OUR LONDON LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 6862, 27 March 1886, Page 1

OUR LONDON LETTER.

London, February 5. THE VICTORIAN LOAN.

The extraordinary success of the fust ; portion of the Victorian ‘IV per cent, loan of a million and a-half, tenders for which amounted to no less than L10,82(5,800, at prices ranging from LlO2 to LI 06, has had a most beneficial effect on colonial stocks generally, which arc now very strong. No one seems able to explain why the tenders for this particular loan should have been so high—the highest ever known, in fact, for colonial bonds—as the terms were less favor-

able than they have frequently been before. Some think the fact is that (owing to Froude’s book and gala’s letters) the newspapers having recently teemed with reference to the wealth and prosperity, and the great future of the Colonics, may have influenced the money market. It doesn’t seem unlikely, as in all the recent harbor lo3is, ctc«, there have been numerous private tenders for comparatively small amounts, THE NEW COLONIAL SECRETARY. The appointment of “ Pussy, - ’ as Lord t Granville is generally called, to the 110103131 Office, is a bitter disappointment for those who had the best reasons for expecting that Mr Gladstone meant to do. the popular thing and give Lord Rosebery this portfolio. His Lordship himself openly confessed he was most anxious to go to the Colonial Office; indeed, would have absolutely preferred the post to the higher and more onerous Foreign Secretaryship. Unfortunately, the Grand Old Man had really no other lieutenant so capable of tackling foreign affairs to the probable satisfaction of the Great Powers abroad and the people at Home. Had Lord Hartington remained' with the Gladstone party he would of course’,, been Foreign Secretary. Lord Kiuiberley’a name was suggested for the post, but ho ■_ ntvtr gives satisfaction anywhere ; and Lord Granville, as the apostle of “ shilly-shally,” 1 who brought a previous Liberal Government to grief by his vacillating policy, was equally out of the question. Listen to what ‘ Punch ’ says!— Let “ Puss#' le allowed to purr As leader musically, But not as Foreien Minister ' To play at “ shilly-shally.” Lord Granville is not unknown at the • Colonial Office, having twice before held a portfolio there. He is a far more satisfactory man for us than the other alternative, Lord Kimberley, over whose Indian appointment Mr Hunter, Mr Lamohun Ghoae, and the Native Indian party are, wailing and gnashing their teeth. Sir Arthur Rlyth and Mr Murray-Sraith. the only Agcnts-General I have been’ able to see since the publication of the Ministerial list, express themselvss disgusted at Lord, Granville’s appointment, but (with Lord Rosebery barred) neither of them could suggest a precisely fit person. Mr Childers; would not have been acceptable to some of the colonics, hut what a row there would have been in Victoria had licbeen appointed.

Chamberlain knows absolutely nothing about the colonies or lie might have done. The N ti ,’e party, 1 hear, would not at all have ob e ;ted to have him at the Indian Office, on the ground that, though ignorant at present, he may be trusted to master thoroughly the intricacies of any duties or questions he takes up. Sir Charles Dilke of course would make a capital Colonial Secretary, and should a place have to be found for him at the conclusion of Crawford v. Dilke there are, the ‘ Daily News ’ says, more unlikely things than Lord Granville becoming Lord President of the Council and Dilke replacing him. In that case, of course, Lord Spencer would be provided for outside or soothed with the long-coveted dukedom. Childers, by-the-way, was absolutely appointed to the Colonial Office for an hour or, two on Monday ; in fact the ‘ Argus ’ correspondent thought he had such a good autL ority for the news ho cabled it. Unfortunately for him the cards had not been shulllod then. COOD-liYK TO COLONEL STANLEY.

Sir F. D. Bell, with the other AgentsGencral—Sir Charles Tupper (Canada) and * Sir Charles Mills (Cape)—paid a formal visit to the Colonial OlHcc on Tuesday afternoon, to bid farewell to Colonel Stanley. The f proceedings, though still' and formal, were on the whole more genuine than when the same compliment,,had to be paid to Lord Derby. Colonel Stanley has not made a bad Colonial Secretary, though somewhat too much of a puppet in the hands of the ■ permanent officials. Still as a rule the 1 1 latter are sound judges, and it is after all better for a man to be guided by their ex-. periencc than to take the bit in his teeth and make an idiot of himself as Lord Derby did when he was able to make up his mind. After Sir Charles Tupper had said a few words Colonel Stanley warmly thanked the High Commissioner and the AgentsrGeneral; and then went on to speak of the various important colonial questions of the day. The condition of South Africa and the com-.

pletion of the Canadian Pacific Kailway were both referred to, and Colonel Stanley stated that the Imperial Government had already experienced benefit from'the completion of that great work. He then passed to the consideration of Australasian affair's. He said he was favorable to the administration of New Guinea by the Australasian colonies (meaning of course Queensland) in conjunction with the Colonial Office, and it was important that the Federal Council should take up this question, ho considering it within their sphere to make representations, and to bring advico t) the .Home Government upon the subject. The question of finance iu relation to New Guinea could not, how-

ever, be ignored. Nothing' could be done whilst the money question remained un-

settled. As far as those colonies who wcro not members of the Federal Council were con-

cerned, lie was of opinion that they might be separately consulted ; and it would bp a matter for regret if, owing to their not joining the Federal Council, such inaction on their part when . important questions came up fqr consideration should lie found to lead to their isolation, lie had lately received a couple of deputations advocating Stateaided emigration. He was himself favorable to the establishment of a central bureau in connection with the Colonial Office, which.would assist rather than interfere with the arrangements now made by the various colonies. The question had also been raised whether the intimate communi-

cation now established between the Colonial Oliicf and'the Agents-Ccncral had intruded on the duties of the various colonial ‘ Governors. In his opinion, however, this j close communication in no wise interfered with the relations subsisting between the Governors and Her Majesty’s subjects in the colonics themselves. After he had again thanked them, the Agents-G'eneral then took . their leave. LORD GRANVILLE AND THE AGENT,S-GENERAL. Having duly “spedthe parting guest” in thp person of Colonel Stanley, the AgentsGcneral again assembled at theColonialOffice on Wednesday afternoon last to welcome the incoming in- n, or, in other words, to enjoy a little complimentary palavering with Lord Granville. Sir Charles Tapper said the right thing rather lengthily and then “ Pussy ” replied. He was urbanity itself ; full of reminis xuse# of previous relations with many of the • gentlemen present, and overflowing with promises to consult the Agents General on any and every colonial question, To Sir F. U. Bell His Lordship was specially complimentary. “ H ith Sir F. I). Bell,’ raid Im. “1 long ago had personal relations, and l ean appeal to his re- < collection with regard to tlio removal of the

Imperial troops from New Zealand — a measure on which opinions were v lolently divided at the time, hut which, right or wrong, proved conclusively how thoroughly Englishmen can bo trusted when thrown on their own resources. I have, too, a vivid recollection of the services of Sir 1 1 . D. Bell in connection with the important financial arrangements which were then carried out. I speak with those feelings of gratitude which have been defined as having a prospective as well as a retrospective character.”

SALE OK WINE AT THE EXHIBITION. A great discussion is going on between Sir Philip CunliffeOwen and the Australian wine-growers who wish to exhibit their vintages at the coming show. The latter demand permission to sell samples of their wine in the buildings, but the refreshment contractors, who have already been robbed by India of the sale of tea, object. Philip is trying to persuade the winegrowers to treat with Spiers.

FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT ABOUT OCEANIA. A German White-book, dealing with colonial affairs reveals the terms of a somewhat startling agreement between 1' ranee and the Imperial Government with regard to Oceania. Germany on the onehand undertakes to do nothing which will hinder the eventpal taking into possession hy France of the islets forming the group known as “Des Isles sous le vent en Oceanie,” and connected with the Archipelago of Tahiti and the Society Isles. It takes the same engagement with reference to the New Hebrides Archipelago, situated near New Caledonia. France, on her side, agrees to respect all rights acquired by German subjects, and to come to an agreement with the Imperial Government to this effect.

PACIFIC DIFFICULTIES. Sir F. D. Bell, Mr Garrick, and Mr Murray Smith had. an interview with Sir Robert Herbert, at the Colonial Office on Saturday last, with regard to the beforefnetitioned arrangement come to between France afid Gefinatiy that the latter Fewer should offer no opposition to the acquisition by the former of the Society Archipelago and the New Hebrides. ‘ The discussion had Special reference to the last-mentioned gi-emp, the Agents-General urging that the Colonial Office should request the Foreign Office to keep Franco in mind of the Act undertaking to respect the neutrality of the Hebrides. Sir Robert, in reply, scouted the notion that France would-break the Understanding entered into bfltwteen the Governments, hut said that if the colonies made a point of it no doubt Lord Granville would do as they wished. Ultimately, however, it was decided that nothing could be done until it was seen whether New South Wales and South Australia would cooperate with the other colonies in taking steps to avert what seemed to bo a threatened absorption of the Hebrides by France. After the interview with Herbert, Sir Saul Samuel and Sir A. Blyth received telegraphic instructions to work in unison with their follow Agcnts-Gencral. The Agents-General met yesterday afternoon and discussed the above question, eventually agreeing to ask for an interview with Lord Granville re the New Hebrides only. Sir F. D, Bell was anxious to give a much wider scope to the proceedings. He endeavored to persuade his colleagues to discuss the position of Samoa and of the still un-annexed islands in the Southern Seas and the Western Pacific. Sir Arthur Blyth, however, flatly refused to enter upon any other questions save those affecting the New Hebrides, instructions, ho said, were definite. This, I may remark, is what generally happens when the Agents-General attempt to discuss any difficulty which affect the colonies generally rather than South Australia in particular. Sir Francis Bell is much at the Way in which the whole business is being shelved. He has for long considered the Raiatias as practically gone; but so long as England did not formally sanction their annexation by France there was still the chance that, in recognising the I'rcnch rights over Raiatias, the Republic would concur in a British annexation of Rapa, which, mark you, lies directly in the route of steamers from Panama to Auckland. I hat lever is now gone, Lord Salisbury having settled the Newfoundland fishery difficulty by winking at the French assumption of the Raiatias. Under these circumstances Sir Francis has now very little hope of saving Rapa. He will, however, do his best to put a spoke in the wheel of this and other French annexations in the Pacific, though, what with the apathy of some other AgentsGeneral and*the indifference of the Colonial Office, he cannot hope to achieve a great deal. FEDERAL MAIL -SERVICE. The tenders, or rather invitations to tender, for the new Federal Mail Service have been advertised some days ; but I cannot hear of any company preparing to accept them. A 028 hours (twenty-nine days) service between Plymouth and Adelaide is quite beyond the powers of either P. and O, or Orient companies ; indeed, it is doubtful whether there are any boats built, save perhaps certain Atlantic liners, that could attempt it. The P. and O. may tender for the alternative thirty-three days’ service ; but even then they will have to increase the steam power of many of # their boats, in order to run no risk of incurring the heavy penalties for exceeding contract time. The other main features of the advertisement are that the steamship companies are invited to tender for the carriage of mail matter by weight, and that Groat Britain and each Colony is to keep all its own postage and to pay the cost of transmission of its own mail matter right through to destination. THE COLONIAL M.P. FOR CANTERBURY. Some amusement has been excited in Anglo-colonial circles by the of a paragraph in the * Daily Cb ronicb ’ averring that Lord Salisbury had advised the Queen to knight Mr J. Hennikcr-Heaton, the new M.P. for Canterbury, for “eminent colonial services.” An irate Sydney man at once wrote to inquire whether anyone knew of what Mr Heaton’s “ eminent colonial services ” consisted. He need not have fretted himself. Lord Salisbury never had the remotest idea of making Mr Heaton aK.C.M.G. They know too much about the member for Canterbury at the Colonial Office for that. Mr Heaton asked (or rather began to ask) some small question about postal matters in the House one evening prior to the retirement of the Conservatives. He did not, however, get far, for he commenced reading from the ‘ Times ’; and that being quite out of order, the hon. member was promptly howled down and had to-Jpavo his question unfinished. Such was Mr Heaton’s debut in the House of Commons. THE COLONIAL AND INDIAN EXHIBITION, I walked through the South Kensington Buildings the other afternoon, and had a look at what will be the Colonial Courts. Messrs Gillow have about a hundred workmen busy on the New Zealand division, and it is far more forward than any other, except, of course, the Indian. The space at the disposal of your Colony, when one comes to look at it, does not seem large. Indeed, I expect Dr Haast will have to exercise considerable discretion with regard to the goods he really exhibits. As a rule, they tell me that about half the articles sent for exhibition are shown—the rest may never be unpacked. Possibly, though, on this occasion, Dr Haast has made special arrangements to prevent too many things being sent, I must say, again, I was surprised to find the space so limited. THE SERVICES AND THE COLONIES. All the Agents-General, with the exception of Sir P. D. Bell, assembled at the Admiralty on Tuesday morning, where they were received by your old friend Sir Anthony Hoskins, Sir K. Thomson, and a Colonial Office official, Mr Brains ton. The question under consideration was the position of Imperial officers, serving in the colonies, and receiving colonial pay. At present the practice in the Navy and Army are widely different. ' Naval officers, during their service in a colony, are allowed half-pay, hut arc not allowed to count the time so occupied as service in the Imperial Navy. Military officers, on the other hand, receive no pay from the Imperial Treasury, but are allowed to count the time as Imperial service. It is proposed, therefore, to malic the following regulations 1. As regards officers ou active service, employed hy colonial Governments, it is intended

to assimilate the practice of the Navy to that of the Army. All naval and military officers in such a position will be, in future contracts (existing arrangements not being interfered with), paid entirely by the colony, but will count the time for promotion, pension, and other objects, as Imperial service. The colonial oppoiutmcnt will bo treated as a staff appointmoi.t in the Imperial service. 2. As regards retired officers, naval and military, they will bo permitted after retiring on pensions, equally as if they bad commuted their allowances, to bold any office of a civil nature in a colony. No retired officer, however, receiving a pension partly earned by colonial service will bo permitted to draw that pension while holding any miUUu'y or nuval appointment in a colony. , . 3, Colonics employing non - commissioned officers specially selected as instructors, etc., will be asked to pay to them on retirement such part of their pension as has been earned by their colonial service, either hy annuity or in the form of a gratuity, calculated on the actuarial value of such annuity.

“ MISLEADING SPREAD-EAGLEISM.” The ‘ World,’ in a smart article with the above suggestive title, regrets that the value of Mr Froude's new hook on the Australias should be marred by extravagant flattery and exaggeration. Tens of thousands have, for instance, it points out, read an extract from “ Oceana ” in which, amongst other testimonies to the extreme felicity of the lands the author travelled through, he informs the world that he “ never met a hungry man nor saw a discontented face. The ‘ World ’ thinks it passing strange that Mr Fronde should never have heard of the distress amongst the laboring classes in South Australia, never have come across countless lugubrious articles headed “The Unemployed ” in the colonial papers, nor have known anything of the deputation of unfortunate men out of work who Interviewed a certain Now Zealand Minister whilst he was a visitor in that Colony. The writer chides Mr Froudc and other travellers of eminence who make important and authoritative statements about a country or colony without really having inquired or investigated for themselves. “Such men,” says the writer, “are hound to see for themselves, and not suffer others (who may be interested in or pleased by thickly-laid-on flattery of their localities) to see for them.” The writer continues: “When an important personage makes a colonial tour, he is quickly seized hy people who know uncommonly well what they are about. He is feasted and escorted like a popular sovereign traversing his dominions. He goes away in the highest good-hnmor with lus hosts, whose lives have often been spent in developing the art of puffing advertisements, and who have taken care the guest shall sec no more of what he ought not to than a blindfolded parkmenlaire in an enemy’s camp.” The article winds up with the following cogent observation “ Society in our principal colonics is now far too complex for its intricacies to be mastered in the unoccupied intervals of a week or two of excursions and festivities. Its condition is approaching that of society in the old countries witli a rapidity which is astounding, and, perhaps, even alarming- The higher and lower social strata are receding from each other with a velocity of which Europe has probably never been a witness. The whole fabric of our Colonial Empire, with its social, political, financial, commercial, and industrial aspects should he most carefully and patiently examined. Until this is done, we had better dispense with exultant flattery and. rest satisfied with descriptions of scenery and statistics.” l-TNANCTAL NOTES. A fair number of city men, Anglo-colo-nists, and journalists assembled at the National Bank of New Zealand the other afternoon to witness the opening of the tenders for the Wellington Harbor Board 41 per cent, loan of L 50.000, The result was most satisfactory, the amount being subscribed more than six times over. The total applied for was L357,50V at prices f.ingiug at from the minimum of 1,97 10s to LlO3 3s 6(1, with an outside tender for LIOO only at LIOS. There was one tender for L 50,000 at LIO3 2s Gil; three for L 25.000, at L 97 10s, LIOO Is, ami LlO2 5s 6d respectively ; two for L 20,000, at Ll O2 Ids and LlO3 2s 6d; one for L 15,000 and one for L 10,000, at L 97 10s. Tenders at LlO2 Is 6d will receive about 50 per cent, of the amount applied for, and above that in full. Average price, LlO3 Is 2d. At a special general meeting of the Union Bank of Australia, held on the 2ml inst., a dividend at ,the rate of 10 per cent, per annum (viz,, a dividend of LI 15s per share and a bonus of 5s per share) was declared, L 15,389 being carried forward. Sir Charles Mills (chairman) in moving the adoption of the report made a speech, the substance of which was that, considering the drought and general bad times there had been in Australia, he didn’t think the shareholders of the bank had much to complain of. With regard to the effect of the bad times in the future, an ample provision had been made for any contingency that might arise. The English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank have declared a 10 per cent, dividend. They added L 15,000 to their reserve fund, and carry forward L 5,151. At the tenth general meeting of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, Mr Grenfell-(chairman) announced that, notwithstanding the depression, they were able to declare a dividend of 5 per cent., which, with the interim dividend of 5 per cent, declared six months ago, would make an annual one of 10 per cent.

The Australian Agricultural Company announce an interim dividend at the rate of 45.3 per share. Sir F. D. Bell advertises that the outstanding per cent. 5-30 debentures of 1870, 1873," and 1874 will be paid off on August 1 at par unless holders choose to convert into LlOl in 4 per cent, inscribed stock. The Anglo-Australian Investment Finance and Land Company have declared a dividend at the rate of 25 per cent, per annum. MISCELLANEOUS. The appointment of Sir William Des Voex to the Vice-Royalty of Newfoundland is a great surprise to everyone —the clerks at the Colonial Office not excepted—as it lias for some time been well understood he would be the next Governoi of New Zealand. It now seems certain that Mr Thurston will succeed Sir William permanently at Fiji. Colonel Clarke, C.8., who was DeputyAssistant Quartermaster - General in the Province of Taranaki from ISO 1 to 1860, has just been appointed Deputy - Assistant (Djncral of the forces in Ireland under I’riucc Edward of Saxc-Wcimar. “ Sister Mary,” the new play written hy Mr Wilson Barrett for Miss Lingard. was read last Saturday to a select coterie of theatrical managers, who one and all pronounced it likely to bo a great success. Miss Marie Dell icy is touring through the provinces with a comedy drama called “Bela.”

Alias Minnie Palmer is drawing such poor bouses to the Strand Theatre that her season there is to be cut short and the Australasian tour precipitated. A colonial correspondent writes to the 1 Globe ’ suggesting that recruiting depots for the British Army should bo initiated in all the chief cities of Canada and the Auftralias. He asserts that the measure would be most popular, and that plenty of gor d men of splendid physique would from time to time be forthcoming. Mr Bradlaugh informs mo that he lias completed all arrangements for an extended tour of the Australias and New Zealand at the close of the present session of Parliament. He will speak—possibly formally lecture—in all your principal cities.

Mr Cliarles Cave, of the firm of Prescott, Cave, Buxton, Loder, and Co., hankers, of Thrcadnccdle street, has been appointed a director of the Australian and New Zealand Mortgage and Agency Company. Hitherto the guarantors of the yearly exhibitions at South Kensington have never been called upon to pay a penny ; but in the case of the Inventions I hear they will have to disburse some small sum apiece. _ Had this been guessed a year ago, the list of guarantors for the coining colonial show would hardly have looked as well as it does. Nearly all our principal New Zealand companies arc, I see, down for LI ,000 or L 2,000. The Thames Foreshore Gold Recovery Company, Limited, is the title of a new concern being launched in London, the ostensible object of which is to test the value of, ami, if found advisable, purchase from the Cold Amalgamator Syndicate, the concessions of that part of the Thames foreshore granted to Messrs Tap and Dunlop by the Thames Harbor Board. This laud is

situated on the south side of the Waiotahi Creek, abutting on the sea. The capital is LGO.OOO, in shares of LI each, L 3.000 01 which arc now offered for subscription. The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr Alexander Shipley as American Consul at Auckland, “ A Shipper,” writing to the ‘ Standard, complains that the great shipping companies, whilst offering every possible reduction and accommodation to foreign shippers, will grant none to Home manufacturers. For instance, he says there is a good market for cheap English pianos in New Zealand ; yet the shipping companies carrying to the Colony insist on a freight of L 3 per piano to any of their leading ports, they say, “ they are English,” adding that if the pianos were German they would carry them from Hamburg to Auckland or Dunedin for L2 per instrument, and, in addition, pay the transit charges from Hamburg to their vessel in London. If this is true, what on earth can be the explanation ? Dr Ogston, the new lecturer at Otago University, sails for the Colony per Coptic on the 28th inst. Mr Robert Frewer, secretary of the Hospital Saturday Fund, acknowledges a cheque for LIOO from Mr Henry Lane, of Canterbury, who desires it may go towards the relief of the distressed poor in London. What a capital example for your colonial millionaires. Sir John Hall is in poor health, and not inclined to take a very active interest in Exhibition matters. He expects to leave for the Colony in August or September next. . v - Sir F. D. Bell considers it certain thauMr Thurston will now be formally appointed' Governor of Fiji. Mr Bryce has returned to town after a month’s tour in Italy. He is much distressed by the loss of his leading counsel, Sir Farrer Herschel, who had thorougly mastered the important points of the action. Since Sir Farrer became Lord Chancellor his brief has of course been returned. Mr’ J. Henniker - Heaton, M.P., has —greatly to Sir Saul Samuel’s disgust been appointed one of the Exhibition Commissioners for New South Wales, Thanks to the cold weather the frozen mutton market continues pretty firm, notwithstanding large importations per Coptic. In view of the arrival of the latter an attempt was made last Saturday to push sales, but, fortunately, without damaging effect on current rates. The country demand, everything considered, is fair. New Zealand sheep are making 5d to 5 .hi per lb, and for choice carcasses, which are, however, rare, jd more can bj obtained. Current rates: New Zealand mutton, 3s 4d to 3s 6d ; River Plate mutton, 2s 9d to 3s ; English, 3s 8d to 4s lOcl; Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s lOd. Lord Capcll, eldest son of the bnt-little-known Earl of Sussex, a young man of twenty-nine, starts [on a colonial tour per Sutlej (P. and 0. steamer) to day. Baron Do Tuyll is a passenger by the same steamer, and so is Sir Francis Tniscott, the late Lord Mayor of London, and a very influential citizen, of whom you should make much. _ . A paragraph in a Belgian paper, I think it is, stating that a great “colonial milord” was bled to the tunc of L 5,000 by a jealous husband with whose wife he had dallied “not wisely but too well,” has excited considerable curiosity in a Southern county, where the amorous proclivities of a notable K.C.M.G. arc well known. Mr Gisborne, though still in the country, has not been idle. The February number of the monthly journal of the Imperial Federation League contains a paper by him in answer to one on the “ Fallacy of Imperial Federation ” which recently appeared in the ‘ Nineteenth Century.’ At a full meeting of the Church Emigration Society on Monday, a circular asking for reliable information re their districts which is to he sent to all the colonial clergy was adopted. The Archbishop of York has joined the Society.