THE ENGLISH MAIL

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1897, Page 3

THE ENGLISH MAIL

(VIA BPJNDISI.)

ANGLO-COLONIAL' JffOTES-

(iTvOU OUB SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

LondwKT, December 11. SIR GEORGE GREY: RBCONCILIA

TiON WITH LADY GREY. It has been within nay knowledge for some weeks that the efforts of Lord and Lady Stamford and ofchara to bring about a reconciliation botwesn Sir George and Lady Grey had ab last been successful, and that the long-separated husband and wit'a wurtJ together agsiin. Otio often, however, knows news one is solemnly bound over not to use, and I did nob feel at liberty bo pa?a this oh bo you till Sir Georgo himself told mo on Wednesday at Get noon. The veteran looks very, vory frail, and has only recently rocovered from un attack of bronchitis, but I have seldom lat.terly soon him no alert and cheerful.' Sir George's face, indeed, struck mo as younger, though his body grows daily more infirm. There ware children's voices in the next! room, whore Lady Grey was sitting. Sir Gooreo'a talk was entirely of family affairs, in facb the atmosphere altogether seemed charged with domesticity, I tried to turn the conversation on to the New Zealand elections, bub the G.O M. would not rise. Ho preferred to tell me thats'Lord Stamford's boy had beon baptised the other day ab tho Ch.ipol Royal, and thab ho would proaenbly be known as Lord Grey of Groby. Need I add that the infant's Christian name ia Goorgo. Ife waa at first planned thab Sir George and Lady Grey Bhould spoad tho winter in the South of France, and later thab they should go to Torquay. Bub Sir George aoems perfectly happy where he ia, and besides it ia so difficult to move thab probably Xmas may bo spent in town. I almost forgot bo add thab Sir Goorjro lefb Stanhope Gardens three weeks ago and joined her. ladyship at the Norfolk Hotel, tfouth Kensington. Of course, thiß interesting re-union has caused a deal of gossip in Anglo-Colonial circlet), moab of which ia absurdly untrue. I can, for example, contradict authoritatively tho talo thab the Queen brought about the happy rusulb, Her Majesty did hear of the matter and espressod a hope things might cocao rijsbt, but sho never meddloß in such cases. Lord and Lafly Stamford also disavow any credit, bub as they spend their lives labouring to make others happy their disclaimer niuat be received with caution. Tho poraon who all part-iesegree materially assisted the arrangement is Miss Anton, Sir George's Secretary. This gentle lady showed infinite tacb and sagacity in v, position of ■ considerable difficulty, and both Sir George and Lady Grey profess themselves much indebted to her good officoe. I hear ib eaid in some quarters bhab Sir George would have rejoined hia wife some months back only her ladyship threw difficulties in the way. Ib would pain the right hon. gonblotnan seriously to know that any such talo was carrent. Tho details of tho aliair are nobody's business. I bslieve, however, lam right in saying the wife met her distinguished hueband moro than half way. All Sir George's friends agreo he seams infinitely happier sinco the reconciliation. PERSONAL NOTES. . Mr Moss Davis and hia family have eajoyed a capital timo at Home, though the Oubiuoss ptoj«iCb which brought tho Aucklander over ban not up to date gone through. IMr Davis declares thab though a certain ! section of ciiy folk ate not averse to epocuj luting in New Zealand mine?, tbo Majority look with disiruitfc on the colony, and &ra averse to invoicing in coinin'-ncmi enterprises there. The feeling which seems to have gob hold of financiers ia t.'mt tho Seridou Govenimonb are "faddist" legislators. "Wo never know what you're going to bo up to next," a big man aaid to Mr D.ivie. "if I vrero to pub my moaoy into a factory or a ; brewery or what not m New Zealand I should never feel sale. One epuldn'O bo sure thab if businso.s wv.ro Co prosper the Government wouldn't .suddenly some fino morning imposto a ruinous tax." Mr Davis found tho aamo eentimenta dilf'erontly expressed rife everywhere. Ho ia himself of opinion fcho country Kuiforti from over- j legislation, and that whaß ie chiefly wants ia rest. "Tho Seddon Government," quoth he, "aro fifty times better than oithor Stout or Russell's clique. 1 havo an immonso admiration for our Proraior. He'd have boen a big man i:i any coni' munity. But 1 do wish hod go slow. Also those men who govern us should travel. Wo are ruled by politicians and editors who havo never been outside their own litble Podlingtone, and whoso perspectives aro hopoiesfly oub of drawing." Within tho last ten yeara several score of colonial notabilities must have como Home to " ftobfelo tho frozen meat trade " in London, which, however, generally munagaa to settle thoin. The latasb arrival ia^ Mr R. E. N. Twopeuy, erstwhilo of New Zealand," but now editor of the " Australian Paatoraliflts Review,'1 who cornea hero charged with a raifieion by the meafc exporting companies of Australia to organise a London committee to advise ah to the frozen moab trade. Mr Edward Fairfiold, C.8., of the Colonial Offico, who sailed from England laab Wednesday week in the Australian liner " Frederick tho Great," was two daya later seized with apoplexy, and now lies ab Sb. Remo in a critical condition. Mr Fairfield ia the perspicuous official who euapecbed bbc Jatnoaon raid ami put " Colonial Joe " up thereto. Mr George Jumeson tells mo that ho has iusb despatched by tho New Zealand Company's Waimato bhroo Shropshire Down rams of high liaoago to tho order of Mr Alexandor Macfarlane, of Achray, Canterbury.