ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

London, November 16. The " Star," in a par about the Bank of New Zealand, says: — "The report of the Committee of Investigation into the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand will be unpleasant reading for shareholders. Seldom has the management oi a great institution had to submit to such sweeping- censure. The Bank is still solvent, and under prudent management may once more become a prosperous concern ; but it has been roughly shaken. Fortunately, the men who brought it up to its present pass have for the most part been removed."

"ROUND ABOUT NEW ZEALAND." Mr E. W. Pay ton 'B handsome and voluminously illustrated volume with the above titlo was published on Monday last by Chapman and Hall, and will doubtless find plenty of readei-s ab both ends of the world. Mr Pay ton scorns the designation of " globe trotter." His book is made from journals kept during; three years' wandei - ings in the colony, and he boldly challenges the captious critic to trip him up in his parts, From a casual glance through the book I can commend it moderately. The illubtrations (from photos) are almost the best part of the work, and will tempfc many a limp reader to persevere with it. Those of the King Country are specially interesting.

GOUNOD'S NEW OPERA. Despite the unusually heavy losses of life and property by explosions in mines, the bursting of reservoirs, collisions on railways and at s>ca, and other frightful calamities, the preparations for splendour and amusement during 1 the coming winter are going on rapidly. The musical world is greatly excited over the appl-oach-ing reappearance of La Patti in Gounod's new opera "Romeo." The sum of £20 was paid immediately on the announcement of her engagement for the woi'sb corner of the orchestra stalh, and extravagantly large offers were made for the boxes, the whole of which would have been let within the first days after the Diva's acceptance, were it not that the rule of the house precludes letting prior to a fixed date, for the arrival of which the musical public is waiting impatiently.

PERSONAL. Mr Geo. K. West returns to Duncclin per Ruapehu, sailing from Plymouth to-mor-row. Mr West has made very satisfactory arrangements for the sale of New Zealand, butter in England. There is, he says, practically an illimitable market for good buiter at eightpence per lb. The carriage in cooling chambeis will cost a penny' a pound, which leaves 7d. for the exporter. Thk, Mr West says, will pay. Mr West takes back large orders for New Zealand cheese. So extensive is the cheese trade expected to become that a special cool chamber.capable of holding 70 tons,haa been constructed on the Fifeshire. One of Mr West's original intentions was to purchase switch-back railways and toboggans for Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. On going into the matter, however, he discovered the venture wouldn't pay. The cost of the erection of platforms, &c. , is very heavy, and the holidays upon which the machines would be used are not numerous enough. Mr West all but concluded arrangements with Santley to visit Australia and NewZealand with a concert party. He offered the gieat baiitone £50 a performance, which was so much more than the singer expected that he thought he'd try a " bluff" and demand £100. Negotiations are still pending, the business having been left in the hands of a Mr Paul, who will notify me directly anything is settled. SanbleyVill select the other members of the concert party. The Bishop of Waiapu has appointed the Rev. G. H. Preston, M.A., to the incumbency of St. Andrew's, Napier. Admiral Byron Drury, whose death occurred on the 6th inst., at Cheltenham, had an honourable colonial record. A good many years back he was captain of the Pandora, which was employed for 4J years in the New Zealand survey. Captain I)rury"s services were much appreciated, and when he left the colony he was presented by the inhabitants of Auckland with a servico of plate.