The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1972, 26 February 1885, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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THURSDAY, FEU .'</, 7.5 V.7

Gkk\.t as are the issues imnho 1 m tlie Soudan, and an\iously as we may w.itch tlic progress of the army there, our attention is likely to bo diverted to another quarter of the globe. While England has been wasting her best blood and spending her money in petty squabbles in all parts ot the world, lighting everybody else's battles, Russia has pursued a steady policy of territorial agression. We have spent our millions and our men freely in Abyssinia, in Ashantee, in Zululand, in the Transvaal, in Afghanistan, in Egypt, and in the miserable deserts of the Upper Nile country, and have received nothing but a bushel of discomfiture and humiliation, seasoned with a pinch of honour and glory, for our pains. Russia, on the other hand, calmly, and without violence, has been steadily forcing her boundary line eastward and southward, until she lias come almost within hailing distance of the frontier of our Indian Empire. Ever since the close of the Crimean War the attention of the Czars has been directed to the development of the tiade on the borders of the great inland sea which skirts the territory of the Shah. From this point the advance has been slow and sure. What little opposition has been met with has been in the shape of protests chiefly, which, as it seems, signified very little, since the Muscowte has gradually absorbed Kirn a as far as the district of Merv. It is true that England, or rather India — since our great dependency found the money — made a desperate attempt to lay down what was called a "scientific frontier," but though sums were expended in the emprise, it was barren of results 1 , inasmuch as the policy which dictated it was rexeised when the present Liberal Go\ eminent took otiice. The necessity of transforming Affghauistan into a Biitish dependency, or at least securing its neutrality and maintaining it as a barrier .i gainst further encroachments of Russia, was fully appreciated by the late Earl of Beaconsfield. That the d. tiling scheme of the Conservative Pieinier should have been abandoned was due, not so much to any want of foresight on the \wb of Mr Gladstone, as to the peculiar policy of his party, in whose eyes dabbling in the affairs of foreign nations was rank heresy. That the Liberals have since been compelled to ignore their traditions and yield to the clamorous appeals of the people, we have had sufficient reason to know. Nothing by way of an illustration of this circumstance could be more striking than the present unlucky expedition to Khartoum. It used to be the boast of the Libei als, and it was a proud and honourable boast, that, though they were slow to engage in war, when the need arose they would act with piomptitude and decision. Perhaps it is hardly worth while to enquire whether they have justified themselves in Egypt. And it may be idle to speculate whether they will cling to their historic policy in Afghanistan. The Government know that Russia is i-limbing up the Hindu Kush, and it is within the bounds of probability that the intrusion is distasteful, but beyond despatching an official protest, it is not likely that Mr Gladstone (rather, perhaps, we ought to say his following) will ino\e a step unless impelled forward by the force of public opinion, which has to be formed before it can be formulated ; and meantime the mischief is doing. Russia beyond the Hindu Kush might possibly, even probably, be kept there without any expenditure in ammunition ; but Russia over the mountain range and into the fertile valleys around Herat, is a different matter altogether, and may not be dislodged by civil words and mild pi otestAtkms. At the same time, no Englishman will admit that the Czar should be allowed to retain his foothold so close to our Indian possessions, and no one, Englishman or other, will deny that the presence of the Russian army is a menace to Britain in its present situation. But words, though they bum vi*h indignation, are are of little use. Fiigijim!. if she siys iMivtlniii, "iow, must be prepared to back up her sentiments with her guns. And here it may not be unprofitable to glance at the lelative strength of the armies of the two Great Powers, between whom collision seems to be almost inevitable. The effective strength of the British army at the end of 1883 was about 130,000, distributed as follows .-—England, 63,340 ; Scotland, 4061 ; Ireland, 27,484 ; Egypt, 13,629 ; the colonies, 22,178 ; making a total of 130,682 men of all ranks. If wo add to this the number of European troops in India, 62,705, we have a total of 193,397, which represesnts the effective strength of the army at Home and abroad, because the number set down under the head of Egypt might now be credited to the Soudan. No account is here taken of the reserves, militia and volunteers. These, indeed, can only be counted as a defence force. At the period above referred to the strength of the Army Reserve, Ist class, was 19,587 ; 2nd class, 9693 ; Militia, 117,823 ; Yeomanry, 11,267 ; and the Volunteers, 207,336. This brings up the grand

total to about ooOjOOO men, in addition to which there are the native tioops in India, about 127,000, and the combined armies of the n.itno chiefs, 30-">,000. Now, the strength of \vli.it i-. c.ilied the " acti\e" or regular lluv.i.in army is, on a pence footing, .">21,1 00, and on a war footing 9i"U,lN">, but with receives, Cossacks, Arc, the total strength in time of war is 2,121,8(5 1, or, adding the militia (levied only in war time), the total a\ailable force at the disposal of the C/ar numbers :t,208,000 ! Of this immense force a large proportion will Ik> available for active service in Aflgh.uiistin. The men can be transported by water and rail through friendly country to Merv, on the borders of the Amii's dominions. In modern warfare, provided the arms used are similar on both sides, and presuming that there is a fair amount of military genius on either, numbers win the day. That England can play rat a game of nine-pins with Russia, is, to say the least, problematical, and the chances of her securing the co-operation of any other European Power is also remote. It may, of course, be premature to discuss such matters as these. Lot us hope so. But, nevertheless, the Eastern outlook is a gloomy one, and m,iy, without much warning, grow darker still.

His Excellency the Governor left Wellington on Tuesday night for Sydney Hi*> \ isit to Austrab l is in connection with the defence of the colonies. A general meeting of the members of the Hamilton Cricket Club is called for to-morrow ovening at Bach's Hotel. Contributors of grain for the Harvest Festival at S. I'etei s are in\iti>d to send then contnbutions to the paisonage as soon as convenient. Woikeis aio united to a bee at the parsonage at '2 p.m. to-day. The Secretary of the Cambridge L.iwn Tennis Clul) has tpplied to the challenge of tho Hamilton Clul) intimating tliat his club will play agams Hamilton on Saturday next at Cainbiidge It is under stood that the Hamilton Club has agioed to tins ptopos.il. A trial of the new reaper and binder imported In Mossi, Moirm and Co., of AucUland, fioui Ainouca, was made yesteid.iN at (Ivvyiinelands, and was attended vv ith e\eiy Pieces-,. A public tual will lie given -.hoitlj. fhis m.iLliiuc is OOOlbs hghti'i thin those in geneial use m this distntt, and only lequires two hoises. The following gentlemen have been nominated foi the olhce of licensing committeemen for the district of I'ukekura : — Me->sis K. Allen, jnnr., C. Chitty, J. Fisher, J. (Jane, A. (J. Hughes, W. Hunter, H. Hy.itt, T. H. W. Morns, and R. Reynolds. The poll will be taken at the Council ChamlvMs, Oiiaupo, and at the school-hou--G, Caiubiidge West, ori Tuesday ne\t, the Hid Maich. We are in receipt of a copy of "Spencei's Illtihtiatcd Uiude to the Hot springs of Rotoi u.i and Taupo, and othei places of niteiest in the Lake Distnct." The guide is faiily complete, but it is noticeable more on account of its pictoiiil than its literary meiits. It contains about half a do/en well executed photogiaphs taken from the Luge collection in the possession of Mi Sponcei. The Cambridge Band will perform in tile domain (fiiiiimli on Tluusu\i>, "tith, at 7.30, and on Satmd.iy, 2-stli, in front of the Public Hall, nt 7.30. The following will be tho programme : — March, "Signal" ; Quadrille, "St. Patuck's"; Polka, "Oveimgton " ; Quick Maicli ; Valse, "Rita"; Schottisclic, "Jenny Bell"; Mazurka, " Cambiidge " ; Oalop, " Dolly Varden " ; "(4od Save the Queen." We would draw the attention of those pei sons who are in the habit of bathing in the Waik.ito river at Hamilton, between the Shipping Company's wliaif and the traffic bridge, that they aie acting in contravention of tho piHvisions of tho Police Ottences Act of List session. It is hoped that this hint will be taken, otherwise we have no doubt the police will be obliged to lntoiferc, as one oi two complaints have already been lodged. Great preparations have been made at S. Andiew's, C.unbtidge, for the harvest fe-tiv.vl to mm row (Fuday) night. The decorations have been cauied out on a scale altogether unprecedented. The Rev. R. O'C. Bigg- 1 , of Hamilton, will preach tomorrow evening, and the Rev. Mrdulliver, of Auckland, at both morning and ovening services on Sunday. A l.uge attendance fiom all p.utsof the distuct is expected at to-moirow night's service. The annual treat in connection with S. M.uy's Roman Catholic Sundayschool came off on Tuesday last in a paddock kindly lent foi tho occasion by Mi Ciosby, Kinkiiiioa. Aftei the iimhl games weie fieely indulged in, the childien sat down to toa, and when full justice had been done to the good things piovided, games and racing were enjoyed till evening, the paity bieaking about si* o'clock with cheers. Thanks, aie due to Mi Crosby foi the use of the paddock, and to tho ladies and gentlemen who presided and assisted to make the day's ptoceedings thoioughly enjoyable. The usual fortnightly meeting ot the Piesbyteiian Band of Hope, was held in the church, Hamilton East, on Tuesday night. There was a large attendance of adultsandchildren. Thechait was occupied by tho Rev. Mr Raeburn. The following is the programme :— Duet, Misses Rees ; riddles, James Bastable ; recitation, Miss Ree-> ; reading, Fred G.uidin ; leading, William Andrew ; recitation, Fanny Young; reading, J. Calderwood ; locititurn, Albert LeQuesiie ; addiess, Mi Coch rane. Mr Raebuin then addtessed the childien on the teinpei.ince cause. A few hymns wero sung.it intonals duiiug tho meeting, Miss Campbell piesidm*at the harmonium. Considering that there are now no fewer than tive cheese factoiies in tho Waikato district, with the possibility of a further met oase in tho number before long, it is a matter of soino suipiise that nothing has yet been contemplated in tho way of stai ting a bacon cm ing factory in conneo tion theiewith. Eveiy factory has got a piggery, some of which have a stock of nearly a hundied aniinaN, and when sufficiently well fattened these aie sent to the Auckland market, wh^io f-om nil acocmts they bring v;ood pavablo pi iocs. It is then left lor the purchiwi to make a sfill n.ither and no d«ut<t a still gif.itu jnodt. B.. 1.011 cui ing might very well b" iv. t .' , a biai.th of the operations of the rcHpeetua factories, or another company nngnt possil>ly be started, undertaking this line alone and doriving their pork supply from the cheese factories. Doubtless as tho success of the cheese factoiies becomes inoie positive, Miaroholdors will be oiu-oungid tounhaik a littlo 11101 c capital 111 this othei bianch of the induxtiy. Mr J- B. Whyte. the member for Waik.vto, letiuned to Hamilton on Tuesday, after rather a, lengthened absence fiom tho district, and we aie glad to say he appeals all the better foi tho change of an and Bceneiy. As our loadeis may have noticed, Mr Whyte was with the party who have been for the last week or tw o engaged in exploring tho piobabloioute for the North of Auckland railway. Tho Government wishing to gain thoroughly leliabjeinfornia. tion upon thin point, i>ent Mr Knorpp, their inspecting engineer, to report upon the country generally North of Auckland, with 11 view to fixing tho loute for the main trunk line, and also to repoit upon the resources of tho district generally. They also requested MrMitchelson to accompany him, knowing that he knew tho wholo of that part of tho colony intimately, and wai 0110 upon whoso gnjdancQ rojianoo could bo placed, and whose only motive would be the advancement of the North na a wholo, Mr Whyti?. knowing thnt tho subject of tho extonsion of the railway system northwards was sure to como befoio Pailiament before long, thought it a good opportunity of neeing and judging for himself, and he informs us that he enjoyed his trip very much, and was pleasantly surprised at tho quantity of good land, well adapted for settlement, which he saw and rode through in the much despised North.

The operations of the present season at the Cambridge Davy Pioduce and Clieeso Factory pi onuses to be nioie successful than was at hi it anticipated At the outlet it was thought by a few people tint the concern \\ is got undoiw.iy in too great a huny, and that nothing should hive been clone until next season, \shen matters could be much better ai ranged, ami a supeuor plant aecuied. The plant has pi o\ed itself efficient in almost evoiy p.nticular. The only source of complaint is the smallness of the supply, wh'di at the piesent tune only a\ei igos about 300 gallons daily. Ho\ve\er, there is ewiv piomtse of this bping more than doubled next .season. If shareholders desue to see the concern flouiish, they must as,ist tin 1 manage! me* cry possible, way by wing that the milk supply is not allowed to f.illolF, and .til sh ueholdeis who aie in a position to supply milk should do so, if at all possible. About si\ tons of cheese have aheady been made, and a large poition of tins has been disposed of locally at a good puce, the quality being all that could be desiied. There aie now ab ut sixty pigs jvt the factoi>, looking lemaikably well, and affording evory promise of a good leturn. The leduetion in i .ul way and steamer fieight should assist the duectors of the \anoiis faetoiies in showing a moie f.nomahle balance sheet at the next animal meeting. Yesterday's Auckland Herald has the following .—" Mi Bennett mfoiitw us that many men who weie with him at Panhaka have .sent their names fiom Waikato, Kaip.ua, and Wairoa- North. Theie aio otlieis who have seen sei\ice in the Armed Const \bularv, or who are at present sailors, and can show good discharges fiom the Meicuitile Mai me or the Koyal Navy. Mr Bennetts office was yesterday for a time quite besieged with men eager to volunteer for the Soudan. We believe there would be no difficulty in obtaining a corps of 300 good men, every way suitable to stand a campaign ; 500 would no doubt volunteer, and from these 300 could be selected. Mr Bennett received yesterday a telegram from the Colonial Secretary (the Hon. Mr Buckley), ' (imeinment tendeis you many thanks for your very loyal otfer. The matter will be considered at a meeting Cabinet shortly." An offer of a hundred men has been made to the Premier at Dunedm. A Press Association telegiam from Chnstchurch on Tuesday says : — A reaction is already setting in about the Sondan, and letters are beginning to appear looking at the call for volunteeis in a nioie practical manner than hitheito. It is pointed out that the Impel i.il Go\eminent Mould naturally expect them to be well dulled, and thoroughly equipped, «i'id it is asked where is the equipment to come fiom, and how are the men to be disciplined if they go away at once. I might add to this that the climate does not appi 1 u to be taken into lonsidciation at .ill, and its piobiblc effect on men accustomed to this t'Miipeiate latitude.