ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. {From Our London Correspondent.) (Per R.M.S. Kaikoura.)

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 194, 12 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. {From Our London Correspondent.) (Per R.M.S. Kaikoura.)

London, January 14. The New Secretary of State. The colonies have not suffered as seriously from the recent Bhuffle of the Ministerial cards as at one time seemed probable. Sir Henry Holland may or may not possess the sturdy independence of his predecessor, bufc ho is at least thoroughly well acquainted with the routine work entailed by his portfolio. Sir Henry was legal advisor at the Colonial Office from January, 1867, to Febrnary, 1870, and Aeeistaut Undersecretary oi State for the Colonies from March, 1870, to August, 1874, when he resigned to enter Parliament. The only fear is that he may be imbued with the pestilent theories of the permanent officials, who literally abhor anything in the way of change or progress. Mr Stanhope, as I told you last week, frightened Sir Robert Her bert and his brethren into fits by his innpvations. They are honestly glad to get rid of him, and would have liked to see Lord Dunraven shunted at the same time. The Under-Secretary, however, retaiue hie post, and should act as a wholepome spur to Sir Henry Holland. The officials complain that he (Lord Dunraven) is a "faddist," but my impression is they would say the same of anybody who ignored the red-tape traditions of the place The " Pail Mall Gazette," referring to Sir Henry Holland's appointment, remarks caustically : " After all, it is something to have a Colonial Secretary who will not have to call tor a map to learn where Australia is." Lord Derby, on dit, had to do this very thing when interviewed as Colonial Secretary about some well-known British possession.

Mr Justice Gillies in London. Mr Justice Gillies appears to be making the most of his stay in London He has taken up his quarters in the semi-genteel and somewhat gloomy precincts of Bloomsbury, his exact addi ess being 24, Bedford Place, Russell Square. His gaieties .ire of a somewhat staid oider,as beti's his judicial Calling, a trip to Windror^tho Queen away), and a tour of the Houses of Parliament being, as far as I can learn, hia moat startling dissipation. No doubt His Honor will be invited eithgr to lecture before the Society of Arts or speak at one of the Colonial Institute meetings before he returns,

A Feather in Dr. Foatherstone's Cap. Dr. Forbes Wateon posea as the real projector of Ihe Imperial Inetitute scheme, which he dec'aros the Prince of Wales and his advisers have pirated, and spoilt in the pirating. Sir Frances Bell will, however, have none of his pretension?, and claims for your New Zealand Doctor Feathers^one the honour of having boen tho pioneer of the scheme which was worked out in detail by his successor in the Agent-Generalship, Sir Julius Vogel. New Zealand may therefore plume herself on having given birth to a conception which has now been adopted by the Empire.

Personal and General. The latest on dit ia that Prince Alexander of Battenberg is to be started off forthwith on a tour of the world in order to refute the rumours circulating about his return to Bulgaria. Sir Penrrse Julyan has preeented the London Chamber of Commerce with an autograph report prepared by an Arab native on the trade of Malta, accompanied by samples of goods which find a market iv the island. The German papers announce that the Australian contracts for 50,450 tons of steel rails have been allotted to the Krupp works at Esseu. Sir Somers Vine was dined at the Savisje Club last Saturday evening. Sir F. Bramwell and Sir F. Abel accompanied him, the latter making a deplorably egotistic speech about the Institute. Mr James Service has joined the Committee of the Imperial Federation League.

New Steamer for Union Company. Messrs Denny Bros, inform me that they have on hand a new steamer of 1,000 tons for the Union Company of New Zealand, which will be employed chiofly on the VVeet Coast trade.

Postscript. George Milner Stephen has arrived in London, and been well advertieed by an "interview" in the "Pall Mall Gazette.' The editor refuses, however, to give hia address to the numerous blind, lame, and halt applicants who have applied for it, till Mr Stephen's powers have been properly tested. The Agents-General attended at the Colonial Office on Wednesday to bid fare to Mr Stanhope. They go thdre again on Tuesday to welcome his successor.

Frozen Meat. The "British Australasian" of to-day gay 8 :—« New Zealand mutton continues steady at the recent advance, but as the butchers are nob altogether disposed to pay the higher rates, sales havo been rather difficult to effect in many instances. The Cuzco has brought a cargo of 3,764 sheep from Melbourne, some of which are of a very inferior quality compared to the usual shipments from Victoria. Colonists should understand that sending inferior carcases to our markets does more harm than good, and only tends to lower the value of the good sheep. The Texan sheep which we referred to last week have been brought to market; they are very small, and realised 2s per stone. They are not the class of sheep which give satisfaction in our markets ; are not worth more than 3d per lb. The following are the present quotations :—New Zealand mutton, 2s lOd to 3s ; Melbourne mutton (large), 2s lid ; Melbourne mutton (small), 23 4d; Sydney mutton (nominal), 2s 5d to 2a 6d; River Plate, 2s 6d ; Scotch, 4s 8d to 5s 2d ; English (wethers) mutton, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; English (ewes) mutton, 3s 2d to 3s 6d ; Dutch (wethers) mutton, 3s 4d to 3? lOd ; Dutch (ewes) mutton, 3g to 3a 6d.

City of Auckland Loan. Tenders for the City of Auckland five per cent, debentures for £25,000 were opened at the National Bank of New Zealand. The total amounted to £47,000, at prices ranging from the minimum of £105 to £107 12a 6d. Tenders at £105 received about 20 per cent, of the amount applied for, and those above that price in full. The average price was £105 18s 9d.

An Anglo-colonial Picture. Mr Staples's great Anglo-colonial portrait of "an Australian Cricket Match at Lords in 1886 " is now complete, and will be engraved forthwith. The likenesses of most of the leading notabilities are excellent, if, on the whole, a trifle flattering. Sir Arthur Blythe's burly figure can be easily picked out; one needs not to look twice to recognise either Sir Saul Samuel or Sir Graham Berry. The Victorian Demosthenes Beems to have put on a little extra French polish for , the occasion. I don't think I ever saw him quite so smart in real life. Sir Waiter Buller beams at his friends from the canvas, but SirF. D. Bel), alas t ia conspicuous only by his abeenre. The ma trho takes the New Zealand Agent-General 1

photograph will have to do it by ateaMi or else artifice. Sir. JTrancis has >. again and again refused to fellow his portrait to' appear in the iliuetrated-^psperß,' --Why^lr&an't conceive, as his personnel is most dignified. Somere Vine and CunUffe Owen look ac if they'd strayed into the cricket ground by mistake, but the " good old English gentleman " (whom few are likely to recognise as the eminently Teutonic Yon Haast) seems quite at home there. On the whole, however, the picture has turned out a success, and the engraving should sell well,