The Waikato Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 449, 17 June 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus. GEORGE EDGECUMBE. Proprietor. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899.

When the life of Lord Salisbury is written by one having access to the public documents of the day, not the least interesting period will be that through which Great Britain has just passed in relation to the Chinese difficulty. He has been roundly abused by the Liberal Press and urged to extreme measures by the Conservative journals. Through all he has maintained a dignified attitude ; he has not condescended to explain details, but has contented himself with the simple statement that the interests of Britain were being conserved. Now that an agreement has been arrived at with Russia, the most material matter has been divulged. Both countries have agreed to respect the integrity of the Chinese Empire, and the field of operations of the two countries has been delimited as regards railway enterprise. England undertakes not to engage in or encourage any railway north of the Great Wall, and Russia on her part agrees not to interfere with Britain in the Yang-tsye basin, which is the most populous and thriving territory in China. Nc> minor details of the agreement are given, no mention was made in either House of Parliament as to the " open door." We learn, however, that the integrity of the Chinese Empire is to be conserved, it will, therefore, be the will of the Chinese Government that will rule in this matter, not of any of the countries which may secure railway concessions. Lord Salisbury has been so emphatic on this question that it is only fair to believe and anticipate that he is still firm on the point. That an agreement between Russia and Britain has been arrived at will not be matter for congratulation to the other Powers aspiring to a slice of Chinese territory within which to construct railways or prosecute trade. This will be more particularly the case with France, whose people have secured for themselves concessions in the territory which has been assigned to Britain, «»d Germany depended upon the antagonism of Russia and England to got her Bhare ot the spoils. The most important portion of Lord Salisbury's statement is that the arrangement arrived at will prevent the possibility of the two nations coming in contact.

A social will be given in the Tamahere School on Wednesday, 28th inst. Mr Ldgar Walton will sing solos at both services at St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge, to-morrow. To-morrow will be the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, which was fought on the 18th June, 1815. The preachers at the different Methodist Churches in the Hamilton-Te Awamutu circuit are advertised on our third page. There is a large number of counterfeit half-crowns, shillings and sixpences in circulation in the South Island. They, as yet, have not reached further north than Wellington. The Rev. W. H. Wilson will conduct the following services In Waikato West on Sunday next. Kihikihi 11 a.m. (h.c). Rangioahia 3 p.m. (h.c). Te Awamutu 7 p.m. (h.c). A concert in aid of the organ fund of St. John's Church will be held in the Public Hall, Te Amamutu, on an early date, when some fifteen well known amateu I have kindly promised to assist. At the Hamilton Presbyterian Church to-morrow eveniug the Rev. J. M. Mitchell will continue his " popular talks " with " A Word to Masters." Employers and employees are specially invited. A telegram from Mahoenui states land in that district is on the rise, several properties having changed hands lately at satisfy :tcry prices. One at tha Awakino Heads was eold last week for £l2 per acre. Mr Turnbull, of Messrs Turnbull and Co., who recently purchased the Auckland Freezing Works, wilt be at Messrs McNicol and Co.'s sale at Ohaupo, on Tuesday next, and will, no doubt, be pleased to discuss the question of freezing with Waikato farmers. The Hukanui folk are again to the fore with a social to be held in their hall on Wednesday next, 21st inst. (the shortest dsy). The Hukanui tocials are too well known tc need any comment, and we are sure we can guarantee patrons a good evening's amusement. A telegram from Christchurch last night says :—A man, named John Drew, a widower, aged 60 years, was picked up in a state of collapse in a right-of-way in Christchurch last night and he died in the hospital. He was not intemperate. He had a bruise over his right eye. At the sitti »g of the Bay of Plenty Licensing Court all the licenses were renewed, two additional fire escapes to be provided for the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge. Iu the case of the Masonic Hotel, Cambridge, the renewal was granted on the understanding that the owners have the license transferred to another person. Yesterday afternoon Mr W. Bright, proprietor of the Hamilton Hotel, met with a nasty accident while riding up to the Volunteer Hall. Rounding Knox-street his horse slipped and fell, throwing Mr Bright heavily to the ground. He was at once taken to Mr Sandes' surgery, where it was found that iiis shoulder was dislocated and that he had also received a severe shaking. The dislocation was reduced by Mr Sandes, and we hope Mr Bright will soon be all night again.

It is stated that Sir Robert Stout will accept the Chief Justiceship if offered to him. Mr H. F. Gladding has been appointed superintendent of the Auckland Fire Brigade. There were fourteen applicants for the position. The Mayor said it was intended to approach the Government with a view to making the insurance compauies contribute towards the cost of maintaining the brigade. We have received the following reply to the question as to relationship, asked in last issue :—" The man looking at the picture is the father of the man represented by the picture : Thus, ' That man's father ' (that's me) ' is my father's son ' (that's me again) ! 'T.A.W.'" —"M.L.H." also sends the same solution. Up to the time the telegraph office closed there was no news of the Perthshire. The Duckenfield, a vessel which had been seot in search, has returned to Sydney. In compliance with the request of His Excellency Lord Ranfurly, the Admiral on the station has ordered H.M.s. Mildura to leave in search ot the missing vessel. As will be seen by reference to our advertisement columns, the Cambridge Wesleyan Sunday-school has changed the evening of its proposed entertainment from Thursday 22nd to Wednesday 21st insc. This has been clone to secure the attendance of the Orchestral Society, which will take part in the evening's programme. Several friends have also promised their help including Mesdames, Hunter and Cook, MissGarlandandMrßoberts. Theconcert promises to be a very attractive one and should secure a good attendance. A burglary has been committed at the jeweller's shop of Mr Laßoche at Tauranga. About half-past four on Thursday morning the night watchman passed the shop, when all appeared right. He went to the wharf, and on returniug along the Strand about an hour afterwards he found the|shutters and the window broken. He immediately reported the matter to the police. Mr La Roche's loss is estimated at £4OO. Included in the spoils are gold watches, bracelets, brooches, and gold ornaments of various kinds. The police have applied for detective assistance from Auckland.