ANGLO-COLONIAL LETTER

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 100, 29 April 1889, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL LETTER

ANGLO-COLONIAL LETTER.

(FKOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT)

London, March 22.

-NEW COMPANY TO DEVELOP THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

During the greater part of this and last week the directors of the Imperial and Colonial Trading Company havo been sitting in conclave at Manchester and Liverpool preparing the prospectus and testing the statistics upon which the stability of the venture depends, fair Walter Duller, •who takes a leading part m the conference, being the. only New Zealander as yet on the Bo .rd, tells mo that particular care is being teken witai details, as of course there will be plenty of people only too anxious to pick holes in the prospectus. Mr Henry Russell will not be the managing director iv New Zealand, but simply a director 6ome,o«n^rmanMwto3«w to direct the Company's nftairu at \. ellingtoo, wbere the head offices," etc., will be "Sh-F^D. Bell thinks the venture fairly promisi'.ng, I understand, especially the portion of it whi-b relates to the importation of daii-v produce. THE COLONIAL INSTITUTE. COMING

OP ACE BANQUET, The coming of age banquet of the Colonial Institute on Wednesday week was one of the bif.rf.est dinners ot toe sorb ever given in London, and, on the vvliole awe 11----managed and successful at lair. Ihe applications for tickets from bcliows_ wishing to be present were, of course, iar in excess ol the possible- accommodation and considerable tact h.ad to be exercised by the Council in order 00 avoid giving;otlencc By providing: an ov-ertlow dinner in one ot the other rooms of the suite, a large number of the smaller fry amxious to be there were readily disposed of, but at the last moment a difficulty arose as to who was to preside here. This was wived by your Sir E. 1. Smith, who is suffering from a bad cold and had not intended to- be present. Finding, however, the banquet was to be given in his own hotel (the Metropole), he, lute on Wednesday afternoon, thought he might as well dine with the Institute as in the hotel restaurant, and was promptly pressed into service by Sir Frederick Young as chairman to the overflow dinner. The company at tb* Royal table was, of course, very smart. H. B.H. presided, with the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Manchester, Lord Kim^erley _md Lord Brassey on his right, and Lord K'.nutsford, Lord Posebery and Lord Carnarvon on his left. All the AgentsGeneral and ex-Colonial Governors in London (bar Lord Lome) put in an appearance, together with such standing dishes at the Institute as Mx Cargill, MrO'Halloran Mr H. J. Jou.dain, Mr C. W. Evs, and Mr J. Waddington. The last named five gentlemen acted as Vice - Presidents at the tables branching oil" the Boyal board. The Princ. (with the broad blue ribbon of the garter meandering across that portion of his person the amplitude of which has led to his intimates calling him "Tumtum ") looked extremely well and seemed Jin capital spirits. His three speeches were of unwonted length,and as one of the papers says, ** pitched in exactly the right key. "We regard thecolouiesas integral part 3of the Empire, and our warmest sympathies are with our brethren beyond the seas who are no less dear to us than if they dwelt in Surrey or Kent.'' So spoke his Royal Highness in the tone that an English Prince should speak. He also took occasion to state publicly what he has so often said privately, viz., that there is now really no chance of his ever being able to visit you. But the main points of the speeches have, I am told, been cabled, so there's no use in my covering old ground.

AMALGAMATION OF COLONIAL AND IMPERIAL INSTITUTES.

Despite the strong opposition of a compact body of Fellows at the annual meeting of the Colonial Institute on Tuesday, the clauses of the Governors' report recommending amalgamation with the Imperial Institute were (in a somewhat modified form) passed, and the thin end of the wedge of .elf-etlacement got in. Why the Governors ■of the Colonial Institute have resolved to join .their financially and socially prosperous ■concern with the ricketty venture of the S. K. " ring" it would probably puzzle them to expkiin. ' * The Prince wishes it," :is what most of them say feebly.

THE "NATION'S" CHARGES,

The New Zealand correspondent of the Dublin "Nation," since described by the editor of that journal as " an Irish press.man in New Zealand whose position guarantees his'respectability," has been making a most unjust and uncalled-for attack on London correspondents in general and myself in particular. According to this gentleman, we all (though I am the worst sinner) habitually misrepresent Irish affairs and traduce Mr Parnell and his colleagues. The cable agencies are Unionists and prejudiced, and altogether New Zealand's views on the Irish question are benighted ;and ignorant. Surely, Mr Editor, an untruer statement than this was never made. Unless I am istrangely mistaken, your views on the .Irish question are similar to Mr Gladstone's, .and you have never failed when opportunity offered to reproduce the G.O.M.'s speeches, and to add words of approval and encouragement. Personally, I havo always tried to be istrictly fair. My viows are favourable to giving Mr Parnell's scheme of Home Rule _a fair trial, but I can quite understand many .good men honestly thinking it would be 'dangerous and undesirable. To speak truly, .1 loathe the extreme political partisans of .both sides. To hear otherwise sane Irish:men accusing Balfour of every crime, -cruelty, and meanness under heaven, is as •painful and grotesque as to hear an extreme Unionist (ordinarily an English gentleman) ■calling Parnell and Billon murderers, .forgers, and whatnot. I much regret that the immediate cause <of the " Nation's " attack should have been .some objectionable stories sent out by the gentleman who acted for me during my last summer. They appear, by a blunder, to have obtained publicity, and the " Nation" correspondent (probably quite aware their insertion was an accident) seized on them and made them the text of a personal attack. The greaterpartof theparagraph, indeed, consists of a virulent personal attack on myself. This can, of course, have no interest for your readers, so 1 shall not trouble you with particulars. Suffice it to say the " Nation" eventually withdrew and apologised.

EDINBURGH AUSTRALASIAN CLUB,

The Edinburgh Australasian Club's football team, which has won all its matches save one (against the Wanderers) this season, consists chiefly of New Zealanders, seven but of the lifteen players coming irom tnat colony.. Their (the New Zealanders') names are C. E. Maude, S. Gibbs ; . A. G. Talbot, W. C. Hamilton, W. E. Haworth and W. Bauchop.

FROZEN MEAT.

JLatesb quotations: Scotch mutton, .s IQd

to 5s 4d ; English mutton. 4s 8d to 5s 2d ; German mutton, 4s 2d to 4s 4d ; New Zealand (Canterbury) mutton, 2s 7d to 2s 8d ; New Zealand (Wellington), 2s 6d to 2s 7d ; River Plate mutton, 2s 4d to 2s 5d ; New Zealand beef, 2s 4d to 2s Bd. VOGEL'S NOVEL CRITICISED. Sir Julius Vogel's novel, "A.D. 2000," was published on Saturday last only, and has not up to now had much of a sale. The linen paper on which the English edition is printed is so costly, and the get-up generally so expensive (for a 63 novel selling retail here at 4s 6d), thattherowill not be a , substantial profit unless the book makes a big hit. This I scarcely think likely, though Mr Andrew Lang's leader in last Thursday's "Daily News" should give it a fillip. This article begins with the following astounding assertion : —

" Sir Julitts Vogel is a colonial statesman of the best type. With the best culture the mother country could give him, he went out to New Zealand as a young man, entered politics, and rose from post to post of administrative dignity until he governed the dependency as Premier. He was the author of the immigration and public works policy of 1870, to which. a 8 a declaration of principles, so much of the prosperity of the colony is due. With these titles to consideration, Sir Julius Vogel now comes before the world as the writer of a novel, etc., etc."

SPECIALLY INTERESTING TO NEW

ZEALANDERS,

Mr Stead is by no means inclined to rush to the rescue of every damsel of doubtful morale in distress. He likes to pick and choose his heroines himself. Mr. Newton (the well-known Police Court advocate) thought that Miss Harriet Muir, the eccentric offspring of *- a now wealthy citizen of Christchurch, New Zealand," who first attracted magisterial attention by masquerading in men's plothes, and was subsequently charged with larcenously abstracting the said toggery, would be & protegee afOs-r the " Pall Mall Gazette's " own heart. He wrote, indeed, to Mr Stead suggesting iuferentially that that journal should start a subscription towards providine funds to pay for the passage of Miss Muir to New Zealand.

Sad to say, the champion of Miss Cass and FraUlein Wiedemann rose not to the bait. In the first place, Mr S. had not " discovered " Miss Muir, and in the second he was not, he said, much melted by her story.

Personally, I must say, she seems to me (judging solely from her own account) to be a girl well able to look after herself. Miss Muir, it appears, has been alternately actress (or rather choru3 girl) and artist's model. She is too masculine in appearance to be attractive to most people, and does not seem to have had many admirers from a matrimonial point of view.

Six weeks ago Miss Muir conceived the notion of working her way out to New Zealand as a steward in man's clothes. She hud heard (there is a certain vagueness about the how) that her father was "a now-wealthy citizen of Christchurch, New Zealand,''' and it struck her it would be (as she told the police) *' good biz" to look up the " old man."

. With this end in view, I regret to say, it is alleged thatMissMuiron thenightof thel4tb made deceitfully amorous advances to Mr Geo. Johnson, musician, a gentleman of about her own height, whom she met in Victoria-street, Westminster, between 11 and 12. George got quickly "mashed "on Harriet, and tookher to an adjacent restaurant, where the pair had sausages and bitter ale. The ungrateful damsel then conducted Mr Johnson to her bower at 37, New Peterstreet, where she persuaded him to imbibe yet another glass of " bitter," and Mr J. swears he knew nothing more after this till morning, when he woke and found his clothes gone. Miss Muir having donned Mr J.s togs, proceeded to tho docks and tried vainly to get a steward's berth. Having no references, she of course failed. Then came the enlistment episode (described in my last) and arrest. The magistrate at Westminster having listened to an abbreviated verson of this story remanded Miss Muir for a week, Mr Newton promising meanwhile to try and raise funds for passage to New Zealand.

On Friday last, when Miss Muir was again brought up at Westminster, a detective who. had been inquiring into the young lady's antecedents gave her a rather shady character. He said the fair Harriet had 'been taken into several refuges, but had invariably been sent away after a time for insubordination. She never said anything to the matrons of these institutions about possessing a parent in New Zealand. The prisoner here interjected that it was true that her father was in New Zealand, that she had only learnt that he was well-off quite lately. The magistrate under these circumstances decided to send Miss Muir for trial at the Middlesex Sessions.

THE SALARIES OF COLONIAL

GOVERNORS.

" A general wail, says the " Daily Telegraph," is reaching the ears of Lord Knutsford from the Governors of our colonies that the salaries paid are insufficient to maintain the duties and dignities of their position. Many apparently rich posts make their holders poorer men than when they were first appointed, and even splendid Governorships and Vice-royalties might be named which go nearer to ruin than to enrich their envied occupants. This, it is represented to the Colonial Secretary, largely results from the forced increase of gubernatorial hospitality due to the ever augmenting number of distinguished "globetrotters."

HENRY GEORGE.

Henry George, in the course of an interview with the ." Star " the other day, boasted that land nationalisation has taken firm root in New Zealand, and is weaning over the protectionists in Australia.

A CONTRAST.

It will scarcely be surprising if you poople in the colonies contrast unpleasantly the extraordinary fuss which distinguished patrons of sport- in England (dukes, generals and notabilities galore) are making over the professional American Baseball players with their absolute neglect of the amateur New Zealand footballers. I have heard the. latter explained on the.ground that the Maoris are too rough a lot to entertain much socially ; furt'-ermore, that they would' not .'appreciate it. This may be true of one or two full bloods, but, applied to the team generally, it is libellous. Messrs Ellison, MsCausland, Warbriok, and Co. are, to my thinking, far truer gentlemen than many of the Baseballerswho, unless common report and tho " man in the street " belies them, can boast some howling " bounders " amongst their number.

A PUT-UP THING.

The " Referee " 'pronounces in the most unqualified terms O'Connor's match with Jacob Gaudaur at 'Frisco a " put-up " job arranged for exhibition purposes. Spoilsmen fancied from' the Canadian's tall tailthat, he would not £_o in for these bogus displays, and their confidence in him has in consequence been much shaken. Xi-urthermore, the interest in his Australian expedition is materially lessened, for (says " Pendragon") if he would listen to the silvery or otherwise metallic voice of Mr Arrangement in San Francisco, why not in Australia too ? ** O'Connor stock" (the par winds up) "has gonedown alot through the 'Frisco entertainment." This is, I think myself, rather hard on O'Connor, though the fact of betting men laying 100 to 1 against Gaudaur does look suspicious.

THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

Sir Francis 801 l has received telegraphic advice that 180 cases of exhibits have been

shipped by Sir James Hector from Melbourne for the New Zealand Court at the Paris Exhibition, Seeing that all the space available for the colony, owing to the delay of the New Zealand Government in making up their minds, is 4,000 superficial feet, I understand that Sir Francis is rather exercised in mind as to what he can do with all these exhibits when they arrive. I may state, however, that the New Zealand section, under the direction of the Executive Commissioner, who purposes to take up his residence in Paris for several months, promises to be quite a bijou thing. DOCTORS IN THE COLONIES. An Australian doctor has been writing Home to tell his student friends that the " good old times" are over in the colonies for medical men, as for most other professionals. Quacks abound and are comparatively uninterfered with, and fees are absurdly small, viz., 7s 6d, "which is only equal to about from 2s 6d to' 3s 6d a. Home." What this last sentence rnean3 I cannot surmise. Surely not that living is more expensive in the colonies than in England, and that 7s 6d there will only go as .far as 2s 6d in the Old Country. I confess I should have thought the precise contrary. It is also a surprise to learn that medical etiquette in Australia is much above that of the mother country. PERSONAL NOTES. _Mr W. Courtney's series of lectures on New Zealand have now been given in almost all parts of the kingdom, and have done, I think, the colony considerable good, though it is, of course, Taranaki ho mainly eulogises. Mr O. R. Strickland is to be seen in the city again. He looks all the better for his two sea voyages. Lord Onslow is in luck's way. The Government recently decided to erect a couple of forts in the neighbourhood of Guildford, this being part of tho scheme for the defence of London, and of the two situations selected one is the Wilderness Farm, belonging to your new Governor, which will command the Farnham and Southampton Roads.

Lady linutsfor d attended at Marlborough House on March 11th, and, on.behalf of the Colonial Committee, presented to the Prince and Princess ol Wales the present which has been subscribed for by the several colonies and dependencies of the Crown to commemorate their Royal Highnesses' silver wedding. It consisted of a clock and candelabra, together with two large wall lights fitted for electric light. Lord Knutsford, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Sir F. Young, Treasurer to the Committee, were present.

The "coming of age" of the Colonial Institute has naturally attracted a good deal of attention to Sir Frederick Young this week, and I notice, amongst other things the ** World " makes him its current "Celebrity at Home." Sir Frederick appears to have modelled his views on colonial policy on those of an old friend of yours. He .ays to the interviewer, "It was from Edward Gibbon YV&keiield,'the founder of Hew Zealand and South Australia, that I learned my first lesson in colonial policy."