ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10309, 30 March 1894, Page 2

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

LffBOK OUB LONDON CORESPONDENT.] London, Feb. 5. NEW ZEALAND TIMBERS.

■At a meeting of the Newcastle branch of the Northern Architectural Association Mr C. E, Oliver read a paper on “ New Zealand Timbers.” The meeting-room of the Art Gallery was well filled, and the audience, at the close of the proceedings, accorded Mr Oliver a very warm vote of thanks. He opened his papar by remarking that, notwithstanding the importance and interest of a complete study of various timbers to architects, it was one of the most neglected subjects in the long list of articles of bonstruction an architect is supposed to possess a knowledge of. He then reminded them of several easily-available sources of information and presently came j to the main chord of his theme—the timbers of New Zealand. The forests of the colony were, he said, small in compari ion to the gigantic forest belts of Americabut "containing, as they do/ an immense ■ variety 'of valuable timber trees, they must prove of enormous value in the near future.'. New Zealand, said he, is so well Watered, and so well adapted to the growth of timber, that even when forests are. cut down they soon reproduce themselves ; but that, said the lecturer, is no excuse for ths wanton waste which otlen takes place after trees have been felled for timber purposes. New Zealand timbers comprised upwards of forty distinct Varieties, more than half of which are suitable for architectural work, cabinetwork, and other purposes. 1 For some years past Kauti had been imported into the United Kingdom, and ship builders (who are ever the pioneers in the’use of new woods) have readily acknowledged its splendid qualities.' “It appears tome” said Mr Oliver, *• that if Kauri can be imported here at a price enabling ua to use It freely, the lame might be done with many other, woods, such as, rod and black pine, totara, 4c. You may consider this a matter fortho timber trade to settle, but timber merchants, naturally only supply what there is a demand, for. , .If architects had abettor knowledge of the timbers of various lands, *nd..6tquirect for. them, no - doubt we should 'boon -have a large choice. Shippers will woods tha t are unknown to bur profession, and which might be dead stock for many years. The .day may yet come when^ouv''middle-class houses will be fitted'with natural woods, and the paint pot almost banished. This, would be another step toward the “ house beautiful.”, The general character of New Zealand woods resembles those of Australia and Tasmania, but they are generally much harder, heavier, and more difficult to work than European and Continental timbers. They, Loweyer, vary very much amongst themselves, and are mostly very durable. 5 ’ The -lecturer then gave a list of the best New Zealand timbers, describing the merits and faults of each. The lecture as tepoit.ed,, indeed/: seems to have been a very excellent one;,full of useful hints to architects.and timber people generally. COLONIAL FINANCE'COMPANIES AND piVIDEUD BUTT. " There is ■ no appeal beyond Geesar. And to all intents and purposes in the matter of legal business the Oceiar of the British Empire is the Judicial Committee of the. Privy Council.. On Saturday this august' 'assemblage of law lords finally decided a'questioti of grave moment to all • people- Interested in colonial finance companies.. The case of Walsh v. the Queen was «n appeal from a judgment of the Supremo Qtmrfc of Queensland, whereby it was ordered.that the .demurrer of tho respondent to the appellant’s statement of defence shou'd be allowed. The appeal raised a question of tho construction of tho Dividend Duty Act. 1890. The Crown claimed >2500 penalty against the appellant is Manager of the Union Mortgage and Agency Company of Australia, Limited, lor having made a false statutory declaration in verification of a idturn made under that Act. In that he -stated that the average amount of the company’s assets in Queensland during 1890 was £22,338, and that the duty payable was £6 15a 4d. Before •fid during 1890 the company advanced moneys on mortgage on the security of veal and personal property in Queensland to a very large amount—amounting to One million sterling annually and the Crown alleged that this should have been

indicated in the return, and duty paid on the average amount, and that to this extent the appellant’s declaration was false. In defence the appellant said the mortgages and other securities in question were in the company’s possession at their Melbourne branch, and not in Queensland, and any advances to persons in Queensland were employed by the borrowers and not by the company. The Supreme Court held that the real and personal securities of the company were their assets within the meaning of the Act. From this decision the present appeal was brought. Without calling npon counsel for the respondent, their Lordships affirmed the decree of the Supreme Court, and dismissed the appeal with costs. the Bible society’s missioner.

The Rev R. B. De Wolf, who has accepted the invitation of the British and Foreign Bible Society’s Committee to undertake the somewhat responsible duty of conferring with the friends of the Society in various parts of Australia and New Zealand, relative fco a certain change in the system of, so to speak, keeping together the existing connection and widening the sphere of activity of the Society, has decided upon leaving London, by tho Pacific and Orient Company’s steamer Victoria on March 2. Ho will commence his work at Adelaide, but cannot say what route ho will take in histour. He expects to reach New Zealand sometime in October. As Mr Da Wolf will stay for some little time in your city a few particulars of his career may interest your readers. Ho was educated at Cheltenham College under Dr Barry, but entirely with h view to commercial and entered his father’s office in Liverpool to be trained in the business of shipping generally. Two years of commerce were’ sufficient, and having long desired to enter the minietiy, Mr Da Wolf decided to do so. In October, 1870, he entered Wadham College, Oxford, and three years later took hia degree, proceeding to bis M.A, in 187 G. On Sept. 24,\1574, he was ordained to the curacy of St Philip’s and St James’s Church, Ilfracombe, by tho Bishop of Exeter. Since then he has held, amongst other appointments, the senior curacy of the Parish Church, Sheffield; the. senior curacy of Islington, and too rectorship bf Georgeham, in North Devon. In December, 1885, ho was appointed Metropolitan Secretary of the Church Pastoral Aid Society, and as such won the esteem of all who came into contact with him. In December, 1888, Mr De Wolf accepted the invitation of Archdeacon Blakeney to take charge of the Parish Church, of St Mary’s, Sheffield. In this capacity Mr Do Wolf won golden opinions from all sorts and conditions of meu. Ho worked very bard to perfect the parochial machine, and after four years and a half of unremitting toil, was compelled by a breakdown in his health to seek a lighter sphere of duty. His retirement was the signal for a very warm manifestation of appreciation and regard on the part of his parishioners, who clubbed together and presented Mr De Wolf with a handsome oak cabinet of tableplate and cutlery, and also a pair of massive silver candlesticks. No better man for such a mission as Mr De Wolf goes to Australia to carry out could have been chosen by the. Society from the ranks of clergy?men free from tho bonds, of parochial duties. Ha has had almost unique ex--perieaco in organising work- of all sorts, is earnest and most sympathetic, and free from that...sectarian .intolerance which oftlimea mars the otherwise admirable minister. Moreover, ha is a bachelor, and will bo able to travel about at less expense to the society and ‘with greater freedom than an envoy blessed with a wife. Mr De Wolf, I may say, seems already somewhat impressed with the representations made by the colonial branches to the parent society regarding tho desirability of appointing local agents, instead of relying , . MRS B3CSANT. When I remarked soma weeks ago apropos cf Mrs Besant’a visit to India, that is would probably result in some startling new departure, I little guessed how scoa the caiual prediction would •bo verified. Last night’s papers announce—and apparently with authority—that tho good lady has definitely embraced the Hindu religion. Of course, this particular religious spaem will not last long. It iir, however, of importance it should give way to something more reasonable before Mrs Besanfc visits your part of tho world. One can imagine that audiences which would listen respectfully and with interest to a disquisition on Theosophy, might resent being harangued on tho virtues of the pious Hindoo.