ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4938, 30 April 1894, Page 1

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

■ •■ [FKOM OUR LONDON COBEEr /pQRjjBNT.] LoNDOr^ March 34. > THE AG-SNT-G-J-T/BA-u. Sir Westby Perceval is t* good deal puzzled at the persistency which ; the New Zealand papers ke 6 p <o__. despite disclaimers from this sir* tia annouscing'-iB impending retiremer ,fc, 'The files by tho lftßt two maila co* stained a number of " rumours " and "■■ alleged rumours" which certainly were wsfe inspired from Home. I am now authorised to repeat emphatically that the A ( g©»t-*_eneral has n6t, and has never had, y tfee smallest intention of returning to tf _fe •o6_on*y till theterm^bf his ■office expires. > Whether ba would accept _t renewal tb /r_c£ -b naturally not a point -tpon whicb .lie oan be drawn. Sir Wes'^fcy I&rceva- will have to supplement his J-Bifornmliion Bureau at Victoria Street tt/sth a domestic branch. In a . lady _ I/B_»er *-__.a week a member of the gentler jot pleads for -information on these . points*) How much can a man and his wife l^ve on comfortably in- _ small way, with One servant, in or near Christchurch P Whf.t Is the coßt «.©_ living in the betterclasp lodgings, and -can Any kind person give, f rosa personal experience, some idea of the general expenses of living in the colony? " (PERSONAL. A large party of friends and well-wishera assembled at the Boyal _ Albert Docks on Thursday morning to wish God-speed to Mr Henry __eynold_;(of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Company), who sailed for the colony, vi& Teneriffe, by the lonic. I may mention, by-the-way, that a week or so ago Mr -Reynolds - sent the veteran G. S. ("Maori") Graham apresent of some of the anchor-brand batter. Mr Graham acknowledged it in. a characteristic letter, in the course of which he remarked that he never dreamed when he first saw the New Zealand wilderness that the soil would produce _uoh magnificent dairy produce, still leas that he would eat it in Sussex. Great is the right, and it shall prevail. Despite petty cabala cf infinite meanness, Mr Thomas Spurgeon was, on Thursday night last, triumphantly elected to the permanent pastorate of the Tabernacle. The question laid before the congregation was, " Shall Mr Thomas Spurgeon become permanent pastor?" and the ballot resulted as follows :—" Yes," 2027 votes; "No," £49 voteß. Majority for Mr Spurgeon 1376. The announcement was received with ringing cheers. Mr Thomas Spurgeon was not present. Mr W. C Walker, M.L.C, and his wife left the P. and 0. Himalaya at Brindiai, with the intention of enjoying a pro- . tracted Continental tour before coming to England. Hardly had they started, however, than Mr Walker received news that his mother, who lives in Edinburgh, waß seriously ill. Of course Mr and Mrs Walker at once left for the Scotch capital, and are now in attendance on the old lady, who is seriously ill. Mr C. A. Johnston, M.L.C, and family, who also travelledby the Himalaya, left the ship at Malta, where Mr Johnston has a son (a soldier) stationed. Mr and Mrs Johnston and family will proceed to London shortly. Mr John D. Enys, whose name will be familiar to many old identities in the colony, where he >was resident for many years, lectured before the members of the Boyal Geological Society of Cornwall -last week, upon the."; Geology of New Zealand." He gave a very full and interesting account of the progress of geological investigation in the colony, and devoted much time to a description of the physical features of the country, its mineral products, &o. Nor did he forget to make mention of the excellent conditions of the colony for farming, and the inducements it offered to men -of brain, energy and muscle, with small capital to back up their physical attributes. The audience was a large one. IMPERIAL PENNY POSTAGE. The Postmaster-General made an important pronouncement on Imperial penny postage at the dinner of the Associated Chambers of Commerce last Friday. He said Imperial penny postage would mean a loss to the country which increased as the business increased, but, with the cordial co-operation of the colonies and the Chancellor of Exchequer in possession of a Burplus — which waß not likely to take place thia year— he should not be opposed to the departure. THS IKPEBIAIi INSTITUTE. A department of scientific and practical research has been added to the Imperial Institute, and the Agent-General thinks it may prove of great use. A laboratory is in course of formation, and a Committee of Advice has been appointed, which includes experts on chemistry, dyes, tanning materials and organic products, mineralogy, botany and fibres, pharmaceutical products, alkaloids and drug.*, petroleum and oils, metallurgy and ores, oils, waxes and fats, food grains, &c, &c. Directly the grounds of the Imperial Institute are opened for the Bummer the New Zealand frozen meat kio.k will be set going again. The Agent-General has everything prepared. The New Zealand court is still incomplete in several important particulars} but Sir Walter Buller knows what these are better than anyone, and Sir Westby has great hopes he will persuade the -Government to fill them up. It seems a pity to spoil the utility of such a splendid ship for the sake of the final " ha'porthsoftar,"