OUR LONDON LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 10457, 29 October 1897, Page 4

OUR LONDON LETTER.

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. London, September 17. The Hon.. W. P. Reeves returned to Vietoria street on Monday last after a fairly satisfactory holiday cycling with Mrs Reeves in Britanny. At the request of Lady Dilke, Mrs Reeves accompanied her to the recent International Congress at Berlin, and, 'finding she was expected to take an active part therein, spoke on several occasions with acceptance.

The steel plates for the new stamps are being hurried on by Messrs Waterlow, and it is fully expected that both they and the special Christmas post cards will boon sale in the colony early in December. The AgentGeneral seems thoroughly satisfied with the stamps, the designs of which have been considerably improved by the engravers. They will make a moat attractive set, and Mr Reeves expects to be able to sell several hundred pounds’ worth to stamp merchants and collectors at this side.

When last heard of the Bishop of Dunedin and Mrs Nevill were at Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, but it is understood they have now gone much further north. Lombardi and Co., of Pall Mall, have taken a particularly cbarmiug and characteristic photo of Mrs W, P. Reeves.

The feeble flame of poor old Sir George Grey’s life burns very, very low, and it seems hardly humanly probable his marvellous vitality can again flicker up. He has not recognised anyone save Miss Aston for several weeks now, and for some days has lain apparently unconscious. At the same time, one cannot confidently say Sir George knows nothing. Throughout his long decline into senility he has clung with restful confidence to Miss Aston, refusing to let her out of his sight, and complaining bitterly during her brief absences. Even now, though seemingly senseless, he begins to moan and move uneasily if his secretary leaves the room for long. Of course, this is fearfully trying for the lady herself, and she looks • completely worn out. Lady Grey cannot take any part in the nursing, being a complete invalid, and requiring constant, careful attention. The New Zealand Government have determined to make a resolute effort to further develop and popularise the famous hot springs at Rotorua, and to this end the Agent-General has been undertaking a tour of the most famous similar spas on the Continent. What he learnt there has . more than ever convinced him a great future lies before the Antipodean health resort. The waters at Rotorua are not merely far hotter, but far more various and potent than the most famous springs at Aix-les-Bains, and the physicians and experts at the latter seem to consider miracles could be worked with them. The first step clearly is to send out an experienced doctor, well up in the latest modes of treatment and every recent novelty in vogue at the European baths. To find such a man is difficult, but Mr Reeves does not despair. He had long consultations with Dr Heinz, of the School of Analysis at Weisbaden, and by his advice investigated Leukerbad, Aix-la-Chapelle, and Baden Baden. The waters at the latter are weak, but it is a model otherwise of what a lively health resort should be. Mr Reeves believes that if the Government can carry out their designs efficiently the number of tourists to Rotorua from the Southern Hemisphere may be doubled, and also a fair number of chronic cases of various descriptions tempted from Europe for the combined advantages of a sea voyage with a “ cure ” at the end. Bishop Grimes has contributed to thoßoman Catholic organ (‘The Universe’) “a short account of the Catholic Church in the new province of Canterbury.” His article is in reality merely a peg whereon to hang an appeal to the faithful of the Old Country for subscriptions towards the building of a new pro-cathedral in Christchurch. The bishop explains that, unlike their European brethren, “ the New Zealand Catholics are forced to erect, unaided, schools which we must equip and maintain, together with the teachers, without the faintest prospect of any assistance in the way of capitation grant or result fees. In fact, the Government of New Zealand not only refuse to aid or recognise, they simply ignore us. Besides the enormous expenses entailed upon them by maintaining their own, our people, Dr Grimes continues, are most heavily taxed to keep up the State schools, which—many of them most costly, palatial buildings—are scattered broadcast throughout the colony of New Zealand.” Then comes his appeal. “ Erected at the very beginningof themission, now fifty years and more, our present ‘wooden’ pro-cathedral has long shown signs of approaching decay. Though we have other no less pressing needs in a new diocese, the need of a more suitable abode for the abiding presence of our dear Lord in the adorable sacrament of His lovo is one keenly felt by all who love tho beauty of God’s house and the unutterable yearnings of His Sacred Heart. The present pro. cathedral is dedicated to the most blessed sacrament. The future cathedral will be dedicated to the same adorable sacrament of the altar. One of the chapels we propose to erect in honor of the holy souls in purgatory. The dear departed friends of all contributors will be therein continually prayed for. Besides the altars or chapels in honor of our dear Lady and St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist, the patron of the diocese, we hope to have one in honor of the Holy Face and St. Anthony of Padua. In the meantime we promise a daily memento in our masses and prayers, especially the Divine Office and the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every week for all generous donors. We are confident that the erecting of a suitable cathedral will give fresh impetus to onr holy religion in Christchurch. Many of our dear separated brethern there love to attend our beautiful ceremonies and hear the Word of God and the explanation of the sublime truths of the one true church. Many more would come had we room for them and better means of carrying out the beautiful liturgiual offices. Will not our dear friends in the British Isles share the privilege of co-operating in a holy work, so pleasing to the Sacred Heart and the suffering souls in purgatory ? ”

PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Amongst the New Zealand medicos walking the London hospitals just now is Dr Kendall, of Hokitika, who appears to be devoting considerable attention to obscure cases of eye trouble in the Eye and Ear Hospital in Moorfields. The ‘British Australasian ’ says : “There has just departed for New Zealand an aged but very energetic little woman named Mrs Cadwallader, who journeyed all the way to England by herself to be present at the Jubilee. Mrs Cadwallader is an enthusiastic cyclist, and represented her colony at the recent bicycle meet at Battersea Park. A short time ago she received a cable from Christchurch stating, that her husband, to whom she was much attached, had just died, and she departed for New Zealand at once.” Mr F. E. N. Crombie purposes leaving next month for Auckland, and will probably book his passage by the Kaikoura, which sails on October 14. Mr and Mrs J. G. Wilson, of Rangitikei, and their two daughters return to the colony next month. ’ Captain Coyle and Mrs Coyle called on Mr Reeves on Tuesday to bid him good-bye, and they sail to-day for Wellington. The captain departs in a highly business-like frame of mind. He told the Agent-General that he looked forward eagerly to travelling about and seeing something of the colonies, but did not expect to be able to do so, “ There will be a lot of work to get through to begin with,” said he, “ and I anticipate having to keep my nose pretty close to the grindstone for the first two years of my stay iu New Zealand.” However that may bo, Captain and Mrs Coyle should be acquisitions to the beau monde of Wellington. Sir John and Lady Hall left town this week for Leamington, and thence go on to Wales. They are due in London again before the end of the month. From then till they embark on the North German Lloyd steamer Bremen at Southampton on October 25 their time will be pretty well occupied in making preparations for departure. Mr and Mrs Hall return at the same time, and the party expect to arrive in Canterbury a few days before Christmas, the Bremen being dne in Melbourne on December 2. This is one of the new 10,500 ton vessels of the North German Lloyd line, and will only have completed two trips to the United States “•ore she goes to Australia. Sir John Hall paid the Bremen a visit at Southampton this

week, and expresses himself as very well satisfied with tfce roomy accommodation. Speaking of the visit of the New Zealand Premier, he said he thought that the impression created was one in favor Of the colony, and he was pleased to have seen by cabled reports in the paper that party feeling had been dropped in according to Sir Seddo'n a reception on his return. , Lord and Lady Hopetoun have been entertaining “ the dear Teeks” and: a! distip* finished party of smart folk at Hopetoun House. On Saturday Lord Rosebery droye over from Dalmeny with bis guests (the Duke and Duchess of York), and the Royal and Serene Highnesses took tea together.. Those interested in the subject will find the sermon which Mr Haweis preached last Sunday evening on ‘The New Sayings of Christ’ in the current issue of the * Christian World Pulpit’ (September 15). The personalty left, by the late Sir WilliamJervoia has, been sworn under £l4l 10s sd. As Hia ex-Exeellenoy was understood to be fairly well-to-do, though he lost a lot of money a few years ago in the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile, it is conjectured that he disposed of his property when alive to avoid death duties.