NEWS BY THE ENGLISH MAID.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7377, 21 May 1887, Page 2

NEWS BY THE ENGLISH MAID.

COLONIAL ITEMS. London, April B.— Mr. G. W. Rusden. the historian of New Zealand, has come back from Italy, where he has been spending tho winter, and is now staying with Dr. Moorhouse, Bishop of Manchester. He 3tatea that his appeal from the adverse verdict in the case of «' Bryce v. Rußden," will behenid in a few days. The "GoldPulm" of the French Academy of Sciences — which makes the recipient an officer of public instruction — • has just been conferred upon Sir Walter Buller. The death is announced, on the 28th of March, of Bishop Monrad, of Denmark, who at one time lived in New Zealand, but returned to Europe in 1869, in consequence of his property having been devastated by the natives. Sir Julius von Haast is still at Florence, and his health is not 3 r et satisfactoiy. He expects to sail for New Zealand in June. Sir Julius Vogel's reiterated expressions of an intention to pursue a policy of economy and abatention-from further borrowings evoke great commendation in the city. The first act of Mr Deafein, of Victoria, on arriving in London was to get an introduction to Mr. Poole, the Prince of Wales* tailor, and through the instrumentality of that gentleman he succeeded in effecting an entire change in the outer man. Mr. R. S. Walpole, secretary of the Victorian Woolgrowers' Association, will leave in a few days for New York in the hope of being able to influence some of the more prominent politicians there to take up the question of admitting New Zealand and Australian • wool into the States on more favorable terms. The Congregational Review of this month contains an account of an interview with the Rev. James Chalmers, of New Guinea. It is announced here that the Royal Geographical Society of Außtralasia have made arrangements with Mr. Chalmers to explore the Mount Owen Stanley range. Mr. Kinloch Cooke is bringing out a book upon Australian defences and New Guinea, This work is based upon confidential information which he derived from his connection with the late Sir Peter Scratchley. The Reform Club, following the example of the Carlton, has thrown open its doora to the Colonial Delegates during their stay in London. A well-known Austrian military writer has been prophesying dismal things for England in the year 1888. According to this gentleman's views there is to be a big war between England and France, in - which our naval supremacy is to be smashed to atoms, London is to be ocoupied by a French force, and the disintegration of the British Empire is to begin. Australia and New Zealand, who are to be the cause of the war on account of the New Hebribes, will basely desert the mother country, and set up as independent republics, while the greater portion of our other colonial possessions, including all the important coaling stations, are to be absorbed by France under the treaty of peace. Mr. Phil. Robinson, the Mormon champion, author of " Saints and Sinners," is going out to lecture in Australia, under the guidance of the well-known Mr. R. S. Smythe. He -will probably be astute enough to sail in the same ship as some of the delegates when they return to Australia, in order to get on good terms with them. This will be of advantage to him, both from a social and business point of view. He may, therefore, be expected to set sail about May, and will commence lecturing in June. Mr. Phil Robinson baa alteady given a series of very succeßßful lectures in the United States. The Earl of Onslow, Under-Secretary^ of State for the Colonies, is distinguishing himself by giving a series of bright little cosy official dinners, which are becoming quite the feature of the London season.