OUR LONDON LETTER.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7341, 20 June 1889, Page 5

OUR LONDON LETTER.

Inteic oto own co«BHJPOiroio**.l " THE SAMOAN CONTBBENCB. The Samoan Conference ie now.ia full string at Berlin* and everything promiaea an easy solution of the difficulty, especially the news to hand this day, thkt'BSng Malietoa is to be released by the Gferjriinp. The English Commissioners are Sir Edward Malet, Mr C. S. Scott, and Mr J. A. Crowe; the American are Messrs J. A. Kasson, W. W. Phelps, and George Bates. Some unpleasantness arose out of Mr Bates' recent article in the C&dvrH Magazine upon Samoan matters, in whiflh he bears very strongly against the action of Germany, but this has been hushed to rest by that gentleman's explanation thus.: —"■Whatever individual opinions I may have expressed of German policy ifl Samoa, it will be my aim to carry out the instructions of the President and Secretary of State. If I did not believe that I could do this conscientiously I would not hare accepted office. I shall merely act aa the agent of the Government, and shall be all the more eager to fulfill ite instructions because it is Republican, while lam a Democrat." Moreover the " climbdown" has been facilitated by the discovery that the aforesaid article was written nearly two years ago, and under a misapprehension, and that Mr Bates endeavored unsuccessfully to obtain its withdrawal. At this point of the proceedings it may be useful to survey the. situation. Our own interest in the islands is the earliest, because they were civilised by our missionary societies, and the Americans and Germans came later. Then, alter numerous treaties, descended an American filibustered,on the peace of the kingdom; and next came the high-handed proceedings of Dr. Knapp, the German Consul, for which he has been publicly rebuked by the Iron Chancellor. Malietoa deposed., and the Germans with their creature Tamasese paramount, .does not please either America or England, but least of all America. Hence the conference to settle the future status of the powers of the islands. As the Daily News well observes, "the quarrel is in the main between Germany and the United States; but according to American belief the passive part which England has played does not preclude a leaning to the German side. The Americans are haunted with a suspicion of an understanding between this country and Germany, forming part of a larger transaction in regard to all colonial policy, to which the blockade p£ the East African coast belongs. They have gone so far as to say that Germany intends to " grab" Samoa, and England Tonga Island. Prince Bismarck has made no attempt to defend the officious Consul whose proceedings at Samoa irritated all nationalities alike. On tiie contrary, he has dismissed him from his post and given him a severe reprimand." Thus, then, the matter stands, and it is not possible to exaggerate the importance of the decision that the Conference may arrive at. For New Zealand it is enormous, as Samoa is on the high road for ! Panama, and if Samoa should fall into the hands of the Germans with (as Sir Francis de "Winton observed), their capacity for mismanagement, great indeed would be New Zealand's loss. . However, the proposed release of Malietoa, the first issue of the Conference, is delightfully promiiing, and it is; stated moreover, that' the next step on the part of Germany will cc to recognise his sovereignty. The Conference Bits again next week. ' Y {r , THE PARIS EXHIBITION. f

The Paris Exhibition open on Monday, May 6th, and Monday trill indeed be a gala day in Paris. As usual things are not so advanced aa they might be, but the " Britisher " may congratulate himself that his Court has been thefiref) to be ready. There are a few details yi»t to be gone through, bnt everything -will be arranged, to-morrow night. One enters the different galleries of the: Britieh eeotion by porticos in carved wood, surmounted by shields bearing, the arm* of the different county towns of Great' Britain and Ireland. Cork is placed between Manchester and York, and Belfast and Dublin are in juxtaposition with Glasgow and London. Denmark, on the point «£ being ready, stands next to Great Britain, panels of the wooden partition of' her gallery, are covered with paintings of the flowers, the fauna, and various landscapes of Denmark and Iceland. Belgium is a little less advanced but will be ready in time. ■ As much «ifa not be said of Holland, whose section promises to hare the characteristic of Originality. Austria and Hungary are further advanced than they were at a corresponding period eleven years ago. Switzerland lags very much behind, even more than Italy, whose Mosaic decoration iwiH delight amateurs of that form of art. The Buaaian, Japanese and Chinese operative* wear their national costumes; >■ I. . ■ ■ ■ ;-*

Iα view of her own Exhibition in the spring, New Zealand will naturally Bβ much interested in the Paria " chow." I may say that the buildings of the British section cost, for erection J&svOOOc*>bonte almost solely by the exhibitors. In all, We have 232,845 square feet,: of which, alas! but 2000 are reserved for Hew Zealand j nevertheless, it is something to be rente* sented at all, New Zealand sharing that honor with Victoria. The Victorian and New Zealand section is divided into two parts—the one borders the entrance from the Avenue Labourdonnaia. and. the: other lies near the Pont dcs Invalidee. Bir Francis Bell has been over in Paris for a fortnight, and returns hurriedly today, only to disappear once more on Sunday. Sir Walter Butter's name has been added to the Mansion Bouse Executive Committee through the instrumentality of Sir Francis, and be joins his confreres tomorrow. There are but ten members of the Committee to be present at the opening. Sir Francis works like a Trojan, and is exhausting the resources of poor Mr Kennaway, leifcin charge in Victoria etwefc, as two of Mb staff have been carried <xff to the land of the frog-eaters. However, if the New Zealand Court is to look well—and from all accounts it will look exceedingly well—we must not grudge t&j temporary chaos. , . '■ '■-■•■■•■ v..sf),.?j/ By the way, why has not New Zealand a coat of arms ? This is a sad Question demanding answer for all patriot*. .However strange and incredible it raay ceam, it is certainly the case that there iaao official coat of arms for the Queen coloajv. There is a seal consisting of a missionary in his surplice and a Maori, but it would be ridiculous to convert this into a coat of arms. Victoria has its " Advance Australia" exalted over by a kangewd; where then ifl our moa or kiwi or car merino, if you will, supporting in stately splendour soma such, motto a* fflsto Light,'* or " Sola non eolitaris," in recognition other isolation from neighbor*, e&d withal her communion with the greatest empire of the world. I commend this question to the consideration cf all patriotic New Zealandere, 'a* at the moment it hae an especial claim to' notice —in this way., At the time of the Colonial and English Exhibition, a coat of arms was required for display in the New Zealand Court, and none was to be bad* Mr Kennaway, however, hunted about, and at hist hit upon the notion of enlar|f ing the seal (the combination). He had it painted in colon of bis own fancy by his daughter, and teat it np to a well-known engraver. It was engraved and then exhibited, and -visitors to the Exhibition will poeaibly remember it. Now Sir Francis telegraphs across suddenly, asking for "the coat-of-arma used at the Colinderiea," Mr Kennaway replies that in the first place it was not a coat of arms, but a fanciful reproduction of the antiquated, seal; secondly, that he has it no longer, and therefore cannot send it, The result ia, or probably will be, that while all other countries and colonies possess and enow a coat of arms over their Courts, New Zealand alone will go without «n© ? The remedy is the easiest in the world.—A consultationamong the heads of .the, colony, and a visit to the Herald's of?.ce. ' While on the subject of the Paris Bxwj bition I may mention that as " a sonrenii of the Indian. Empire lost by Louie XY< aad Mmt*""* Iα Pompadour," a dozen or #»

■■»»»■. ~4--_- _-''-- -"•F = cf sepoys have been fetched from Pbnuicherry and Cljan_U_rn_«or. They are to mount guard hjstose the e-ftibJtiiPnß of these •'■nrvivwT cd-onies. Lord is to be recalled dating theprpgross of the Exfeitftana, as Lord fs__isbu_*s* does not desire to append tne approval of England to a revolutionary centenary. This ia looked npon ss somewhat foolish on the part of his lordship, as tbe presence of Lord Lytton at Paris would certainly do no harm. However I presume that he is following the lead of the other Monarchical Governments on the Continent. BPOBT AND FIELD GAMES. The coining Championship match will be rowed on the Thames in August, when Searle is to meet either O'Connor or Teenier, or both. Mr Joseph Thompson, the " Leviathan " from Melbourne, who, as I told you last mail, is now in London with his brother " Barney," called at the Sportsman offices on Easter Tnesday, and on behalf of a Melbourne man lodged £100 with the Editor for P. F. Slaven to box either Jem Smith or Charlie Mitchell, the best of ten or twelve rounds with the gloves for £500 or -81000 aside, and the Championship of England and Australia. If the match takes place here the Sportsman is to be the stakeholder, and will appoint a referee, bnt if in Australia the Melbourne Sportsman is to act in a like capacity. Expenses are to be allowed either side.

The Hon. James White ia absolutely to try the mettle of his stables in England. In June we expect by the Orizaba four yearlings, two fcwo-year-olds, and Abercorn, Cranbrook and Garlyon. Eumor appoints Matthew Dawson as trainer. Two colts by Chester belonging to Mr White are engaged in the Derby, Grand Prize, and Grand Prix of 1890.

Mr Walter Becks, according to the New York Herald, has definitely challenged for the America Cup Race in the autumn of 1890. His boat is to be fitted with a centreboard.

Spofforth, who is now living in Derbyshire, played for Belper against Derby this week, and took seven wickets for 10 runs ! This was his first appearance in the field this eeason. I hear that Yorkshire and Notts have both decided to allow him to play for Derbyshire this season, as far as they are concerned. Legally according to the new roles he is required to live two years- in his county before playing for it. An appeal has been made to Surrey, the premier county, -to allow him to play against them, but no answer has as jet been received. ANGLO COLONIAL JOTTINGS. Sir. Henry Loch and Lady Loch have Arrived, and are at present staying at a West End Hotel. Lady Loch's health has much improved by the voyage. Early this month they go to Paris, where Lady Loch Iβ anxious to see her twin sister Lady Lytton, whom she has not seen for a long time. In September they expect to be back again in Melbourne.

Mr Mortimer Menpes has sent his own special proof of a dry-point etching of Hal's picture, "The Hanquet to Officers of the Archers of St. Adrian," to be exhibited at Adelaide, his native town.

Miss Florence Menk-Meyer, the Australian musician has (so they say) created quite a/wrore in in St. Petersburg. It looks as it' the statement is true, if it is correct that ehe played before the Czar and Czarina at Gatehina.

The great organ for the Centennial Hall, Sydney, is completed and ready for shipment. It is the largest organ in' the -world. It contains 10,000 pipes and 150 "Jttis stated that Miss L'etty Lind, the Gaiety actress recently in Melbourne, is to be married to Mr Reginald Pell, the Australian " Silver King."

I saw Miss Lingard at the Grosvenor View on Tuesday, wearing wonderfully well.

The annual conversazione of the 8.C.1, is to be held on July 2nd at the Boyal Albert Hall.

. Professor Wallace, of Edinburgh University, is about to pay a visit to the Antipodes, and will tour extensively, with the object of writing a book on the pcoepectß of the colonies. The University of St. Andrew's has con ferred the degree of L.L.D. on the Eev. W. Wyatt Gill, the Pacific Missionary, and the degree of D.D. on Professor Pearson of Melbourne.

The consecration of the Eev. Henry H. Montgomery, MA., Vicar of St. Mark's, Kennington, and Sural Dean, as Bishop of Tasmania, took place this week in Westminster Abbey. Ihe consecrating Bishops were the Archdeacon of Canterbury, and the; Bishops of Eochester, Antigua, Moosonee, and Ballaarat.

MrSantleyis to get JB4OOO and all his expenses for his short trip to the colonies. Mr Sims Beeves was offered £8000 for a similar tour some years ago, and refused

-The Bishop of Rochester has been staying at Torquay since his return. BishoD Barry, of Sydney, his coadjutor, is to Arrive in June.

Mr and Mrs Dobson, of Tasmania, are in Italy. Mr & Cole Aepinall, son of the late Mr AspinalL of Melbourne, is to appear in a comedy drama "Whips of Steel" on the 7tb.

The Hon. William Clarke, late Minister .of Justice, N.S.W., is expected in London on Monday. £ Very, few New Zealanders have yet arrived hero, but doubtless May will bring many; • Mr Brett, of Auckland, is expected very shortly. Mr W. H. Hargreaves, son of Mr Harereaves, of Chriatchurch, and late of Otago University, is entering this month at -Middlesex Hospital on a medical course. .- It is said that Dr. Beaney, of Melbourne, i has withdrawn his offer of a free library to Canterbury, bis native town, on account of the way in "which it was received.

Mr Philip Newbury, the new Australian tenor, who made a striking debut at the dinner to Lord Onelow, is on the highroad to fame. He was singing last night at St. James's Hall with Madame Antoinette TrebeHi, Madame Clara Samuell, and Mr Isidore tie Lara.

Miss Emily Thome left last week for Australia, to be present at the marriage of iber pretty and clever daughter, Mies laHan Gihnour, -who is playing leading parts with Messrs Williamson, Garner and Musgrove, in Melbourne. Sir Walter Boiler's " Birds " are selling welL He continues to receive compliments ,oa all hands. Mr E. A. Petherick has just issued "A Catalogue of the Collection of New Zealand Birds" in the collection of Mr W. 8. Silver, with short descriptive notes by Sir Walter. It contains a classified list of the birds contained in twelve oases, eight of which formed an attractive feature in the New Zealand Court of the Colonial and Tnriian Exhibition of '86.

In the May number of Longman's Mr Andrew Lang has some notes on Miss Colbome-Veel'a question, " Why does Woman Wilt?"