ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 174, 25 July 1893, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(FKOM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, j London, June 16. 'iPHB AGENT • GENERAL IN THE ■ ia CITY. The Agent-General and Sir Walter Buller »a r e the guests of the Goldsmiths' ComWiv at their Livery Dinner on Wednesday •Sing. Lord Balfour of Burleigh returned thanks for the House of Lords and Sir Henry Howith, M.P., for the House of Cosunons. In toasting " The Colonies" the Frima Warden referred specially to Notv Zealand, only this colony seeming to ha to higb favour in the City jusb now. He mentioned that amongst the guests of the evening were the Agenb-General and Sir Walter Bullar, to whom the Goldsmiths Company offered a hearty welcome, and he invited the former of these gentlemen to ' pon d to the toast. Mr Perceval did ij and with a brevity and felicity which it'could be wished after-dinner orators Benera lly would imitate. He said thab having lived »U n'3 life in New Zealand, he came to England with a feeling of prei | U( jice against these rich guilds of the City if London, whose revenues were the outcome of ancient plunder. Bub he considerably modified his views when he came to inquire into their working and discovered «hat hope sums were expended by these organisations, and especially by the Goldimiths' Company, in aid of the charities of the day. Indeed, he had come to the con cliwioo that these richly endowed bodies were, as a practical fact, doing on all handß good democratic work. SICK AUCKLANDERS. Mr J. B. Kussell is surprising the doctor 8 by the rapidity with which he is casting off the effects of last week's serious operation. When I saw him yesterday morning I was fairly amazed. He seemed as bright and cheery and talkative as a man could [ be. Jlra Russell looks, and, no doubt, feels immensely relieved. Bar accidents, Mr Russell's complete recovery is now only a question of weeks. Within six from date he should be able to move to the seaside. Mr Horton, of the New Zealand •' Herald," ia, I regret to learu, in very indifferent health, and haa placed himself under the care of Sir Andrew Clarke, the Queen') physician, and tho best possible man for his case. Mr Horton and family bare taken rooms at) Porchester Terrace, flfiyswater, Other recent arrivals are Mr Peter Cunningham and Mr W. D. Woods, of Christ)church, who are ad the Langham, and Mr James Smith of Danedin. MR H. G. SETH SMITH, R.M. . MrH. G. Seth Smith, R.M., haa taken rather longer to recover from the effects of \ the last operation to his eyes than the doctors anticipated, bub is now, I am glad to learn, back again ab his brother's house in Surrey. He leaves for New Zealand at . the end of the month, and will almost cerJainly go by the Ruahine. Mr Seth Smith /writes: "Tho resulb of the operation has i been a decided improvement in my eyai eight, but the full recovery of strength is a ,; work of time, and I am looking forward to the sea voyage to complete the cure." ' TARANAKI IRON SAND. The company formed some time since i tinder Sir Julius Vogel for the purpose of • utilising the iron sand and petroleum oil of the Taranaki bar has nob, it seems, altogether lost) its vitality. A movement is bow afoot for raising a further sum of £10,000, by the issue of preference shares. If this'should be done (as I fear is not exactly probable) we may hear of active operations being resumed at New Plymouth within the next few months. .MR TOM SPURGEON'S ENEMIES. AH the meeting which was held ab the (Tabernacle lasb Friday evening for the purpose of presenting testimonials to the retiring pastors, Dr. Pierson and Dr. James Sporgeon, a most unchristian bitterness was displayed towards the supporters of ■Mr Thomas Spurgeon. Many of the latter would gladly have subscribed to the testimonials and joined in giving Dr. Pierson a 'friendly " B9nd-off," but they were nob perBitted to do either or even to attend the meeting. Dr. Pierson, in the course of a temi-milibant, semi sanctimonious address creed the congregation to give young Mr Spurgeon's ministry every chance of snccess. (These were the words, bub (be tone suggested "Give him rope enough and he'll hang himself then I will come tack,") Let them compass him in loving Kins in his youth and inexperience (much taking of the head here). He himself , would be grieved if he thought thab any- ; thing that he'd said in public or in private would imperil the success of his ministry. Dr. Spurgeon's benedictions were even more forcible. He prayed his nephew's ministry might be blessed, he hoped the Work of the Lord might not be wrecked, Mi big expectations, b'was painfully evitat, lay in a totally different direction. Other speeches judiciously combining epite wd piety were made, and altogether to a dispassionate onlooker the exhibition proved Bloat Modifying.