OUR LONDON LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 50

OUR LONDON LETTER.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) 30 and 31 Fleet street, London, December 30. THE WEEK. Only one more day in the year 1893 ! Permit me to offer my best wishes to all my New Zealand readers for the coming year of grace 1894 1 Last Wednesday morning the Daily Telegraph had a characteristic leader chuckling in verbose strain over the absence up to that time of fogs. It was a " rash act "! As thousands were reading that song of exultation as they ate their morning rasher, they found •themselves immersed, with such rapidity that it was almost suddenness, in Egyptian darkness. A black fog had come on as it ia support of the old fancy that it is risky to crow over present benefits if you desire to retain them. All that day there was intermittent fog, but the climax was reserved for tbe day following 1 , when " from morn to dewy eve" absolute midnight blackness prevailed over the greater part of the metropolis. There was not much fog absolntely on that surface of the ground. You could see across the street all right. But there was a dense fog-bank in the atmosphere through which the solar rays could not peuetrate. The city, streets, shops, offices, and houses were lighted up all day with gas or electricity just as in the evenings, and one had a sorb of feeling that daylight had departed for ever and would be seen again no more. As usual the fog was accompanied by an extraordinarily high barometer (which actually stood ab 30 94in in some places), and — not by any means as usual — it was attended by a mild and genial temperature. It cleared off on Thursday night, but came on again a* black as ever for a time yesterday morning, and cleared at noon with a much cooler temperature. So intensely dark a day as last Thurediy has seldom, if ever, been seen even in London. THE AUDI.AMONT MYSTERY. Of course the event of the week — my week I mean, which began at post time last Friday evening — has been the conclusion of the Ardlamont trial. As my letter was on its way to the Dover mail the jury entered the court with their verdict. I can claim no credit for having predicted it. " Not proven " was virtually a foregone conclusion. The jury could not possibly convict after the conflict of expert evidence, and the consequent destruction of an essential link in the circumstantial chain. A Scottish jury could nob absolutely acquit in the face of the damaging evidence that remains unshaken while a middle course was available. And so that middle course they took. Mr Monson is an absolutely frea man. Bub he carries a stigma through life. In an interview he expressed his surprise that after the judge's very strong summing up in his favour the jury should not have acquitted him outright. He omplained that the prosecution seemed less anxious to ascertain the truth than to make facts fit in with a preconceived theory, and he maintained tbat in England the whole thing would have been cleared up by a coroner's inquest in a day or two. He judiciously ignored the fact that much of the suspicion excited in tbe ca?e was due to his own persistent lying and shufßing, which went far to create tbe impression of there being "something wrong." The verdict seemed popular, to judge from the applause with which it was received, and Mr Monson was warmly and repeatedly congratulated as he left the dock. It is nob yeb known whab steps can and will be taken about the financial matters wlrch were so prominently in evidence during tbe tedious case now fortunately closed. THE NAVY. Sir William Harcourt has received a muchneeded lesson against over-cocksureness. He was blatantly confident that the British Navy iB all it should be, and his positive assertion to the effect during the recent naval debate really did stagger some of his hearers. But he was promptly called to account by bin colleagues at the Admiralty, who had been absent at the time, and who insisted on a retraction so far as they could be held committed by his assertions. So he had to tell the House of Commons that his statement? must ba held to apply only to a certain class of the navy and not to the whole. It is said that the Government, after all these professions of naval sufficiency, have nevertheless decided to build several new ships of tbe largest size, and also a number of torpedoboat destroyors of the "Havoc" class. Ministera cannot fail to recognise that the country is seriously alarmed at the alleged inadequacy of the naval defences, and that they would incur grave unpopularity by giving colour even to a suspicion ot negligence on their part in this all-important matter. POL'TI ~S. Another by-election has taken place, and once more a GUdstonian victory has been won by a greatly diminished mijority. Mr Leese vacated his Rfat for Accrington by accepting the Recordership of Manchester, but stood for reelection and got in by 258. At the last election he beat tho same opponent (Mr Hermon- Hodge) by 547. A toucbiDg desire to obtain some memento of the successful candidate was manifested after the polling, his valuable gold watch being annexed — doubtless by a political admirer. Strange to say, Mr Leese did not seem pleased : he prefers less obtrusive admiration on the part of his supporters. The House of Commons resumed work on Wednesday and is still busily engaged upon the Parish Councils Bill. There are rumours of pending compromise on some of the points in dispute, bub so far nothing definite has been arrived at Yesterday Mr Gladstone completed his eighty-fourth year and entered his eighty-fifth year. He was the recipient of numberless congratulations, alike from friends and from opppnents. Mr Balfour iv the House ' offered the felicitations of himself and his party to the aged statesman, who seemed much gratified, and heartily acknowledged, th£ courtesy. Sir Charles JQilke, in an interview, has stated hi* opinion that a European coalition against Eaglnnd is probable, but that war is not at present imminent, though he would go much farther than either Conservatives or Liberals propose iv the matter of tbe naval defence of the country. PROFESSOR ALDIS. The case of Professor Aldis continues to attract much notice in Engkud. Dr Abbott says in a letter to The Times s " Tne facts speak for themselves. The tenure of a professor in Auckland College is not at present the same as that of a professor in Great Britain and Ireland. The latter is appointed practically for life ; the former may do well to bespeak a cheap reburn ticket." Summing up the whole case in a. speciallyheaded article The Times says :—": — " Even if it be true, as alleged by the chairman, that the professor was really guilty of gross neglect of duty, they have put themselves hopelessly in the wrong by acting as they have done when it would have been perfectly easy to put themselves absolutely in the right by acting like honourable and educated men. Their duty must have been a painful one in such a case, bub

ib is one which public men must on occasion discharge, and which public men who are also gentlemen know how to discharge irreproachably. However, once bit, twice shy. Until the Auckland Council explain themselves bo bhe satisfaction of men of sense and education, it is quite impossible for any man of character in this country to help them in the choice of a new professor, or for any man who respects himself to appear as a candidate for their patronage. That, indeed, concerns the Auckland College alone. But there are broader issues at stake — nothing less than the welfare and repute of higher education throughout th? Australasian colonies. Sound learning and high scholarship are commodities which those colonies can obtain from the mother country much more readily than for a long time to come they can hope to produce them at the antipodes. Is it worth their while to cut off the supply by treating the professors they obtain in the narrowest parochial I spirit, and with no justice at all P " It is undeniable that the weight of public and educated feeling in England is altogether against the Auckland College authorities in regard to this unfortunate affair. And it will have a very bad effect. A STRANGE FATALITY. The Christmas festivities have been marred by one shocking and, at present, inexplicable fatality. On Christmas afternoon the choir of St. Nicholas's Church, Guilford, went to the Surrey County Hospital to sing carols bo the patients. Subsequently the boys were entertained with " snapdragon." Just as the flames were expiring the house surgeon tried to revive them by pouring from a bottle what was supposed to be alcohol. An immediate explosion followed, and all who surrounded that table were enveloped in blue vaporous flames. Several of the choir boys were seen writhing on the floor in agony covered with blue flames. One- was so severely burned that he died soon afterwards. The clergyman and various nurses and visitors were also severely burned, and it is not yet certain whether some other cases will not result fatally. At present no light has been thrown on the deplorable affair, but ib has gravely discredited snapdragon as a safe amusement for the young. There will be no more of it this year, ab any rate. It will be no loss. It is a dangerous and not at all valuable relic of past barbarism. IMPEHIAL INSTITUTE. A "scare" has been raised in connection with the Imperial Institute by the promulgation of an "expert" opinion that the "Imps" — as profane people call the Fellows of that august body — are personally liable, as quasishareholders, for all working expenses of the institute and for all debts that may ba contracted. Many of the Fellows declare that they will not renew their subscriptions until this point shall have been satisfactorily cleared up. The endowment fund produces an income of £4000 per annum, but this falls short by £1000 of paying the mere rates, which amount to £5000 a-year ! Further, £26,000 of the endowment capital has been taken for the erection of the north gallery, thus pro tanto diminishing the income yielded; and the building was presented by the nation to tbe Queen, so that cannot be fallen back upon in case of need. These statements have created alarm, and many resignations are threatened unless some reassuring explanation shall be forthcoming. Tnere seems a regrettable disposition in many quarters to disparage and ridicule the Imperial Institute. Truth, in its Christmas number, has a carboou representing the Prince of Wales standing on a platform in f rout of the institute beating a big drum, while to the left is Sir Somers Vine taking money at a turnstile, over which is a placard, *• Walk up ! Walk up ! Royalty now on view ! Illuminated gardens ! Al Fresco Felt !! " Men and womeu in evening dress are thronging in. On the right hand Sir F. Abel is ringing a big bell, and shouting, " This way to the colonial exhibits."' Lord Ripon sits by the turnstile waiting to admit visitors and take their money. But no one enters there. This certainly expresses the opinion of bhe insbitute's mission and usefulness, that is being I sedulously inculcated by certain people and writers. It is a pity, as the institute has already been of much service as an advertisement of the colonies — of New Zealand, above all — and it is to be regretted that it should be the target for so much active hostility and for the arrows of small wits. The idea of the promoter has of course bien to utilise the social side of the affair in the furtherance of its graver objects. This is seized upon and porverbed by the enemy into the misrepresentation that social functions are bhe sole raison d'etre of tbe institute. Thia is unfair, but cannot bo prevented. Seriously. I do think that the suggestion thrown out in derision was a very good one — that there should be. an annouueement that every Fellow and Fellowess of the Imperial Institute should be invited bo a garden party or other function at Marlborough House during bhe coming season. Whab a rush there would be of new candidates for fellowship ! IMPERIAL FEDERATION. Imperial federation is not dead yet, though the central organisation of its league his resolved to perform the " happy despatch." The City of London branch has sent round a circular to the other branches of the league requesting their opinion on a definite programme as a basis of reconstruction, and asking for a pledge of active support and co-operation in the event of approval. The programme is as follows : — " (1) That in order to secure the permanent unity of the Empire, some form of federation is essential (2) That any scheme of Imperial federation should combine ou an equitable basis bbc resources of the Empire for the maintenance of common interests, and adequately provide for an organised defence of common rights. (3) That any scheme of Imperial federation should embrace a commercial union, as necessary to its strength and permanence ; and that such unjqn should be based, as nearly as practicable, upon Freetrade -throughout tbe Empire. (4-) That the establishment of periodical conferences of representatives of the self-governing communities of the Empire should be the first aim of the Imperial Federation League." ANGLO COLONIAL NOTES. ■ Mr Coleman, of Hawke's Bay, expects to leave on his return to the colony either this week or next. A correspondent writes to one of the London dailies as follows : — " Of the Australasian colonies I like New Zealand best, and should have liked to have stayed another month there. It is a beautiful country, and of immense capabilities, The hob lakes are the most wonderful sight imaginable. Hot wa*er and steam come out of the ground in all directions ia a dozen districts, over an area of many square miles. I am sure it will bubble over and burst some day. Earthquake shocks are of everyday occurrence. The immense forests, which they call ' bush,' are composed of all kinds of trees, from the almost tropical fern tree to the northern pine. The colouring is of all shades of green, and looking up a mountain side frdm below it looks like an artificially laid out and cultivated pleasure domain on English gentleman's estate. At Ohristohurch, in New Zealand, we went to see a sheep-freezing fao-

tory. There is room for 30,000 sheep in these freezing vaults, and there they remain until they go on board ship to be sent to England. There are about 20 such freezing works now in New Zealand, and last year the sheep sent to Eogland in th>s manner amounted to nearly 1,700.000." It is stated that Mr Edmund Mitchell is publishing, through Messrs Hutchinson and Co., his story, " The Temple of Death," which appeared serially in the Age, the Quoenßlander, and the Christchurch Press. The book will be out directly. Mr Mitchell has contracted to write four more novels for Messrs Hutchinson. In these days of frequent recourse to the telegraph cable the publication of a new "code" is always interesting. I have ju9t received a copy of " The Simplex Standard Telegram Code "of 205,500 carefully selected code words. Each word is accompanied by a group of five or six figures, by the aid of which special keys may be constructed so as to represent 40 or 50 words in plain language for each code word, and varjiDg according to the requirements of merchants. The need of a larger number of code words to meet the increasing demands of commerce and to reduce further the heavy cost of cable messages has been much felt, and the new work, published this week by Mr Effingham Wilson, Royal Exchange, will exactly meet the need. The author is Dr Ager, who has already brought out some 40 other telegraphic codes, all of which enjoy well deserved repute. It is admitted that both American and English insurance offices have hitherto been far behind New Zealand and Australia in pushing their business, and have much to learn from the colonies in this re3pect. The eagerness with which two New Zealand insurance experts, Mr F. W. Franklaud and Mr Harrison Davis, were snapped up in London seems to show that there is an intention to profit by this discovery. I hear that both gentlemen— Mr Frankland in New York and Mr Davis in London — are doing excellent work for the New York Life Company, which secured them early in the current year.