THE BRINDISI MAIL. ANGLO COLONIAL NOTES. (From Our Special Correspondent.) London, March 29.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 369, 18 May 1889, Page 6

THE BRINDISI MAIL. ANGLO COLONIAL NOTES. (From Our Special Correspondent.) London, March 29.

THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. Tun enemies of the Imperial Institute and the S.K. Ring (now as powerful as ever) boldly declare, both in print and out of ib, that tho mission of Bir Somers Vine to the Antipodos was to " nbbble " the colonial press, and that (judging by the telegrams wo receive anentthe extraordinary enthusiasm which the Institute scheme seems suddenly to have aioused in Australia) lie has succeeded perfectly. The " Echo " and bho " Hawk " are very strong in pressing this charge and urging Antipodeans to deep n n eye on Sir Somors' tortuous mothods of obtaining influence. The "Hawk" bluflly observes: ♦'Sir Somerd Vine's mission seems to consist in endeavouring to persuade all the colonial journalists to loudly pull' tho imperial Institute. This plan has nob the excute of a travelling theatre company, which sends its agents ahead to post bills ; and if the Institute cannot be broughb into life without resorting to such ignominious touting, thon it had better remain still-born."

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. The Duke of Buckingham and Chandop, who died quite suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday night, will bo principally remembered by Australians in connection with his short and infelicitous teim of oflico as> Colonial Sect eta ry in Lord Derby's third administration. He subsequently went to Madras as (Jo\ernor, and was later mentioned as a probable Viceroy of Victoria, but; hi.s faihue to achieve popularity in India put an end to the idea.

THE BLUE SI'UR COMPANY. Tho abtotnpt of the directors of the Blue Spur Company to raise a small sum to temporarily prevent the mortgagees in Nsw Zealand foreclosing on the property has failed totally, only £1,350 having been subscribed, whereas it was agreed that £4,000 would be tho least thai, would be of use. The d hectors aie scarcely surprised at this, as they felt thom&elves paying the t'3,000 demanded would bo merely putting off the evil day for 12 months, and not really materially improving the condition of aflairs. They are now trying to induce the shareholders to pay of! the entire mortgage at once, and release the propel ty by raising £25,000 of debentures at 25 per cent, discount, and in order to show his confidence in the excellence of the prope'ty fairly managed, the Chairman (Sir W. Buller) otlerß to put in £5,000. Ib is, however, extremely doubtful whether the money will be raised. The shareholders appear to have utterly lost confidence. Mr Howard Jackson's letter, read out to the emergency meeting, stated that when he went to the mine and looked into things, he found to his astonishment that though the Company had been in operation twelve months, ho book 3 had ; been kept, noo even a letter book ; in fact, 1 save the bank pass-book, there was literally nothing to show what the incomings and outcomings had been. i The sensation caused by the reading of Mr Jackson's letter was naturally immense. Should the worst (ab seems only too likely) happen, and the English shareholders find themselves losers of the mine and some €30,000 in cash, and all within twelve months, the outcry will be something to remember. One irate shareholder openly declares " skinning alive " will be too good for some of the parties concerned in this eventuality. The shareholders have not so far attacked the directors, whom they seem to consider simply dupes.

THE NEW STEAM SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND. There is a hitch in the preliminary arrangements of the Imperial and Colonial Trading 1 Company which may possibly lead to Sir W. Bullei*'s withdrawal from the Board. The managing agents want, he" consider?, exorbitant terms. But more ot this anon.

OUR MUTUAL FRIENDS. Mr Marks, of the "Financial New?." in noticing Vogel's novel, observed caustically that ho hoped Sir Julius would in tuture stick to novel writing and leave New Zealand politics and finance alone. He would suggest; as a title for his next book, "My Reminiscence^ of City Companies." The Royal Geographical Society of Paris wrote to Mr Gisborne inviting him to send them " a copy of his valuable work on New Zealand." He, of course, forwarded it, and later received an appreciate e letter, criticising it, from the Chairman Mrs Kirkpatrick (nee Miss Kirkwood, of Auckland), and wife of the late manager of the Bank of N.S. \V. at Wanganui, died at Manchester on the 2nd m&t. The caso of Miss Harriet Muir, the daughter of " the wealthy citizen of Christchurch, New Zealand," whose adventures I retailed to you in my la-t two letters, came before the Middlessex Sessions on Monday, when a gullant jury, declining to believe in the aspersions of the detective who had inquired into her antecedents, acquitted the young lady. It was understood in Court that she had found or mado friends who are taking &tepp to verify the existence of "Mr Muir, of Chribtchuroh, New Zealand."

AUSTRALASIAN PUBLIC FJIsAJSCEThe attendance at the Colonial Institute on Tuesday evening to heir Ah' William Wesbgarth's paper on the above subject was the largebt (save on Mr (iisborne'e night) this reason. City men were specially en evidence, and so were such authorities on colonial finance as Sir F. F). Bell, Sir Geo. Baden Powell, Mr Richard Speight, JNlr E. N. C. Braddon, Sir George Bowen, Mr F. Fleming, and Sir C. Nicholson, who occupied the chair. Mr Westgarth pointed out that the chief points of interest which our colonies arouse as they march at their usual double-quick step of progress, are where from differences of climate and other circumstances, they exhibit more or less variety of development from that of the parent country. The financial section of this varied development is quite as fertile as any other. The most striking feature of Australasia, in a comparison, whether with home, or indeed, with any part of the Empire, is tho unprecedented pace of growth. England has never had colonies, whether single or in group, which have increased in their short term of life to such a population, to such a scale of public revenues, and, to be behind in nothing, such a grand scale of public debt. If one were to compare the United Kingdom's finance up^n a population basis> with Australasia, the former, although at the head of the reßt if the world in most items, would fall woefully short of tins youngest of her daughters. In point of yearly revenue, the total of 26 millions sterling of Australasia would require 260 millions, or about three times the present public revenue of the parent. The comparison of public debt between the two cases, is hardly less striking as to Australasian headship. The British debt, although latterly equalled by France, had cnjqy.ed , for / many , ,yeavs t the unsurpassed headship of its kind in the whole, world.

But the 16 odd millions already piled up for Australasia Would require, for a relative equality between mother and daughter, twice the amount of the latter's great debt.

COLONIAL STOCKS. Great and rapid as had been the advance in the value of colonial stocks, Mr Westgarbh argued thab a considerable further rise awaited them. Towards this end he mentioned three great steps still before them. First, the complete consolidation of bhe still lingering varieties of the securities of each colony, so that each shall present all its obligations in one perfectly uniform stock. Second, the inter-colonial federation, by which the stocks of the different' colonies shall bo consolidated into one uniform security for tho whole group, ashad been accomplished with so much advantage by the Canadinn Dominion. Third, the connexion of the high piivilege of being included in the list of legal trust investment. These steps secured, no doubt an Australian three per cent, would eie long stand at the price of 100, and thus show by oo piactical a proof that the daughter States are worthy to take the place in tho great Home market which has been so recently vacated by bhe mother country. Mr Westgarth himself was unable, through ill-health, to be present, so the I paper was read by thoSecietary, Mr O'Hallflian. In the discussion which followed Sir Uiahnm Berry and Sir Y. D. Bell spoke, both uiging that the colonies ofTcied excellent security in the .shape ot railways, public works and unoccup ed lands for every penny they bonowed, and that they had no National Debt in the English sense. Mr(J. C. Hawker surprised all present by getting up and making a violent attack on tho colonies in general, and South Australia in particular, for over-bor-rowing. He was vehemently reproached for so doing by Mr Richard Speight, who •accused him bitterly of fouling his own nest, Mr Speight said he would undertake to float a private company to work the Victorian railways which would pay oft every penny of the colony's indebtedne&s in return for the privilege. Mr Speight, by the way, leaves England in about, a week tv route for Melbourne via 'Frisco. As arranged, he will pick up what wrinkles he can in the States en route 1

AN INTERESTING PICTURE. A syndicate, with Mr A. AJollwraith tit its head, has been formed, fiivt, to exhibit, and secondly, to push the sale of engravings in Australia and New Zealand of Mr LocUhart's grreat picture of the Jubilee ceremony in Westminster Abbey. The ( v )ueen, to whom it belongs, has agreed to lend it for three years for engraving and touring purposes. Mr Haddon -Chambers has gone to Margate to write his new play. Mr Luscombe Searelle is, it seems, engaged at present on what a " < Uobe " man calls "a somewhat ambitious book." Miss Watt-Tanner's debut has not as yet been followed up by a metropolitan engagement.

BISHOP SELWYN. In the course of an appreciative review of Canon Curtejs's "Bishop Selwyn," evidently written by someone an jait with all the facts oi the good man's life,the " St. James's Gazette " says :—: — "Bishop Selwyn was not the man to understand physical lassitude or moral languor. He began life with extraordinary muscular vigour. At Eton he was always the man to pull the labouring oar, in the antediluvian seven-oared boat, which everybody else tried to avoid : and his experience served him in good stead when he pulled in the first Oxford and Cambridge race in 1829. ' Selwyns bush ' is still pointed out on a high bank of the Thames, for it is famous as the spot where he used to take a flying header over bush and bank. He could walk from Cambridge to London in thirteen hours without a break. All these active accomplishments came into full play when he was Bishop of New Zealand. The Governor observed that he did not see the good of a Bishop, ' when there are no roads for his lordship's carriage to drive on.' But ho did not know his lordship. There was no carriage, but only a pair of legs and a 20- ton schooner. On the former the Hithop made his visitations inland, walking, for instance, 140 miles fiom Wellington to Taranaki, or crossing the North Island from east to west, over swamps and rivers, wading or swimming, with a Maori for sole attendant, carrying his gown and cassock in a bag. There was no hardship or danger that he did not court. And when ho steered his little schooner among the reefs and shoals ot the most treacherous sea in the world, he displayed such consummate seamanship that a skipper said it almost made him a. chiistian and a churchman to see the Bishop bring his schooner into harbour. He had no notion of ecclesiastical proprieties when work had to be done. He and his pupil, the late Bishop Patteson, plunged into the tea at Auckland to pull out three horses that were floated off with a cart, and called it the ' fust lesson in mud-larking.' And when he was made Bishop of Lichfield in this decorous old mother country of ours, he thought nothing of stopping to shovel an overturned load of coals into an old woman's cottage, or helping a shepherd-boy to lift a sheep over a stream, or getting another Bishop to cross hands and make a sedan - chair to carry an invalid woman over a railway line. There is something amusing in Sir Graham Berry (of all people) being a candidate for election at that hot-bed of Toryism, the St. Stephen's Club. He wishes to belong, as a matter of fact, because Sir Arthur Blyth, Mr Archer, Mr Heaton. and other leading colonists are members.

"CHARLIE COMPTON \S" DIVORCE' Mr " Charlie Compton," a music hall &in«er, at present touring with a variety troupe in Australia, appeared by proxy before Mr Justice Butl and a special jury on Monday last, to petition for a divorce irom his wife, " Mai'ie Compton," whom he accused of adultery with Mr Roach, of the Grand Theatre, Liverpool, and a man named Margetts. The jury, after hearing evidence, found the lady guilty on both counts, but Mr Justice Butt declined to pronounce decree nhi until the petitioner returned and could be duly examined.

WELCOME HOME. I There was a largely attended and enthusiastic meeting at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon-street, on Monday afternoon, | to welcome Dr. Hannay and Mr Henry Lee on their return from Australia. .Principal Falding, D.D. , occupied the chair, supported by Rev. Newman Hall, and liev. GuinesB Rogers, and letters were read from Dr. Parker, Dr. Dale and others expi'essing regret at their inability to be present. Speeches were made welcoming the clerical tourists home, and a resolution passed referring with gratitude to the good work done by them at the Antipodes. Dr. Hannay said that although Australia had made such marvellous progress during the last fifty years, the feeling was, entertained by "Young Australians" that it had been in spite of great difficulties thrown in the way by the Colonial Office, j whqse ignorance, 3tupidity, circumlocution, ( and apathy were strongly condemned. The

feeling of the older "colonists was, "he be- | lieved, against separation, but'the younger men were for throwing off all trammels. He therefore felt that it would be exceedingly beneficial if ministers, men of science, literature, and art would visit the colonies and endeavour to establish modern English thought and feeling in society there, and arouse an 1 interest in the past history of the Empire.

SHAW, SAVILL AND ALBION COMPANY (Ltd.). The accounts for the 'year ending December 31st, 1888, sho.v an available profib of £29,399, after provision has been made for depieciation of the sailing ships, as required by the articles of the association, and at 6 per cent, on the steamers. From this amount, the, directors recommend the payment of a dhidend at the rate of 6 per conb., which will absorb £23,445, leaving a balance of £5,954 6s Id to be carried forwaid to the new year's accounts. The visit of Princess Midas — otherwise Miss Alice Cornewall— is awaited (cays the "Echo") with much interest in financial circles. The object of this yo.ung lady, who is just thirty, is to raise a sum of a million for the purpose of developing a certain estate in New South Wales, on which it is estimated I here are 280,000,000 tons of gas coal. No further attempt has been made as yet to reorganise the Quayle Company, but Mr Quayle h.'is written to Now Zealand.

FINANCIAL NOTES. Following the recent failure of Messrs D. Clarkson and Sous, of London, New Zealand and Australia, unfavourable and we believe unfounded rumours hare, says the " Daily News," been circulated as to the position of Wood-street houses generally. It is understood that the creditors of the above firm will all be paid in full, although the payments will be distributed over a period of some months. The fact of Easter falling later this year than usual has made business dull lor the moment, but only temporarily so.

ANGLO-COLONIAL THEATRICALS. We may expect further developments anent the t ßoucicault divorce suit presently. I see the worthy Dion with a view to de-, priving his late spouse of certain moneys she applied to the Court 3 for, has for the second time gone through the ceremony of marriage with Miss Louise Thorndyke, about whom Mr Justice Butt recently made tender iuquiries. Miss Alice Lingard will soon appear at a matinee as Imogen in the play ot " Cymbelinc." The part of the wife of Leonatus is one in which Miss Lingard plays with striking success.

AN AUSTRALIAN HORSE. The Australian-bred horse, Ringmaster, mado its first appearance on an Engli&h racecourse in the Trial Stakes at Lincoln. The debut was nob exactly brilliant, as Ringmaster was tail all the way. This, too, despite a successful trial (Australian fa&hion) against time.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Sir Jno. Gon>t is now mentioned as Mr Balfour's probable successor iii the Irish Chief Secretaryship. The death of Bishop Ullathorne has greatly upset Cardinal Newman, whose weakness is now dangerously great. Lord Winchilsea, better known in your part of the world as Mr Finch-Hutton, is on the look-out for a colonial Governorship. He would like to get Ceylon, but ot course won't. Sir Arthur Gordon will, I hear, only resign his Gubernatorial functions in event of securing the peerage for which his soul has so long hankered. At the meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday, a resolution was passed expressing ihe sympathy of the Association with the objects oi the Imperial Federation League, and the opinion that in the interests of the commerce of the United Kingdom it is de&irableto strengthen in every way the bonds that unite Great Britain and its colonies and dependencies. It was decided that the Executive Council should bo requested to obtain from the Colonial Office and from the representatives in this country of the various colonies, the fullest information on the subject of emigration, and to lay the same before the Chamber.