ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 213, 10 September 1886, Page 2

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

. [VIA 3iR.IS.DToi AND MKLBOUr.NKi i (I'KO.M uL'H LONDON' OOKRK.SI'O' IjKNT. 1 I Pbince Napoleon Louis Bonaparte, who-is making a tour round tho world, has already got half-way through the United tttbtee. ilo expects to reach 'Frisco in about six weeks, and may sail for Now Zealand by the October mail steamer. If the Adelaide people are at all sharp, they will secure his presenc-j at tho opening of tin Jubilee Exhibition, I hear, by the way, that quite a number of our "society" people intend to make tho Adolaido Exhibition an excuso for noiv " doing " tho Austrulias. Many of tho wealthy colonists now being feted hore (not South Australians merely, but Victorians and New South Wales folk) are most empresse in their invitations, and spare no pains to louse the interest and curiosity oi possible tourists. Lady Brass: y, I understand, has positively promised to visit \ our end of the world before long, though whether with the famous "Sunbeam" or in a more prosaic craft my infoimant didn t seem to know. Justin McCarthy's Australian Tour. Mr Justin McCarthy, who is about to visit the Australian colonies in company with Mrs Campbell Praed and her husband, should meet with a hearty welcome. In politics he is a Home Kuler and a follower of Parnoll, though you would never discover the fact from hia conversation or his novels. As a journalist and a writer of liction Mr McCarthy stands almost facile prineeps. Till Lucy to"k over the editorship of the " Daily News " most of tho smartest loaders in that juirnal came from his pen. He now dees a good deal for tho "Chronicle." Mr McCarthy's novels you nil know. It is his proud boast that he never made an absolute failure with a story. Some of his books tire more popular than ethers, but all'sell, and all me worth reacting. I think I like "Miss Misanthrope " and " Hear Lady Disdain" beat. 1 hear Miss Genevieve Ward, like Edmund Leatheaand Dion Bouciosult. kept a voluminous journal whilst in tho colonies, and that selections therefrom will shortly bo published. Boncicault is busy even now correcting the proofs of hia book, and so, by the way, is 0.A.5., who seems to have quite got over his wife's death, and to bo as merry as a "grig " again. Tho Secretary of State for tho Colonies (Lord Granville) has been very seriously ill, and v.LI bo compelled to iivo v quiet life and give up ail active interference in politics henceforward. Should Mr Gladstone remain much longer in tho cilice, a new Colonial Secretary will be appointed, but from present appsarances this won't be ne. esaty. Lotd Koseburry suc.-ecue Lord Granville as Liberal leader in thellou.-e of Lords. Frozen Mutton of Falkland Isles. The arrival of a cargo of 30,000 carcases \ of prime frozen mutton (tqual in quaiitj to the best Canterbury type) fn.ni the Falkland lalos, has given anything but satisfaction to importers cf New Zealand meat, who foresee tho advent of another powerful rival on the market. The carcares weigh from COlbs to 701bs each, and sell readily at od per lb. A steamer has been fitted up with refrigerators and chaitered by a Falkland Island syndicate specially to bring over rogular cargoes honceforward. Is tho New Zealand Court a Disappointment? Whatever may be tho opinion of those intimately connected with the New Zealand Court at South Kentington, I am quite Eure the average Anglo-colonist will back me up in tho statement 1 mado when the Exhibition first opened, viz , that the section is disappointing as a whole. To deny that thore are- a great many most interesting exhibits «ould, of course, be absurd. The simple questions I put are: (1) Does tho Qpuit give a just or even accurate impression ot the resources, scenery, and general importance of the colony ? (2) Does it compare fuvourubly with tho other Australian Courts? (3) Is it a popular resort with visitors? To each and all of these questions an honest man can only answer "No." As a popular resort tho Now Zealand Court falls lamentably short of almost eveiy other section at South Kensington. It is, indeed (as 1 think I told you before), tho ono portion of the show where one can always find breathing space on a crowded day. Tho excursionists and wot king folk do not understand the ecicntifij exhibits which fid so large a portion of the Court. On such people even the greater part of Dr. Bullet's collection is necessarily wasted. They like the Maori portraits, but that is ull.

What tho great bulk of the present visitors (excursionists from all parts of England) hopo to learu from the N Z. Court and don't learn is what the country is like. Tho pictures, photos, and (above all) models show them this in Victoria and New South Wales and South Australia. The plain truth of the whole business, of course, is that Sir Julius Yon Haast was not the man to be truetod with fixing up the New Zealand Court. He is too much of a scientist, and too little of a man of the world. Moreover, his exaggerated notions of his own selt-inipoitaiico tickuii everyone with whom he comes in contact. It was certainly a happy notion of Sir R, Stout's to cable Homo to the Agent-General, of all people, to ascertain whether the derogatory criticisms of tho New Zealand Court wero justified by fact. Being himself an Executive Commissioner, and primarily responsible (in name, at least) for tbo fixing up of the Court, ho would naturally bo just the person to give an entirely dispassionate opinion ! ! Whatever the Agent General may choose to say publicly, I know one thing, and that is that ho was far from satisfied with many of Yon Haa3t's arrangements, and would probably, if ho were questioned, cordially agree that the worthy man's appointment as Commissioner-iu-Charge of the Exhibits for tho New Zealati.l Court was a lamentable mistake. The one portion of the Now Zealand section Sir Francis 801 l undertook to see through himself was the Conservatory, and that on all hands is admitted to be as nearlyperfect as it could be, considering the diffi culties in the way Tno "Colonists" Doings. On Friday, the IGth inst., the Society of Arts gave a brilliant evening fete a the Exhibition, which »a<; attended by several thousand parsons, inclu..'jug most of the '■'. colonists " in town. The leading teatvires of the affair weie much the same as on previous occasion?, viz , half a dozen bands in various parts of the grounds and buildings, and a limited supply of strawberries and cream, ices, and other light refreshments. The fouotains rehearsed sundry novel effects, and Spiers and Pond sent down their team of bell-ringers from the Criterion. On Saturday evening, the 17th inst., a soloetion of colonists .vere tho guests of the Savage Club, which held Ite annual dinnor at the Holburn Restaurant Owing to various causes, the affair was not a success. The company numbered 120, but only some three were "Savages." A3 for the afterdinner " sing-song," I have heard many far better on ordinary nights at Lancaster House. On the afternoon of tho loth inst., Sir Julius Yon Haast f,'avo his promised lecture on "Tho Mineral Resources of New Zealand," before Professor Warington Smyth and a fair audience of geologists and mining exports. The discussion which followed Ihe reading of the papers was so interesting and important to the colony that I have obtained a report, which is forwarded heiewith. One of tho smartest parties last week was given by young Sir Henry Tichburne at the family residence in Eaton Place. Sir Henry is as yet but a bashful and unformed youth, and most of the arrangements were in the handa of Mr Gillett and his relative Mr Washington Hibbert. The luckless claimant is in very low uater indeed in America. ■, On Monday, the 19th instant, a large Dumber of colonists visited the Royal College of Music for the Blind at Upper Nor!- --! wood,- where a concert was given by the 1 pupils. The performance of Lady Archibald Campbell's Pastoral Players at Cannizorra Woods, Wimbledon, also attracted a detachment of the visitors that afternoou. The pieco selected (Tennyson Beckett) did not answer open-air requirements as well as " As You Like It," and the company generally voted the affair slow. Miss Genevieve Ward was the Queen Eleanor, and Lady Archibald Fair Rosamond. The Prince and Princess of Wales patronised tho performance, " Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition. A very select Anglo-Indian fete was given at the Exhibition iast night, the invitations being issued solely by ex-Indian Secretaries and ex-Governor-Generals. The Prince and Princess of Wales and a whole host of othor Royalties were present, the company assembling in tho Durbar Hj>ll about midnight. The only Australians I saw were Sir Samuel and Lady Davenport. I - had a chat with the Duke of Manchester, who said, but whether seriously, or merely in. joke I couldn't

be sure, that possibly the Prince of Wales might depute bira (Manchester) to repr B * sent him at tho opeuing of tho Adelaide Exhibition Thn Prince, of course, cannot ;:.... >in,i will decline formally, out means to ;i ilia Agerits-l.ewr.'d tlio interview on . 'M '■< ■}■: ' i-avt 0.-W..1 F.„ riewil, ".' -: V''7"/.' ;': rf '-\." k '- lniti :- o - ■'■ £ •- '-■ - ; -'> --''■-•'I-, rw-^stterjts cither now ir luter for an Australian tour. Tile New Hebrides. Sir F. D. Bell thinks it not impossible that Franco may now givo up the idea of annexing the Wow Hebrides, and propose an international arrangement similar to that•-,,. in force on tho Congo. Sir F. D. Bell will at an early date bo banquottcd at the Drapers' Hall, and presented with tho freedom of that city Company. Sir Julius Yon Haast and tho other new K.C.M.G 'a go down to Osborne on the 2nd • prhx., when tbey will be " invested " by the Quean with their new dignities. The colonists have all gone dowa to*" Portsmouth to-day to witness tho grefttl' Naval Koview. Personal and General. Mr Archibald Forbes ha? presented hia'f biide with a neck ace composed of his '! various war medals strung together. The sculling match for i'lOO a-eide between Beach's trainer, Peter Kemp, and Georgo Perkins, of Kotherhithe, was won - very easily by tlio latter, who scarcely'«§ ; 8 erted himself at all. ''<'i It is proposed to close tho City and'" Guilds Technical Institute at South Ken- l sington, which has been a failure, and to convert it into a permanent home for the,lS " Golindie?." Several of the colonial representatives ure, however, obstinately pre..., judiced in favour of an enormously [costly site on the Thames Embankment. Trie prospectus of an Imperial and Colon- « ial Marine Insurance Company, Limited X is appearing in all the papers, capital d ' miliion in 50,000 shares of £20 apieoe, £2-T called up. Messrs W. R. Graham and Co, ; of Glasgow, appear to be the principal pro. motors. ;;;'! Miscellaneous Items. At the close of tho present eeason, Mr A, c Patchott Martin has arranged to produce a .t "Souvenir of the Colonial Exhibition," in ' tho form of a volume entitled "Cooee; or v Voices from tho Bush." It will contain &•'" new story by Mrs Campbell Praed, arid* hitherto unpublished poems by the late,, Marcus Clfrka and Adam Lindsay Gordos,C Nino months have elapsed since the-3 closing of the Inventions Exhibition, yet no balance-sheet is forthcoming, so that 'tisscarcely to be wondered ut that nasty things are being said. Sir Philip CunlifK* Owen ar.d his syndicate can Enap their', lingers at crit cisni just at, prosent, but woe 1 " betide them should the " Colonies" prove a"' financial failure. From tho opening day;} on an average of £S,OOO a week haa beef* taken at the doors. Spiers and "PoflrjJ! paid £15,000 for the refreshment and Wi]liug3 and others enormous advertising concessions. _>

The many friends of Sir Wilfred Lawson in tho colonies w iil be glad to learn that he i is once more in Parliament, Equally th'ejQ may be pleased te hear that the Right Bon,( ( *'Jim" Lowther has, for tho third timej--bet-n rejected in his own county. - >_i Henry Lambert, a clerk in the offices 6l the New Zealand Agricultural Company:? has been committed for trial for having! forged debenture bonds of the Company to» tho value of £00 and converted them te' his own u3es. . Mj _ A number of amusing stories are current re the visit ot the colonists to WindEOT.V Amongst other things they were asked to sign the visitors' book at the Castle. Sir, John Coniell thought they might consider this something of a nuisance, bat he was quite mistaken. The visitors almost fought with one another for precedence in signing, Such phrases as " I come next, sir!" "Don't push me, sir !" "My wifi and daughter have not signed yet, sir !" could be bearl on all sides by the Court officials, who were* vastly amused. The colonists v/ill vLit Liverpool for three days on the 10th of August, as guests of the Mayor (Sir David Radcliffe) and the Cori Deration, The programme will mcludeja banquet at the " Shippetiee,' a ball at the Town Hall, an inspection of the docks andj of "crack" Atlantic liners, and various other functions. , ' crt Tho success of Mr Hugh Rpmilly's book on New Guinea has been so great that he fi preparing another and more voluminous work, in which the New Hebrides question will be fully dealt with. Postscript. ; ;' : ." Notwithstanding the indignation with, which Sir F. D. Bel! and his friends lasi woek repudiated the suggestion that th{j New Zealand Court was less papulai than the other Australian sections 'at South Keneington, they at once ooi|l» meneed making alterations and improve! menta. Further photo screens have alreaßy been erected and a gold trophy is in cornifl of formation. ." ■ ~~s,-. Tho heavy consignments of fro2*jf mutton from theFalklanda have hadantrafortunato effect on an already depressed market, and rates are lower than ever.