RIVAL AFRICAN LIONS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LV, Issue 9971, 4 August 1893, Page 3

RIVAL AFRICAN LIONS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) 'London, Juno 16.

An Immense crowd ot Fellows of the R.C.f., their wives, sisters, cousins and aunts, assembled in the Whitehall Rooms of tho Hotel Metropolo on Tuesday evening to bear tho celebrated African banter and txploror, Mr P. C. Selons, ‘ hold forth ’ on the incident of his trips into the Darkest Continent. Tho whole series of ieotures given during the session, which commenced last autumn, have been remarkably well attended; but Tuesday’s gathiring was a record, there being fully five hundred prosent— perhaps mere. .-nd withal, though the day had been very close, the warmth of tho room was not a matter of discomfort. For the lecture itself, one o.m but say that it was the most generally Intonating that hao been delivered under the auspices of the K C.I. It was full to repletion of stirring Incidents of the abase, and well illustrated with limelight views. Tbo audience listened with rapt attention to Mr Solons, and—unusual happening—seemed to desire more of hia experiences. At the close of the paper tbo groat 'dead lion,’ Mr H. M. Stanley, who was specially invited by the council to talk on tho occasion, favoured us with a criticism of the paper. He seemed very desirous to disparage Mr Selene, and to pick holes in ths ieotme, but only succeeded In showing how trne the old saying ■ Two ot a Hade,’ &0,, is. Mr Stanley exhibited an amount of potty jealousy in hia remarks quite out of keeping with hia character as tbo great explorer. The principal complaint against Mr Salons seemed to be the slaughter of the indigenous animals of the Dark Continent. Altogether his speech was in bad taste, hot Mr Scions refrained from answering in the same spirit. Tho final remark of the lecturer's reply was, however, a hard hit at Henry Mouton, for, said Mr Scions, ‘ I have never done anything in Africa that I’m ashamed of.’ ‘A Hunter's Experiences io Africa ’ was the last loctnro of the session, and Fellows of the Institute will have no need of the Whitehall Rooms until next November. Amongst the New Z-alanders present I noticed Mr and Airs Tinlino, Captain and Mrs A-hby, Mr and Mrs Hill-Jaok, Rev H. I. Campbell and Mrs Campbell, Dr and Mrs T. Fisher, Sir Walter B'lller, Mr Arthur Clayden, Mr W. Weddell and Captain and Mrs Heotor, and Mr W. D. Wood. The latter gentleman is up for election to the Fellowship of tho Institnte at the next meeting of (ha Connoil.