The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5032, 27 February 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1885.

Becbnt events in connection with European politics, which have been cabled to us, would tend to : a belief that ere Jong European trouble will be known, unless the Great Powers come to some understanding over the business which seems to have been entered' upon conjointly by Sussia and France. This alliance, and its results up to the present, •nre not at all extraordinary were there not connected with them many contingencies apparently unaccountable; and various conjectures are ventured upon not only as' to what the result of. the machinations of Europe's wily diplomatists will be, but how the present situation has been reached, and to which Power or Powers the responsibility for its existence is due. A London writer to a Melbourne journal says j~ "We are at- the, mercy of France and Germany. Mr Gladstone is the worst; -Foreign c Minister; since Lord North, and has brought us into such a position that we have the" enmity of both .these nations. Egypt paralyses us ! As the? Standard has admirably said :— * No man can honestly defend that which he cannot understand, and no man in England can understand Mr Gladstone's Egyptian policy.' He cannot, understand it himself, and I believe England is on the high road to such humiliation as she has not undergone since the days of Charles II." This is very deplorable if true, and we fear that although there is not any necessity to judge harshly of: what has apparently, been the result of incompetence, the state of affairs in England is one urgently demanding a change. The fact of Germany's being quiescent in the case bears some sigoifi cance, and added to Austria's apparent inertness, would tend to the view that a deep- plot has been laid with a view to • taking advantage of England's present position owing to Egyptian troubles. There.cannot be any doubt that a general Continental alliance could only be of a very transitory character; and that the disintegration of it would only lead to alarming complications, there cannot be the least doubt in the mind of any ordinary observer of European events. A; prolonged connection between Germany and Francs is almost beyond question, no alliance.between these two powers is possible of aDy long life. Between Eussia and Prussia the bonds of amity for various and obvious reasons;—notably the differences in the country's constitution, the manners of the people, and the jealousies likely to arise from the preservation of frontier rights—could not be but of short . duration. With Prussia N and Austria there are many mutual interests capable Nof preservation, and in the case of the more southern Powers, they wou'd not be to any great extent affected. Those we have mentioned are more likely to be active, if not in the field, as least diplomatically. That the direction of the action taken is' towards India 13 not at all surprising. Eussia has ever cast a longing eye on Britain's possessions in the East, Rnd although it may be conjectured that French sympathy nnd assistance is given with a view to France obtaining Russia's aid in other future designs, there cauuot be very many contrary ideas regarding Bismarck's having a finger in the pie for one or another object. The next few weeks will develop important events, and we fear that serious continental complications are not unlikely to arise. At any rate England will havo her hands full to overflowing.

■ Mn 11. Rosbs addressed his Bay of lalanda consiiiuenu at KawiiVa^B, aad got a Tote of

DtrniNa tLo Mayor's stay in Auckland he had au interview with Sir Julius Vogel on railway mattcis, and it is somewhat; satisfactory to learn that the Colonial Treasurer gaVe our member to distinctly understand that no unnecessary delay would take place in calling tenders for tfio Kopu-Hikutaia section, which would be invited os soon as the plans were completed. We hope this promise will prove more valuable than similar ones made in the past.

At p. meeting of the Wuiofahi School Oorarnittt'o laet evening, the applications for the position of head master of the Waiotahi Creek School were considered, Mr J B, Heriot, who holds a D 2 certificate, and w'%.o is' now at Tamaki West, being nppoiuted Mr La Trobe lVbigns charge cf the school Lo day, his plaue being temporally filled by Mr Marshall.

To-mobhow a crioVet match k to be played at Par'awai Gardens, between the Thames Cri'^et Club and the Holland Cricket Club (Auckland). The visitors »re to.cotno dowa by thj Eaterpriae, which leavoa Auckland tonight. Tl«e team—which hi;a the reputation of being .a warm one—consists, of the following : --H. Thomas (Oapt.). W. Beard, A. Bucfoot, E. O'Hai-e, H. Heron, G. Mills, J. Murphy, W. Edwnrds. E. Waring, B. Mcl), W. Mell, J. B. Moll. The Thames eleven will be:—Clark, (capt.), Smith, Aitken, Airey, Harrison, Egginton, Lough^Newman, Pearcei Buchon," Allen ; emergency, Chrietey. Play is to commence at; 10 a.m,, and it is to be hoped players will muster punctually-.

Thb Thames Rifle Rangers were inspected at the Tolunteer Hall,-last evening by Capt. Douglas the muster counted foraipitatlon, there being 30 of all ranks on parade. After drill a meeting was held to make arrangements for the visit ot the Wairoa teom. The visitors will arrive on Sunday afternoon in the Planet. The match will commence at 9 a.m ; at 7 o'clock in the evening a dinner will be partaken of, and at 8 o'clock a concert entertainment and dance will be held in Shortland Public Hall. The Thames team has not yet been definitely chosen by the Committee appointed for ihe purpose, but it will be composed almost entirely, of those who fired the first match against Waitoa.

Thb firing for the District Belt will take placs at the Collarbone rangn to-morrow.. The date has been fixed a fortnight earlier than usual, bo as to give the mon who go to Wellington a chance of competing.

OniT the two entries—Messrs Hnwk and Weir—-have yet been received from the Teamen Volunteers for the Association Meeting iv Wellington next month. Captain Douglas has telegraphed to the Defence Minister asking whether the Einemoa will be available to take the Thames men to Welling* ton. If a favorable reply is received, no doubt more men will go, the expense of tbe trip being otherwise considerable, and detorring many from entering.

The brigantine Nora, on her last trip to Brisbane from the Thames, covered the distance in the quick time of nine days and a few hours. Speaking of bis passage. Captain Murchison eaya:'" I made quicker work than the mail, which left Auckland three days after me, ioc I was in Brisbane four days before it."

MAMx'of ou»" readers will read with regret the deatb, notioe of Mr J. H. Mahoney, which took place at Beleraonfc Hotel, Paeroa, to day. He was an old and respected Thames and Paeroa resident. :

It is probable that the Minister for Public Works, Mr Sicbardaon, will visit the Thames district before Parliament meets. The Minister of Mines visited the Nelson copper minos to-day, and next proceeds to Collingwood. The Premier left for Dunedin yesterday.

By- letters jusfc reueived from the ketch Wild Duck, we learn that tbe party were to start from Cooktown, lor a trading cruise along tbe Queensland coast, on the 7th inst.

In ;the Borough Bsvißion Court'yesterday afternoon, after our report closed, the following business was .transacted :—Middle Ward : L. Ebrenfried —Old Jetty Hot?l, Brown street;, reduced from £6 to £2; old Court House Hotel, £20 to £l3;*an application for the substitution of J. Pharos's name in respect of the Wharf Hotel stable was refused; B. Sincock, allotment; -and shop, Pollen street, reduced from £25 to £20; D. McAuley, reduced from £15 to £12; David Hen Person's name was insetted for an allotment and honeo, Bird-in-Hand Hill.—North Ward : For a house at Waibtahi the name of John -'.Tucker was struck out and that «:of Magnus Brystom inserted ; ti, Ebrenfried— Vf>li'alion of old hotel in Abraham street was reduced from £13 to £5 j do. of old Gra« harostown Hotel, Owen str.'et, from £38 to £26. The Court then adjourned till tomorrow, when the B-.M. will give his decision in tho County water mains case.

Two fires occurred near Dunedin yesterday. A dwelling house at Tuapcka, insured for £800, and ihe old Junction Hotel, four miles from Dunediu, were ike buildings burnt.

The scow Result, new loading at Shortland* takes tho steam engine and boiler, with bricks, from Mr GVW. Bull's battery to the Bay of Islands. '

A WebtPobt telegram Btates that ihe Koranui Compauy have opened out a seam of coal 25ft thick.

At the meeting of tbe Senate of the New Zoa'and University in Auckland yesterday Dr Hector was appointed Chancellor, and the Bey. Mr Andrews Yice-Chancellor. At the matriculation examination, the following Auckland students passed, .viz.:—C. Carter, N. Friberg, S- Gilliea, Z. Hazlcfden, K. Burgess, C. Tobin, B. C. Dyer, Mr Sinclair, DW. Jtnea, H. B. Wilson, H. A stley, M. Maciver, S. Purdie, F. Ohleon, G. Thompson, B. Wutkin (late if Thames;, E. Blade?, K. Hidings, H. Hoekio, and A.Buchanan.

Mb Haiib, a member of the Institute of Mines in Cornwall, has spent s week examining the Chnmpion and United Oopp?r mines in Aniseed Valley, Neleon. Hia report is deemed very favorable.

THB,Dorio sailed from Auckland for \V ellingtoa yesterday. She taken a quantity of kauri gum, wool and 4*x valued at £8872 for London.

Tun Blenheim Licensing Commit teo election yestorday concluded the keenest contest evor known. The temperance men had a nvj >rity. Ono ward returned two; in the scoond a rnujority; and wero beaten in a third. It v understood that the 11.o'clock closing -a ill be continued.

An iaTODtUation into the accounts of John Jumea, deoeannd, Secretary of tho Auckland College Board and Grammar School Board of Governors, has revealed a deficit of £1100.

Mas Luatitt delivered an address on tern per&nco before - tho Cong rogation's I Union of N Z in Auoklaudlaet night. She was thanked by the clergy. The Bouthern clergy a-a arranging for her mission South.

Thomas Watson, the manager of the Waihau run, was committed for trial at Wanganui yesterday for embezzling the proceeds of cattle cold by him on behalf of hi* employer, Dr. Curl.

Wilkbs, the Shortland jeweller, is soiling hie choice nnj large Biook of jewellery at reduced prioeg. Xv.w goodß, ohaste a»d beautiful in design. Must be soldi Call early. Watch Glaesei,- Sixpence; Watch Keys, Threepence,- [Aj>rT.]J

At Dunedia, Rajner win last pigiit leading : in the six daya' go-ue-you please walking contest. . . ■ . . ■ "'■••■-.■

Mabvelloto Bab»ains in Mi linery and Drapery, and a large lofc of Clothing afc puethird its value is now S^llicg at J. Mab* SHALL'B, Albert streot.—The Pollen street Brnnch is ti»ken oyer by M? Or. Booh (late Manager). :■'.■-.-• r