ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 229, 19 November 1887, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

The Hughes -Hallett Scandal. The fact that a social scandal of a singularly shocking character had overwhelmed the much-respected Selwyn family was whispered about in the House of Commons as long ago as Friday week. It was hoped, however, that the story (told in anger by Captain Selwyn, M.P. ) would be found to be exaggerated, if not altogether untrue, and that the person accused would promptly offer satisfactory explanations. This, unfortunately, he has not done, and it is now understood that the most serious of the charges are admitted. The individual referred to is Colonel Hughes-Hallett, the Conservative member for Rochester, and a person of considerable influence both in political and Anglocolonial circles. He married the widow of the late Lord Justice Selwyn, Bishop Selwyns brother, and through the Selwyn family knows most New Zealanders resident in England. It was probably this fact that led him to take a prominent part in the Imperial Federation campaign, and to associate himself with Mr Henniker Heaton as an ardent supporter of that worthy's Australasian penny postage scheme. The accusation brought against Colonel Hallett by Captain Selwyn (who, you must understand, is a son of the first Lady Selwyn, and not of the Lady Selwyn Colonel Hallett married) is a terribly serious one. Captain Selwyn avers that the Colonel, regardless of the sanctity of family ties and of his position as semi-father to the young lady, has, for some time, been carrying on an intrigue with Miss Beatrice Eugenie Selwyn, the captain's sister and Judge Selwyns youngest daughter. The lady is young, rich, and beautiful, and Colonel Hallett, in addition to seducing her, is said to have obtained possession of a large sum of her money, and also to have induced her to make a will in his favour. She is at the present time in a family way, and expects to bear the toogallant Colonel a child in about six months. The intrigue was discovered at Ellingham Hall by Mr Henry Smith, who caught tho culprits in flagrante delicto, and there and then turned Colonel Hallett out of doors. Mr Smith ill-naturedly made no secret of the facts, even going so far as to telegraph to Mrs Hughes Hallett, "Your husband is a villain. I have timied him out of my house." Naturally, in a few hours all Norfolk rang with the scandal. It was scarcely to be expected that a story of this description would long escape the enterprising Mr Stead. Frantic endeavours were made to induce him to spare the Selwyn family publicity, but without result. On Tuesday evening, the " Pall Mall " dished up its new scandal, making the mistake, however, of calling Miss Selwyn the Colonel's step-daughter. This, of course, she is not, though her brother declares she used habitually to call him "father." The Colonel strenuously denies the malversation of Miss Selwyns money, or that he induced her to make a will in his favour, though the story he tells of her wanting higher interest for £5,000, and asking Trim to get it for her, seems to be generally disbelieved. Upon the money being demanded by Miss Selwyns solicitors, it was immediately refunded. Mrs Hughes-Hallett has condoned the Colonel's offence, so there will bo^no divorce case.

Sir Walter ttullcis Book. Sir Walter Buller has every reason to feel satisfied with the response of the scientific world to hie prospectus of the sumptuous new edition of "The Birds of Now Zealand." ' Despite the costly nature of the work (which is being issued in twelve parts at one guinea and v a half each, or fifteen gumoas for the v \vliole), it has been freely

subscribed. Tho first and second parts are already out, and fully justify the author's promises. Anything more exquisite than the coloured plates I have seldom seen. Both from a scientific and artistic point of view they are perfect. Sir Walter's long list of subscribers includes the names of all the great public libraries from the Bodleian at Oxford downwards, and also of most private collectors such as the Earl of Derby and other noblemen, and of Dr. Jox Blake, of Rugby. Sir Walter himself is in town again, and busy pushing the interests of the Antimony Company with which he ia connected.

Death of an Old (Jtfcw Zealand) Identity. The death is announced ,afc an advanced age of Mi' Alfred Denison, who made a fortune sheep-farming in New Zealand during 1 the earlier days of the colony. He was also well-known in New South Wales, where he held the position of Seci'etary to his brilliant) brother, Sir W. Denison, during the latter's Governor-Generalship. After returning to England he divided his time between London and .Scotland, where he was well-known as a fisherman on the Tweed and other waters. Mr Denison, who died a bachelor, leaves considerable property in New Zealand in land and stocks, though the former, 'tis understood, was not held in his name. He was a great lover of jewellery, and often wore ornaments worth thousands of pounds on his person. In disposition he was somewhat short-tempered, and he never mixed with Anglo-colonists.

New Zealand Cheese The announcement that a further endeavour is to be made to push the sale of New Zealand dairy produce in England seems to have roused a spiiit of opposition. The "Standard' 5 declares that there is really no opening for a new supply of cheese, and that frozen butter has hitherto invariably proved a failure. We all know how pessimistic the " Standard " invariably becomes when New Zealand affairs are under consideration. Still, I fear, it mu&l be admitted the agricultural editor has for once truth on his side. The butter sent over from New Zealand, if nob absolutely bad, arrived in questionable condition, and the cheese (though good of its kind) did not realise a sufficiently substantial profit to repay the shipper. Shipments would no doubt occasionally pay, but it is extremely improbable they would do so regularly. On the whole I expect the losses would swamp the profits, or else the latter piove so small as to render " the game not worth the candle,"

German Annexation of Samoa. The answer given by Sir James Fergusson to Dr. Tanner, re the alleged Overman annexation of Samoa, prior to the lising of Parliament, was the reverse of reassuring. If it means anything it means that the Germans are to be allowed to humbug us out of Samoa just as the French have practically humbugged us out of the Hebiides. It may, however, be that Sir James did not care to give Dr. Tanner a curt answer. As usual the liibhman put hi.s question most offensively, and more as an insult than with j any real desir? to ascertain facts.

A New lifeboat for the Australian LinersA new invention, the importance of which to ocean travellers can scarcely be overrated, has recently been patented, and will (if proved workable) be at once added to the Orient steamers. It is an unsinkable lifeboat. This new beat is by no means beautiful to look at, consisting as it does of a baige - like hull lying 1 very low in the water, and surmounted by a canvas bulwark which can be seb up or collapsed afc pleasure. The hull is made unsinkable by being divided into 50 watertight compartments. The main feature of the boat, however, on which the patentees mostly rely, is its small depth, 14 inches with the bulwarks collapsed, which thus enables 4 boats to be swung on one set of davits, which at present only hold one ordinary lifeboat. This is no doubt a great consideration in these days, when the unavoidable inadequacy of the boat accommodation of our large vessels is so constantly being brought undemofcice. It is claimed that under the proposed new arrangements, not only would a vessel carry sufficient boats for the whole of her passengers and crew, but once filled and unslung each boat could be rendered safe, absolutely safe, by the putting up of the canvas bulwarks, which could be immediately done by the most inexperienced passenger. The boat shown is 26 feet long, 7 feet across, and 14 inches deep, but with 35 men on board and her bulwark up, showed a freeboard of considerably over two feet. There is ample seating accommodation for 40 persons, which, on a pinch, could no doubt be extended to 60. So far as could be seen, she could be managed easily enough in spite of the difficulty found by the rowers in doing their work, in consequence of the lowncss of the seats and the height of the stauchions in which the rowlocks are fixed, but how she would behare in a heavy seaway remains to be seen.

Row at Lillie Bridge. The in-and-out form which Hutchens, the self-styled champion, displayed in Australia has not enhanced his popularity with English sportsmen, and may have had a good deal to do with the violence displayed by the duped sightseers at Lillie Bridge last Monday evening. On this occasion, however, Hutchens does not seem to have been in fault. He was matched to run a hundred and twenty yards level for £100 a-side against Gent, the hitherto unbeaten Yorkshire wonder. The contest excited keen interest, and upwards of 7,000 persons paid a shilling at the Lillie Bridge ground turn -stiles to witness it. Bookmakers were numerous in tho reserved enclosure, and for an hour or so before the time fixed for the event there was heavy wagering. Gentjopened favourite, 2 to 1 being laid on hina, -which presently increased to 5 to 2 and 3 to 1. Suddenly, however, a change came over the ring. Backers of Hutchens became more and more numerous, while Gent's supporters tailed off. The two men appeared on the ground at 5.15, when Gent won the toss, and they then retired to dress, or rather, to undress. Immediately opposition to Gent broke out fiercely. All sorts of wagers were offered on Hutchens till at length the current cry became "10 to 1 against Gent." Soon after six the news was put quietly about that both Hutchens and Gent had left the ground, and that for some reason or another there would be no race. The duped crowd were naturally furious. A rush towards the Stands followed, and then occurred the riot and wreckage and free fight described specially elsewhere. It seems Gent's heaviest supporters were dissatisfied with his condition, and rather than risk their bets resolved to pay forfeit and stop the race. Whifcehead was of course furious, but could do nothing, and fearing the danger of the mob when they found themselves deceived left the ground.

Personal and General. Messrs Barney Thompson and Harry Haines, the well-known Australian bookmakers, bade farewell fco their friends at the Victoria Club on Saturday. They sail for Melbourne by the Messageries Maritimes .steamer this week, Colonel Barnard — well-known in Mel- ; bourne as a professional turfite — is bringing

an action for libel damages (£20,000^ against Mr E. Benzon, " the Jubilee plungei\" The chcumsfcances leading to the charge occurred, it is understood, whilst Mr Benzon was in Australia. Lord Aylesbury contemplates wintering in the colonies. His Lordship ha« not succeeded in satisfying the Jockey Club Stewards re the strange running of Everitt at York. His enemies aver that when he discovered Mr Benzon's determination to back his horse lie commissioned Messrs ."Alf" Searle and "Billy" Shee to lay against it. These gentlemen were called upon to produce their settling books, which pi'oved rather damning evidence. That charming young Auckland actress, Misg Maggie Knight, has indeed "come on " in her profession during the. last five years. Looking in at the Vaudeville Theatre the other evening, I found her to my intense surprise playing the heroine of "Held by the Enemy," vice Miss Kate Rouke, indisposed. Miss Knight acted the trying role with immense spirit, and was several times called before the curtain in company with Mr Chas. Warner. The sea voyage home has benefited Miss Knight's health materially, but she is so pleased with her reception that she may stay for some little time. Bir John Gor.st will sail for New Zealand early in November. He has been ordered a long sea voyage by hie medical men, and will in consequence patroni&e the Cape route. Lord Salisbury would, it is well known, like to shelve Sir John if possible, and that worthy himself is understood to be quite willing to accept a colonial vice*royalty. Hosv would you like him at Government House, Wellington ? Sir Chas. Dilke may also revisit the colonies shortly. He is busy upon a revised edition of " Greater Britain." Mrs Campbell Praed has returned from. Royat very little better. Her friends recommend a visit to Australia. ♦ In M. Louis Vignon's "Algerie and Tunis ' an interesting comparison is instituted between Algeria and New Zealand. The articles on Australia and New Zealand which have been appearing in "St. James's Gazette" will be republished immediately in book form. Opinion differs as to whether Mr Gisborne or Mr Inglis is the author. One of the latest and best of these articles is a description of the working: of the " Eight Hours a Day " movement in the colonies, which has been widely copied by trade organs all over England. New Zealanders will also be sorry to hear of the death of poor Alice May in a hospital at St. Louis. She had been in bad health for some time, but finally succumbed to congestion of the brain. The "Pall Mall Gazette's " special interviewer started off' on an interviewing 1 tour of the world last Saturday. His instructions are to "do" Canada, the States, Japan, China, India, etc.. and his letters will appear simultaneously in a number of English provincial papers and the Melbourne "Argus" or "Age" as well as in the "Pall Mall Gazette." The gentleman in question is, 1 am told, the sprightly Charles Morley, whose " interview " with Tawhaio, j^ou may remember, caused considerable amusement. The first idea was to send the great Stead himself, but 'twas felt he could not be spared. Your old friend Mdme. Riston's autobiography appears in French this, week. I ana told her Australian experiences arc fully dealt with. A half-a-crown edition of F. W. L. Adams's " Australian Essays'' has just made its appearance on the book-stalls. Fred Maccabe sails for Australia by the Orient steamer Garonne to-day. He looks too ill to be able to do very much in the entertaining line. Sampson Low and Co. announce a work on " The Native Flowers of New Zealand," illustrated, by Mrs Charles Hetley (I think of Auckland), whose flower studies were so much admired at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. The same firm have in preparation " Our New Zealand Cousins " by Hon. James Inglis ("Maori.") Mr, Mrs and Miss Colbeck are booked to return to Auckland by the P. and 0. Massilia sailing from London on the 21st of next month. The Rev. E. H. Cook also sails by this vessel for Auckland. Capt and Mrs Ashley have gone into the country for a few weeks, and are stopping at the Hall, Bushey, Herts. An appreciative memoir of the late Sir Julius Yon Haast, evidently from the pen of | an old friend, appeared in the " British Australasian " of September 15. " Vanity Fair" of the same date contains a poor caricature of the "member for Australia,"' Mr Henniker Heaton. The artist makes " our Henniker" a short stout man with a fat belly ; whereas " the dear fellow" is tall and slim, not to say lanky. As for the p— -b—,itis a horrid libel. What Henniker lacks in waist however he makes up in cheek — "colonial independence" his admirers call it. The Oceana. the third, of the additions which the P. and O. Company are making to their Australian fleet, was launched from Harland and Wolffs yard at Belfast on Saturday. She is 483 feet long with a beam of 52 feet, and will register, like the Victoria and Britannia, 7,000 tons. A curious M.P. asked the Government the other day how the P. and O. Company would in case of a war or war-scare be able to efficiently carry out the mail contracts for which we pay such heavy subsidies. According to present arrangements, all their best boats would at once be monopolised by the Government for armed cruisers. The fourth and last of the P. and O. Company's new steamers, the Arcadia, will be launched next month. Both the Ocean and Arcadia are guaranteed to steam an average of 17 knots an hour, and should make the run out to Adelaide well within 30 days. The sad news of the death of Mr W. S". Pulford, of Auckland, reached his English, friends and relatives on Monday lasfc. Mr George Cruickshank Pulford, who is at present staying with his family at Dover, was much shocked and grieved, and expresses deep sympathy with the Avidow and sons of the deceased. Mr George Masgrove has gone to America with the express purpose of interviewing Mrs Langtry, and inducing that fair lady t& adhere to her Australian contracts. Mr James Thompson, who signalised himself as the first lieutenant of the never-to-be-forgotten Bosisto during the " Colindies" season, has returned to London to tout for the Melbourne Centennial Show. The Royal Navy is now open to cadets from Australia and New Zealand. Whether colonists will largely avail themselves of the privilege remains to be Been. A naval officer's billet is not a specially tempting one from all accountsat present. The Colonial Conference, however, deserves somo kudos for bringing about the change.

A schoolmaster in Bridgeport, Connecticut, who asked a small pupil of what the surface of the earth consists, and was promptly answered, ' Land and water,' varied the question slightly, that the fact might be impressed on the boy's mind, and asked, ' What, then, do land and water make ?' To which, came the immediate response, ' Mud !*