ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10080, 16 March 1896, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

[FROM OCR OWN correspondent.] London, January 31. GENERAL. Of course all the Colonial agents-general present forwarded a joint note of sympathy and condolence to the Queen and Princess Beatrice on the lamented death of Prince Henry. Also, as a matter of course, they received a very gracious roply. Sir Wostby Perceval's name came second among the signatories, following that of Sir Saul Samuel, Agent • General for New South Wales, who, by-the-byo, appeared in the London dailies, much to the surprise of himself and of his friends, as " Samuol Smith, Agent • General for New South Wales." I believe ho was awfully disgusted. However, the mistake was corrected next day, bub unfortunately his name doos not appear on the newspaper records of the document, save in this almost unrecognisable disguise. In acknowledging the tocoipt of the address of condolonce to the Queen and Princess Beatrice forwarded by the AgentsGeneral on behalf of the colonies, Mr. Chamborlain says:—" Her Majesty dosires me to add that slit feels your letter bo bo but ono more indication of those genuine sentiments of loyal devotion entertained for her by the people of her colonies, the manifestation of whose sympathy is a source of great consolation to horsolf and the Princess in their deep affliction." Anxiety and apprehension still ride rampant over the unfortunate shareholders and dobonture holders of the New Zealand Mid-

land Railway. The point as to which they are chiefly anxious now, and as to which no authoritative information is as yob available, is whether or nob tin Government, being doelared to have boon justified in seizing the company's property on its default) as to the fulfilment of the contract, is thereby enabled to treat all the work dono as ipso facto forfeited and liable bo seizure without payment, in compensation for the loss sustained by the colony through tin company's default. Nobody here seems to know whether tho Government will have bo pay the company for the work actually done, or whether it is deemed as a just forfeit on account of default. Naturally this doubt is a very serious matter for the debenture holders, who stand to lose everything in such case. Surprise is expressed that no steps were taken to afford information by cable on so important a point affecting such large English interests. Moworer, Mr. Robert Wilson, the general manager, Is on his way, and is expected shortly, while Mr. Salt will not bo long behind him. Ido nob envy them their meeting with the deben- J ture holders.

A mooting of the Empire League was held on Wodnesday at the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor presiding. Tho purpose was to devise means of bringing before tho public tho objects of the league. Mr. F, Faithful Begg, M.P., formerly of New Zealand, was one of tho speakers. Genoral satisfaction is expressed in the city that the New Zealand Government have abandoned, for the present, at any rate, their intention of removing from tho Bank of England the management of the Now Zealand stock inscription business. This plan was always regardod in tha city as a mistake, and It is iust as woll that it has been given up. This judicious change of front will obviate the necessity of removing the Agency-General Office into the city, which could hardly have been avoidod if the contemplated alteration had boon made. The report of the directors of tho National Mortgage and Agency Company of Now Zealand, ajts forth that tho prevalence of low pricos for Now Zealand produce during most of last year has seriously reduced tho company's earnings, but that the volume of its busings has been well maintained, so that as prices have improved materially during the last fow months, better results are expected for tho current year. After providing for all bad and doubtful debts, and for depreciation, tho net profits will enable a further dividend of 6d per share to be paid, making Is for the year, while £'2426 will be carried forward, as against £2292 last year. The call of £1 per share has, the directors state, been well met, but they anticipate default in the case of 7000 shares. The

meeting takes placo on February 12. Special praise is accorded by a London paper to the Xmai number of the Actukland Weekly Nr.ws. The sketches of

lembere of the New Zealand Parliament is

characterised as one of the best things in tho picture-producing line that baa yet come from the colonies."

PERSONAL.

Sir John Pender is seriously ill, and I am sorry to say that my latest information is that his condition is regarded as oxtremely critical.

At the last meeting of tho Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, Sir Geo. Maurice O'Rorke, Speaker of thaNew Zealand House of Representatives; Mr. W. E. Vaux, formerly of the Colonial Museum, Wellington, but now In business in London; Mr. Edward Martin, chairman of the New Zealand' L.

nd M.A. Co.; and Mr. E. C. Mills, of Now ealand, were elected Fellows.

General praise is given by the papers to the New Zealand Official Year Rook, compiled by Mr. E. J. Von Dadelszen.

Sir Walter Buller'e pamphlet, containing a full account of the proceedings in Parliament, when ho defended himself against Mr. John McKenzio's gross attack, has been read here wibh much interest and sympathy. So far as I can judge public opinion hero is emphatically on the side of Sir Walter Buller, who is regarded as having been most wantonly and scandalously attacked by Mr. McKenzie under tho shelter of his Parliamentary privilege. The affair has done the Government much

barm in English public opinion. Three days ago the death took place of " Alice, the beloved wife of Sir Edward E. Lochmere, Bart., Sevenend, Henley Castle, Worcestershire." Lady Lechmore, whose romantic, marriage with the young baronet, who fell in love with hor on the banks of tho Avon, will be well remembered in Christchurch, died at Teignmouth, Devon, whither she bad been taken for bho benefit of her health.