THE ENGLISH MAIL (VIA SAN FRANCISCO). ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. [FROM STAR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] [For Transmission by the San Francisco Mail of September 10th.]

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 175, 23 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE ENGLISH MAIL (VIA SAN FRANCISCO). ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. [FROM STAR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] [For Transmission by the San Francisco Mail of September 10th.]

London, September 9. With most of the Agents-General still away and the thermometer registering 90degs. in the shade for the best part of every 24 hours* there seemed no immediate prospect of anything overwhelmingly important trauspiring in Anglo-Colonial circles, and it was therefore with a clear conscience I shook off the dust of the metropolis last Saturday'week, and (vulgarly speaking) "made tracks" seawards. My notion was to spend a short and virtuous holiday in Paris, staying a night en route at Folkestone, in order to ascertain how Mr Hurst, of Auckland, who is under the care of a famous medical specialist there, progressed with his care. Unfortunately, man propose?, and Providence — well Providence does the other thing. On arrival at Folkestone, about seven on Saturday evening, I found all the hotels full, and numerous homeless excursionists (like myself} wandering •bout sadly in search of bed and board. There was nothing for it, under the • circumstances, but to go on to Dover, and chance seeing Mr Hurst in the morning. Consequently, to Dover I went, and took up quarters at the Lord Warden, a hostelry sacred to honeymoons. There I had dinner —a pretensious and expensive, but most Philistine meal—and some whisky and water A party of Australians occupied one of the principal tables in the coffee-room, and were exceedingly noisy. From the venerable appearance of the father of the family, and the fluency with which he swore at the waiter, I thought he must be a K.C.M.G. at least. On reference to the visitors' book, however, the name of a well-known Burke-street (Melbourne) tradesman stood revealed. I re- * turned to Folkestone on Sunday morning, and inquired for Mr Hurst at the Pavilion Hotel, where he and Mrs Hurst are staying. It was too early to disturb an invalid, butrl learned with satisfaction from the headwaiter that the "JSew Zealand gen'le'man " waa progressing as favourably as possible. The Pavilion Hotel is a big house, and (possibly for that reason) not so quiet as might be desired, but its situation is perfect, nearly all the windows commanding a magnificent seascape. There was a fair sprinkling of " eminent colonists" at the Grand Hotel, the Hotel Continental, the flotel dv Louvre and other English centres in Paris, but nearly all -New South Welshmen or Victorians. Coming back I crossed from Calais to Dover by the new steamer Victoria, her firefi trip, We did the 32 miles in 1 hour 4 minutes, the fastest time on record.

Exhibition Chat. Save.on Wednesdays the Exhibition is now given over wholly to working folk. Cheap excursions at almost nominal prices are being run from all parts of the United Kingdom, and the streets overflow with the strangest looking people. The improvements in the New Zealand Court have added considerably to its popularity, and numerous inquiries are now made at the Commissioner's office by in< tending emigrants."

Personal and General. Mr Hurst has moved from the Pavilion Hotel at Folkestone to quiet rooms on the Wept Cliff, and is giving a careful trial to ! the famous Doctor Bowles's treatment. The Rev. Rutherford Waddell, in a letter to the "Daily News" briefly summarises the terrible results of the recent volcanic eruption in North New Zealand. He points out, however, that ample attractions remain both at the Hot Lakes themselves and in the Middle Island to make the colony a ! most fascinating resort for tourists. v Lord and Lady Braeeey are fitting out the Sunbeam for a long cruise in Pacific waters. The New Zealand mails per Tongariro of July the 29th were delivered this morning. Length of its passage, exclusive of detentions, 38 days 16 hours 18 minutes. Owing to somewhat short supply, prices of frozen mutton have hardened this week. New Zealand mutton, 2s 8d to 3s per stone; Melbourne, 2s 6d to 2s 9d ; River Plate, 2a 6d ; English, 4s to 5s 4d ; German, 4s to 4s lOd. Mr and Mrs Gib3on are passengers for Auckland by the Orient steamer Lusitania on Oct. 14th. The Agent-General and Lady Bell re turned from Scotland last Thursday, but went on almost at once to Eastbourne, where they remain till Sir Francis's leave expires, on Monday next. I ■ egret to learn that Lady Bell has derived little benefit from their Btay at Oban. Sir Francis, however, looks all the better for his holiday. He met Mr Service at the Scotch watering-place, and enjoyed aomelong talke with the Victorian statesman. On his return to Victoria-street, Sir Francis will attend at the Colonial Office to discuss "with Mr Stanhope the somewhat serious aspect of the New Hebrides embrogJio. He may be trusted to urge on that gentleman the imperative necessity of meeting generously any overtures made by France With regard to an international government of thp coveted islands. Lord Salisbury's Government have finally resolved not to take steps for perjury either against Sir Charles Dilke or Mrs Crawford. Sir Charles has shaved off his beard and entirely changed his appearance. A photo-zinco-type taken from a cartede-visite of the missing Fanny appears in this month's number of "Pump Court"