ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (From Our London Correspondent.) London, September 10.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 126, 31 October 1885, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (From Our London Correspondent.) London, September 10.

There has been a good deal of correspondence in the " Times " apropos of securing suitable coaling stations in the Pacific with a view to the opening of the Panama Canal, and it is now stated that the Government mean to acquire the Island of Holderness, in the harbour of Mazatlan, in Mexico. Lieutenant General Lowry, C.8., commenting on this proposal, euggestß that either instead or in addition we should acquire the Galapagos Group, which would in every way be handier for Australasian traders and mail steamers. Apropos of the meeting of Australasian Premiers to discuss a scheme for defending the coast, the " Evening Ne^s " observes : — " The incalculable mischief which would be caused by the seizure of a colonial town of importance or by the occupation of a coaling station or harbour by an enemy's fleet in tiixie of war is of itself, or ought to have been long ago, a sufficient reason for the adoption of defensive measures. For the' adequate accomplishment of these purposes we must be prepared to contribute ourseJves. Only the other day the world caw the noble spectacle of a Volunteer contingent sailing from Australia to fight by the side of our men in the Soudan. It would be a fitting act of recognition, while the memory of that loyal assistance is still fresh, for the Imperial Government to lend them their help to the excellent projects of defence which have been started by the colonies.

The Colonial College. The scheme for the establishment of a Colonial College and Training Farm, which I mentioned to you some time ago, seems likely now to be successfully carried into operation, a considerable proportion of the necessary capital having been obtained by private canvassing. The object of the undertaking is to give a special training to lads intended for a career in the Colonies. An estate consisting of 1,350 acres of fine arable and pasture land, woods, and heath, at Hollesly Bay, Suffolk, is available for the training farm, and two substantial houses are to be enlarged so as to provide accommodation for a hundred students at starting. The educational course, theoretical and practical, is very comprehensive. The sciences relating to agriculture, veterinary surgery, physical geography, mineralogy, and ambulauce work, are to be taught in the College, and out of doors all branches of farming and stock management, land surveying, dairying, forestry, gardening, enginedriving, smiths' work, carpentry, brickmaking, poultry-management, and beekeeping are to be included in the course of training, so aa to fit those who intend to emigrate to meet the emergencies incidental to colonial life. It is further intended to give special information and training in relation to the particular colony to which each student is to emigrate. In short, the object of the institution is to enable youths to acquire before leaving their native land as much as possible of the experience which colonists have to lose so much time in acquiring when they should be making money by their business. The prospectus says that old colonists, before whom the plan has been placed, are warmly in favour of it, and that many influential men have promised their support. Among the patrons, of whom there is a long list, may be mentioned the Duke of Manchester, Lord Henniker, Lord Rendlesham, Sir Charles Clifford, Sir Charles Mills, Mr James Howard, and most of the leading Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute.

A Noble Emigrant. Lord St. Leonards, who was imprisoned Borne months ago for an alleged criminal assault on a servant girl, has bolted to Australia without going through the formality of paying his landlady— a poor woman who trusted him for more than a year on the strength of his title and his affability. By this time, I have little doubt, the noble lord is being feted in one of your antipodean cities.

Sir William MoArthur. Sir William McArthur is not after all going to retire from Parliamentary life just yet. He has consented to stand for West Newington, one of the new Metropolitan boroughs, in the Liberal interest, and has just issued a very sensible address. His opponent is a Mr C. W. Radcliffe Cook.

Theatrical, Sporting, Etc. Mr W. J. flolloway, the Melbourne theatrical manager, has all but concluded arrangements with Mr Charles Warner for a twelvemonths' tour through Australia and New Zealand. If he finally resolves to accept the very liberal terms offered, Mr Earner says he shall introduce himself to antipodean audiences as Coupeau, in Charles Reade's " Drink," that being the character which advanced him to the first rank of melodramatic actors here. He will also appear as Tom Robinson in "Never Too Late to Mend "—a part altogether his owe in England— and as the unfortunate hero of "In the Ranks." By the way, I see that a Miss Marie de Grey announces in the papers that she has just returned from a triumphant '• starring" tour through Australia and New Zealand. Who is Miss Marie de Grey, and where did the "London Comedy Company," which she represented as Metropolitan, come from? Consul Grifiin and the numerous other friends and admirers of Miss Anderson who appear to reside at the antipodes, will be glad to hear of the young lady's successful debut as RosaHnd in "As You Like It," at the Memorial Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon. The performance was one of the most memorable ever given in the pretty little playhouse recently erected at Shakspeare's birthplace. Enthusiasts journeyed from all parts of England in order to be present— in fact, so numerous and influential were the applications for seats that it was necessary to have recourse to the ballot. The •' Standard" declares there were forty applications for every available reserved place, but probably that is drawing the long bow, somewhat. Anyhow the audience was a historic one, and might well make Miss " Mimi " a little nervous at first. The opening scenes fell a bit flat in consequence, but the young lady soon recovered confidence, and her appearance in most picturesque "doublet and hose " more than fulfilled expectations. A daintier figure than she makes in masculine attire has seldom been seen on the stage, and so | natural is her acting that one feels Orlando may well; be forgiven for not penetrating the disguise. The performance proved a bona fide triumph for Miss Anderson, and j has substantially enriched the Memorial! Fund, to which the profits were handed over. ; ' Under the heading "A New Zealand Outing," the " Christian World ?<of August 27th oontains an interesting account of a drive through the country between the city of Christohurch and Kaiapoi. The " Sportsman " says that the champion sculler, Beaohjis expeoted in England shortly, and .will be met here, by Wallace, Boss, Teemer, and Hanlan, the four haying

resolved, to finally, settle the question of 'supremacy on the Thames champioaghip courses ' - . «4 Mr Robert Howett,tbe well-known bookmaker and owner of ,racehorses/is about to pay a visit to Australia and New Zealand; ' and' sails almoßt immediately. Mr Ho wett's career has been most remarkable. t originally a designer, in the Nottingham ( lace trade, that is one of the rank and file who draw the, patterns which render lace so beautiful. Entering the service of MiStokes, a celebrated pencilled of 20 years ago, as his clerk, he quickly Worked his way up into the very front rank of betting men, won heaps of money, bought an estate . at Woodborough Notts, purchased and bred racehorses with which he has won many im» portant events. In fact, Mr Howett has, in a financial sense, been one of the most fortunate men on the turf, He possesses a wonderful faculty for betting on horses in running. Long before an animal's winning chance is apparent to ordinary eyes or field* glasses he sees it, and very seldom, indeed, is his judgment at fault. " Bob " Howett'a familiar figure, perched perilously on th© , top of the ring railings, bawling out " the favourite's beat— loo to 1 agin' the fav'rite " will be much missed at the Autumn- raoe meetings. - . ,

The miners employed at the Lambton Colliery, Newcastle, have gone on strike^ and the coal trimmers have loUowed their, example. Several vessels lying in port have been delayed in consequence/