The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2356, 20 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1870.

The English mail via San Francisco brings news of the beginning of the end of the war. This is always a difficulty. The terms and conditions of peace always differ very materially from the professed purpose and object of ai war, and not unfrequently lead to other complications not contemplated by the belligerents. One feature is, however, very evident, that the antagonism between monarchs and peoples is again brought prominently into the foreground. Wo are so imperfectly informed as to the grounds of the disfavor manifested towards Her Majesty,

that we can offer no opinion on the subject. We do not anticipate any very serious results from it so far as England is concerned. There is always a seditious element in every State, ready to rise to the top when the public mind is stirred, and to shew its unreasoning front. Foul-mouthed, viper-tongued, g:ievancc-charged, no reputation, however pure, is safe no ruler, however wise and honorable, is left unassailed. Every English monarch for centuries back has had to endure ribaldry, or even attempted assassination, from these dregs ol society, whenever some freak seized the popular mind. The grievance this time, as in the French Revolution, appears to be that there is n sympathy between crowned heads that bands them together, irrespective of the peoples’ will. King William of Prussia will not treat with nor acknowledge the French Republic. He looks upon Napoleon, though a prisoner, monarch of France. It does not appear that England refuses to recognise the Republic in France. The United States accepts it; but the popular impression in England evidently is that the councils of the Government are adverse to it. Sir George Grey, whose political knowledge entitles his words to respect, is said to have expressed the opinion that all Europe will be involved in the war before this time. There is, no doubt, a risk of this —but to what end is by no means clear. There is a possibility, in the present aspect of affairs, that as Prussia is victorious, and will not recognise the Republic so to treat with it for peace, one of the conditions of peace may be that Napoleon shall re-occupy the throne, so that monarchy may be re-established, /n such a case we should see the absurd spectacle of a Buonaparte re-seated on his throne and maintained there by the very bayonets he led his army to oppose. If such an absurd arrangement be possible, it will be dangerous to the independence of surrounding nations, for France and Prussia would be banded together, and would at once be opposed by the other powers of Europe. It would be a repetition of the farce of restoring the Bourbon dynasty ; it would be intolerable to the French, and dangerous to the peace of the Continent and the world. Tet what else can be meant by the Prussian Government refusing to treat with any other representatives of France than “ the officials of Napoleon” 1 As we anticipated, Rome is occupied by .theltalians, and the burlesque of an election by the people as to whether or not the Papal States shall be annexed to the kingdom is to be gone through. No one can doubt the result. The people, freed from the sight of French bayonets, will not hesitate to accept the invitation to do what fear alone has prevented their doing long since, and we may safely conclude that the temporal power of the Pope is gone. The commercial news is what might have been expected. Prices are low, because people liable to have their brains scattered by shot and shells, or their property destroyed, think more about their grave-clothes, than about providing furniture and wearing-ap-parel ; but Continental idleness is looked upon as England’s gain, and it appears that large firms are looking to active industry at Home through the cessation of Prussian and French competition.

A Tramway.—We (Bruce Herald) are led to believe, from a reliable source, that there is every probability of a tramway being shortly constructed between Invercargill and the Matanra. The New Zealand Land Company, we are informed, are prepared to contribute largely towards the expense. The Government is believed to be favorable t' the project, and ready to subsidise local efforts. No doubt the matter will be dealt with daring t : .e speci d session next month, and nothing could more tend to unite the interests" of the now re-united provinces.

Provincial Scholarships. Three scholarships arc offered for com ctition this year ; two for the pupils of the grammar and district schools; and one for High school pupils. No full scholarship will be awarded unless 75 per cent, of the total number of marks be obtained ; and already intimation is given that this standard will he raise;! to 80 per cent, at the beginning of 187*2. Competitors from grammar and district schools, obtaining GO per cent, and upwards of the marks, wall be entitled to the following advantage :—GO to Go per cent., free education for two years ; Go to 70 per cent., for three years ; 70 to 75 per cent., for four years ; and 75 to SO per cent., for five years. 1 hose of the successful competitors who rrsidc in Dunedin must attend the High School; those resident in the country have the option of going to the nearest grammar or district school.

General Troche. —The man we arc now to look upon, of the French generals, for strateg c genius is General Troohu, the greatest soldier in France, and about 55 years of age. After graduating at St Cyr, in 1810, he successfully advanced in the army until 1846,- when he served under Bugcaud, in Algeria. During the Crimean war his genius and experience were entirely relied upon by Lord Raglan and the French Marshalls, and to him, more than any other, is due the credit of the campaign which culminated in the capture of Sebastopol. In 1864 he was created a General of Division, and was charged with the entire reorganisation of the French army upon a new system of tactics, subsequently published under the title V Armce Francal.se. He Ins long anticipated the present rupture, having been for the past five years on the most confidential terms with the Emperor, and during that time has made a close study of tho Rhenish provinces. No man alive is more thoroughly acquainted with their characteristics as a theatre of war, not even Von Moltkc, of whom General Trochu promises to be a brilliant rival.

• Acclimitisation Society. —At the weekly meeting of tho Council of the Society this afternoon, there were present Messrs Murison (in the chair), Eccles, Carrick, Thomson, and Captain Boyd. Amongst the correspondence read, was a letter from the Secretary ef the Auckland Society, enquiring when this Society would be in a jiosition to supply trout ova; and a communication from the Secretary of the Southland Society, who wrote tlrtit his Society would first like to ascertain the quality of salmon from Van Couver’s Island, before joining in the cost of a shipment of ova, and stated that the Southland Society intended forwarding a supply of 100 trout to Queenstown. It was resolved to contribute a portion of the expense of the shipment. The Manager wrote, tendering his resignation, as follows:—“ Gentlemen', — Independent of the subject of the reduction in the amount paid for wages, I am so disheartened by the little encouragement I have received from you of late, more particularly after having hatched out the ova brought from Tasmania without the loss a single fish, and numbering 1227, and after which unprecedented success, not the slightest compliment has been paid me by the mention of the afo r csaid fact. I therefore most reluctantly beg to tender my resignation as manager of the Society. I also beg ±0 state that 1 shall be happy to give every information ami instruction in my power to whoever you may appo nt as my successor ; and will, if you desire it, remain till such time as a suitable person is found to till my plac-.” A very dsultory, and at times personal discussion ensued, but ultimately the consideration of the letter was deferred.

The Needle Gun. —The wonderful success of the Prussian army achieved by means of the needle-gun, has no doubt excited curiosity concerning this effective weapon. We have had the privilege of inspecting one now in the possession of Mr Hyman, at the Pier Hotel. It is beautifully made, rather short in the barrel, and highly polished. The gun only weighs and as the barrel is very strong, of necessity the bore is small —calculated only to discharge a very small ball. There are several spiral grooves in the barrel, so that the gyratory motion requisite to carry the ball true to its mark is ensured. But the chief advantage is in the breech-loading apparatus, which is simple, and not liable to get out of order. The opening for the insertion of the cartridge is made by turning a portion of the barrel half round and sliding it back. Tuis is done by means of a short strong lever, which is returned to its place after the insertion of the cartridge and cap, and the lever then rests against" a strong shoulder on the right-hand side of the breech, which effectually prevents its recoil during the discharge of the piece. The cap is of the same diameter as the bore, to ensure bring pierced by the needle, which is in reality a piston forced forward by a spring liberated by the trigger. The cap is tilled with ordinary detonating powder, and as the needle is impelled with great force, ignition is certain. The sighting of the piece for different ranges is admirable, and can he regulated by a small screw. We understand that in practised hands the gun can be loaded and fired thirty times in a minute. From the ease with which it can be cleaned, we are not surprised at the favor with which this arm is regarded by the Prussians. The Volunteers. —The Volunteers of Otago ought to feel much obliged _ to the Wellington Independent for its flattering notice of them. There is, however, just a spice of “ tall writing ” in the following extract “ It is gratifying to know that the Colony of New Zealand can boast of at least one district of Volunteers who, for ardor and efficiency will compare with any district of Volunteers in the world. It is important to notice that the Volunteer movement with us has been most successful exactly where its importance has been most fully recognised by the local authorities and the public, and where the work of colonisation has been carried on with the most earnest and patriotic spirit. There the Volunteer is honored for his devotion to duty, and finds a generous public appreciation of his readiness to surrender so much of bis time, his labor, and

his money. Ladies of the highest rank present the companies v ith colors, the Provincial Council moves a vote of thanks to them ; from the steps of the Parliament House, and in full Speaker's costume, Mr Speakct presents it, and the Superintendent takes the occasion to remind them that they are to guard the honor of their beloved Province in the coming interprovincial match. In their camping out for ten days at a time, ministers of the Gospel preach to the vast crowds assembled around them in the tented Held, ami o ■ ciate from time to time as chaplains over the graves of their comrades. Their annual balls arc vast social re-unions of all classes of society not afraid to lose caste by intermingling in so patriotic a cause. Their champions are the heroes of the day, and the names of their most distinguished shots arc ‘ familiar in their mouths as household words.’ Some may affect to smile at th : s general enthusiasm, but we hesitate not to say that it is infinitely to be preferred to th.e cold-hearted support tlio movement has received in our Province. What but this has raised the corps to their proud pre eminence above all other Volunteers in the Colony? What hut this has incited them to persevere in their practice till their shooting as a district is beyond anything recorded, not only in the Colony, but in the world.”

The North. —We make the following extracts from our files, per Taranaki: — (.’clone! Brett intends to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of the Selwyn District in the General Assembly at the jorthcoming election. The Hon. John Hall is canvassing the Heathcote District, and he has declared his intention to contest the seat against all comers.— The hospital management of Chris!church is still causing much discussion, and letters innumerable on the subject help to fill the columns of the local papers.—'The Canterbury Provincial Council is still sitting, hut up to the present time nothing of any general public interest has been brought forward.—Much excitement has hern caused in Wanganui by the charge of felony preferred against Mr If, B. Roberts, a well-known solicitor of that town, by a man named Charles Staffan. Tiic charge arose out of a case of cattle-branding; the accused was charged with having feloniously branded iv certain beast, that beast not belonging to him. The evidence was very voluminous, but of no general interest, and the case dismissed. —Mr H. J. Elliot, second clerk in tho Colonial Secretary’s office, has been appointed chief clerk iu the new Public Works department. —Mr Richmond in tho Taranaki Provincial Council tho other day referring to tho question then before the Council of allowing contain terms ; to Titoko Warn, moved—- “ That in the opinion of this Council, it is urgently necessary in order to prevent tho renewal of hostilities on the West Coast, that the country should at once decide as to the terms to be offered to Titoko Warn, and that the continuance of the present condition of affairs, under which, although a proclaimed rebel, he is allowed to march through settlements of Europeans and disarmed natives with an armed body of supporters, is fraught with danger to the peace of this part of New Zealand ; and that a committee be requested to draw up a memorial setting forth tho danger of leaving the manner in which Titoko Warn is to be dealt with undecided.” The mover, after describing the circumstances of Titoko Waru’s recent passage through the Opunake, pointed out that there may he said to be three ways of dealing with the matte-: the first being to commence fighting again for the purpose of capturing and punishing Titoko Warn ; the second to leave things drift on without doing anything ; and the third to make some sort of peaceable arrangement with him. The first was practically outojf the question. No one seriously would propose it, all things considered, and the Colony certainly would not agree to it. The second course lie he ieved to be exceedingly dangerous, as Titoko Warn, although he had only a small force at his disposal, was quite powerful enough to upset all peaceful operations now going on on the West Coast, and would very probably do so if his offers were disregarded. He therefore thought it of urgent imp rtancc that the reasonable terms should be allowed to him at once. He thought the vote of the Council would have considerable weight', although very likely the Government would not have any great respect for the views of individual members. But if through inaction evil were to arise, such a memorial as he had proposed would be a very awkward document to have on record. The motion was passed, Taranaki Herald.