LONDON LETTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6489, 8 April 1908, Page 6

LONDON LETTER

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, February 28. A musical comedy company, under the management of Mr St. John Denton, left London by the Omrnh last Friday on route for Australia and Now Zealand. They are to present three of the latest London successes to Australasian audiences, viz., “Miss Hook of Holland/' which has celebrated its 400th performance at the Prince of Wales's Theatre in London; “The Belle of Mayfair/’ in ■which Edna May and Camille Clifford created so much stir; and “The Girl Behind the Counter," from the Apollo Theatre. “Miss Hook” is the company’s tramp card. They open with it on Easter Monday at the Theatre Royal. Melbourne, and remain there for ten weeks, ringing the changes on the three comedies. The stage-manager for Mr Denton is Mr Charles Weninan, and Mr Victor Champion is the musical director. With the exception of the members of the chorus, only two of the cast are Australasians—Mr Arthur Appleby, the New Zealand baritone, who takes the part created in London by Mr Herbert Clayton; and Miss D’Arcy Lane, a young Victorian, new to the stage, who plays minor parts in all three plays.

A memorial to the late Mr Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, was dedicated on Sunday in the parish church of his native place, Eoclestcm, St. Helens. It took the form of now choir stalls, the gift of Mrs Seddon, and there was n crowded congregation, among whom were the captain (Mr H. Wright) and a number of the New Zealand football team, as well as players and officials of the St. Helens Rugby Club. The dedication service was conducted by the Bishop of Liverpool, who, in his sermon, remarked upon the fact that South-west Lancashire had given the world two great Premiers, William Ewart Gladstone and Richard John Seddon. Xu© bishop went on to pay a high tributo to Mr Seddon's work and character. Tue choir stalls bear the inscription; “To the glory of God and in lowing memory of Richard John Seddon, P.C., LL.u., Premier of New Zealand from 1895 to 1906. Born in Eccleston, 1845, died 1906. Presented by his widow, February 23rd, 1908/'

Air and Mrs Murdoch McLean and Miss • McLean, left London to-day, an route for New Zealand. They will spend a few days in Baris, and join the V. and O. liner Mongolia at Marseilles on March 6th. During the past week or two Mr McLean has been ordering more machinery for his big tunnel conrtact at Otira Gorge. The cranes, Felton wheels. and all tho rolling stock with the exception <of th© engines have been purchased from English firms, and an order for two petrol engines for working in the tunnel has been placed with a German firm. Mr Mcuean being unable to procure them in Great Britain. Altogether he has purchased during hie visit about .£15,000 wortu of machinery.

Sir Thomas Brooko-Hitching, co-patron with the Earl of Jersey of the English Bowling Association, has signified nis intention to form one of a icprcsentativ© team of bowlers to visit Australia and New Zealand next eearxm. Tho time necessary for the itinerary would oe from four to fivo months, and tho cost to each player about *8250. In the event of ladles being included in the xAirty Lady Brooke-Hitching would be included in the number. Sir Thomas BrookeH itch mg is a''sheriff of London, Mayor of the Borough of Marylebone, a memoer of the London County Council, a Common Councilman of the city, and also one of his Majesty's Lieutenants for the city of London. He received his knighthood some five or six ytUrs ago.

Tho Prime Minister of Now Zealand,, in a letter to Lord Meath, just received, writes: —"I think it would be a capital idea for children in our schools to commit to memory the ‘Empire Catechism,’ the ’Flag.of Britain,’ and your lordsnip’e message to the boye ‘and girls of tin Empire; and, with a view to baring this done. I am sending the leaflets, mnsio, and the message to my hou. oolleagno, the Minister of Education.”

Recent callers at the High Commissioner’e office have been few in number during the past week. The following signed the visitors’ ' book; —Dr and Mrs Hope Lewis (Auckland), Mr A. L. Jones (Auckland), Mr H. C. Washbourne, Mr H. G. Pearce (Auckland), and Mr J. M. Jack (Dunedin).

Captain. J. Forbes, the commander of the Turakina, was operated on successfully a few days ago for an injury, to his knee. Ho is now almost recovered, and expects to proceed to New Zealand in charge of the Turakina.

Sir ChUrles Santley has already made one successful tour through Australia, and the veteran musical knight contemplating another next year. "It is a case of going out. to Australia or having •i quiet sojourn in the south .of Franco, ’ ho says. Although Sir Charles Santley io now in the seventies, he cays he finds occupations crowding upon him thicker than over. “I once thought that at this age I should have been a-oie to slacken ou, but I .work harder now l-hun I over did. All the better! I am sure I should be good-for nothing if I had not work 1 was bound to do. Sir Charles adds that he is bringing out a now book, to be entitled "Tho Art of binging. _ it is not to be a .tutor, he says, but is intended to show what is required to- torm an artist. Sir ChUrles Santley has not a very high opinion of the Covcut Garden of to-day. He says he seldom goes to tho opera now, and when he goes he generally wishes he had not gone. He went to hear "Don Giovanni” and found "only one ‘artist in tho crowd," Miff Lalla Miranda, an Australian. She played and eang Zerlina very well. The other performers were generally at seii, and the opera was not at all well executed oo far as ensemble u'as concerned." ,