The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3618, 31 July 1880, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1880.

Lobd Hartington, speaking in the House of Lords on Jane 7, read an important memorandum on our new Afghan policy, j which may be thus briefly summarised: —The Secretary of State for India explicitly guarded himself against saying that the English Government was pledged by the action of the late Government to any definite arrangement in regard to Candahar. He expressed neither approval nor disapproval of the proposal to separate Candahar from the rest of Afghanistan, and to maintain it as an independent State., It is not possible from Lord Hartington's words to form an idea as to how far he considers that Great Britain is committed to this policy, though 'there is good reason to believe that it is not a policy which commends itself to the present Cabinet. In this as in other matters Lord Eipon is to see and judge for himself. Lord Hartington next touched upon the Treaty of Gundamuk, which, he said, the Government regarded as non-existent, and the frontier arrangements of which did not, he asserted, add anything to the strength of the frontier. This, too, is a matter which Lord Ripon is to consider with the assistance of the best military advice, and to decide without any previous bias. It remains to be seen "whether Lord Eipon will carry out the policy of the Beaconsfield Government with regard to the " scientific " frontier. It would be a great mistake on otir part were we to occupy the country in Afghanistan beyond the Hindoo Koosh range, as it would to our thinking materially weaken our position.

to engage in trading with China and other parts of the world For productions for our market. The Sybil is advertised as having left Foo Choo for Auckland, and as she is a recognised fast sailor, she may be expected in port in a few weeks' time. It is time Auckland took her proper position as the leading commercial centre in this colony, and few transactions are more calculated to advance her best interests than such an enterprise as we have just referred to on the part of L. D. Nathan and Co.

These was no business at the E.M. Court tbia morning.

We understand that a libel action is about to be commenced against the New Zealand Herald, by Mr Kenrick, in reference to an article inserted on tbe question of licensing. We do not think that Mr Eenrick has acted wisely in tliie matter, as ho matter whoever wins will also lose. There is an old saying and a true one which urges that "a man is unwise to fight against a newspaper."

Mb Newell Phillips' lecture, entitled " An evening with the Garrick Club," was well attended at the Academy of Music last night. Mr Phillips related the most amusing incidents in the lives of Foote, Theodore Hook, Douglas Jerrold, Dr Redgers, Charles Dickens, Lord 'Macaulay, and he also gave an excellent recitation of a well known historical poem of the latter writer, " Henry of Navarre." This is a most telling production.

We desire to call attention to an advertisement signed by Mr W. Wood referring to certain statements made concerning the money subscribed to cover the loss sustained by himself and his son by the fire in Pollen street. Of course there are unkind and ungenerous people everywhere, and while it must be annoying to Mr Wood, yet it is not curprisiog that such remarks should be made; however, Mr Wood's offer to give the amount to some deserving cause completely frustrates the results tried to be gained by those persons whe have made the uncalled-for remarks.

Tee source of the following telegram appearing in Friday's Auckland Star is apparent:—" The late manager of the New Whau was let off with a fine of five shillings, as it was considered he had been unjustly aspersed by Ihe 'Star/ whose reporter had not been near the mine since his manage* ment."

Mi Wood, fruiterer and general storekeeper, of Pollen street, has completed his new premises, and to-day opens with a large and . carefully selected stock of produce, groceries, fruit, garden seeds, &c. The experience Mr Wood has gained during the years he has been in business in Pollen street has been turned to account in the erection of his new premises, and his arrangements are complete for a regular supply of choice colonial produce, seeds, &c. In addition, Mr Wood offers some special cheap lines of groceries, and a really good mixed t^a at 2s 6d per pound. His motto, "Small profits and quick returns," will lead him to sell his goods at such reasonable prices that housekeepers will find it to their advantage to give him a cfII and test the excellency of Lis goods.

One of Misb Hazeldean's scholars, Miss Kate Fletcher, has passed her examinations so creditably that she has been appointed a pupil teacher by the Soard of Education, and has b: an added to the staff of the Kauaeranga Boys' School. As Miss Fletcher has been a pupil of Miss Hazeldean's for the last five years, it must be gratifying to that lady to find her pupils passing their examinations so creditably. Previous to the young lady leaving the school for her new duties Miss Hazeldean presented her with a valuable book as a mark of her esteem, and an acknowledgment of her attention to her studies and her excellent behaviour while a pupil of the Kauaeranga Girls' School.

A WlW> beast show will be open to public jaspection this evening in McGregor's old auction mart, Brown street. The principal objects are the Cheetah tiger (a fine twelve months old cub), a magnificent African lion, which has been for years on exhibition in the Australian colonies, and a Russian bear, whose antics are most laughable. A visit to this menagerie would be repaid.

In the debate on education, Captain Fraser in the Legislative Council, urged that the minimum age of children attending school should' be raised to eight or nine years, as recommended by medical writers.

Thbee is a probability of a mining company scandal coming before the courts shortly. A very pious director accuses a very sanctimonious Sunday-ichool-teaching legal manager of being guilty of some very shady transactions in reference to the management of the company, and threatens to bring the sanctimonious one before the tribunal of the church of which they are both members.' "Sanctimony " retaliates, and'dares " Piety " to do so, or he will disclose some of the pious one's unholy deeds. When religions rase?ls fall out honest men hear " zome tings." ■

We would again call the attention of the Harbour authorities to the disgraceful state of Curtis' wharf. Several of the planks are rotten, and this morning a gentleman narrowly escaped an undesirable ducking through tripping over one of the decayed boards. It is time something was done, or some serious accident will ensue.

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that the fact that the commandant of the Afghan forces escaping the general massacre, does not tell to hit credit, as he probably saved his life at the expense of his honor. Mounted on a good horse, he had the advantage of his soldiers, and left them at the mercy of th« barbaric legions who swarmed in overwhelming numbers around the unfortunate Britishers, left to their fate by a man who, rather than die nobly fighting for his country preferred to endorse by his action the saying that "he who fights and runs away will live to fight another day."

It is probable that a ball wi'l be given to Mr end Mrs Ehrenfried upon their retnrn from the South.

His Worship the Mayor is at present in Chrittchurch, but is expected on the Thames in about fourteen days.

It has been suggested by some of the friends of the Pinafore troupe that besides a performance for the benefit of the Ladies Benevolent Society and the Hospital, one should bo given, the proceeds to be devoted towards defraying the expenses .gone to by the amateuri in the matter of drees &c. Wb however cannot think that all the members of the troupe have been consulted in this matter, but without doufet the subject has been discussed in public.

Majob Atkinaonjjstated in the House that the Government were communicating with the Australian colonies on the question of Chinese' immigration, the bill introduced by Mr Hutchinson was therefore withdrawn.

Fob home we, the sweet, soft-toned American Organ is by many preferred to tho Harmonium. One of these Organs (by Clough and Warren) is now on sale at my Music Warehouse in Pollen street. Payment accepted in instalments if desired.—J. GBNS9.

Sp£CIAWXXKS of great men: Gladstone for politics, Kelly for clicking up banks, and McLirer for tobacco. You can't rub the latter out. Just try his specially imported Cowtail Twißt and Vanity Fair.

The beßt of materials manufactured in a proper aud workmanlike manner should giye satisfaction. Henco we are pleased in daily, almost hourly, bearing such exclamations as

" My word Douglas jour loaf is now splendid," "Those biscuits are really beautiful," "My compliments to Mr Douglas and tell him I harn't eaten such bread for yean, &c, Ac."