ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10019, 4 January 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

[from OUR OWN correspondent.] London, November 30. ' THE COLONIAL BANK.

Ok tho 10th instant the Ba.uk of New Zealand formally took over the London business of tho Colonial Bink of New Zealand. The transfer was managed without the slightest hitch or friction, and all the customers of the Colonial Bank appeared perfectly satisfied with the arrangements made. Everything has gone on with entire smoothness, and doubtless will continue to do so. So far as can bo judged, not a single London account held by the Colonial Bank will be lost through the business coming into tho hands of the Bank of New Zealand. It has been decided to.retain the services of the whole of the Colonial Bank s London staff for three mouths certain, with the view of ascertaining for how mauy of them—if not for all—room can be found in the Bank of Ne *• Zealand's London office. It was estimated by the London Bank that when the Bank of New Zealand takes over the Government Stock Inscription business from the Bank of England, the services of at least tho eutiro combined staff of the two - Banks would be needed in order to enable the work to be overtaken. Nothing is known here yet, however, as to the date on which this transfer will take placo. But all who know anything about the matter are agreed that the change will involve an enormous amount of trouble and work. Meanwhile the late offices of tlie Colonial Bank are closed, though Mr. Cowie, the mauager, still retains his office there, while he is completing his final "clearing up." There is a rumour in the City that Mr. Cowie, like Mr. Holmes, will have a seat on the London Board of the Bank of New Zealaud. It must at least be pleasant for Mr. Cowie, and also for Mr. Percy Brown, his " right-hanr 1 man," to hear the general regret expressed by the Colonial Bank customers at the severance of their business rotations with those- two gentlemen, whom they recognise as having so ably and courteously attended to their interests, and so invariably done all that could bo done to further their objects or wishes. It is hoped that both gentlemen will continue to be connected in some way with New Zealand banking in London. Opinions continue to differ as to the wisdom of removing tho loan management and "stock inscription from the hands of the Bank of England. Some think it will not act prejudicially to New Zealand's credit in the long run, but all admit that if a loan were to ho raised next year it would make a very great difference indeed, alike in the chances of flotation and in the terms likely to bo obtained. MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS. With reference to the Trinity College London local examinations in music which have been held in the principal towns of New Zealand for many years past as regards theory and have now been completed by tho holding of the practical examinations by Mr. Myles Birket Foster, one of the most experienced of the visiting examiners for tho college, who went out recently to the colony or the purposo, I learn that the following are the names of the candidates who successfully passed the examinations held on October sth and 9th at the Auckland and Wangauui New Zealand centres, viz ;- Pass-list (in order of merit: —Senior division : Honours certificates, Batger and Hetwood, pianoforte playing; Walton, piano and violin; Thomson, pianoforte duct; Brabant, piano solo. Pass certificates, Player, Thomson, aud J. Adams, pianoforte duet; Spoouer, piauoforte duet ; T. Adams, cornet ; Blair, Winstone, Warren, Christie, pianoforte solo. Junior division : Honours certificates, Whitelaw, violin : Dine and I. Smith, pianoforte solo. Pass certificates: Bridgewater. piauoforte solo ; Cooke, violin ; Bennptt. Wilson, Brown, Glenn, pianoforte solo; Woirall and Finlay, pianoforte solo. Primary division certificates : Ralph, violin; Youug and Newcombe, pianoforte solo. PERSONAL. Sir George Grey has not been very well the last day or two, but seemed better today. I thiuk the news of the safe arrival of his niece (Mrs. Seymour George) and her daughter cheered him greatly. Mrs. and Miss George telegraphed that they wcro unable to leave the Arcadia at Plymouth and come overland to London, but that they wero coming on in tho Arcadia, and should probably be at the Docks to-day. Sir George W looking forward to their advent with the liveliest and most affectionate anticipation. The very pretty youug wife of Sir George Grey's nephew, the Earl of Stamford, presided most gracefullv on Wednesday at the opening of a bazaur for charitable purposes which is being held in the Holborn Town Hall. Lady Stamford won all hearts by the charm of her face and manner. Sir George Grey was unable to be present, Mr. W. H. Trimble, who arrived from Auckland a few days ago, has several ingenious aud important inventions which he is about to patent and place in the market. From what I hear of them I should say they aro likely to be readily taken up. Mr. Trimblo, who called ou mo yesterday, is looking very well, and has been enjoying a verv pleasant sojourn in Devonshire. Yesterday I met Mr. F. G. Purvis, who used to live in North New Zealand, mostly at Tauranga, where he was practising for several years as a barrister and solicitor. He came home to England in 18S7, and has since been carrying ou his profession at Mereton Hampstead, in Devon. Mr. C. A. Harris, who has been laid up for some time from the effects of a severe chill, is convalescent now, and I had a long chat with him yesterday. He looks as if his recent Illness had given him a shake," and lie is the reverse of complimentary to the English climate. Mr. and Mrs. Laurence D. Nathan left with their family by the a.s. Orient last week on their way to Egypt, where I _ understand they purpose to spend "the winter. Mr. Nathan is much better, and I heard from Naples that all was going on well. Mr. Harry Wilson, of Auckland, left London last week on his return to the colony. He went by the s.s. Orient, and began his voyage with a day's detention in the Thames on account of a mishap to the steam pipe. This, however, was a blessing in disguise, for through the delay the Orient escaped the terrific storm iu th-a Channel which raged at that timo and in the Bay of Biscay. The P. and O. steamer, which left twenty-four hours before the Orient, only reached Gibratter four hours in front after a frightful battle with tho adverse gale and sea. Mr. Alfred S. Rathbonc, formerly of Auckland, has, I regret to say, sustained a severe bereavement in the death of his father, formerly an alderman of Liverpool, and latterly chairman of the arts committee of that city. _ Mr. Henry Green, who has been for some time in England ou business connected with mining aud other properties, left on Saturday per P. and O. s.s. Australia on his return to New Zealand.

Mr. Tom Mandcno Jackson, "the New Zealand tenor," Is advertised rich, and left for concerts to come. He recently took part in a competition, and though he did not win he obtained so good/ place as to stamp him in the estimation of all who know " what's what" as a vocalist of no ordinary merit. The competition was for one of the tenor soloistshipa in the Temple Church, which, as everyone knows, is famed for the beauty of its Sunday music. No fewer than 200 tenors applied, and tho veteran organist and composer, Dr. K'J. Hopkins, has his work cut out to deeido. At last four were picked out of the 200, and the other 196 were "sent empty away." Mr. Jackson was one of these [our. A spirited competition followed, but in the end the pose was won by Mr. Ager Grovcr, of St. Andrew's, Well-street, who. in my judgment, runs Mr. Edward Lloyd very close in some music, notably in the famous " Watchman " scene in Mendelssohn's " Lobgesang." So inhere was no discredit in being defeated by so fine an artist.

On the 14th just. Miss Mina Mary Smith, only daughter of Mr. W. Pone Smith, of Olrig, near Napier, New Zealand, was married to Mr. C. J, R. Fraser, of. Merlewood, Inverness, a, son ot the late Major Fraser. The wedding took place at the Church of St. Columba, and the Bishop of Moray and Ross, assisted by the Rev. H. Plant, performed the ceremony. The bride wore a handsome dress of white aatin brocade, with wreath of orange blossoms and veil of white tulle. There were six bridesman'- who wore pretty frooks of white satin with fichus ' of cream ■. lace and ■ black velvet picture hats trimmed with feathers and pink roses. The bride's going-away dress was of tan: cloth, trimmed with ;• turquoise-: blue velvet; hat to match. The bridegroom and best man wore the Highland costume.. I Another i wedding of interest to New : Zealand, which i took place on the 2lst instant, was that of Miss Alice Mary Lloyd; daughter of the the.' late Venerable John'. Frederick Lloyd (formerly Archdeacon of Waitemata, in the Auckland aiocene, New Zealand), to Mr. A. G. Dew-Smith, of Trinity College, Cambridge. The wedding.was solemnised. in the old London \ Churcih of $ St.-?' Gilea-in-the-Fields. Tho:Rev, Norman Redcliffe officiated. ■ '