THE OLD COUNTRY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 7, 12 August 1908, Page 6

THE OLD COUNTRY.

Copper is quoted at spot £Ol. three months £6l 16/3. Lead is worth £l3 12/6. The London and North Western and Midland railways have agreed to a working alliance. Brilliant weather prevailed for the August bank holiday. Nearly two million people left London for the various holiday resorts, and 400,000 visited the Exhibition. Australian Wines in England. The French members of the jury on colonial wines at the Franco-British Exhibition withdrew, because it was considered that many of the wines submitted bore indications which might mislead buyers as to the place of origin, such as Australian Burgundy. The British jurors tested all the wines, and report that Australian winegrowers have made great strides, especially in the white varieties. British Trade. British imports for July decreased by 5,435,000, exports .by 6,747,000, and reexports by 1,077,000 compared with the previous July. Unfaithful Stewards. After 20 days’ trial all file Mile End guardiaui accused of corruption were found guilty. .Mr. Justigg PlHllftiipfg sonteiieej "Aldei'man Hirst, thrice Mayor_of Stepney, to pay a fine of £250 and to undergo two years’ imprisonment. Warren was flif&F £250 and one year, and the others were fined £25, with various terms of imprisonment, ranging from six to 15 months, except Gilson, who was only fined £250.

Unique Service. An impressive service of thanksgiving, in St. Paul s Cathedral, concluded the Lambeth Conference*. Over 200 archbishops and bishops, wearing convocation robes, formed a procession. The aged Bishop of Missouri preached the sermon. The Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Saumarez Smith) was one of the celebrants of the Communion. Mr. Chamberlain Better. The medical journal “Lancet” says that Mr. Joseph Chamberlain’s medical advisers consider that he is greatly improved in health. He is keenly interested in politics, and his mind is as alert as ever. Arctic Explorers Perish. Mr. Mylius Erickson,, leader of the Danish expedition to explore Greenland, has, with two companions, been blown out to sea on an ice floe. All are believed to have perished. The expedition had succeeded in charting the whole of the coast of north-eastern Greenland. Old Wales. A Royal Commission, with Professor Rhys as chairman, has been appointed to make an inventory of the ancient monuments and constructions in Wales, and specify those most worthy of preservation. British Indifference to Art. The third International Art Congress, for the development, of drawing and art teaching, and their application, was opened last week at the London University. Two thousand delegates from all parts of the world, chiefly teachers of art, attended. Air. Wm. P. Reeves (High Commissioner for New Zealand) and Mr. Geo. George (Director of the Auckland Technical School) represented New Zealand. Lord Carlisle, the president, commented sharply upon the absence of . any official representative of the British Government, and their indifference to art teaching. He also dwelt upon the defects of the British system of art instruction, especially emphasising the great divergence between the teaching and what the market demanded. Duke of Portland on tlie Press. Addressing the Welbeck Tenants’ Agricultural ‘Society, the Duke of Portland thanked them for their kindness during the continuance of the "miserable and fraudulent” Druce ease, and said that smh ridiculous and extraordinary cases would never be possible but for Press sensationalism and the gullibility of the public. Echo of the Jamaica Earthquake. The Privy Council has refused to reverse the judgment of the Supreme Court of Jamaica relating to insurance claims arising out of the earthquake. The Scottish Union and National Fire Insurance Company contended that the fires were caused by the earthquake, making the exemption clause applicable. Respondents contended that the fires were accidental. The appeal was dismissed. The Council's decision was received in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, with a great demonstration of joy. Pacific Cable Board. Mr. Baxehdale, late manager of telegraphs at Singapore, has been appointed London manager and secretary of the Pacific Cable Board.. Mr. Deakin, the Federal Prime Minister, has made strong representations that the Board’s work should be put on a business footing. The Cullinan Diamond. The Cullinan diamond, which was presented by the Transvaal to the King, has • been cut into two beautiful white stones. One of these has been placed in the King’s . Crown and the other in the sceptre. The Colonie* and Preference. The Free Trade Congress discussed the effect of the commercial policy on industrial and agricultural development.

After listening to historical retrospect* contributed by representatives of Italy, Germany, Holland. Denmark, Belgium, France, United States, and Great Britain, Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P. (Liberal) said that the action of the colonies had killed any enthusiasm that there may have been for colonial preference. The colonies had given us to understand that, preference

•r not, they meant to continue to develop protectionist tariffs on the narrowest colonial lines. They showed, he continued, that they regarded Imperial preference not as giving them an opportunity of advancing in the direction of free trade within the Empire, but as presenting an occasion for increasing their duties on foreign goods. Mishap at Cowes. During the regatta at Cowes the Marquis of Ailsa’s yacht Bloodhound, while racing, fouled the yaeht L’Esperance. The Bloodhound filled and sank. The accident was noticed by the fleet of pleasure craft in the vicinity, and many yachts, including that of King Edward, sent launches to the rescue of the Marquis of Ailsa and his friends. An English Millionaire. The will of the late Lord Derby has been lodged for probate. Personalty is set down at £752,139, and the value of the real and personal estate £3,777,139. The death duties amount to half a million. Miss Ada Crossley Sails. Miss Ada Crossley and her concert party have sailed for Australia by the R.M.S. Orontes. Miss Crossley had enormous audiences in her closing provincial concerts, seven thousand being present at Llandridno. Mammoth Liners. The two new White Star liners in course of construction will be 860 feet Jone, their tonnage will Im- between 45 t' n o and 50,000 tons, and their speed 19 to 20 knots.