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Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 42, 14 March 1877, Page 2

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At the annual dinner of the Oxford Liberal Association, Sir William Harcourfc said everything pointed to a waning confidence m the Administration, and that foreign affairs had been more mismanaged during the last >l^£h.teen months than any former period.' -• j Addressing a crowded audience at Leeds Mr Cbamberlain.M.P., contended that the Church was the greatest obstacle to a national system of educa^ tion. Much excitement has been occasioned on account of the Ritualistic practices of the Rev. Mr Tooth, vicar of Hatcham. Lord Penzance inhibited him ; but he paid no attention, and services much resembling those m the Roman Catholic Church were performed on two successive Sundays with closed doors. He was adjudged guilty of contempt, and a warrant was issued. Several thousand roughs assembled m front of the church on the following day, and four hundred police were m attendance. On the sixteenth a meeting of the English Church Union passed resolutions m favor of supporting Mr Tooth, whose father and brother it is stated are well known squatters m Queensland and N.S.W. > ■ - At Dorchester, near Wallingford, a ritualistic demonstration was made against the rector, the Rev Blake Concannon, who was lecturing on the Reformation. The meeting nearly degenerated into a free .fight, several ritualistic clergymen who were present being unable to calm their supporters. The Rev Dr Cumming, lecturing at Leamington, said the Turks were about to be swept out of Europe, and the Jews were preparing to take possession of their own land of Jerusalem. Soon the latter would cross the Euphrates, which, according to the Apocalypse, would be one of the last things of time; Admiral Hornby has hoisted his flag as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean*

A new powerful ironclad for the Turkish Government has just Hbeen completed; and will be ready for sea shortly. She is one of the most powerful vessels afloat. An extraordinary hoax was perpetrated on the gunboat Goshawk. A telegram was sent directing her to proceed to Gibraltar from Queen stown. She left before it was discovered, but ' on putting m at Vigo, was recalled. No clue to the offender has been discovered. A Royal Commission, composed partly of civillians and partly of the military, is to be appointedto inquire into recruiting. Last year there were 7759 desertions. A floating skating rink, with artificial ice, covering an area of 3090 ft, has been opened at Charing Cross. A purse of £500 has been presented to Daft, the cricketer. Barry Sullivan is seriously ill m consequence of the injury to his eye when playing the part of Richard. Alice May has been well received at the Opera Comique m the " Grand Duchess." Mr W. Liggot, pork butcher, at Cowle, m Lincolnshire, sold his wife for £40 to a local publican. A strike of barristers took place at Carlisle sessions m consequence of the Treasury reducing the fee from two guineas to one. The Treasury gave way, and the strike ended. Sir Titus Salt left £30,000 for the beneJTt of the sick, aged, and poor at SaH»; 100,000 persons lined the streers of Bradford at his funeral. The question of Sunday amusements is attracting attention. Several clergymen have spoken or written m their favor. The commission for determining the best route for cutting through the Isthmus ef Darien has arrived at Panama, under the command of Lucien B. Wyse, of the French navy. . A lady m Rome, occupying a high pqsitio"n,>has claimed a share of the inheritance left by Cardinal Antonelli, on the ground that she was his illegitimate daughter. She is married, and received a handsome marriage portion from the late cardinal.