The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1889. THE SAMOAN DIFFICULTY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3121, 5 February 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1889. THE SAMOAN DIFFICULTY.

TnERE is so much diplomacy in the world now-a-days that there is very little fighting, and although in the Samoan affair there is all the material essential for kindling a sanguinary international conflict, few people expect the issue of it to be a declaration of war between America and Germany. The ten islands which

constitute the Samoan group in the Fiji section of the South Pacific are said to be populous, volcanic, and fertile. Their fertility, is no doubt their ruin, or rather the ruin of the sixty thousand natives who inhabit them, xho Samoans might have been happy in their own quiet way, fighting each other like Kilkenny cats, were it not that sundry German, English, and American colonists have settled there, aid have acquired land from the nativos and made treaties with them, and mixed themselves up generally with their affairs. It is said that some hundred odd German settlers have appropriated some 6,000 acres of the soil, that a dozen Yankees have annexed 210,000 acres, and a hundred and fifty odd Englishmen have acquired over 200,000 acres, These three .hundred strangers are the nucleus of the difficulty which threatens. to embroil a hundred millions of people in a great war. Poor Samoa has been something like a wretched mouse, watched by English, American, and German cats. With each cat in turn the unfortunate mouse has been compelled to make a separate treaty, and of course has also had to do exactly what each cat wished it to do. Some time ago the German cat stretched out its paw aud put it on the trembling mouse, but the other cats would not let this particular pussy scrunch up the tiny prey and so the German cat has been obliged to content itself with playing with the mouse. The play, however, has been of late, so rough. that the English cat has had to protest, and the American cat to insist upon brindle Bismarck taking his paw off the poor Samoan mouse, Bismarck apparently expresses the utmost willingness to oblige, his American friend in every possible way, but at the; same time he is keeping his paw on the poor animal. The I'anltees are, however, almost as smart as the Germans in diplomacy, and -if they insist upon Germany taking its paw off, that-high handed power will probably prefer withdrawing from the position it has taken up to an open quarrel/with the United States, The" curious part' of the affair is that formerly Britannia, in herrole.as ruler of'the waves has been wont to settle little difficulties of 'the Sainoan. type, but on the present -occasion 'America comes to the front and England appears to drop into a second place, There will probably be no fighting, but there will be: moral victory with 'America, and the new World will have made good its claim to .interfere in the quarrels of the old one, That great

conundrum, tho balance of power in ] Europe, . will, in tlio future be^ affeoted : by;-thi "■'hew world corningj I'into Courtas,an:arbiter,-:':; I:

: <,Our local contemporary' the following curious statement:— : Owing to the bankrupt condition ; of the I Mristerton Borough Couuoil, Mayor Bohnll has been compelled to take over the works committee, and he is now improving the foot-poths.in Queen Street at his own cost. The path at the Post .Office corner,. whioh has been as hollow as a Municipal election for years-, is being tilled up^nd'raised to its more normal height. .

Now everybody iu Masterton- knows exactly what this improvement .'to the footpath means,. For some weeks past; Mr Renall has been engaged in- the futile task of making his rivulet, or Benallet, run up hill from the Post Office corner to the Perry.st. culvert, So far his labors have not been crowned with success I In vain has he tried planks under the kerbiiig to coax tho water to ascend, the fluid would noti'iso; No friendly earthquake has come along to give him a lift, and he has now. either to lower his culvert—which means lowering his flag—or heave up the road till it comes to a level with his culvert. This upheaval is now being attempted, and we congratulate our contemporary upon the extremely poetical way in which he explains tho process, Of course the path by the Post Office corner is hollow, everything must be hollow when water won't run up hill to oblige' Mr Eenall and: our local contemporary, Might.we venture to respectfully ask the Council if it is not time to put a stop to the foolish and useless tampering with the Queen-street thoroughfare >\hich is now being perpetrated.

Maribymong wis scratched for all engagements yesterday. . Archbishop Eedwood, of Wellington, has had an audieuco with Bis Holiness the Pope. The Maori Footballers boat Gloucester in a match on Saturday last by one goal and a try to one try. Messrs Lowes & lorns add to their land sale list for Saturday next a desirable .residence with one quarter acre land situated in Cole street. Tho United States Sonate has decided to exempt political offenders from tho provision of the American and Great Britain extradition treaty. ' Mr H. Jones, sonr., of Masterton, conducted the services morning and evenin? in the new Wesleyan Church, Eketahuna, on Sunday last, to larpe and appreciative congregations. A young man to make himself useful at a country Hotel is wanted, particulars can be obtained at this office,

Tenders to closo on February 23rd are invited by tho Mauriceville Road Board for seven chains of' road motalling, Specifications can be seen at the oflico of the Board.

Tho Wairarapa and East .Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society's Ram and Ewe Fair takes place at Carterton on the Society's Show Grounds to-morrow Wednesday. The "Sale, commences at 11. 30a,m, and a long catalogue of entries is published in our columns.

Tho following tonders have been received by tho Eketahuna Roadßoard for abridge over ths Makakabi river : R. Bryant, 1450, (accepted); W. Francis, 1080; A, R. Dowdsivell, £034 14s 4d; J. Dawson, £527; Gardiner & Co., £50515s lOd; A. Reese, £492105: 0. E. Daniell, £012; Gifford & O'Connor £522 15s; J. .McDonald, £042; Jesporson, Aulin, and Johnson, £498 ; J.L.Thomson, £709.

Tho Saraoan question is creating a good deal of excitement in tho United States House, of.Representatives, and members are prepared to authorise the President to resort to force to maintain American interests.. The situation is becominggravo, and serious disturbances aro anticipated. It is believed, howovcr, that the feeling in America over, tho Samoan question will become calmer aftorthe accossion of General Harrison to the Presideutal chair

Tho solicitors to the Bank of New Zealand have written to the London Stock Exchango stating that counsel's opinion has been obtained that tho £7 shares now fully paid up are freo from liability excepting the reserve liability. It is advisable to obtain the authority of tho colonial Parliament confirming the reduction of the capital and the statutory authority necessary to allow the holders to reconvert the £7 shares into £lO sharos,

A medical man wishing to gain a few statistics regarding tho dangers attending athletics sent a list of questions on the subject to a number of schoolmasters, Most of these aro nf opinion that the dangers attendant on cricket and football are greatly exaggerated; but several of them add a ridor to tho effect that they think the spectators of such sport are in considerable danger. " 1 consider, '• says one" that tho looking on at football and athletic sports is our most fertile source of coughs and colds, and the illnesses following upon them,"

Whilo somo lads were playing the other afternoon on a largo heap of sand at some houses in the course of erection at Birkenhead, they saw a clog projecting, and called for assistance. The sand was cleared away and tho body of a lad named Worth discovered. Medical aid was called, but he had been dead somo time. It is surmised that tho lad played truant from school, and whilo sitting in a large hole the sand fell in and smothered him. His brother committed Buicido a short time ago. Tho power of a windmill has been successfully applied to the generation of electricity for domestic purposes by Professor Blyth, of tho Glasgow Philosophical, Society, The windmill was of tho old-fashioned kind, with four arms, each 13ft Ion?, The dynamo was belted directly to the fly-wheel of the mill, and charged twelye colls of storage battory. The current was used both for light and for driving a turning-lathe. Ten eight-candle powor incandescent lamps were supplied, with current to spare; and a good breeze for half a day stored electricity enough, for the light required on foyr evenings of three or four hours eaoli,

Peoploin the North of England will soon be able to converse with' people in London through the telephone. This will ho the result of an amalgamation between the United National and Lancashire TolephonoCdmpanies, which has been in course of negotiation for some time, and which appears row to bo rapidly approaching asuccessful issue. It is expected that the trunk line between Birmingham and London will be completed early in the new year. Leeds Manchester, and Liverpool have for some time had telephone communication with the hardware capital, so that the completion of the line between London and the newly-created city will supply the link that has hitherto been wanting] in the chain of connection, ■:■ ' '■ • |

■ At Albury tho other day four intelligent and respectable native-born Ohinbse children, the eldest being' a girl of fourteen, were Btopped on the arrival of the afternoon train from Melbourne by Mr Joyce, the sub-collector, for entering' the colony without naturalisation papers. In answer to the. Customs officer, the girl said theywere the ohildten of Ket, interpreter,. otWangaratta,wbere they were born aud educa'tedj arid that they were going on a visit to their Bister, Mrs Ah Sam, at Gerogery. ;She under? stood that nativerborniohildren wera free to go anywhere in Australia, ThS Customs officer thought otherwise, but instead of giving'them in.charge he sent thembaok by the saine train tp Victoria! It was the: opinion of the Magistrates Qfc Albury ;that the law is:not meant "to apply^o-native-born children, and that the officer rshouldliave allowed the chil.. droutogobnlHieir'joumey.v'.

The German warship Kber roiled froin Auokloud for Samoa yesterday. ..; • 'Mr- John KKing': invites!-tenderstfor - painting a house at Mastertoii',;■;Particulars will be found: in- another- column At /.The Hawke's Bay.-, agricultural; and pastwal'Society's -Annual-Bam : 'Fair takes place to;morro'w, .Wednesday,. •- .'-. We havo to acknowledge: the receipt of Mr.W. K; Bishop .'penny .monthly Mdsbiw which contains the usual amount of usoful information. :

.MrF.H; Wood publishes his. preliminary: oataloguo of stock for "'sale -atTnratahi on; Thursday,. February 14th/ Eight hundred and sixty slwep assorted, besides cattle andhorses are notified and further entries invited,- -'•'?.-' -■■■ AttheWesleyan Conference, Duuedin yesterday the following resoluti'iri occupied in discussion all the thei afternoon session, almost all the members of the Conference, both lay and clerical; taking part in it:—"That. this; Goiife'rence records upon its minutes its 'strong, feeling of regret caused by tho .refusal of tho last General Conference to grant the request of New Zealand for a separation, and views with olarm the consequence likely.tp ensue." The voting was 28 for, tfapainst. The death.of Sir Walter Stirling removes a curious figurofrom the streets i of London, Although Sir Walter wus close on 87-years old, he retained the trim, spare figure of early manhood; his brown wig was juvenility itself, and his walk was almost, a run. He was constantly on foot, with his umbrella tucked underJiis arm, hurrying from house to house and from club to club, gossiping, inquiring, collecting news, and distributing it, and illustrating every social and political eveut of tho time from the copious recesses of his inexhaustablo momory, He had' been eduoated at Westminstor, and had as a boy freely availed himself of tho traditional privilege of the Kind's scholars to attend the debates of tho House of Commons.

Thtv latest deyelopment of University Extensiou work in England is the publication, by both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, of similar soheraes for home study under competent teachers. The instruction, which is intended not as a substitute, but as supplementary to the University Extension Lectures,, is given by correspondence. The long list I of subjects comprises history, science, art and literature, The fees for three mouth's' instruction in any onebranohis 10s,_ with slightly reduced rates for additional subjects. The pupil receives a liafc of the books, required (with prices) hints for study specially adapted to the subject, an outline of three months' suggested reading, with reference to editions, chapters, &c, and a series of topics for essay writing. He has the privilege of communicating six times with the leader, or as often as ho likes an an extra payment of Is 8d each time. The Home Beading Circles, as they are called, begin work in January, 1889. From the Nolson Colonist, January 22nd, we learn that a syndicate interested in opening the Baton district as a goldfield has began its work, The syndicate, for which Mr Davis, a mining expert from 'Victoria and New South Wales, is acting, has purchased 840 acres on the Baton River, five miles above its junction with the Motueka River, and twenty-six miles from Motueka township, The property, it appears, is a succession of rising ten-aces each from 15ft to 60ft abovo each other, attaining an altitude of 300 ft above the the river level, Twelve men are at work prospecting, and it is said their work is encouraging!. At the back of Baton sohoolhonse good wash dirt was got at 2ft from the surface, the workings being stopped at loft by water. Tho prospectors, with appliances expected to get rid of this, and anticipate the shaft to yield payable stuff, Somo coarse gold was found in ni tunnel started by a previous party of miners. In Maori Creek a small quantity (soz) of gold was found in three days, The syndicate proposes to operate upon a largo scale, and besides findin? tho precious motal have obtained traces of copper, galena, cinnabar, and indications of other minerals I'hey have also come upon rock salt and a Oft seam of coal. Four or 6oz of the gold found were on inspection at the Bank ot New Zealand.

Messrs Eoss aud Muir, of Masfcerton, have juat made an important addition to their business of agricultural implement makers and coach builders, by the purchase of the business of Kutzrer Bros., ongineer and brass-workers, the whole of whose plant and extensive •machinery has been removed to Messrs ltoss and Muir'a premises in Quoenttreet, The services of Mr Otto KutZner, who is well and favorably known and thoroughly up in his work, have been secured, and this new branch' of the business will" be entirely under his management. With tho appliances that Messrs Eoss and Muir have at their bands it will no longer be necessary for mill proprietors and owners of machinery to send to Wellington to replace breakages, as.repairs can now be undertaken in the district, and this should prove a great boou as well as monoysavingto all interested. Messrs Ross and Muir direct attention to their firstclass stock of buggies, spring carts and drays of the latest designs and improvements. These conveyance are of their own construction and the material "and workmanship aro guaranteed. In addition, agricultural implements, flax and wool presses are made on the premises.

Lord Sydney aid Sir Reginald Wclby (says the World) are understood to be responsible for the very drastic recommendations which havo lately been submitted to the Queen, and which include, I'hear, the cutting down of the salaries of the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Steward, ■ and the Master of the Horse, to £SOO a year each, whoreby a saving of £SOOO a year will be effected, the amalgamation of tho Parliamentary posts of Treasurer aud Comptroller of of the Lord Steward's department, the future offioial to getLßooa year; and the same course to ho taken with the corresponding places (Vice-Chamberlain and Comptroller) in the Lord Chamberlain's department, which will lead to a further saving of L 2200 a year. There is no, attempt to disguise the object of these economical reforms, It hasbecome clear that no Parliament will sanction any grants to the grandcnildron of the Queen, excepting only the. children of the Prince of. Wales, so her Majesty colliders it to be her imperative dHty to save as much money as possible, in order that all her descendaits may be adequately provided for by hcnelf. It is quite cortain that the Duke of Connaught and Princess Beatrice will be the Queen's principal heirs, and hor Majesty has three other families- to look after—namely/those of tho late Duke of Albany, Princess Christian, and the late Princess Alice. .

. An Extraordinary scene, says the Teinperanco World occurred at Waterloo Station on Saturday, November 24, On the arrival thereof a special train at 12 minutes to 1 on Saturday afternoon, it was found that 60 men-time expired soldiers of the 2nd Battalion Koyal 'Dublin Fusiliers, from Gosport—were either mad or helpless' with drink. About 30 were in a state of insensibility,-while others rolled on to the platform, and one of the party fell into the 6ft.-way, and had a narrow escape of being crushed by one of the outgoing trains, fortunately he was rescued by John Lay and another oonstable who threw the ex-soldier on to tho platform, while five others had to be placed in a railway van and removed to the St Thomas Hospital,. William Macnamara, aged 26 years, had a miraculous escape, and at one time it wasfearcdhis life would be sacrificed. • The scene at the hospital can hardly bo described,' In the further casualty, ward' six. men were. lying on the' floor perfectly unconscious, black and blue in the race, and evidently suffering.;' The floor was Strewn 'with strawy and cqyered with blood" vrhich was'flowing fr'sm various parte pf. the debauched rnon. ■ Tho resident physicians wore immediately, in attendance, as well as'a large'pmber. of the medical and surgical staff, > Tlie;usual;.'remedies were'used, but it'was hot before vt, : gajvanio.battery.;waa\applie4 that two of the men' recovered, 1 aijd : "wore ■' subse-. Queptly''conveyed'to .the road Pph'ce-statlou, uAfriimiiw; case occurred a few months ago;;'- 'a "-. '■.:'..-

S;[Messrs', £owesV&J iprifs add stock saleforVWedheßday.v.nOT been rd-eleeted members (if thoEducatiou Board forfl furthor period of three yearg, without dppbsiti6ii,>; ;^'':;^7':"tj ;' ! ', .The regular.'fortnightly ; ; meeting of the iMasterton j Borough, Council; takes pliice'this^evening;. : •'■•./,\. '•■ ■ /■" :■,; v.' ;

; We undijrabind the, reserved seat tHikota, :-for ~. the : pcrfornimco; of " Patience" are being rapidly takdn up, aud those who desire to Beoure a good seat should iriakd early r application at, Mr Price's whew the plau can be seen.

■ 'With reforenco to tho extraordinary, mildness of the winter in England, Mr M.T.' Oulleyi of.Ooup'aiid Castlo,. Wobler, : North Northumberland,/ writes to a local paper, that he had n .diari of tender greon.peas. on November :20th, and on 28rd one of globe artichokes from his garden, while primroses, polyanthus, foxglovoVsweet'peas, and.roses bloomed abundantly.' ; - ::,'^ : ;' A::: C:;/;v

Train arrangeniont tor the Wellington RaciugOltib Suiriiner Meefctag,: at .tlio Hutt Park: on'the 7 th. and : Bth, : ihit,|are advertised in this issue.; ■ Saturday.rqton' tickets will be issued on Friday next available for : .retum,up to and including Monday Jb'ebru'ary Uth.yA train will leave Petbne • each 'day after the'arrival of the. morning train .from Wairarapa.Passongersfdr.tlie Wairarapa must loavo the Bacecourae. platform by the train leaving there at 5.30 p m, - v " We have decided to have a sale'of overplus Surplus Summer Stock, .commencing on Friday, February Ist, at Te Aro House; Wellington,-

That there will' be - x baigaiiia,''aa, thoro always have been at oar sales,goes without saying, and though tho exigencies of State, according to our present rulers, demand an almost crushing taxation ihr drapery goods, yet we shall not bo debarred from offering to the public such marvels of cheapness as may not occur again for years at To Aro House, Wellington. ■'•-..,' . ■ Tho balance of our Summer Stock in all departments is marked at prices to sell ouickly. In washing and other dress fabrics in mantles and costumes, in millinery and underclotliiog, in carpets and. calicees,, in boys' and youths' clothing thore is an abundant >nrioty of some of the cheapest lots ever seen in the city, sufficient to convince every unprejudiced mind that the proper place, the best place, and the only place to secure undeniable bargains, is To Aro House, Wellington • ' ■• The'sale will only last 14 days, and will come to an end on Saturday, February 10th and in conducting it we mean to bo "short sharp and deoisivo" at Te Aro House, Wellington. Wo should certainly recommend a'visit to this sale on the part of all housekeepers, hotelkeepers, statiouholders and heads of familes. Money will be saved by visiting the sale of overplus Stook at Te Aro House Wellington,