ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, November 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 429, 18 December 1889, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, November 2.

A CURIOUS SWTNDLE. Should tho doings uf a somewhat too enterprising and versatile Antipodean named Adamson get bruited about widely, I fear that henceforth the " gentleman from the colonies," who brings home news of absent relatives will not be as warmly and unsuspiciously welcomed as heretofore. One cannot, however, help feeling that the poople at Bilston and in the Black Country, where this particular swindler has been operating, showed themselves uniquely guiloless and dimple-minded. Dr. Adamson's plan consisted in calling upon persons whom he knew to havo relatives or friends in the colonies and asking, on behalf of these absent clear ones, for some token of remembrance. Thus (explains the " Daily News ") he waited on Air Higgins, of Ettingshall, and, having shaken hands, observed that he had justcome " from his brother Harry in Australia, who wanted him to send a Jubilee halfcrown. '"' Of articles in the way of credentials, the visitor had apparently none ; but then he said that he had brought a box of cigars and a grey parrot together with other tokens of fraternal affection, which were then lying at the Wolverhampton .station, and this story proved to be quite enough. Mr Higgins was " very sorry, bub he hadn't got a J übilee half-crown. " However.as his visitor was on the point of re-embarking tor Australia, he did his best, and gave him a new half-crown, adding thereto a two-shilling " piece for his sister -in - law, and a sixpence for the baby." Air John Witts, in the same locality, to whom a similar artless tale was told, was also sorry he hadn't a Jubilee half-crown ; bub he contrived to borrow one of a neighbour and handed it to the stranger. '• Dr. Adamson " is next heard of in West Bromwich telling Mrs Caroline Willis how he had attended her daughter during her illness in Australia, and asking for various things to take back in the way of souvenirs. Airs Willis, besides tho Jubilee half-crown, gave him at once a rolling pin, a melodian, two candlesticks, a ball, and a whip, furnished with which stock-in-trade her visitor called upon a neighbouring grocer, and declared that he had been commissioned to bring these miscellaneous articles from the grocer's brother in Australia. Touched by these remembrances, and by the news that . his Australian brother was about to marry, the unsuspecting grocer thereupon handed over a couple of presents for the bridegroom and bride, valued at 555. Thus did Dr. Adamson, who ab times appears to have called himself " Dr. Smithisou," and occasionally "Dr. Brown," pursue his prosperous way, like a bee in a llower farm. Grocer*", tube makers, gardeners' wives, post-mistresses, and even colliery proprietors — all were equally pleased to hear news from absent relatives or friends, and equally ready to put faith in the grey parrots and the boxes of cigars that had been left behind at the railway station, or to accept the rolling pins, candlestick?, whips, and balls which had come out of the next street as veritable presents from the Antipodes. One can only wonder in reading the testimony of this cloud of witnesses whether there is any story too simple or too lacking in corroboration to impose upon inhabitants of the Black Country.

GLOVE CONTEST. The glove contest on Monday between Meadows (the Australian middle-weight) and E. White (ex-Amateur Champion of England) was, despite its unfortunato termination, quite the most sporting of the Anglo-colonial contests we have so far enjoyed—or, rather, experienced. It took place at the South London Gymnastic School, and, thanks to the efforts of the proprietary, there was a complete absence of the rowdy element which disgraced the Slavin affair. The boxing champion himself was presents with Frank Hinde, M. Taylor, Alf. Suffolk and numerous other Australian "sports," who do not care to have their names published. The following is an abbreviated account of the — ahem — entertainment : — Soon after ten o'clock the combatants entered the arena, and tossing for choice of corners White won, selecting the rishthand side. Mr J. Fleming well and briefly introduced the competitors, and ' Time !' was soon called. They advanced and shook hands. Soon they clenched, and a short conversation took place. White cried, "Leave go !" and Meadows replied, 1 You leave go ; do you want to break my jaw ?' at which tho company laughed. In the second round the fighting was fasst and furious, and they frequently clenched. The excitement now commenced, and continued with little abatement. Meadows stood almost sideways, with bow arms low down, White's attitude being more artistic. Up to the fourth round White did most execution, but in the fifth Meadows roused himself, and fighting well with both hands, had rather the best of the encounter, his body blows having a marked effect upon the Londoner. Up to thia point the men were frequently -ordered fa break away, and at times one was as faulty as the other. Starting the sixth bout White led off smartly, and once more took a most commanding lead. This he maintained in the seventh, at the close of which Meadows was very much exhausted. Entering the eighth Meadows' style of fighting was very suspicious, and as he butted White with his head, the referee, Mr It. Watson, disqualified him just as "Time" was called. Considering that Meadows was conceding quite a etone he acquitted him&elf remarkably well, but half - way through the contest weight commenced to tell its inevitable tale. Through the second round White looked uncommonly like prematurely drawing matters to a hasty conclusion, but Meadows rallied wonderfully with the minute's rest, and came up frequently with a emile on his face, White wearing a determined look from stars to finish. Meadows' display was all tho more noticeable seeing that in his exhibition boxing no corroboration of his records was forthcoming. As a natural consequence the public expected to see him meet with an early reverse, but he proved a good sound boxer, and had he been White's weight would have rendered a far better account of himself. That the contest would be fraught with severe measures was manifested as soon as the men were slipped. It was no J'unch-and-Judy show, but a severe battle, the blows being administered with telling effect. Often, however, Meadows overshot the mark, and, for th& matter of that, so did White, but not with such frequency. Occasionally White was very tired, and so hard was the lighting that they even rested on each other for support. In the breaks away after a cuddle they rushed in with a terrific bound, and the right coming into contact with the ribs, knocked " the wind out of their sails," and co they embraced and emBraced until the referee was hoarse, commanding them to stand apart. At times the clamour from tho spectators rose to a ' din, but Barney Sheppard effectually tilencod the excited crowd, and threatened '

to expel, them if order was not maintained, and, from what we have experienced, Barney would have put his threat ihto execution. Considering:, however, the pace at which they fought, the excitement was pardonable, and, be it said to the credit of the company, as noon as order was demanded, they rank into absolute quietude. In this way the contest proceeded, White never allowing his opponent a second's re?t. Often the men wore wild with their deliveries, and no wonder, seeing how fast they fought. In this contest White bore out the good opinion formed of him after his fight with Bobbitt, and there is no doubt that lie will continue to improve. The expedients resorted to by Meadows were nob in White's programme, but beaten men are often excused for stooping to the tricks of the trado when nature is fast leaving them. As we have befoie remarked, the cuddling process was very much in vogue, but no one will deny that the hard hitting completely brought the contestants to a standstill. It was a plucky fight, and toy ards the finish both were greatly exhausted. Near the end Meadows was unable to fairly lealise his position, and when White was battering away in closo quarters the Australian, as a last expiring effort, made use of his head in lieu of his hand 3, and with "Gentlemen, I shall disqualify Meadows for foul fighting," from the referee, the contest ended. A cheer followed the announcement, and in less than a minute the best of good order prevailed. On the same afternoon Slavin and Parson Davies met at the " Sporting Life " offices in order to try and fix up a tenrounds boxing contest between the former and Peter Jackson. Slavin was quarrolsomely disposed, and kept referring to some remarks alleged to have been used against him by the opposite side. Fortunately Parson Davies not only kept his temper admirably but smoothed the angry "lion" down. All he evidently wanted to do was to get a match on. After some verbal sparring Slavin, rather blusteringly said he'd box Jackson ten lounda for £200 aside q/ler he'd Jcntght Jem Smith. For some reason or another this generous offer did not satisfy the Parson. Possibly, like a good many other people, he misdoubts the Smith Slavin prize fight ever coming off. " Why," he said " you offered to box Woolf Bendofl prior to meeting Smith." "Ah," eaid Australia's pride, "he were ditleront class." The impression this interview has left on the public is that Slavin won't meet Jackson if he can help it. Th 3 champion is just at preeent appearing at the Aquarium nightly, and making pocketsful ot money. Whilst ho can go on doing this he may not care to tisk his reputation meeting either Smith of Jackson.

London, October 25. The old story of Sir George Grey being expected in England forthwith has been, revived this week with much circumstance by the t4< Pali Mall Gazette." On inquiry, however, I cannot ascertain that there are any grounds for the rumour. It vould be odd (to say the least of it) for a man of Sir George's age, who has been accustomed to your beneficent climate for the greater part of hia life, to journey Home in November, and risk all the terrors of an English winter. I met Bishop Selvvyn the other day in Piccadilly. Ho is looking wonderfully well, and teil3 me he proposes returning to New Zealand by the P. and O. steamer, tailing the day after Christmas. His lordship further said he had been asked to choose a clergyman in the place of the Rev. Mr Walpole for St. Mary's, Auckland, and hoped to make the selection before the end of the month. It is more than likely the new pa3tor will go out with the Bishop. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse has returned from Vichy, where he has been taking the wateis or "doing a cure," which I believe is the technical phrase. Kear- Admiral and Mrs Fairfax arrived in England this week per Orient steamer. Archdeacon Williams of Hawke's Bay returns to the colony by P. and O. steamer leaving in December. The Hon. Randal Johnstone remains in England till the beginning of next year. Mr and Miss Richmond go out to Nelson by the "Cuzco 5*5 * sailing to-day. Mr Douglas McLean is I regret to learn seriously unwell, in fact so ill that he has removed to Fitzroy House (the wellknown private hospital in Fitzroy Squaie), where he is under the care of an eminent specialist (Mr Christopher Heath). Mr McLeans return to the Colony is of course indefinitely postponed. Sir Julius Vogel has an article on " Imperial Federation "' in the forthcoming "Nineteenth Century." He says ho has definitely resolved to stay in England till the end of 1890, and has no intention of seeking a seat in your Legislative assembly in time for next session. I may mention a number of Sir Julius's friends wrote urging him to do this. Mr Edwaul YVakeh'eld has concluded most satisfactory arrangements with the New York manaxer of Cassel's for the publication of hia book in America, and leaves for England at once. He is expected in London forthwith. The issue of Sir George Bowens Reminiscences will not take place so soon as was expected. I hear, indeed, it whimpered that the publishers have insisted on aholocaust of Sir George's flowery oratory, finding on examination that hia speeches though pretentions and efiedi\e enough in manner, consisted as regards matter of pretty much the same sapient observations repeated over and over again. The personal reminiscences are, however, said to be distinctly interesting. Sir Geo. Bowen has abandoned his intention of trying to enter the Imperial Parliamenfc,and is laying himself out for directorships in city companies. There is much speculation as to why the peerage, which it was- Punchinello's secret was to be granted Sir Arthur Gordon, has not been formally conferreJ. People are wondering whether the complaints Mr Bryce long ago laid befoie the Colonial Office, and which are understood to have been only recently looked into, can have anythiug to do with the delay. The whole of the mineral exhibits sent by New Zealand to Paris have been presented by Sir F. Bell to local museums in France. This was a good idea, as it would have cost a pot of money to ship them back to yon, and our English museums are fairly well supplied with specimens. The Maori group (in wax) which attracted so much notice, has been presented by the colony to the Ethnographical Museum at the Trocadero, where it will be properly cared for and valued. Mr Refcchek has offered his splendid collection of Maori curios, which took him nine yeajs to get together, to Vienna Ethnological Museum. Should this institution not care to purchase them they will be offered to the Ethnological Museum at Berlin, of which Professor Bastian (wellknown in New Zealand) i 9 curator. Mr Owen Jones has returned from his visit to Canada. Like the Agent-General he reports that there is practically now an unlimited market in the States for New Zealand flax,providing the fibre be really good. It cannot however be too frequently or too forcibly impresssd on producers that it ia of the utmost consequence to .•select their leaves carefully and send only good fibre. The labour of such selection will pay itself over and over again in the enhanced price. '