ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 45

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

CFsom Oca Owk Correspondent.) London, October 2.

GENBHAL ITBMS. " R.R." still wields his graphic, but often misleading, pen in tha columns of the Financial -Times. He was disappointed with the hot springs. " They did not gash," he laments, "as well behaved springs do in po«try books. They simply oozed, and they smelt abominably of sulphur." He derides the-geysers of Wakare" warewa and "Hell's Gate" at Tikitere. As for the latter, he declares that a very good and adequate idea of it may be obtained~any day by watching contractors lay asphalt pavement. 'Even the effect? of the Tarawera eruption only

suggest disparaging comparisons with Pompeii. Referring to the colony generally, he says :—: — " I suppose New Zealand has been more written about than any of the colonies, and has usually

been puffed up ad nauseam.

It is real I v such a

beautiful island. Its rainfall is so boanteou*, ,' and its' .climate-so delightful fffsfc one forgets 'its political disabilities and' its financial em> .barrassments. Its very advantages have made the people careless. ■ They found so little to contend against, except Maoris, that they 'almost lo»t the art of hard living and hard fighting." ■ • \ ' I should say he is clearly- wrong here, but let that pass, for in this instance he certainly .does boom the advantages of -New Zetland. '" Life with the New Zealander," he »»ys, " has •been cast in pleasant places. He can hunt, fisb, ■hoot, and sleep under any reck without fear of snake or centipede. If he wants coal be can

get 'the finest the world produces' at West-

port — coal that saved the Calypso [I suppose he meats Calliope, but no matter] on that memor-

able day in Apia Harbour. His timber is varied and of excellent quality. He has not the hard karri of Western Australia or the huge gum* of Gippslaud,- but the kauri is almost as fice a tree as the giants of Calaveras ; and there are numberlefs varieties of hard woods which are of exquisite grain and texture. There are petroleum beds in the North Island which

would pay to work. There are the iron sands

of Taranaki and the copper mines of Nelion, which are worth consideration. There are the

wonderful alluvial beds in the North Island, ■" which never fail to yield a livelihood to the energetic prospector, though they do not pay limited companies. If you like cold you may live in Dunedin ; if you prefer the tropical heat of Auckland' it is only a wetk'e journey. Never was any island so blessed by Nature with diver' ■ity of climate, variety of foliage, or magnificence

of scenery." New Zealand* rs will have an opportunity of inspecting a very fine specimen of Mr Williameon's work when the memorial to the late Bishop Harper arrives. I think all who had the privilege of knowing the former Primate of New Zealand will at once admit that the recumbent figure which forms the main feature of this memorial is . a singularly beautiful and touching likeness, although the sculptor had no guide-bub, a photograph ; aud I fancy New Zealand is hardly likely to do better than by baviog s replies, of his famous statue of the Queen, .which I believe he has expressed his willingness to execute as desired at s relatively 'moderate price. Mr H. R M'Williatn, of Messrs Dempster, Paterson, and Co., of Glasgow (formerly of New Zealand), called on me a day or two ago, and gave on the whole a rather cheering account of the prospects of New Zealand dairy produce duriDg the coming stufon. Mr M'Willi*m was passiug through London ftotn Bristol, at which place he had been making various arrangements with regard to the coming New Zealand dairy produce season, particularly in respect to butter. After leaving London he was to visit Manchester and Dundee, where he expected to make all necessary .arrangements. In Mr M'William informed me, there were many inquiries , being made for the new i ea«ou's New Zealand butter, and he

seemed to think the outlook most hope-ful for

this branch of the trade. One thing of which Mr M William spoke with much pleasure was that at last — as a result of v his own, Mr Retves's, and Mr MacEwan's many representations to them — the New Zealand - dairy produce exporters were seriously thinking of consigning their butter and cheese to a few firms of high standing, instead of, as formerly, dis-

tributiog it among so many people for sale. Before long the Danish hotter season will have commenced, and Mr M 'William was in hopes that some of the New Zealand produce would have come to hand before then, so that there would be more likelihood of higher prices being obtained for New Zealand butter, for uaturally the keen competition which i* expected to act

in shortly will tend te keep priceß on a somewhat" more equal footing. But Mr M' William spoke with much confide nc a as regards the coming season, and again remarked tint; for "New Zealand butter many inquiries had already been and were still being made in the Glasgow market. .

"Doubt wu expressed regarding the good^ likely te result to New Zealand from Mr Seddon's viiit to the old country," remarked Mr Thomas Mackenzie to me the other day. " But when you tee Mr Seddon moving for the repeal of that absurd tax on commercial travellers you must reccgui«e that' Mr Seddon, like other people who visit London, has had his mind opened and his views broadened. lam delighted to tee the repeal moved. It will mike a very favourable impression in commercial circles everywhere outside of New Zealand." Mr Thomas Mackenzie thinks that much good would /'retulfc ware the New Zealand Government to make a display of the colony's products, &c, at the Crystal Palace, for, he ■ays, millions of people pass tbroogh«fchat place,' and the display wonld be the means of showing them what New Zealand could do. Mr Mackenzie further remarked that in his opinion a refreshment stall at the Crystal Palace, the eatables consisting of New Zealand produce, would be an excellent idea.

The first New Zealand mails brought by the tegular service .of the Canadian- Australian Royal Mail Steam Ship Company (worked by Messrs Huddart, Parker, and Co.) were delivered in London last Saturday, the time taken being 34' days 12 hours from Wellington. This was done in the ordinary course, no 'special acceleration of the transcontinental passage being feasible, pending the confirmation .of c - contract by . the New- Zealand Government, but Mr James Huddaxt appears confident that if the contract should be ratified it would prove feasible to secure very material acceleration on this time;

' •'■ That unfortunate white elephant the Imperial Institute, commonly and rudely known as the "Prince's Folly," continues to be the target for ■haft* of ridicule on the part of the English press. This being the " silly aeason "—and in fact a sillier season than usual— th« newspapers have found such a subject useful, and they caper round it accordingly. Certainly anything more repellant and desolate than the aspect of that remarkable building at the present time it would be difficult for the mind of man to conceive even in its nost morbid moments. Nobody, however,

seems to have any definite idea as to what should be done. The only point upon which everybody is agreed — excepting, of course, the highlycalaried officials, who make a comfortable and eaay living out of the humbug — is that a drastic reform is needed in every respect. New Zealand stocks have been ao remarkably" steady for many months that it really has not bees worth while mentioning the quotations, which have scarcely altered from week to week. Inscribed 3's are as high as 101£ ; Bank of New Zealand 4- per cent, guaranteed stock is at 105 ; New Zealand Sbippiog Company shares still have an upward tendency, and are quoted at s£. On the whole there U little chauge to record.

During the Church Conference at Nottingham the Primate of New Zealand made fome pointed remarks in reference to the Colonial Clergy Act. He admitted that it was not unreasonable that colonial clergy who came to reside permanently or temporarily in this country should be called on to show some proof of competence. But he wished that the Euglish archbishops and bishops here would administer the act in a generous fpirit, especially in dealing with colonial clergy of long experience and tried efficiency. He thought" it desirajble that there should ba * free inte change of clergy between the churches of Great Britain aod those of the colonies and elsewhere. This would convey mutual benefits. It would not be merely the colonial clergy who would benefb, for' English churchmen might learn much from association with the clergy of the freer churches, especially when a desire existed for a return in some respects to primitive ways.

In the course of the s»me speech Bishop Cowie declared .that he was proud 'of beiag one of the governing body of a university which was. the first in the British'Ecnpire to grant degrees to women. The Bishop remarked that in New Zealand the franchise had been given to the women, and now not only did the men regard the step as by no mean 1 * harmful or inconvenient, but they even wondered why women had remained so long without the right of voting. The remarks of tha right reverend prelate were very favourably received, and his references to the female franchise elicited some laughter, but much more hearty applause. PEBSONAI. ITEMS. , Sir George Grey is, indeed, a most wonderful man ! Now, that sounds a very trite saving, but I really cannot help u«ing it in view of the latest developments. When I closed my last letter Sir George Grey, you may perhaps remember, was to all appearances in a state of collapse and sinking rapidly, after severe delirium. All hit friends had been bidden to prepare for the worst, and had been warned that that worst could not bs delayed many days, perhaps hours. This went on until hours had grown iuto days and days into weeks ; and now, after ail this laceration of everybody's feelings, all this mourning by anticipation, Sir George Grey has unexpectedly rallied once 'more in a most decisive manner. He is very much better; he is conscious ; he recognises his friends ; all traces of delirium seem to have departed ; and in short, 'to use a colloquial expression, he really would appear to have "taken a new lease of life." It is a most surprising recoil, as it were, from the brink of the grave. Whether th« improvement ba of r permanent character or not ao one j'efc can say, bat assuredly the uiarvtllous old man does seem to be on the fair way to as complete a recovery as could be hoped for at his age and in his weakened condition. Certainly a few days Ago no one dreasoed of a possibility of any such change for the better. Lady Grey is again stayiDg at the Norfolk Hotel, where her husband resides- She was obliged to leave for & time, the effect on her nerves afe herattvar.ced age of Sir George's ularmiug condition being too serious for her to remain at his side. Two trained ourses keep constant watch by Sir George Grey, who cannot bo left for % moment--.

Th« Primate of New Zealand presided at the public hrfakfast given at Nottingham last Tuesday on the. occasion of the opening of the Church Congress there.

Mr Frederick Walter Kennaway, who recently took bis B.A. degree at Cambridge with high honours, has ju*t succeeded in pxssing the Indian Civil Service examination very creditably This is do mean feat, and its difficulty is becoming greater year by year us the examinations are increasingly stiff. That' of tbe present year isadmitfced to have been far afciffer than any of its predecessors, and no candidate was allowed to pans who got fewer than 1800 marks, so that the success of the young New ZeaUnder is all the more gratifying. Virtually Mr P. W. Kennaw&y's "pass" secures him a good appointment in the Indian service, for which he is instructed at once to .begin a certain course of special study, and for this he receives an allowance of £100; per annum. On if a completion tie will be eligible to enter upon his new duties.

Miss Emily Siedeberg, of Dunedin, who, I believe, enjojs.the honour of being the firsblady to take a medical degree in New Zealand, has now nearly completed the course of study for which she came to England some time ago. She' has been six months in Berlin studying various subjects, principally the diseases of women, which she makes her specially. She was also for some time at the famous Rotunda Hospital in Dublin similarly engaged. She has just been spending 10 days in Edinburgh visiting friends, •nd will leave nexb week by the P. and O s.s. Australia on her return to New Zealand, via Melbourne. Her arduous studies during the year in Europe do not seem to have overtaxed her at all, for when I met her yesterday she was looking remarkably well and bright. On her arrival in New Zealand she will at once settle down to the regular profession of her practice as a lady doctor.

Her brother, once the champion chessplayer of New Zealand, is at present in Berlin, where he h&s been studying electrical engineering. He intends' to leave shortly for America, where he will enter upon the regular practice of his profession. Mr Siedeb«rg was strongly tempted to compete in the chess tournament at present being held in Berlin, bub he feared that owing to the hard work and mental strain involved in his professional studies he would be h&rdly fresh enough to contend with the great European masters of the game who were taking pact in the contest. Also, I understand, he has had little leisure for playing of late, and so was likely to have got somewhat out of practice. . Mr.and Mrs John Edie, of Crookaton, Ofcago, sailed last.w^eek by the s.s. Valetta, via Melbourne, on their way to New Zealand.

Another passenger by the saaae steamer was Mr Gilkison (of FlemiDg and Giltison). Mr GilkUon has left his son in Eugland, he being apprenticed to a very eminent firm of electrical engineers.

Mr A. L. Fogo, of Dunedin, is at present in London seeing all the sights. It is his intention to leave for Brussels next month, after which he will go to America and then to South Africa.

Dr Fooks, of Auckland, leaves to-day by the s.s. Banffshire, on his return to the colony. He' goes by way of Amtralia.

On the 31st August the marriage took place of Mr Reginald William Moorhouse, son of Mr Thomas Carter Moorhouse, o£ Canterbury, to

Miss Mildred Adela Barry, daughter of Mr Horace Barry, of Bush Hill House, Winchmore Hill, London. The wedding took place at Sfe. Peter's Church, Ightham, Kent, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. D. Barry, rector of the parish and brother of the bride, who was given away by her youngest brother, Mr F. C. Barry. There was a full choral service, and thß fine peal of bells was rurjg at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Another wedding of interest to New Zealand took place on Saturday last at Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, when Mr D. B. Thornton, of Auckland, New Zealand, was married to Miss Ploreuce Enid Leigh-Hunt, eldest daughter of Mr Walter Leigh-Hunt, of 25 Qaeensberry Place, W.

Among the passengers by the Gothic, which arrived on Tuesday, was Mr Ben Fuller, the well-kaovrn popular public entertainer, who has come Home with the view of obtaining fresh delights for the colonial stage on behalf of his brother, Mr John Fuller. I hare reason to believe ta»t Mr Fuller has in hit eye two particular eingers — a soprano and baritone — who, as I can say from my own knowledge of them, are likely to be heard with great pleasure in New Zealand.

Mr J. Studholme has bean staying with Lord and Lady Glasgow at their country seat in Ayrshire. He apvoars to have had a very pleasant time there. He leaves Eugland tomorrow, on his return to New Zealand.

Lord and Lady Glasgow have -been entertainiug a large house patty at Kslburno Castle. They are most kind and hospitable-to any New Zealand friends who come to England.

Yet another wedding solemnised in England, but of interest in New Zealand, has to ba recorded. It took place on the 14 th of September at the parish church of P/iinswick, Gloucesterchirr, when Mr Frederick Maurice Purchas, son of the Rev. Arthur Guyon Purchas, of Aucklandf New Zealand, was married to Miss Alice Charlotte Cox, only daughter of the late J. H. Cjx. C.E , of Madras, and «tepdftughter of Mr A. J. Morton-Ball, of The Grean, Sfcroud. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. H. lJurchaß,l J urchaB, M A., vicur of Alsfconfield, assisted by the K-v G. Fox, LL B , vicar of Stroud.

A l^ew Zealand cyclist, Mr C. H. Jones, carried off the prize in a five-mile scratoh race held during the Billingsgate sport*. He covered the five miles in 12aiin sjec.

Mr J. Strattoa, a New^ Zealand swimmer, won. the second prize in the 88yds swimming handicap at the entertainment given by the Cricketers' Swimming -dub

Sir John Hall, who has been touring in the North, returned to London to-day. While in Manchester Sir John inspected the arrangements made iv that city for the reception, storage, and distribution of frozen meat and other New Zealand produce. He also visited the well-known New Zealand Produce Stores established by Mr,H. C. Cameron, with' the value aud usefulness of which he appears to have been very stroDgly impressed.