LONDON GOSSIP.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 26, 30 July 1898, Page 2

LONDON GOSSIP.

[fbom our special cobpespondent.] London, 17th June. THE UXSEASONAULIS SUMMER. Here we are past the middle of June, close to the longest day, and yet we are shivering over fires, though wearing all our warmest winter clothes. The sky is overspread with a grim grey pall and a bitter north-east wind howls and shrieks arouud, chilling everyone to the bone. What a cheery aud hilarious summer! Why, we really were just as warm (by the thermometer) in Januai'y, and felt a lot warmer, than now in the " month of roses." As for tho rosses, they simply make themselves ridiculous when they show their protly faces to snob frowning skies and angry winds. Yet we do have occasional splashes of warmth and sunshine. Lust Saturday was an ideal June day. .Nothing moro delightful could be conceived than Richmond as it looked on that perfect day. Nor could anything more lovely be imagined or do<iiv'd than the famous rhododendron woods in tho Park, then a solid nws of splendid blooms for miles together. But tho siimo evening the bitter north-east wind arose once more, aud Sunday aud Monday w<»iv days of deep gloom and nipping cold. 1 lV.ir we are in for a chilly, miserable summer. MlSl/i:iil,,\NKOl\S ITEMS. Emigration to your colony should shortly set in strongly. Tho Sun gravely announces the J'aol Unit " a !a\v ol" New Zealand awards a pension of JUJSB annually to every respectable person having need of it, who has attained tlio a«ye of 05, and has resided 20 years in the colony." Between 50 and CO applications have already been made for tho Professorship of English Lilorciliu-e and History at Canterbury College. The period given' to applicants does not expire until the 12th of July, so that in all probability the first selection will take place from not'far short of 100. Numerous enquiries are also being made at the New Zealand Agency-General with reference to the position of City Engineer for Wellington, and many applications have been put in. Diamond Jubilee memorials for the colony lime been ddziyed in execution by rtwon ot the press of work which si ill results from the ru»h of la*t year's orders. The pressure is bi-ing gradually relieved, houever, aud soon *omo of the commissions \\ ill be on the way to their final destination.