PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2661, 31 March 1885, Page 3

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

AFFAIRS IN" AFGHANISTAN". THREATENED WAR WITH RUSSIA. EXCITEMENT IN WELLINGTON. MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY. THE QUESTION OF SAFETY OF BANK BULLION. [special to ktjmaka times.] Wellington, March 30. Owing to the determination, as stated by Earl G anville, that the British Government would not flinch from the position taken up, there is great excitement here. The Governor has postponed his visit to Christchurch, and the Executive Council are now sitting, and will decide as to the defence of the colony. It is rumoured, and on good authority, that Government, in addition (o the erection of forts at Dunediu, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Auckland, and treating for the charter of one or two well-armed cruisers, under the Militia Act, 1870, a proclamation calling out the First Class Militia is to issue, and rolls containing the names of all men from 17 to 30 years of age are to be compiled. The Agent-General has had instructions to forward more supplies of modern rifles. There are some already on the way out. The Banks are thinking of shifting the bullion held in the colony to Australia. This would be a breach of the Banking Act, and could not be done without the sanction of Parliament. The Cabinet will have to decide either to consent to this and get indemnified, or call Parliament to D ether. If Parliament has to decide, the probabilities are that it woald; piefer the bullion going to Kumava or some pla -3 in the West Coast.of the; Middle Island, as being much safer" than any place in Victoria or New South Wales. The Hinemoa leaves with the Volunteers for Nelson on Thursday next. The Minister of Defence inspected the Wellington Navals when at Chiistchurch parade yesterday; being a freethinker, conscientious scruples did not trouble him. They acquitted theruselves creditably, passed muster, and are warranted to be more than a match for three times their number of Russian invaders. Commissions in the Volunteers and Militia have been decided. Commissions of the Peace have to be, however, accepted. A large batch will will be gazetted in Thursday's Gazette, two or three for the West Coast. March 31. There is no later news from England regarding its position with Russia. IMnedia and Christchurch have ap-

plied for special aid for defence purposes. Government decline to go further than protecting the ports. Instructions have been given to the engineer in charge of the protective works to use every expedition, if necessary, for men to work night and day. The command of the Volunteers throughout the colony will be given to Major Cautly. The militia rolls are in course of preparation, and should war be proclaimed, the Executive have positively decided to at once call out the Ist Class Militia. ♦ [united press assooiation.l Wellington, March 30. The following gentlemen have been called to Tie Legislative Council: — Captain Mori is, Tauranga. Joseph Shephard, Waimea, Nelson. S. E. Shriinski, Oaimwu. Robert Pharazyn, Wanganui. Launcelot Walker, Canterbury. J. Bathgate, Otago. W. Swanson, Auckland. H. H. Taiaroa, Aucklaud. Government are making all preparations in their power to place the ports under protection. The surroundings to the harbors are being surveyed, and immediately this has been done steps will at once be taken to place the heavy guns in position. The Government have made applications to the authorities in charge of the Australian squadron for a man-of-war to be stationed in New Zealand waters. A meeting of all the Imperial army and navy officers and members of Government was held to-day to discuss the question of defence. Hia Excellency the Governor presided, and among those present were Major Eccles, Major Cautley, Colonel Reader, Commander Edwin, R.N., Commander Hewitt, R.N., Commander Home, R.N. The result was not made known. The Hon. Native Minister has received from Tamahana, a kingite chief, and son of the well-known Thompson, a telegram offering to send 200 of the kingites to the Soudan. The Hon. Defence Minister does not consider there is a probability of. war breaking out. The firm stand taken by the English Government will, he thinks, deter the Russians from crossing the frontier. The Government, however, are taking all measures in their power to have a proper defence, and it is piobable that should war be declared the Ist Class Miliiia will be called out. Telegrams received by the Native Minister respecting the native craze in the North states that the natives are now quietly dispersing to their homes, and ihat by Thursday next the whole of the alien tribes will have left.