OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 37

OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Mail Office, February 20. The colony is still suffering from tho low ptices which are at present obtained by its staple products of wool, grain, and dairy produce, and the commercial cablegrams from the Old Country are anxiously scanned by the settlers and middlemen. Special anxiety has been evinced as the future of the dairy industry, in the development of which .very large sums or money have been expended. It is hoped, however, that by sending Home butter and cheese of the finest quality only, fair payable prices may be obtained. Every effort is being made at this end to secure a uniform good quality, and the most careful attention is being paid to the packing and shipping, but it is widely felt that until the system of distribution at the Home end is improved, and the trade is taken out of tli9 hands of the London middleman the colonial producer will continue to puffer; This remark applies with equal force to the meat trade.

The Hon. J. G. Ward. Colonial Treasurer, has left for England on private business, although it ia understood that he will during his stay in the Old Country supervise certain matters of financial interest to the colony. Prior to his departure Mr Ward delivered two impor* tant speeches on financial and general topics, and was presented by the residents of Invercargill with , handsome testimonials, in which his wife was coupled. Mr Ward's stay in England will be very short, as he hopes to return to the colony before the commencement of the session, which at present, it is thought, will eventuate about the middle of Jurie*

The Hon. Mr Carroll, the member of the Executive who repres*nts the Native race, has delivered an address at Gisborne, which has been very warmly commended for its moderation and sound common sense. Mr Carroll is a half-caste, who considerable gifts of oratory. His intimate knowledge of the traditions, usages and requirements of the noble race to which he is allied by blood, is widely recognised as being of the highest service to the Government and to the colony at large.

Particulars, to be found elsewhere, have been circulated by the Government of the Fair Rent Bill to be introduced next session. The measure ia one of considerable importance, and is being widely discussed by the press and public of the colony.

The firsc half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Bank uf New Zealand has been held at Wellington under the presidency of Mr W. Watson, who delivered a most important address on the presnt position of the bank. The report dealt at length with the reforms wihch have been effected in the management of the Bank since the new directorate took charge of affairs, and the general opinion is that a decided and successful effort has been made to place the business of this great financial institution on a sounder basis. The full report of the proceedings at the meeting will be found in ano her column.

The principal local event of the month has been the consecration of the new Bishop of Wellington, the Rev. Dr Wallis, which took place on the 25th January, at St. Paul's Church, and whs a most imposing function. In addition to the colonial bishops and a host of clergy there ws*s also present an English prelate, the Bishop of Salisbury, who delivered an eloquent sermon. The musical part of the ceremony was very effective, and the church was crowded to its doors. On the following Sunday the hew Bishop preached, creating a very favourable impression.

The annual meeting of the Anglican Synod hits been held at Nelson, great interest, being evinced in the proceedings. A Bill introduced by Sir John Hall to give women the right of voting at parish meeting was discussed at great length, but was eventually thrown out, the majority of the clergy voting against the proposed new departure, which, however, found favour with the Primate (Bishop Cowie) and the Bishop of Christchurch (Bishop Julius), and received the hearty, but unavailing, support of the majority of the lay members of the Synod. Resolutions in favour of religious instruction in the State Schools were passed.

The Melanesian mission schooner, the Southern Cross, has recently visited Wellington, and tho crew, all Melanesian natives, have created a very favourable impression by their manly bearing and by the many evidences they give of having received a sound instruction in Christian doctrines. The Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop Wilson, was presented at the consecration of Bishop Wallis, and has succeeded in working up an increased sympathy with and interest in tho good work over which he has charge.

The colony has been enjoying brilliant summer weather, but in the eai ly part of this month Wellington was visited by an almost tropical rainfall, certain of the lower portions of the city suffering rather severely from the storm, water not escaping with sufficient rapidity. An exceptionally high tide, which banked up the water in the sewers, was largely the cause of the moderate amount of damage effected.

A good feature of our colonial life is the prosperity of the various friendly societies which have for their main object the encouragement of thrift, and the social advancement of the working classes. The Druids' Society has of late years considerably extended their operations throughout the colony, and a District Grand Lodge for the North Island has been opened at Wellington during the month. The function was made the occasion of a great gathering of delegates from the othsr centres, and the figures quoted in the speech of the Grand Secretary, Bro. Brennan, prove how widespread is the interest taken in the society, and its financial and general progress during the past few years.

The results of the last University examinations have been published during the month, and show to what a large extent the advantages of secondary education are being secured for their children

by the parents. There is a strong and ever-growing feeling that Wellington, the capital of the colony, is oscupying a very backward position in not possessing its own University College, and a determined attempt is likely to be made to secure the necessary endowments for such an institution.

A team of Fijian cricketers, many of them natives of that colony, are at present on a visit to New Zealand. They have played matches at various centra, and although their play is hardly up to the local standard they have acquitted themselves very well. The visitors, whose appearance in native costume has occasioned great interest amongst the general public, have been treated with the greatest hospitality.

The theatrical sensation of the month has been the visit of the Royal Comic Opera Company, from Melbourne, under the management of Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, the well-known Australian impresarios, whose enterprise and liberality in staging the various operas presented by their company are now proverbial. Mi-ss Nellie Stewart, the favourite Australian prima donna has renewed her acquaintanceship with Wellington playgoers, receiving a most enthusiastic welcome. Messrs Wallace Brownlow and Tapley, both well-known at the Savoy and other London theatres, have each achieved a great success, as the leading baritone and tenor respectively. The operas presented so far include " Ma Mie Rosette," "Paul Jones," and "La Cigale." "The Mountebanks," "The Vicar of Bray," and " Mam'zelle Nicouche " are also included in the company's repertoire.