New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4867, 27 October 1876, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27.

It is with mixed feelings of horror, and shame that we read the accounts, now all too .sadly confirmed, of the, atrocities perpetrated by the Turks, iri cold blood, against the unarmed Christian people in ! Bulgaria. We read how at various places poor unarmed- unresisting- women and children have been subjected to every sort of indignity and outrage not fit to’ be named among civilised nations, and which only the polluted imaginations of. Mahometan barbarians could suggest—j barbarians all the more repulsively bar-; barous that while centuries .of residence; among civilised men have failed to purify their instincts, this residence has enabled them to apply to the indulgence of their lusts the refinements of material civilisation. After being, subjected to outrage; and insult and cruelty which no hyperbole; of speech could exaggerate, the victims have been butchered by thousands — literally by thousands —and their poor, torn and mangled remains flung to the dogs and birds of prey. One thousand butchered here—three thousand torn in piecemeal there-r-so many more thousands in another place ! Oh horror, that Christendom sits by with hands bound, and looks on, as it were enchanted, at the ghastly .spectacle! Oh, shame that Christian England stands by and does not. lift a right hand to save; —nay, she does indeed lift a right hand, but it is only to warn back the avenger of blood !- And are we indeed a Christian nation ? Are we the same people as- when, of yore, the greatest of all our princes, Cromwell, with head discrowned, yet; kingly, with; imperial voice stayed the red right hand 'of the bloody Piedmontese ‘ “ that rolled mother, with infant down the rooks?” Oh for ah hour of our “ sagest of usurpers,” imperial-aouled Cromwell, of grand old puritan Milton ! And these are the filthy wretches for whom, on that long November day; twenty-two ■ years ago, England’s noble sons stood indissolubly firm on the ever-glorious brow of Inkermann, rolling back wave succeeding wave 1 of Russian chivalry ! And it was for this that England’s noble six hundred rode into the valley of death,' cleaving like 1 a bolt the dense masses of Muscovites at Balaclava'! , Alas, for this ! •Oh yes, Englandputs upher hand,but it is t 6 warn back the avenging Muscovites. “Don’t interfere !” , Oh, but she is interfering —interfering to'shelter the violator, the robber, the red-handed murderer. And this is what the Tory Government—the Government brought in by the “spiritual powers” of beer-shops and lawn sleeves—does for us ! This is the way it upholds the honor of England. It will have peace, forsooth ! It will preserve the status quo —that is, it will (if it is allowed) leave the tiger as he was till his appetite for blood and filth acquires fresh zest, and till fresh victims are reared to slake his inhuman lusts. Well may the Bishop of Manchester denounce the accursed superstition of the “integrity of Turkey well may that high-minded prelate affirm that—“ One could almost cease to-believe in a Divine order of the world, if one thought that in the midst of the civilisation of Europe a despotism so cruel and vicious as that of Turkey could be muchlonger maintained.” One feels, as he reads these horrid narratives, his blood boil with indignation, .his cheek flush 1 with shame, and his fingers unconsciously clutch at the musket to bear a hand in ridding God’s fair earth of the pollution of such wretches as the Turks.; Never since Attila, the scourge of G°d, swept over Europe, has Christendom witnessed such horrors as these. Never in all her history as a nation has the honor of England been so seriously compromised,' her fair fame so tar- 1 nished. It is a remarkable fact that national sins are invariably punished in this world. As sure as truth is truth, right is right and not wrong, those nations .which are either passively or actively implicated in toleration of this vast and audacious outrage upon this daring defiance of all Christian conscience and Christian power, will sooner or later be overtaken by the inevitable , Nemesis. . History ; maybe searched in vain for any. parallel to the Turkish outrages in Bulgaria.

Mr. Fitzhbebert has been during the session; in many respects a model Speaker, but at times it seems as if he forgot that all members are equal on the floor of the House. 'Sea-: terday Sir George Grey said of Mr. Manders that he had been “ put up ” by the Government to accuse him (Sir George) of revolutionary designs. Then Mr. Manders stood up, saying, “Sir, I,rise to a point of order but Sir George Grey, instead of sitting down, remained standing, and the Speaker said to Mr. Manders, “ The hon. member must not interrupt.” Now until he had heard whether Mr, Manders really had a point of order or not, was it, not.rather premature of Mr.. Fitzherbert to accuse him of interrupting ; and would j he have acted similarly and ■ so peremptorily: had Sir George, in the course of a speech by Mr. Manders, said, “Sir, I rise to, a point; of order ?”

In the House of Representatives last even-; ing the Premier stated that the Government expected the whole of the business would be got through by Saturday evening. . Perhaps all the measures would not be absolutely passed by the Legislative Council, but it would be known in what state the Bills would be passed. Hon. members might therefore leave on Saturday evening, and to that end the Government would detain the two steamers sailing North and South until twelve o’clock if necessary. The City Council, in committee yesterday afternoon,. decided to' give the Education Board the use of the Market Hall, for the accommodation of scholars under the Board, for a term of two years., * . The appointment of Sir, Julius Vogel, K.0.M.G., to be Agent-General for the-colony ; of New Zealand, appears in a Gazette issued: yesterday, the appointment ■'dating from the 9th of September, 1876. '

The tenders for the extension of the water-: works were opened at the meeting of the City' Council yesterday, and that of Mr. Saunders, for £17,195, was accepted. It was resolved; also to enter into arrangements for a supply of water during the summer. From the Ist November next postcards will be issued to the public by the Post Office.; Whether official or private, having a stamp of one penny impressed upon them, they may be transmitted between places -in the colony of New Zealand ; and to the places afterwards; mentioned at letter rates. The front of the bard is for the address only, and nothing must be written on that side of the card except the address. On the reverse side any communion-' tion may be printed or written. ’ They may bo transmitted to the colonies of Victoria and South Australia under the same conditions as they are transmitted within New Zealand, except that in addition to the impressed stamp they must have an extra penny stamp affixed to them. Private cards will be received from the public, and impressed with the penny postage stamp os follows;—A week’s notice must be given by the applicant, and a sample

of the card to be .used i, must be forwarded for the Postmaster-General’s.'inspection, and no fee will be charged for stamping, but cashinust accompany'all / cards to be impressed. The cards issued by the Postmaster-General are similar to those used in Great Britain, excepting that theyareimpressed with a Id. stamp in lieu of the Jd. used at Home, The first rehearsal of “ The Messiah,” for, the annual Christmas musical festival, took place at Mr. Hunter’s rooms last’ evening. There were over one hundred singers and a strong band, but that number does not represent the strength of the society’s active members. There was a capital rehearsal. Several choruses not taken in previous years were tried with great effect, and the festival promises to he a brilliant success. The following are the teams selected to play in the match Lex Club v. Press, on the Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon. Lex—Messrs. Bell (captain), Ollivier, Bees, Campbell, Salmon, Williamson, Wills, Harrison, Minifie, Speed, and Fitzherbert; umpire, Mr. Bromley ; scorer, Mr. Major. Press—Messrs. Perrier, Bryce, Garwood, Nation, Gregory, D. Fisher, Dunn, MoNab, Kirk, Parkinson, O’Connor ; umpire, Mr. Dixon ; scorer, Mr. Bannister. It ,is particularly ..requested that players will turn up,at 1 o’clock sharp, when the wickets will be pitched. We hear that steps are being taken to es-

tablish a large carriage manufacturing company in Wellington! The objects o£ the proposed company' are said to be—lst, to keep capital within the province ; 2nd, to be in a position to purchase in the cheapest market the best material at the lowest price ; 3rd, to employ a sufficient staff of skilled labor to enable them to execute all orders entrusted to them in any class. The Theatre Royal was well attended last evening. The programme was an exellent one, commencing with the play of “ Ingomar,” Mr. F. M. Bates appearing in the leading character, and playing remarkably well, Mrs. Bates taking the part of Parthenia. Miss Morgan sang a ballad in excellent style, and the entertainment concluded with the farce “Nan the Good, for Nothing." “RichardTlL” will be given this evening. On Saturday evening Mr. G. W. Collier, an actor well known throughout the colony, will appear in “ Rip Van Winkle,” one of his best impersonations. A meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society will be held on Saturday evening next. The following papers are comprised in the list of those to be read:—Notes on the traditions and manners and customs of the Morioris, by W. T. Li. Travers, F.L.S.; notes on the influence of atmospheric changes oa the hot springs and geysers in the Rotorua district, by Captain G. Maif, F.L.S.; bn the reptilian beds of New Zealand, by A. McKay ; on drainage of towns, by W. D. Campbell, Associate Institute C.E., F.G.S.; on the simplesfcontinuous manifoldness of two dimensions and of finite extent, by F. W. Frankland. The following memorandum, drawn up at the instigation of the Mayor, was circulated among members of Parliament yesterday, and was laid on the table at the City Council’s ordinary fortnightly meeting in the afternoon : —The members of the City Council of Wellington have had under their consideration the clause added to the City of Welllingtou Loans Consolidation Bill, to show as clause 18. The Council beg respectfully to call your attention to. the fact that in the Act authorising the purchase of the wharf, no such obligation as that mentioned in the proposed new clause was imposed upon the Council. The Council have already expended considerable sums in the improvement of the wharf, but are unable to extend it, or to make provision for increased harbor accommodation, because they have no power whatever to do so, having no jurisdiction over the harbor, or even over that portion of it upon which the wharf itself has been erected. They have sought such jurisdiction from Parliament, but it has been refused. The wharf is in every sense, at present, the private property of the city, and it would be unfair to deprive the city of the advantage of its purchase of this property, without making adequate compensation for the loss, but the clause in question would, it is submitted, have that effect. 1 The Corporation have offered to sell the wharf to any Harbor Board which may be established for the management of the Wellington Harbor, but the Legislature have refused to grant to a Harbor Board the power of raising money to effect the purchase. That even assuming the clause did not inflict the injustice above referred to, it is contrary to the very letter of the Act itself, for it not only compels the Corporation, to lay by the whole ; revenue of the wharf until debentures to the amount of £20,000 have been paid off, but compels them, also, to lay by uselessly all funds derived from it in excess of the absolute requirements for ordinary repairs and improvements. This is creating, as to the first object, a sinking fund of the most objectionable kind, and as to the second, a mere waste of resources. There canbeno objection to making the wharf dues primarily chargeable with all repairs and improvements, and imposing the duty of making such repairs upon the city ; but .while the Corporation have no power or. control over ordinary harbor improvements, or the erection of wharf accommodation beyond that connected with their own property, they confidently urge that this clause should not be insisted upon. It will naturally suggest itself to the Legislature that if the city is to derive no, benefit from the wharf dues, the Corporation will have no, inducement whatsoever for superintending the management of property which entails upon them the appointment and supervision of a considerable staff of officers, and the keeping of costiy accounts. If the city is to be deprived of the benefits to be derived from a property which they have acquired by the authority of. the Legislature, it is at least reasonable that they should be relieved of responsibility in connection with it, and fairly compensated for its loss.

We notice the prizes for the forthcoming sports to be held on the Basin Reserve on the 9th of November are being exhibited in Mr. Jackson’s shop window, Lambton-quay, and attract a deal of attention. The prize most admired is the. birthday cup, which stands about -Ift. 6in. high, and is embossed in most elegant style, the cover being surmounted by two' flags placed crosswise. The two smaller cups are prizes for the bicycle steeplechase and the walking race, and are both beautifully embossed. The prize for the baby show is the tea and coffee service. No doubt there will be some grand contests on the 9th for the possession of these valuable prizes. A most enjoyable and successful musical entertainment was given on Wednesday evening at the schoolroom, Ohariu. The programme contained.some very choice selections, which were performed in a highly creditable manner, i most Of : the performers having come from a distance. •* Scenes : that are brightest” was very sweetly sung by a young lady from Wellington, the same lady giving at a. subsequent period “ Twilight in the park” with great spirit,' and, securing an encore. Her sister also contributed several charming songs, among which the preference may :be given to “ Thy voice is near.’’ The comic element was not wanting, a gentleman not entirely unknown in tho neighborhood of Lambton-quay singing three or four comic songs, and finally convulsing the audience with an Irish song, accompanied by a “ break-down” chorus. A lady and gentleman from the Hutt played some .very nice duels for the violin and piano, and a young lady: from Wellington contributed greatly to the success of the affair by her excellent accompaniments, and also; assisted in the singing. At the conclusion of the concert: the room, was, cleared for dancing, and the younger portion of the audience enjoyed themselves for a few hours longer. The refreshments were dispensed by Mrs. Bassett, Mrs.McKenny, and Mrs. Moore, and the Wellington visitors were entertained with that hearty hospitality which distinguishes our country settlers. The room was well filled, and the universal opinion seemed to be that it was the best thing of the kind that has taken place in “ the Valley.” It is announced in another column that a public meeting will be held at the Taita schoolroom on Wednesday evening, to receive the report af the ploughing committee, and take into consideration the advisability of forming an Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

Mr. Manders, M.H.R., in a few remarks last night said he - had been so disgusted by the waste of time this session that his feelings' at present were that he should not come to the House another year. A New Zealand Government Gazette was published yesterday, containing proclamations .under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1875,. Marriage Act Amendment Act, 1858; by-laws relating to the Manawatu railway • appointments of various Government officers; letters of naturalisation issued; and a number of Land Transfer Act notices. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday Wm. Dougherty was remanded on a charge of violent assault, and Louisa Smith, jun., and Louisa Smith, sen., were respectively committed for trial on charges of concealment of birth and murder. Mary Anne Harrison, Christopher Lockyer, and Andrew Quinney were remanded until to-day on charges of vagrancy, and this concluded the business of the Court.

The committee of the Wellington .Horticultural Society held a’meeting last evening for the purpose of deciding where the coming show should be .held.. The, Odd Fellows’ .Hall has been used on previous occasions, but owing to the fact of its being at j present engaged as a skating rink, the. committee found that they would be compelled to pay a rental of £2O per day, which is an amount that the society are hardly in a position to afford. Mr, Pearce’s drillshed was suggested by some as a suitable place in Which to hold the show, but others objected on the ground that when the place was thronged with' visitors the dust would be very disagreeable, owing to there being no flooring, and would spoil, the tender plants brought for exhibition. l ; The Central Volunteer Fire Brigade’s new shed on the. reclaimed land was also suggested, but it ’was afterwards agreed that the accommodation was insufficient. Ultimately a sub-committee was formed, consisting of Mr. H. H. Travers, 1 Captain' Johnston, and Mr. Kirk, to make arrangements for obtaining a suitable site. A discussion arose with' respect' to the shonung of new or rare plants, and it was decided that now flowering plants might compete ■ as new or rare plants, unless such plants were in flower, and no plant of which the bloom alone has been exhibited before should be competent to compete as a’ new or rare plant. Mr. Budden, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and Mir. Bennett'were requested to act as judges for cut flowers and pot blooms in the amateur class, and Messrs. Heighten, Judd, and Gibb were appointed to act as judges for cut bloams and plants for gardeners and the open to all classes. Messrs. Bramley, McKay, and Burne were requested to act as judges for fruits and vegetables. It was further decided to, request Mrs. Kemp, Mrs. Grace, and Mrs. G. Moore to act in a similar capacity for bouquets and arranged flowers. The following stewards were appointed : —Messrs. Jeffs, MoNab, and Bramley for pot plants and cut booms, and Messrs. Cooper and Parris for vegetables. We are requested to call attention to the important sale of the whole of the furniture at the Army and Navy Hotel, to be held by Mr. G. Thomas on the premises to-day. The sale is entirely without reserve, and consists of the bar fixings and furniture, also beds and bedding and furniture, fit for carrying on a large boarding-house, for which purpose the hotel has been lately used. The sals takes place at IX o’clock.