ANGLO-GOLONIAL NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1869, 10 February 1892, Page 5

ANGLO-GOLONIAL NOTES.

London, Christmas Day, 1891. The whole of the Agents-General called on Mr Perceval within the first few days of his taking office, and amongst New Zealanders who put in an appearance to congratulate him were Messrs Leonard Harper, J. Gould, W. Leviec, Eugene O'Conor, M.P., W. Duthie, and various bank managers, etc. The Press., I'm afraid, are already beginning to be a thorn in the new Agent-General's side. What with Anglocolonial correspondents, English " interviewers," and the übiquitous uncrushable " liner," there are such a lot of newspaper men to see, and it is a little difficult for a beginner to discriminate amongst them.

Mr and Mrs Perceval received several invitations to spend Christmas in the country, but they preferred to stay at De Vere Gardens where, they are very comfortable. The Agent-General tells me that whilst the New Zealand Government offices in London are no doubt satisfactory enough as an official bureau, they appear to him to be sadly wanting as an advertising medium. 44 My idea," said Mr Perceval, " would be to have one room here where New Zealanders at Home and intending emigrants could meet one another, etc. The walls would be hung with maps, the book-shelves contain all directories and leading works of refereace on the colony, as well as files of the leading New Zealand papers, and (without making the place a museum) samples of ores, produce, flax, etc, etc., could be laid about." I said I thought that the notion was an excellent one, and that such a room would certainly be a firstclass advertising medium. " But," said Mr Perceval, " I suppose these Colooial Government offices are conducted on certain fixed lines, and it would scarcely do to make a new departure." I thought it would do very well, and gain the Agent-General great kudos, but I didn't say so. If, however, Mr Perceval broaches this capital project to his Government, I trust they will urge him to carry it out, if only as an experiment. Conversation drifting to the subject of the Colonial Institute, Mr Perceval said he doubted whether its reunions were any great use to the colonies. The audience was not the audience a lecturer who desired to throw light on colonial matters wished to get at. It consisted for the most part of ex-colonists, who knew all the lecturer could tell them, and who (if consulted) would probably much prefer a friendly soiree to hearing papers read. "Moreover," Baid Mr Perceyal, "I am not an advocate for stirring up mud. Sir Edward Braddon's * vindication ' last week revived as a matter of fact an almost forgotten discussion. That was not his fault, as the paper was written within a fortnight of the appearance of the abusive articles in the magazines. Still, it is true, the subject had lost its freshness, and resurrecting it did the colonies no particular good." " I see," I observed, "it has restarted people writing anent colonial borrowing." Mr Perceval does not appear to believe English public opinion is bo much against his Government's land tax as has been stated. He says, moreover, he considers the colony's status in the London money market has been misrepresented designedly, in order to do the Government harm, " New Zealand really did have a bad name in the market some time ago," I ventured, "but things are better now." Mr Perceval, however, persisted that comparatively recently damaging misstatements had been written, he feared purposely, by enemies of the Government. " A correspondent's business is to chronicle facts, and not to offer opinions," I put in. *' My papers, for instance, are friendly to the present Government, and I know it. Nevertheless, supposing (say) the 'Times' contained an article attacking Mr Ballance's policy in some respect, I should be expected to mention the circumstance, and either quote the article entire or give its salient points. A correspondent has no politics." " Of course not," agreed the Agent-General. I was glad to learn from Mr Perceval that the prodigiously painstaking "reports" which Sir F. D. Bell sent out from time to time, and which he always seemed co busy on, were printed and circulated amongst persons interested. It is a pity, however, more of them didn't find their way into the PreßS. A dairy produce man told me only the other day that Sir F. D, Bell's report of three years ago (or about then) on the market, etc., for New Zealand produce was masterly.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

Mr Gould and Mr Leonard Harper return to the colony by the new s.s. Ruahine, sailing February 14.

Mr Duthie, M.H.R., of Wellington, is spending Christmas in the North of England.

Sir Graham Berry, Lady Berry, and family left England by the Victoria yesterday. Mr Hewett My ring, who is floating the Silver Crown Mining Company (of Zeehan), in company with Mr Dicken, erstwhile of Christchurch, has been ill at Hastings. He seems now, however, a little better, and goes to Liverpool for Christmas.

The Rev. John Still, who came home in the Kaikoura, has been mentioned as Bishop Selwyn's successor, but I hear he would not accept the appointment, as he does not conaider a missionary's work his vocation. It is far more probable he will be nominated to the See of Wellington.

Mr Herbert Reeves, of Christchurch, has arived Home in excellent health and spirits,

Mr Page, of the Canterbury Farmers' Co operative Association, has arrived in London on an important mission connected with dairy produce.

Lord Stamford, better known to your readers as the Rev. William Grey, has, I observe, been preaching at several city churches.

Max O'Rell, who sails from San Francisco to New Zealand on March 31, is for the third time doing exceedingly well lecturing in the States. "Everywhere," he writes to a friend, "I have crowded houses, and business is very big." At Brockton (Massachusetts) Max occupied the Presbyterian Church one night, whilst a Unitarian Minister— Dr Savage, of Boston —was advertised to hold forth in the theatre. Only sixty persons turning up to hear the doctor, he advised their getting their money back, and suggested crossing the road to hear O'Rell. This the party did, Dr Savage heading them. He was received by the " opposition shop " with loud applause. M. Blouet had a narrow escape leaving Bfockton. His train telescoped another; "and but for luck," says he, "I might have been inside a Yankee by this time. Thank God, my head is hard— it nearly smashed my fellow travellers'."

Mrs Harriett Davis, who with her husband, John Davis, resided in Christchurch from 1883 to 1887, when they returned to England, obtained a divorce last Saturday on the usual grounds, Almost from the time of their marriage, in 1883, Davis gaWway to drink, and treated her cruellyj - J "Since their return to England he had enlisted in the Hussars, and written that he'never meant to return to her.

Apropos of Bishop Suter's resignation of the See of Nelson, * Truth ' remarks that the church people of New Zealand will act wisely if they choose his successor from " among their own clergy. Mr Justice Chitty made an order last

week, under the Companies Aots, sanctioning the reduction of the capital of the National Bank of New Zealand by writing off L 150.000. The Rev. Mr Thbs. Flavell, of Christchurch, is now touring the provinces on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. The latest news concerning him comes from Warwickshire, where, I gather from local newspaper reports, he is not only enlightening the good folk of the county on scriptural matters, but is also endeavoring to benefit them temporally by lecturing on the varied advantages of living in New Zealand. Mr FlavelFs enthusiastic praise of your colony should prove an efficacious antidote to the detrimental " pars " which every now and then get quoted by I the provincial papers from the London financial journals. Mr David Christie Murray, Mr L. B. Walford (the novelist), and Miss Helen Zimmerman have joined the staff of •Literary Opinion,' and will contribute during the New Year. The author of the ' Scottish Pulpit,' Dr William Taylor, has just issued a further volume of his excellent biblical biographies, called 'Hester, the Queen,' and 'Ruth, the Gleaner.' Mrlsbister, the publisher, tells me that Dr Taylor's works have a tremendous sale in Australia, New Zealand, and America. The rev. gentleman originally served his church in Ayrshire, but afterwardß became famous in Liverpool, where he remained until called to the Broadway Chapel, New York, and L 3.000 a year. Harpers, the big American publishers, are elders of Dr Taylor's " kirk." Mr John Barrett left London, by the Ruapehu last Thursday for Canterbury. Mr Philip Mennell has returned home an enthusiastic champion of the labor parties in all the Australasian colonies, but especially of Mr Ballance and his co-workers in New Zealand. On the subject of Sir George Grey Mr Mennell is simply overwhelming. Amongst our great men in this effete old country we have, he declares, no j such wise, beneficent, and, above all, liberal minded statesmen. Marriott Watson (a high , Tory, as a contributor to the 'National Observer ' should be) shakes his head sorrowfully, and aays Mr Mennell has fallen i a victim to Sir George's personal charm. " I have known many such sad cases," he avers ; " men who went down to Wellington fully intending to vote against Grey's party, but who were magnetised by the old man's miraculous personality." "Why not say' convinced by his arguments ?" I ventured. "Because, my dear fellow, his arguments were and are absurd and irrational ; wouldn't convince anybody."

I am thankful it is a correspondent's business to simply chronicle facts without prejudice. All political extremists are hateful to me. I leally don't know which type amazes one most, the High Old Tory, who can see in Mr Gladstone only a consummate charlatan and trickster, and honestly thinks you a fool for being humbugged by the old man's (to him) transparent devices, or the plain-spoken ("I speak out straight, I do") Radical, who disposes of the late Lord Beaconsfield as a "dirty theatrical Jew," and will assure you on his honor that he "holds proof 8, sir," of incredible wickedness and corruption on the part of the present Government. When you get a couple of men ventilating opposite views of this sort together, cock-fighting is nothing to the row that goes on; and if they don't at least semi-disgust you with politics nothing will. The big French packet boat being built at La Ciotat for the Australian service of the Messageries Maritimes Company will be launched in May next. As soon as she is in the water four other similar vessels will be got on the stocks, as well as two cargo boats for carrying wool from Australia to France.

A scheme is in contemplation for shipping Australian flowers and flowering plants to England during the winter months. Loads of roses, magnolias, arum and pitcher lilies, gigantic waratahs, and a host of others could be shipped. A temperature a little above that for " chilled butter," with attention, would meet the case, it is alleged. I see the ' Journal ' of the Colonial Institute warns members and colonists visiting England against the ridiculous "International Society of Literature, Science, and Art," which ' Truth ' has been so effectively exposing. The Society of Literature, Science, and Art is really a means of sup^ plying a man named Morgan with guineasr Sir Gilbert Campbell, an impecunious baronet, who has written a number of " shilling shockers " of indifferent merit, posed as chairman and figurehead. He was. described as " Sir G. Campbell," a device which led the unsuspecting to suppose this must be Sir George Campbell, a man of the highest integrity and business capability, whose name in the City ranks deservedly high. Asked to become fellow of a society presided over by Sir George Campbell, and numbering apparently all the great names of literature, science, and art on the roll call, the unsuspecting colonist was highly flattered, and readily forwarded Mr Morgan "the nominal entrance fee of one guinea." At length, however, the supply of guileleßs strangers and fools ran dry, and "Labby" took up Mr Morgan and his society. It at present looks as if Morgan would have to disgorge his " guinea entrance fees " or go to gaol.

Mr Haddon Chambers's new play 'The Honorable Herbert,' which was produced at the Vaudeville on Tuesday evening, may be best described as a jealousy story told at great length. The American lady married to the Honorable Herbert becomes a victim to the "green-eyed monster" all through her husband's habit of staying late at bis club or other place. She sets a private detective to watch her errant spouse. Very soon the wife is given proof positive of Herbert's infidelity, for the latter is discovered at Brighton in company with a pretty lady of flexible ethics, having left London professedly for the purpose of enjoying the " gieat game "at Newmarket. The betrayed wife posts down to "London-by-the-Sea," and tries to induce her Herbert to leave his paramour. He refuses, and goes out for a drive with the companion of his frolic. Nemesis overtakes the guilty pair in the shape of a carriage accident. Herbert is taken home to his wife to be nursed. Needless to say, perhaps, he is truly repentant, and becomes reconciled to his wife, who freely forgives his infidelities. I have not yet seen the piece, but the notices of Mr Chambers's comedy are, on the whole, favorable. A dramatic critic tells me that the young Australian shows the influence of Ibsen throughout the piece. The curtains are extremely effective, and the dialogue distinctly clever. The acting honors of the play fall to Miss Dorothy Dow as the ill-used* wife, and to Mr Arthur Elwood as a friend of the erring husband, who are praised for their work by every critic.

Mrs Bernard Beere signed the contract with Mr Musgrove for her Australian and New Zealand tour on Saturday Isst, and sails in January. Her health still leaves much to be desired.

Haddon Chambers is great on the subject of "The Honorable Herbert," which he considers his "strongest and most realistic play." It will be produced at the Vaudeville next Wednesday. A very capable and workmanlike little story of the " Never Never " Land, called ' The High Court «rf Budgery-Gar,' appears in the 'Speaker' of December 12, and amongst the new books of the week are 'My Childhood in Australia,' by Mr A. Hughes; and 'Colonial Constitutions,' by Arthur Mills. Mr Morley Roberts has in preparation a volume of Australian ex

periences and voyages, and a story called • King Billy, of Ballarat.'

Nelly Farren and Fred Leslie have come back looking none the worse for their Australian tour, and in capital spirits. The company are busy improving ' ' Cinder Ellen' up to date, and eleminating the purely colonial allusions, which would, of course, be lost on a London audience. It will be produced at the Gaiety on Christmas Eve.

Mr Charles Danby and Miss Grace Pealey met with a warm welcome at the Shaftesbury Theatre laßt Monday evening on resuming after their Australian tour their original roles in still attractive 'Joan of Arc'

Mr Musgrove is in treaty with Messrs Ascherberg for the Australian rights of that one act gold mine ' Cavalleria Rusticana.' The Carl Rosa Company have secured the English ones, and will produce the opera during their Liverpool ■ season in January. During his brief season at the Shaftesbury with this opera, Signor Lago made a profit ofLS.OOO.

Mrs Bernard Beere is to have a grand "begabit " at the Haymarket before leaving for the Antipodes. Marius is getting it up. I hear, by the way, that the sprightly "Mons," comes uncommonly well out of the lengthy un-mar(r)ius series of matinees at the Cpurts of Justice so far as money is concerned. The judge's decision that each side must pay its own costs hit the fair Florence very hard. Gill appeared for his friend Marius for nothing, whereas Sir Charles Russell's brief was marked 100 guineas, with daily refreshers of 30 guineas and Inderwick's 50-guinea and 10-guinea refreshers. Altogether Miss St. John's judicial separation must have cost her over LI.OOO.

' Miss Decima,' like many another comic opera, hasn't borne transplanting, and ' Blue-eyed Susan ' is in consequence being rehearsed at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Mr Alfred Calmour has a very sympathetic obituary notice of the late W. G. Wills in the ( Speaker ' of the 18th, in which numerous instances are given of the old Bohemian's kindliness of heart and absence of mind. Mr Calmour seems, however, to have missed two of the most characteristic anecdotes. The playwright's secretary was for a long time a decayed scholar, whom he picked outofthegutter, fed, clothed, andfound work for till the unlovely and (many thought) ungrateful old wreck died. One bitter night a friend called at Wifls's chambers and found him stamping about outside in the passage, puffing at a big pipe. " Good heavens ! old man, what are you doing here ?" the friend ejaculated. " Well," said Wills, apologetically, "you see, poor old (meaning the wreck) is not very well to - night, and he can't stand strong tobacco, so I thought I'd just slip out and have a pipe here." Another evening Wills's friends found him starting out with a cold roast pheasant, a bottle of champagne, and some oranges, rather obtrusively concealed in the hood of his ulster. " I'm taking 'em to poor j he wants cheering," the kind man said. Unfortunately he fell into a reverie as he rambled along the streets, and when the Samaritan arrived at his destination the provender had disappeared (i c., been stolen), all save one solitary orange. Wills never liked reference to this story.

For comrades who btumbled and fell Wills bad always help. Amongst the habituds of his studio was a cross-grained intellectual old failure, whom the playwright avowed it was a privilege to know, though others scarcely thought so. After a long illness, mitigated by every means at Wills's disposal, this person's last hours came. The faithful friend was leaning over the dying man and wiping the sweat from his brow. " Do you know me, old comrade ?" he asked ; "I am Wills." "Wills! Wills!" murmured the sick man. "Kindness, friendship, pity — that is Wills ! Call them always Wills." Then he died. Mr Wills was buried himself on Saturday, a goodly crowd of friends following his remains to their last resting-place. .R.I.P. Yet another big night at the Savage Club last Saturday evening, when E. J. Goodman (the author of • Too Curious '), who was for many years hon. secretary, occupied the chair. Goodman's chief stars were a troupe of Italian mandolin players, who delighted us with a selection from ' Faust ' and the exquisite ' Intermezzo ' from the ' Cavalleria Rusticana,' and Bertram the conjurer. Christie Murray challenged the latter after some pretty card palming to repeat a trick, with the evident intention of showing the room how it was done. Alas ! the only person who got "done" proved to be the too confident Christie. Bertram picked cards out of every part of him, and wound up by perplexing the novelist (and indeed everyone else) with a positively fiendish display of manual dexterity. Dividing the cards into two packs, Bertram gave (say) 31 to Christie Murray and 21 to Sandow. Each man counted his pack out (on separate tables) and then pocketed it without Bertram again touching the cards. The trick was to send 10 cards from Murray's pocket to Sandow's. " Hey ! presto ! " says Bertram, and 'tis done. Sandow counts out 31, whereas Murray has now only 21. The beauty of this trick is that from first to last the conjurer never seems to touch the cards. He doesn't even divide the original pack.

Miss C. E. Gordon-Cumming, who will be known to most of your readers as the authoresß of ' At Home in Fiji,' and to some of them personally, has just issued, through Messrs Black wood, two handsome volumes relating to ' Two Happy Years in Ceylon.' The illustrations to the work, which has been favorably reviewed, are extremely effective.

What should you say to an incursion of Russian Jews? No, the thing is not at all beyond the bounds of possibility. The Russo- Jewish Committee sitting in London state in their first report that New Zealand "appears to present a fair field," though the voyage is terribly costly. During the year 1891 no fewer than four dukes, eighteen earls, and two archbishops have been (as General Booth would say) "promotad to glory." The last duke to die was ,in some respects the most important. A Cavendish, he was the head of one of the noblest and most respected families in Great Britain, Many famous names have from time to time been dragged in the mire. One has heard of recreant Bruces, Bentincks, Bussells, and Courtneys, but never of a disreputable Cavendish. The family record, so far at any rate as the last few hundred yearß are concerned, is stainless and sans reproche. The late Duke was a student of shy, retiring, and somewhat taciturn disposition. He took the highestpossible honors at Oxford, and might easily at any time have become a prominent ornament of the House of Lords. But the Duchess's death in early life, and Lord Frederick Cavendish's shocking assassination twenty years later, paralysed what little inclination for public life His Grace ever possessed, and latterly he saw very few visitors outside his own family. Presumably Lord Hartington will now marry ; but meanwhile his deceased brother Lord Edward's eldest son, a promising lad of eighteen, is the heir- presumptive to the numerous titles and broad acres of the Cavendishes.

Kingley : " Don't you at times lose confidence in yourself and feel utterly weak, as if, in fact, you weren't worth a cent?" Bingo : " Yes, I felt so the other day when my wife showed me her dressmaker's bill." Scientific authority asserts that a cubic inch of aoil contains from 60,000 to 2,250,000 minute organisms.