Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOV. 24,1898. Fop a Little Time.

Manawatu Herald, 24 November 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, NOV. 24, 1898. Fop a Little Time.

The political sky appears clearing almost too quickly of clouds to be iblo to reckon on a calm of any duration. The political atmosphere resembles too much the weather we have lately been experiencing, gales, rain, storm and thunderstorms, an occassional fine day. The new? from Europe reads more like tht happy ending of a three volume novel. That arch- conspirator, L' Flung Chansr, hag been dismissed (for how long ?) by his own dear friend the Dowager-Empress, aod during his absence many thing* obliging, to Great Britain have been j granted. Just now we have not heard whab Russia has had to say about it. It is reported, and the report is likely to be tru\ that an understanding between Great Britain exists, and the German Emperor has been posing a3 the mo9fc con siderate of monarchs, as he avoided entering French waters so as not to alienate the sympathy of Great Bii tain ; he abandoned his Crip to Spain 50 as to avoid giving offence to the United States; and in conjunction with Austria he has been happy in advising Spain 4o accept the condi tions of peace. The trip to the Holy Land has had a very marked effect on the ruler of Germany. France also appears to be cooling down a bit with her neighbours, she still allows the newspapers to suggest no end of terrible things for the destruc tion of Great Britain, but that is to let the steam off, as she desires to come to some arrangement with Italy about the Raheita diffi culty. Turkey has become quite onffrd-up with conceit since the Emperor of Germany visited the Sultan, but the United States appears desirous of bringing the Sultan down from tha lofty height he hap soared to, and has threatened to mak a a naval demonstration in Turkish waters unless certain claims are -mti.cfipd. It is undoubtedly satis factory to find puch a good under* -standing having been arrived at with Germany as that will bring in Austria and Italy, and in speaking at Shanghai the other day Lord Charles Beresford advocated an alliance beween Great Britnio, United States, Germany, and Japan to maintain the integrity of China and establish :he "open door" policy. Thi9 sug gestion sepms practically accomplished, and should thus be the means of preventing war in every direction but that of France. We very much fear that that hot-bod of revolutions is the point from whicb the greatest danger is anticipated, so that the present calm may be but an pxcppfcional fine day in diplomatic circles.

. The Payne Family on Saturday night must be a memo for every one, as the evening should not be missed. The railway arrangements for the Fielding races are advertised. The next English and European Mail via Vancouver will close at the local office on Wednesday the 7th day of December at 3 p.m. A shelter shed is being erected on the Tennis Court by Mr John Collins,

A good many will remember Mr William Beaven who was a resident at Paiaka for some time. He was ad venturous enough to go to Klondike and his many friends will be glad to learn that he has struck it rich. He is one of " Telfer's Party " of eight, and they were offered £80,000 for their claim by a syndicate, but will not sell ! This sounds better than flax -dressing. Mr A. Hatrick has been returned unopposed for the Mayoralty of Wanganui for a second term. Great destruction has been wrought by bush fires in the Pambula district, New South Wales. The selectors fought the fire right up to the boundary of the town of Pambula. Many of the residents had to fly from their homes. An interesting case as affecting the right to recover gambling debts has been decided by Mr Kenny, S.M. One man sued another for £35 17s for money lent for the purpose of enabling the defendant to pay some gambling debts. It came out in the evidence that the money was lent during the progress of a game of poker, Mr Kenny said that money lent under circumstances of this case were not recoverable by law and gave judgment for the defendant, but ordered each party to pay his own costs. The new £1 notes of the Bank of New Zealand, which have just been put into circulation, says the "Post," are considerably larger than the old issue, and resemble t ßank of England notes. • Zealandia is represented by a figure standing near a. volcano, and the inevitable kiwis and sheep adorn the face of nature. In those days, when the hand of the Anarchist assasain is lifted against sovereigns and statesmen, it is gratifying to know that Lord Salisbury has a powertul lifeguard ever at his side. There is at Hatfield a cherished breed of faithful hounds of immense strength and bulldog tenacity. One of these is the Premier's close friend, and accompanies him in his walks about Hatfield. So faithful a guardian is he that Lord Salisbury, with a touch of his characteristic playful irony, has called him " Pharaoh " — because he will not let the people go. Captain Dreyfus is allowed to take walks daily. The "Mail" says, Mr Field has definitely decided to again contest the Otaki seat at the next election as a Government supporter. It is the intention of the Postal Department in future to insert a con- , dition in tenders of all inland mail services,- that successful tenderers should take over at valuation the working plant and horses of the outgoing contractor. A conference of Bishops has been held to consider the question of ritualism in the Church of England. It was unanimously resolved to refuse to institute clergymen to benefices unless they gave a pledge to keep ritualism 1 within defined bounds. General Kitchener, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, is at present on a three days' visit to the Queen. The Galician newspapers report the existence of a widespread Socialist and Nihilist conspiracy amongst the students ot the Universities of Warsaw, Wilna, Kieff and Moscow. Some 500 students have been arrested, of whom 80 have been sent to Siberia, 80 awarded minor punishments, and 200 expelled from their Universities. The Austrian press welcomes the rapprochement with Great Britain. Lord Charles Beresford, speaking at Shanghai, advocated an alliance between Great Britain, America, Germany and Japan in order to maintain the integrity of China and establish the " open door " policy. Lord Hampden has resigned the Governorship of New South Wales on private grounds. He will probably leave the colony about March next. .In Charleston, - U.S.A., chimneysweeps still clamber up the chimney in the old-fashioned way. They are invariably negroes. A new American patent for fastening kid gloves has already yielded a fortune of many thousands of pounds for its fortunate owners. The Anti-Semite Paris newspapers are filled with execrations against the members of the Court of Cassation for the steps taken towards the revision of the Dreyfus case. They also use the foulest language in their attacks on members of the Government, who make no. attempt to protect themselves from insult. Alfred Archer, who was lately sentenced to death for the murder of his mate, William Matthews, at Strathmerton, 145 miles north-west of Mel- ( bourne, has made a full confession of his guilt. • ■ Mr G. H. Swan has been elected Mayor of Napier unopposed for the fourteenth year in succession. A man named Leach recently made a trip, through the Niagara Rapids, where Capt. Webb lost his life. Leach travelled in a specially-constructed steel barrel, and was little the worse for his adventure. Unless Turkey satisfies the American claims with regard to the destruction of American missions in Armenia, America threatens to make a naval demonstration in Turkish waters. The polo season will be opened on Saturday when a game will be played with the Horowhenua club. Play will start about 2.30. A special train was run on Tues day with the Inspecting Engineer on board, who was making his annual visit. Yesterday another special train came in from Palmerston with timber for the Whangaroa. We have to acknowledge receipt from the Agricultural Department of the Reports of the division of Biology and Pomology. The altered advertisement referring to Mr Joe Tos' new cards appears today.