Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1903. The Persian Gulf.

Manawatu Herald, 9 May 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1903. The Persian Gulf.

In the House of Commons there has been some plain speaking about the Persian Gulf, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question as to Russia’s growing ascendancy in Persia, said that Britain would regard the establishment of a naval base in the Gulf as a very grave menace to British interests, and would certainly resist it by all means at her disposal. This is very straight talking as was the assertion that it was owing to the expenditure of British lives and money that made the Gulf open for navigation to the world. Prior to the year 1622, and for the past one hundred years the Gulf was practically owned and occupied by the Portuguese, and Ormuz, on the island of Jerun in the Strait of Ormuz, at the entrance of the Persian Gulf was where the trade passed through. The Shah of Persia desired the conquest of this island but knew he could not do so by himself, so he entered into an agreement with the Indian Navy that the Persian Court should defray the charges of the ships that should come to his assistance, give the English a free trade all over the Persian dominions, custom free, and grant them one moiety of the customs raised by merchandise in the Gulf. This was agreed to and sealed and signed by the King of Persia. The attack was made and on the 28rd April, 1622, the Portuguese surrendered, and it is interesting to note that the English bad to protect the Portuguese from the Persians, and lent them two ships to carry their men away to India. Ever since that year the efforts of the Indian Navy, until absorbed into the British Navy, has been one fight with Persians, Turks, and pirates to keep the valuable trade of the Gulf open for all comers, and it is unlikely that after the expenditure of lives and money any other Power will be allowed to make a naval base on the shores of the Gulf which would be a terrible menace to our Indian possessions, and the firm and clear expression of Lord Lansdowne on the subject may make the fact apparent to Russia.

The Borough Council will elect a Mayor on Monday night. Russian newspapers approve the increasing cordiality of Anglo French relations. A severe earthquake shock has '-eon experienced in several villages in Der byshire. The American newspapers declare that King Edward has proved himself a great ambassador. On Tuesday Messrs Moimscy & Cohold an auction sale of Mr H. M. Cole’s furniture without reserve. Mr John Collins has almost completed the cottage he is erecting on Thynne-street for Miss Hennessy... The firm of 0. Cook and Co., trading as carriers &c,, has been dissolved and the business in future will be carried on by Mr O. Cook. Purchasers of the Motoa estate are reminded that the sale takes place at Messrs Abraham Sc Williams’ rooms, Palmerston, on Tuesday next. The Borough Council meet for business on Monday evening. The Council has gone to the expense of six new chairs to meet the requirements of the visiting public. * The Foxton Rifles are about ordering a new uniform in keeping with the rest of the West Coast battalion, consisting of a scarlet tunic, blue trousers and a helmet with spike on top. Mr Bullard has just received a direct shipment from London of English saddles and horse gear, new whips, horse clothing, and a large quantity of , canvass and felt for horse and cattle rugs. He has a very well-made racing pad. The meeting held at Rongotea on Wednesday evening resulted in the following resolution, moved by Mr Ransom, and seconded by Mr Anderson, “ That this meeting is not in fa*voflr of the formation ot a river board, on the ground that the Rongotea dis tiiot is nut interested in the matter, " being carried by i x votes to 3. The Bishop of London, speaking at the Mansion House this week, added a charming story to the list of children’s sayings. A little girl in a West End church, where the Bishop was preaching, was heard to say to her mother, “ Mamma, I am tired. Couldn't the Bishop go back to heaven now ?” In the East End, added Dr Ingram, no child ever thought he came from heaven, because they knew him too well. We are glad to find that Mr Christian, who is a capital photographer, has been convinced of the opening there is for this business in town, as he is having erected by Mr Speirs a very convenient studio supplied with a good southern light on a section in Parkstreet, adjoining the Triad Hall. He is using one of Mr E. Osborne’s shop windows to show his photographs, and we understand bicycles, which be has directly imported. We regret to learn that the School Committee at their last meeting neglected the resolution carried at the householders’ meeting, which was to the effect that the-school examinations should not be delayed three months as proposed by the Board. It would take a great deal to justify this delay, as to some children it might mean shutting them out by age from being qualified to fill certain Government appointments. Yesterday, near Motuiti, as the evening train passed, a horse and trap was noticed lying completely turned over, the legs of the horse up in the air, on the main road. The guard dropped a note to Mr Barber who lives close bye. who went to see if anyone was hurt and found Mr Mcalister lying close by with a terrible blow- on his head. We are glad to say that he is recovering from this and that was the extent of the damage. When the late Mr W. S. Caine, M.P., was a candidate for Barrow-in-Furness he told the following story, which, he said, he had from Mr Barnum:—One winter morning two of his elephants began shaking with chills, so he sent bis keeper for three gallons ot whisky. One and a half gallons were given to each elephant. It cured them. Next morning, when the keeper went to them, he found both elephants shaking with might and main. “ No, you don’t ” he shouted. “ You are well enough to-day,” and they stopped shaking!