OUR LONDON LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 10394, 16 August 1897, Page 2

OUR LONDON LETTER.

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

. London, July 9. PERSONAL AND GENERAL NOTES. The Primate of New Zealand occupied the pulpit at St. Paul's "Cathedral on Sunday evening, preaching from Psalm xxii. A number of the colonial troops occupied seats under the dome. On the same afternoon the Bishop of .Christchurch was special preacher in the Cathedral at Canterbury. Since his visit to Mr Seddon —which surprised no one more than his own attendants—Sir George Grey has not been out-side-the Norfolk Hotel. He gets up for an hour or,two each day, and sits in an armchair, but he sees no visitors; and is seldom strong enough to talk muoh. He has a nurse night and day now, and the latter functionary told me he suffered from nothing but extreme old age. Dr and Mrs Haines, of Auckland, leave London next Tuesday for Paris, en route for Marseilles, where they join the Polynesien, sailing on the 18th inst. Mrs Haines has seen all the great sights of the Jubilee, and enjoyed a really good time in England. She was looking very well and beautifully dressed at the Guildhall ball on Monday evening. There is a great difference in the way in which the colonial Premiers treat us pressmen. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has a morbid dread of being suspected of self-advertise-ment, and resolutely refuses to be interviewed. The Toronto 'Globe' sent over a special solely to -write up the right hon. gentleman's doings here, but instead of getting any help from him he was absolutely refused information. Mr Reid and Mr Kingston are (when you can catch *em) courtesy itself to the representatives of the Antipodean Press, but they don't take -kindly to tho London reporters. Mr Seddon, on the contrary, can generally squeeze a few minutes out of his manifold engagements for an English paper, but leaves us to hunt him how we can. In the proviheep, I hear, the Australian specials suffered terriole things. Town clerks and other officials intimated that they didn't care a cuss what appeared in papers 14,000 miles away, and on" more than one occasion even the special of the « Argus' found himself on the wrong side of the banqueting hall door.

Lady Hall has recently undergone an operation on her throat, and her friends in the colony will be glad to hear that as far as it went it was entirely successful, but it unfortunately seems probable that .some further operation may be necessary. For a little while Lady Hall was at Margate, but she is now back in London with Sir John, who, with, the numerous colonial functions just at present and his private business, is kept moderately busy. Mr and Mrs R. A. Escott are still staying at Ilford. Mr Escott, who has been in anything but gobd health since his arrival in England, is getting into better form, presumably as the result of a course of disagreeable Carlsbad powders he is taking by the advice of his doctor. Mr and Mrs Escott, in the intervals when the former's business allows, have been doing a considerable amount of sight-seeing and theatre-going. Amongst the buyers of blood stock at the Newmarket July sales was Mr G. G. Stead, who secured a racing-like yearling filly by St. Simon out of Boyne, by Doncaster, at the small figure of 100 guineas, and a handsome brown colt by Friars Balsam out of a mare by Bendigo—Lady Paramount at double that figure. Mr Stead bid up to 450 guineas for a colt by Kendal (the sire of Galtee More) out of Maiden Rose, but though at that figure he had stalled off all opposition the owner would not part with the,colt under 500 guineas. Another Antipodean buyer was Mr W. R. Wilson, who secured for 500 guineas a very powerful, big - boned,. clean - limbed black colt by Amphion out of Sandfly, by Isonomy out of Saudiway, by Doncaßter out of Clemencb.' The colt is meant for exportation to Australia.

By the Orizaba, three weeks ago, Mr W. H. Montgomery, M.H.R. for Ellesmere, arrived in London. He has been present at most of the important gatherings of the past few weeks, and been doing his fair share of lunches, dinners, and the other functions of the season popularly classed as amusements. He spends a week in Paris towards the close of the month, and leaves about the beginning of August for America. Mr Montgomery joins the Warrimoo at Vancouver on the 23rd, and calculates on being landed by that steamer at Wellington about a week before Parliament meets. Father Lynch, of Dunedin, recently arrived in London. On his way Home he spent some time in the East, and has had, I understand, altogether a most instructive and pleasant time. He has been taking a warm interest in the New Zealand troops, and, besides being present to see them receive their medals at Buckingham Palace on Saturday last, was one of those who were at the Agent-General's up-river picnic for the contingent.

Dr W. A. Chappie, of Wellington, arrived by the Rimutaka a fortnight ago. During the trip he delivered a series of lectures which were undoubtedly appreciated by the passengers, for just before the end of the voyage he was the recipient of a presentation and an address signed by forty of the saloon passengers. Mr Chappie is Home on business, and is wasting no time. He has already started surgical work at the University College Hospital, and will also take a course in public health later on, a subject iu which he hopes to gain considerable knowledge likely to be of value in improving the sanitary conditions of colonial towns.

Mr Albert F. Orchard, of Christchurch, who came Home some five years ago to qualify in medicine and surgery at Edinburgh University, and aohieved his object last year, intends to return to his native town a few weeks henoe. Mr Orchard has a very high opinion of the New Zealand medical students in Edinburgh. He sayß that they will uphold and enhance the reputation of the colony.' They form a very definite part of the academio and Booial life in the Modern Athens, and, as a class of men, their success has been for years distinctly greater than that of any other collection of, students there. His five years' residence in the Old Country haß convinced him that the colony is in most respects more habitable than the Mother Land, the social life being more equable and happy, and the climatic conditions also, whilst the prospects for a young man starting in life are infinitely better than here.

Mr Harrild Baxter, of the Land Transfer Department at Christchurch, arrived by the Rimutaka, and is staying at Stoke Newington with his brother, who is coroner for the district. Mr Baxter's visit Home is mainly of a business nature, and he intends to return to New Zealand in six months' time, his leave only extending over that period. A fortnight ago Mr Roberts, C.M.G., with Mrs and Miss Roberts, of Dunedin, returned to London after a couple of months very pleasantly spent on the Continent. They were only in town a few days, leaving last week for Scotland, where they stay till early in October, when they return to the metropolis. They intend to leave for New Zealand by the Gothic, which leaves on October 29.

Judge Von Sturmer, who is accompanied by his daughter (Mrs A. H. Taylor), arrived in London on the 18th ult. by the Orizaba. They had a pleasant trip, just missing the monsoons and the weather which resulted in the loss of the P. and O. steamer Aden. At Colombo a very enjoyable time was spent and at Suez and Aden—all places where one gets a glimr?} of Oriental life that, when fresh, is intensely interesting. The Orizaba was in port at Suez on a Sunday, and as soon as the passengers were released from the sermon preached by the Bishop of Adelaide, who was on board, they found on deck a literal swarm of conjurers and vendors of different kinds of trash. The Judge tells with considerable fusto how, just after church, one of the are-armed praotisers of black magic came up to him,and asked to borrow a shilling to carry out an experiment with. On his holding.but the desired coin the Native dropped,, apparently from nowhere, a beautiful, active, and wriggling snake, about two and a-half feet long, on his hand. I don't think that;the snake remained there long, however. Mr Von Sturmer had no desire to stroke and fondle it, I imagine, and I take as perfectly literal his statement that

he dropped,it " like a hot brick." Another amusing old heathen was growing flowers under a hat and carrying out similar little tricks'known to the guileless child' of the East. When he got to what was apparently his favorite illusion . he turned round to a benevolent-looking old gentleman who was watching, and requested him in very broken English to call on the white man's "debbii" to, help the business. The old gentleman was extremely shocked, and replied with considerable warmth: " Certainly not! certainly not!" but a little boy, who had probably not seen more than six summers, desirous of ascertaining what would happen, called for the devil to assist with considerable fervor, and lo! difficulties were surmounted and the trick was anaccomplished fact. However, to get back to Mr Von Sturmer. He is Btaying with his daughter close to Hyde Park. They Baw the procession of the 22nd from the colonial stand at Westminster, and Mi a Tsybr spent a pleasant day on Saturday with * party on the Campania at the naval review. Mr Von Sturmer was unable to attend the latter function, being called away to Leeds on business. They will be comparatively little in London during the summer, as they leave on Friday to spend a little while with the M'Gills of Auckland in Kent, and afterwards pay a visit to'a married daughter of Judge O'Brien (of Auckland) who is settled in Ireland. A considerable number of invitations of this nature will keep them out of town. Mr Von Sturmer and Mrs Taylor have definitely decided to winter in the South of France, and their stay in Europe will extend at least over a year. I notice that Mr Von Sturmer was elected a member of the Coloniallnstitute the other day, being proposed by Mr Douglas Mac Lean and seconded by the Hon. W. P. Reeveß.

Mr Holt, of the Survey Department, Gisborne, son of Captain Holt, arrived in England by the Orizaba on a holiday a fortnight ago.

Mr St. Leger, brother of the Viscount Donneraille, and who has a sheep station in the Poverty Bay district, has arrived in England for a holiday. The following New Zealandors became members of the Royal Colonial Institute as a result of the elections on Tuesday last : Mr William J. Collins, Mr Somerset H. Graves, and Mr Henry Wainscot. Mr Henniker-Heaton has (remarks the ' Westminster') skilfully utih'sed the refusal of the Postal Union Congress to allow Great Britain to reduce her foreign postage from 2sd to 2d per ounce. If this reduction had been made, Mr Heaton savs it would have cost 53,000,000 half-pennies, there being 53,000,000 letters annually despatched to foreign places. He has now pointed out to the Duke of Norfolk that the cost of establishing Imperial penny postage will only amount to 30,000,000 half-pennies, and he therefore proposes that the money saved by the refusal of the Congress to sanction our proposed new departure should be expended in establishing the penny post all over; the British Empire.

" Daisy Belle " has been accepted by the Queen. Daisy, it may be just as well to explain, is not some beautiful slave, the gift of an uncivilised Eastern potentate, but was, before Her Majesty accepted her, the four-month-old pet kangaroo of the detachment of Victorian Mounted Rifles at present in England. Miss Belle during the last few weeks has been appearing in the tail-jumping act at Chelsea with marked success, and has attracted considerable attention. MR HORSBRUGH's COMPASS. The first practical trial of the compass invented by Mr Horsbrugh, of New Zealand, and recently taken up by a London syndicate, was made on June 12 on the Thames. Mr Horsbrugh, with the directors of the syndicate and a number of friends, took a trip down the river on the Tasmanian as far as Greenhithe. The new instrument, constructed by the well-known firm of Messrs Hughes and Co., was tested with a standard compass. At first the calculations did not work out the same, and for some time those engaged in testing the new instrument were considerably worried as to where the error crept in. It was found, however, after some time, that the trouble was owing to the two compasses not being in the same line with the bows of the vessel, and when this difference was allowed for the results were found to be exactly the same. At Greenhithe the steamer was swung, and the party returned, to town after what was considered a most satisfactory trial. "Luncheon was served on board, and the weather being delightful a very pleasant afternoon was spent by all on board the Tasmanian. Mr Horsbrugh informs me that most of the leading shipping companies have decided to thoroughly test one of the new compasses on a vessel of their fleet, with a view to replacing the older instruments should the new ones prove absolutely satisfactory and accurate. The inventor is confident of success, and should the verdict of the shipping companies be favorable to the compass there is no doubt that the invention will rank as one of the simplest and most valuable of modern years. It is now probably only a question of a comparatively short time before what is really the final verdict will be passed on Mr Horsbrugh's instrument.

1 THE PREMIERS AND COLD MINING. On Saturday morning the colonial Premiers received a deputation from the Australasian Chamber of Mines in reference to the mining laws -and the development of the gold industry in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Fred Dutton, in introducing the deputation, briefly indicated the objects of the Chamber, and invited the sympathy and support of the Premiers. The Chamber desired to be able to focus in one centre a variety of information which would be of value not only to the mining industry, but to the public generally. There was no doubt that anything whioh would tend to increase the usefullness of the Chamber would be of great benefit to them as well as to the oolonies themselves. The large amount of oapital whioh was Bent from the United Kingdom to the oolonies, and especially in regard to mining matters, rendered the existence of auch an organisation as the Chamber necessary. It was not formed for the purpose of distributing profit, its only object being the protection of the mining industry. Sir Somers Vine expressed a pious hope that the right hon. gentlemen would be oonvinced that the sco{.e and objeots of the Association were such as would be likely to confer great advantage and benefit upon the people of this country and those in the colonies aleo. Mr John Lowles, M.P., likewise laid stress on the unselfish motives of the Chamber, and pointed out that one of its great purposes was the diversion of some of the investments of British capital from foreign parts. Mr Reid said it was thegeneralopinion of those interested in mining- here that a very large amount of capital was diverted from the oolonies to foreign lands, which, if inveatAs had greater security of title, and the labor conditions were more equitable, would go to benefit Australia and New Zealand.

In the absence of Mr G. H. Reid, Sir George Turner expressed the Premiers' pleasure at receiving the deputation. They were certainly in sympathy with the objects of the Chamber, and would be happy to assist the Association so far as was in their power. With regard to the amelioration of the labor problem, there were two sides to it. The only object they had in view was to prevent speculators getting hold of valuable tracts of country. Wherever they found people working honestly the Governments were glad to do away with some of the restrictions and to make every possible concession, but he could not promise in all cases to do what was asked, because it was frequently found that people who took up land did not do so for working it bona fide, but simply for the purpose of making money. Mr Seddon stated that if the Chamber had been established sooner it would have been of great benefit to British investors. He remarked upon the inaccurate information from_ the colonies which was supplied here, and in respect to legislation stated that there had been every endeavor to give capitalists security for their money and to carefully safeguard their interests.

bir Hugh Nelson, having praised the objects of the Chamber, said with reference to the wish that the laws should be made more liberal—that better tenure should be given and that the labor conditions should be relaxed—he could quite understand the feeling in London 1 , but did not think there

had been any complaint in the colonies in respect to them. Applications for their relaxation on the part of bona fide miners had always been met most favorably. Mr Kingston did not think the English investor was so badly treated in South Australia, aad observed that mining companies were often so seriously encumbered and harassed by the terms on which they were floated that it was impossible for them afterwards to recover. He trusted the Chamber would give this matter their consideration, and expressed sympathy with the objects they had in view.

Sir Edward Braddon generally endorsed the views of his covfrires, and, having thanked the Premiers for their kindly reception, the deputation withdrew. some new Zealand' mines in london. The financial papers very correctly define the state of the London market for New /Zealand mining stocks just at present in the two words/' quietly dull." Tne indications ot a month back, which some of the New Zealanders at Home with properties construed into the incipient stages of a boom, or at .east of a brisk market, have riot been realised, and thing 3 are—well, just "quietly dull. I understand that Messrs JR. A. Escott and F. fl. Whalley have found that there is no practical hope of floating properties at present in an advanced state of development, and they have decided to form an Exploration Company. The negotiations tor the formation of this are, I believe, in an advanced state, and within a few weeks the whole matter will be satisfactorily conSn PriTately ' The ca P' tal w ill he about £IOO,OOO, and the working capital £30,000. Ihis Exploration Company will take over some ten properties, and the proposal is to spend not less than £IOO a month on the development of each of these. When the ground has been sufficieatly developed, the mines will be. formed separately into public companies.' • I had a chat with Mr Escott this week, and he told me. that he was present the other day with Mr Whalley and a number of other gentlemen at a trial of a new process called Lockhart's Patent Gem and Gold The active principal seems to be the same as that brought to bear in the cream separator, except that instead of centrifugal force currents of water of varying strength are the only agents besides the principle of gravitation. The trial seems to have considerably impressed Mr Escott. Besides carrying out the separation of some gems and treating a quantity of Maratoto ore successfully, a quantity of the finest flour gold —in fact, so fine that it floated on the top of water—was mixed with a quantity of wet sand, and every particle of it was recovered by the process. The great drawback is the initial expense, a machine to treat 100 tons a <l a y coding £2,000, but both Mr Escott and Mr Whalley felt so convinced that it would be capable of successfully treating refractory ores, even such as the Monowai, that they are, I believe, considering buying a machine and obtaining an option over the New Zealand rights till they see how it answers practically in the colony. They attend next week a trial of a new electrical process for treating gold ore.