ANGLO NEW ZEALAND NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 5

ANGLO NEW ZEALAND NOTES.

(Fnoir Oub Own Correspondent.) 30 and 31 Flbet steeet, London, June 16. The City of Auckland 5 per cent, debentures are specially mentioned by the Echo as a good investment. The Manchester Guardian and Money and Trade both refer to the gold mining industry at the Thames, New Zealand, as, apparently, not makiDg much headway, but as being carried on in a steady plodding manner in the majority of the mines, while there is always a prospect of something better being found. As other instances of the attention now being paid to New Zealand by the English provincial press, I may mention that the Exeter Gazette publishes a long account of the Rotorua-Taupo district under the heading "Life Among the Geysers," and a Perthshire journal devotes a complimentary article to New Zealand's improvement in financial position and good prospects. In short it seems the fashion all round jnst now— and a very good one too— to •' crack up" New Zealand. The Bankers' Magazine says: — "New Zealand has passed through a time of trial, and is now on the up line. In her trouble she had the advantage of a Government possessing the courage and ability to grapple with the situation and to institute the drastic reforms in which only lies the salvation of a discredited colony. In that island colony the Atkinson Ministry and the Balance Ministry, who followed, bravely faced financial difficulties that at a time not long past pressed with crushing weight upon one of the most naturally- bleesed countries of the earth, and by a policy of retrenchment in public expenditure and encouragement for the settlement of the people on the land, have brought New Zealand out of the Slough of Despond." Bishop Julias sails in the Ruahine on the 27th inst., on his return to his Christ church diocese, Mrs Julius and the Misses Julius accompanying him. I saw the bishop ab the Army and Navy Stores yesterday, looking remarkably well and vigorous. It may be recollected that the late Dr Featherston left a valuable collection of Maori curiosities in the Agent-general's office, Westminster. These were sent to the Colonial and [ndian Exhibition of 1886, and attracted much ! attention there. They were subsequently removed to the British Museum. The collection after all these wanderings has now found a permanent home in the New Zealand court of the Imperial Institute. Mr Peter Cunningham, of Christchurch, is staging, with the Misses Cunningham, at the Langham Hotel. He has also taken a special table in the visitors' room at the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's office in Leadenhall street, where he transacts his multifarious business. Mr Cunningham has consulted an eminent doctor as to his health, and has been advised that with a little rest he will soon be thoroughly restored to strength. New Zealand continues to receive much attention at the hands of the English provincial papers. A long letter appears in a recent i?sue of the Dewsbury Reporter (Yorks), containing advice as to emigration to New Zealand. The writer is severe upon people who, like Mr Froude, spend only a few days in the colony and then write as oracles, mostly in a condemnatory strain. He remarks that Miss Shaw, the Times special correspondent, only spent a

I fortnight in New Zealand, and yet is deemed competent to write on the subject. At the annual dinner of the Goldsmiths' Company, on Wednesday evening, the New Zealand guests comprised the Agent-general, Sir Walter Bailer, and Mr Cunningham. Mr Perceval replied in a very neat speech to the toast of " The Visitorg." Mr Perceval, by the way, continues to create a very favourable impression. He seems to be leaving no stone unturned to further the commercial interests of the colony, and to maintain its character. The doubts at first felt by many whether his appointment was a satisfactory one, in view of his comparative youth and inexperience in London public life, have been wholly dispelled by his able and judicious discharge of his official duties. A lecture on New Zealand was delivered at Richmond (Surrey) a few evenings back, by the Rev. T. Flavell, formerly of Christchurch, fn the course of his lecture Mr Flavell remarked that Richmond was doubly associated with the New Zealand church, inasmuch as it was the birthplace of Bishop Selwyn and the present residence of Bishop Julius, and he added, amid laughter, that even the parish sexton was a friend from New Zealand. Among the more recent arrivals from New Zealand have been Mesßrs A. M'Neill, of Wanganui (who is staying with Sir John M'Neill, at St. James's Palace), Messrs J. S. White, W. J. Wood, W. M. Irving, of Christchurch (who are staying respectively at Queen's Gate, the Langham Hotel, and Bartholomew Close), Miss Stewart, daughter of Mr Downie Stewart, M.L.C., of Dunediu (who arrived by the Morayshire), and Mr T. E. Fraser, of Christchurch, whose daughter has just undergone a very successful operation for an obscure injury to the elbow joint, which proves to have been a fracture as well as dislocation. An artificial joint has been made, and the patient is making mrst satisfactory progress. The Pall Mall Gazette expresses the opinion that Sir George Grey is no longer a ferce in New Zealand, and that beyond the respect which he commands . personally he has no real influence at Wellington. The same pager remarks, in reference to Sir John Hall's retirement, that the younger men are evidently coming to the front in New Zealand. Doubts are expressed by the Bradford Observer as to the alleged gradual dying out of the Maori race, and it is remarked that they have proved able to compete successfully with Europeans. Mr W. Courtney announces that he leaves for New Zealand on the 27th, taking with him his "eighth party." Ho invites farm cadets, governesses, and lady helps for New Zealand to come out with him, paying their own passages. Referring to New Zealand's action duringsome years past and the consequent present sound condition of her finances, which has " remained unshaken " by the Australian panic, the Newcastle Chronicle says : "Go ye and do likewise," was written for the edification of the Australian colonies. What has become of your New Zealand fire brigade team that was to take part in the fire tournament now proceeding at the Agricultural Hall before immense crowds of spectators P I can learn nothing at all about the team or its members. Just before posting this I received the following letter from the general hon. secretary of the National Fire Brigades Union j "At present the New Zealand team have not arrived under the charge of Mr Gilbert. I think the alteration of the date might have

made some difference," and that is pbsitively _ all that is known on the subject). It is a pity the team did not corns, or, at any rate, come in time. ' • • ' . Mr Gerald Kennaway, son of Mr Walte* Kennaway, well-known in New Zealand,'headß the class list issued to-day of the second part of the law tripos at Cambridge. This .distinction is equal to that of senior wrangler in the mathematical tripos. „ Mr Kennaway'' has previously won university scholarships at King's College School (London) and Trinity ! Hall, Cambridge. This is another triumph for ; a native-born New Zsalander. My latest information as to Mr J. B. Raßsell, ; of Auckland, who underwent so ' serious a > surgical operation last week, is that he continues to make favourable progress in the direction of ! recovery. ; The Times refers to Mr F. J: Moss's Baro- . tongan British Residentship, brought up in the ! House of Lords last week (and referred to in ; my previous letter), as "a very curious con- ■ stitutional experiment," but geaerally— though ! vaguely— favours its continuance in existing ; circumstances. '' ' The Queen has approved the appointments of Mr E. V. Johansen and Mr E. Skog as Danish consuls for the North and South Islands of New Zealand respectively} the former to reside at Auckland, the latter at Christchurch. • J A new steamer, finer than any yet placed in that trade, is being built by the P. and 0. Company for the Australian service, which is likely ere long to be extended to New Zealand. Her name will be the Caledonia. At the halfyearly meeting of the company last Tuesday, the chairman gave rather a depressing account of the year's results.