ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (FROM OUR, LONDON CORRESPONDENT.) London, December 16.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 240, 4 February 1888, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (FROM OUR, LONDON CORRESPONDENT.) London, December 16.

Mr William Prituiiard Morgan, whosediscovery of gold in payable quantities at Dolgelly has caused such a sensation it* South Wales, is one of the most striking instances of successful colonial enterprise and audacity I ever met. Three years ago he landed in London, an unknown .solicitor from North Queensland with hardly u friend or an introduction. To-day he ono of tho most notablo men and influential mine promoters in the city of London. The "Modern Midas" they call him in Queen Victoria-street, because everything he touches turns to gold. The first time I met Morgan, he was very kindly "shepherding" Archibald, of the Sydney "Bulletin," who had recently arrived in London, suffering sadly irom shattered nerves, the result of overwork. He told me then of various enterprises in connection with North Queensland mining, and I offered him an introduction to a firm of mining engineers I knew. We saw something 01 each other socially after that but I had no notion how rapidly he was getting on till one day I called at the gorgeous city offices of W. i\ Morgan and' Co., which would not disgrace a colonial bank. How he managed it all 1 can't think. For one thing of course the mines he promoted immediately proved payingconcerns. His name, so far, has in fact been synonymous with success. Whether there js really anything in these Welsh, discoveries remains to be seen. Most experts were aware gold existed thereabouts, but not, it was thought, in sufficient quantities to repay working. Morgan made his "find " accidentally. Dolgelly, it seems, is his native town, and he was down there on a visit.

New Zealand Gold Extraction Company. The prospectus of this Company, whichhas been formed to work in the colony an exclusive license for the well-known New-bery-Vautin process, appears in to-day's papers. The capital is £100,000 in 100,000 shares at £1 each, of which 26,00 only are offered for allotment. Mr P. Comiskey, of Auckland, and Mr H. Barrett are vendors, and Mr W. J. Steele, of the National Bank of New Zealand, joins in the directorate.

Our Coaling Stations. Lord Brassey, who has been round the ' world to inspect our coaling stations, brings back most depressing intelligence. Tn£ more he saw the less he liked the appearance of things. Port Darwin, the key fca North Australia, would be at the mercy of the first hostile cruiser that cares to call. Simon's Bay is defended by obsolete guns, and Table Bay is not defended at all. St. Helena is naked and unprotected, and Mauritius needs much strengthening. Yet, if we lose St. Helena, the Cape and Mauritius, we lose our alternative sea route to India and Australia. Surely such a prospect should stir even the least energetic Government to immediate action.

New Zealand Cheese. I am very far from wishing to throw cold water on the "new industry," as certain, papers style the importation of New Zealand cheese. It is quite true that a market can be found for whatever cheese comes over, but I doubt its being a profitable market tothe exporter. Experts deride the possibility, I Icnoio. More anon about this. Meanwhile, don't believe all you hear. It is to the interest of certain folks (middlemen) topaint everything rose colour. The Aorangi and Arawa have been fitted with (it is hoped) suitable cheese chambers. Before forming a definite opinion, it would be well to await the outcome of the first considerable consignment.

Aiiglo-Coloniftl Gossip The arrival of the mail with full reports of the general meeting of the Bank of NewZealand has done much to allay the scare I caused by the nonpayment of dividend and the " Standard's " strictures. I hear that Mr Service would have dilated afc much greater length on tbo NewHebrides difficulty at the banquet the other evening but for a gentle hint from Sir Henry Holland, who managed to convey to him, whilst speaking, that it was impolitic and undesirable. The doings (real and supposed) of the Amazonian, Alice Corn well, are a perennial subject for gossip on the Stock Exchange ! and at the Whitehall (mining engineers) Club. The latest on dit is that " the Lady j of the Nuggets " has (why or wherefore no j one seems to know) purchased the Sunday "Times," and appointed Phil Robinson editor. A very large sum of money is being (most injudiciously, I think) expended on advertising the "Hansom Cab Mystery," by Mr Fergus Hume, late of Dunedin, and now of the Melbourne ' ' Argus. " The story is a respectable "shilling shocker," and, left to take care of itself, would probably have realised moderate profits, but the scale of advertising the proprietary are indulging in would swamp a "Called Back." On dit that Mr Philip Mennell has severed his connection with the " Anglo-New Zea lander," and that his place has been taken by Mr Short, the London correspondent of the New Zealand " Herald." The London " Evening Star " will make it 3 appearance on January 2nd. Mr " Tay Pay " O'Connor has been appointed editor, and several members of the staff of the "Dirt Squirt" (as Edmund Yates rechristens the poor "P.M.G.") will contribute. The proprietary promise to take an intelligent interest in colonial politics. Harry Rickards, the music-hall vocalist, who made a successful tour of the colonies a few years ago, sets out on another directly after Christmas. He goes to Melbourne in the first instance. Mr Hogans aproi os work on "The Irish in Australia" Las been most favourably reviewed by the English Press. Dr. MacGregor, of Fiji, who is well-known in Auckland, has, at the instigation of Sir John Thursbon, been appointed Administrator of New Guinea. Mr Douglas, the High Commissioner, will henceforth bo known as Judicial Commissioner only. Sir John has, according to report, been permissioned to carry out some much-needed reforms in his colony. The P. and 0. Company have, like most? owners in the Australian and Indian trades, had a very bad year owing to the cutting down of freights by what are known as "ocean tramps." They managed, bowever, to bring up their annual dividend to 6 per cent, at th© general meeting last week. Both this Company and the Orient hope to give a vigerous impulse to the passenger traffic by holding out special inducements to tourists. Even as things are, a trip to India or Australia and back by such vessels ' as the Victoria br'Parramatta is simply the cheapest and most luxurious holiday a man can take. All New Zealanders should read "Eight Round the World, With Some Stories I Foundi.ori it," by George Augustus Sala. The scene 6f' the best s.tory, "Artful Mr M&cgtiflbs:,' or th^ Afflicted Contractor.," ! ieJaioV at -Timairu,' Now Zealand. " Right ■ Round the World" costs a shilling only. 1