AUSTRALIA IN LONDON.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 251, 16 July 1908, Page 7

AUSTRALIA IN LONDON.

. _GLORD NORTHCOTE'MAY BE HIGH ' > . COMMISSIONER. (by telegraph—mess association—copyright.) Melbourne, July 15. The retiring Governor-General of Australia, Lord Northcoto, was entertained at a farewell dinner by-citizens, 'the Acting-Lord Mayor presiding. , Tho Chairman said it was likely that within a brief time Lord Northcote would .be appointed High Commissioner for Australia in London. ■ Lord Northcote, replying to the toast, received a tremendous ovation. ; The Commonwealth High Commissioner has never eventuated, though several prominent men have boon mentioned as likely to fittingly inaugurate tho position, including Mr. Deakin and the late Sir. John Forrest.' Captain Collins has boon acting as Federal representative at Home. At present a High Commissioner would bo without' a suitable home, the Commonwealth not having been ablo to agree with the London County Council as to tho value of a site in tho Metropolis. The London County Council, though it values the land wanted by the Commonwealth at 20s. a superficial foot a year, offered it to tho Commonwealth for 18s.; tho Commonwealth proposed 12s. (id. After negotiations the Commonwealth advanced to 13s. Gil., whereupon ■ tho County Council declared it could not take a lower price than 155., and it is there that tho matter stood at last mention. • . The original request , of tho Commonwealth was for about 9200 square feet, but since then, With the amended offer, tho Council wants ton foot added to the dopth. Victoria is paying tho Council 13s. a superficial foot.