times we learn thntpleuropneumonia in a malignant form is re-appear-ing in the district of Moeraki. On one farm a beast lately died, and upon being opened, showed unmistakable evidence of the disease. There are upon the same properly five more infected animals, and several cases in other parts of the district are also spoken of.

The Dunedin Star of the Ist mentions the following singular case of suicide: —By the escort last night, news reached us that a waggoner, named William Colgan, hanged himself yesterday morning at Morrisson's Hill, near Mount Ida. Hehad left Dunediu on the 18th ult., with a load of goods from Wliittingham Bros., and having reached the hill, he got stuck on the roads. He asked the assistance of a fellew waggoner, which was refused ; and it is supposed that in despair lie hanged- himself to the roof of his waggon.

The many New Zealand friends of Colonri Sir Thomes Gore Browne will be pleased to learn that he has just been appointed to ad. minister the Government of Bermuda. As his Excellency only requires a few months to complete the term of service to entitle him to a retiring pension, it is supposed that this appointment has been conferred upon him for that purpose.— Evening Post.

The English news via California was received in Wellington on the 15th instant, and published in an extra issued by the Evening Poet. The same journal of the 16th says:— "The news is of an exceedingly important character, and it is admirably summarised, every sentence being pregnant with interest and perfectly intelligible. The telegram was compiled in San Francisco for the New Zealand Preis Telegraph Agency, and we must express our satisfaction at its contents and at the rapid manner in which the Nelson agent fawarded it. Asa proof of the benefits of co-operation nnd combination in matters o' ihis kinrl, we may mention that in every in--tince the agency's mail telegram has been the first presented at the Telegraph Office."

The letters of " Institute" and " Real Mechanic" cume too late to hand : they will appear to-morrow. That from " Cirility" is too personal and severe for insertion in our columns.

A meeting of the members of No. 3 Company Auckland "Rifle Tola;.U>v\ .« n ill bu held lii.3 (veiling, for the chdiun I'iim pi: h'u.

The City Board held its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon The subjects befoi-e the consideration of th« Commissioners embraced various matters relative to the improvement of the streets ; a petition regarding the widening of Upper Queen-street lapsed ; Tariou3 notices of motion were tabled ; a resolution carried respecting the repair of the fireengine ; the lighting of Custom house-street ; and the appointment of Inspector of Buildings. The subjects of the removal of fallen earth in Upper Queen-street, and the watercarts, were referred to the streets' committee. The report of the Foreman of Works was received, and various other matters considered.

Calls hare been made in the Ballarat St:.i-, El Dorado, and Pukehinau Gold Mining Companies.—Mr. S. C. Stoveii has ceased to ■be manager of the New Zealand Quartz Crushing and Gold Mining Company.—A dividend of £1 10s. per share will be payable in the Long Drive Gold Mining Company at noon to-morrow.

Meetings of creditors are advertised to be held in the estates of Christopher David Berry and David Clarkson.—Alexander Watson and James Skene give notice of their intention to apply to pass their last examination. —James Clarke has filed a deed for the benefit of his creditors. — Mr. Mowbray's appointment as trustee in James Skene's estate has been confirmed.