London, November 16.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 6

London, November 16.

Sociaixv there can be no doubt that both Lord and Lady Onslow will be great acquisitions to the Colony. Hei Ladyship is an admirable hostess, and a bit of a " lion '' hunter as well. Her dinner parties are equally remarkable for the excellence of the cuisine and the cosmopolitan character of the guests. To be qualified for a seat at the hospitable board in Richmond Terraco one must by somebody or have done something — what, matters little. Sir William Fitzherbert. could no doubt a tale unfold about Lady Onslow's dinner parties as he was more than once her guest whilst over here attending the Colonial Conference. Twelve or thirl een years ago Lord Onslow was one of the golden youth about town, and enjoyed an acquaintance possibly more extensive than select. He never raced, bufc coaching was and is hi* chief amusement, and his splendid team of bays are the pride of the Four-in-hand Club. Whether he means to take them with him to New Zealand. I can't say. Since his marriage Lord Onslow has settled down and devoted himself entirely to politics. He is a great admirer of Lord Knut&ford and accepted New Zealand mainly at his instigation. Ten days ago his lordship had almost resolved not to leave England, and when taxe<? with' being about to accept a Colonial Viceroyalty denied it. Nevertheless, three days later the appointment was announced. K.ir Henry Blake, about whose appointment to Queensland there has been, such a fuss, is really a very harmless and wellmeaning gentleman. It may be a fact that if he had not been lucky enough to marry the Duke of St. Al bans sister he would have remained an Irish R.M. like the redoubtable Plunkets to this day, but .that is scarcely a sufficient reason for making a dead set at the poor fellow.

Young wife : " Yes, father always gives away expensive things when he makes presents." "Husband : «• So I discovered when he gave you away. " And then he went to the library and drew a cheque for the milliner's bill. Some interesting scientific discoveries have been made by Messrs Rutherford and Westney on Kawhia Island, where, according to Maori legend, the first canoQ of their ancestors landed. These include a new species of tree, some pearl oyster shells and the vertebrae of a large unknown animal.

Hatft Phka, a Ngatitematera chief, died At Komata. The body Jies at Rawhitiroa, Pueroa, where the tangi will be held. On the arrival of the Hon Mr Richardson, Minister of Mines in Auckland, some two or three weeks ngo, Mr J. Young. Secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and Mr A. Porter interviewed him re the forwarding of minerals to the Paris Exhibition ; and after some discussion it was arranged that Mr Gordon, Chief Inspector of Mines, on his return to Wellington, should inquire into the matter, And on ascertaining the facts as to the Southern exhibits, should wire \o the Secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, so that a satisfactory arrangement might be made. It takes more than twice as much sugar to sweeten preserves, sauce, etc., if put in when they begin to cook than it does after the fruit is cooked. This is because cane sugar turns to grape sugar by cooking and thus looses its sweetening power. Mr Pritchard Morgan has stated he beljeves that the Welsh gold reefs extend to Ireland, crossing under the Channel to Wicklow, and he has obtained authority from the Crown to mine for gold over an area .of 50 square miles in that country. It appeal's that auriferous workings were carried on in this place about two centuries ago, but was abandoned. Should Mr Morgan be as successful in Ireland as he has been in Wales, his discovery maj' per- , haps prove a more potent agent for good than either " Buckshot " or Balfour " ; and if gold is discovered in any quantity it is evident that the state of the island will be materially benefited. — Mining Journal.