ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. London, April 20.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 206, 4 June 1887, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. London, April 20.

A Doubtful Compliment to the Colonials. Owing th the Easter holidays there has really been little or nothing doing since I last wrote. The Colonial delegates almost without exception left town on Thursday week, and returned on Tuesday when the business of the Conference was resumed. The arrangements for the Michael and George banquet at St. James's Palace next week are exciting a good deal of surprise and comment. To ask the Knights and Companions to dine at one of the Queen's residences, and yet to make them pay for their meal, is a piece of downright parsimony which should make even the Prince Consort turn in his grave. What the numerous Australasian K.C.M.G.'s will think of the proceeding I cannot imagine. The proper course (as more than one paper has pointed out) was to ask the Chapter down to Windsor on St. Georges Day, and entertain them in the splendid St. George Hall, which was nonunally built for the purpose. That, however, would have en tailed trouble and expense— neither which the Queen, can tolerate.

Jubilee Arrangements. It is an open secret in Society that Lord Salisbury is having a lot of trouble with Her Majesty about the Jubilee arrangements, as in several important respects she declines to study cither propriety or public convenience. The selection of Westminster Abbey instead of St Paul's for the Jubilee soiree will, of itself, spoil the pleasure of thousands. Not only was St. Paul's in every way the most suitable place for such a ceremony, but a royal progress by water from Westminister to Blackfriars (as was proposed), would have been a novel and beautiful sight, and could have been easily witnessed by half London. Then again (he will not stay in town (as she clearly ought) for Jubilee week. There is to be a garden party (to which the Colonial Delegates may be invited) in that terra incognita, the grounds of Buckingham Palace, and also a state ball. Possibly, too, if (as seems probable) Patti has arrived in London, there may be a state performance at the Opera.

Frozen Meat. During the past ten days frozen meat has been quoted slightly higher in sympathy with Scotch and English carcases which advanced considerably. The supply of New Zealand sheep contiunes, however, far too heavy. At the beginning of last week it numbered 2,700, to which the Eldershe's cargo must bo added, making a total of 50,000. Current rates : New Zealand mutton, 2s 8s to 3s j New Zealand Lamb, 3s 8d to 4s 4d ; Melbourne mutton, 2s 8d ; River Plate, 2s 6d ; Scotch 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; English, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ; German, 4s to 4s 2d.

Miscellaneous. Phil Robinson the more or less wellknown journalist has chartered the great L. S. Smythe as his agent, and starts on a lecturing tour of the Antipodes forthwith, sailing by the Paramatta on May 6th. Oscar Wilde, J. Cordy, Jeafferson and "Guixs Baby," Jenkins also talk of trying their luck with you shortly, i An importunt work on " Australian Defences and New Guinea " compiled from the papers of Sir Peter Scratchley by Mr C. Kinloch Cooke is to be published immediately by McMillanr. ,

This very limited programme does nob ( not all meet with the approbation of the West End tradesman, who hoped for at least a month of brilliant festivities. Probably, liowovor, the deficiencies of English royality will be more than made up for by the swarm of European majecties, highnesses, and serene transparencies, who are expected over in June. The German contigent alone will, it is calculated, number nearly a score. The Government emphatically deny that " forced benevolsnce " of £200,000 on behalf of the Imperial Institute is contemplated. Nevertheless, the " Pall Mall Gazette" continues mysteriously sceptical. One thing seems certain — namely, that unless some such sum can be raised in the course of next month the scheme must bo abandoned. Every touting device which tho ingenuity of Sir Somers Vine could j suggest has been tried, but quite fruitlessly A mccc tithe of the money required has boh subscribed.