ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11535, 21 November 1900, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] London, Ootober 20. An illustration of a New Zealand brass band on wheels is given in the Sketch. The band is the Christchurch Cycling Band, under tho leadership of Mr. Painter.

In the opinion of tho Farmer and Stock Breeder, which discusses English and New Zealand Lincolns as competitors for the Argentine, " the New Zealand finely-bred typo can never become fashionable for export purposes."

About the last place in the world one would look for commendation of anything relating to New Zealand, is a publication under the control of Mr. A. J. Wilson. Yet, dealing with the report of tho New Zealand Government Insurance Commissioner, he, in the Investor's Review, " notes with pleasure that it testifies to good business done." There is hope of Mr. Wilson yet.

" New Zealand is very much in earnest on the defence question," remarks the Ariny and Navy Gazette, in which it is hoped that other colonies will follow he. " excellent example in devising a practical scheme for Home defence." It is also noted that " the colony possesses the best steaming coal in the South Pacific, and some experts consider it equal to Welsh." The escape of the Calliope is cited as an instance of the value of Now Zealand coal.

A writer in the Atlantic Monthly thinks that very few people recognise how much in the life and politics of New Zealand is due to the example of the United States. Upon this the Manchester Guardian comments that "certain parallels with American life are obvious enough to the most observant traveller." These parallols appear to be the uee of slang and cooperative works, while it is said that "New Zealand has adopted Walt Whitman as a kind of national singer of democracy."

"A New Zealander" has written to the Standard in reference to settling reservists and volunteers " upon the land" in South Africa, and warns the Government to be " extremely careful to avoid placing men in situations where they would not have _ a fair chance of making a living." He mentions " piteous talcs of misery" resulting from neglect of this precaution by other Governments—"presumably the colonial Government," the Standard takes it.

A sporting man notes that, " One of the passengers of the s.s. Papanui, which arrived at Plymouth on Saturday last, was the four-year-old New Zealand horse Screw Gun, by Hotchkiss out of Rose of Wellington. A chestnut colt of the highest class in his own country, where he won 10 races out of 12 attempts for Mr. G. G. Stead. Screw Gun is now the property of Sir E. Cassel, who is reported to have paid £5000 for him. The colt will join F. W. Day's team at Newmarket." It is amusing to note that the English papers have nearly all renamed the horse " bcroogan."

Mr. W. P. Reeves' interview in respect to South Wales' dissatisfaction at New Zealand's proposal to annex Fiji and other island groups, lias been somewhat extensively quoted in the provincial press, his " energetic" action being ;\lso remarked upon in some quarters. I see it stated that there is no -reason why New Zealand should not take the matter of extension in hand, " subject to any securities that may be necessary." According to the Daily Chronicle, however, the Colonial Secretary has decided that nothing shall be done at present as to bringing Fiji " into some sort of federal union with New Zealand." In a way this was to be expected, for the Downing-street authorities practically make it a ride to keep all colonies having a preponderating native population, under the cautious control of the Crown Agents.

Yesterday I had the opportunity of seeing the new penny stamp, which is to be iasued on January 1 next, on the introduction of universal penny postage. I shall be much mistaken if it is not considered one of the prettiest of all the colony's stamps. It is of the ordinary size, printed in carminethe Postal Union colour—and bears in crescent shape formation the words. "Universal Postage." Above this is a full length female figure, representing the Postal Union, a globe, and a steamship at sea, while, a view of Mount Egmont forms the background. At each corner is a star, the four forming the Southern Cross. It had been intended that the now stamp should be designed by the president of the Royal Academy, who would gladly have undertaken the task had sufficient time been allowed him. But, of course ,it was necessary that the stamp should be printed and iin the colony by the end ot the year. Messrs. Watorlow's skilled designer, therefore, took the matter in hand, and a very successful design has been the result. I may add that an ordo. for a first issue of one million stamps has been given.