ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 469, 7 May 1890, Page 6

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(FROM our special correspondent.) London, March 22. MR J. McCOSH CLARK. I called last Tuesday on Mr James MeCosh Clark, of Auckland, who is now settled in England for a year or two, educating his children and taking charge of the London branch of Archd. Clark and Sonß. I thought Mr Clark might possibly have interested himself in the New Zealand flax question and be able to give me a wrinkle or wo worth noting, but he says he has only been able to give the subject perfunctory attention so far. Presently he may do more. Mr Clark seemed thoroughly well, and as genial and good-natured as I remembered him seven years ago. By way of pointing the remarks which I made in my last anent the Agent-General and his assistants being completely out of touch with the New Zealand of to-day I may mention that when I asked Mr Kennaway recently if he knew Mr McCosh Clarke’s address, he looked blankly at me, and said, “ No, who is he, a New Zealander ?” This, mind you, about a man who has thrice been Mayor of Auckland, and is one of the most prominent citizens of the “Naples of the South” as Dr. Murray Moore calls it. MR MOSS’S “THROUGH ATOLLS.” Mr F. J. Moss’s “Through Atolls’’was one of the most successful books of travel of last autumn, and is still asked for at the libraries. ELLIS V. ASHBURY IMPCRT ANT DECISION. The case of Ellis v. Ashbury, which, as you are aware, is one of great magnitude, and arises out of the late member for Brighton’s purchase of an estate in Otago, alleged to be worth £150,000, came before the Courts again on Tuesday. On the last occasion, you may remember, Mr Ashbury, who is being sued for the value of certain promissory notes, which he gave by way of part payment for the property, obtained leave (though considerable time had elapsed) to defend the action, on the ground that he had been induced to make the purchase by misrepresentations of a serious character. His counsel now moved to restrain Mr Ellis parting with the promissory notes (which amount to £25,000) or negotiating them in any way pending the settlement of the case. After hearing arguments on both sides their lordships came to the conclusion that the order was the natural corollary of the previous motion and must therefore be made.

THE ELPHINSTONE ACCIDENT ON THE TONGARIRO. The particulars of the sad accident to Sir Howard Elphinstone, who was rolled overboard from the s.s. Tongariro whilst en route to the Canaries, will be known to you, but you may like to hear something of the man himself. He was one of the Queen’s greatest favourites, having been appointed governor to the Duke of Connaught by the Prince Consort when Prince Arthur (as he was then called) was only eight years old, and has occupied a responsible position at Court ever since. General Elphinstone visited Windeor on the 6th, and had a valedictory audience with Her Majesty on the 7th, in the course of which he promised to be back at Buckingham Palace in a month. The news of Sir Howard’s tragic end so shocked and grieved the Queen that she could only manage to be present at the Drawing Room on Friday for a very short time. The Prince of Wales was also much concerned.

The fact that Sir Howard Elphinstone was known to be suffering from nervous depression, and the extreme rarity of such fatal accidents as that by which he met his death, naturally led at first to painful surmises. Fortunately, the categorical statement of Mr Pendarves Vivian, supported as it is by the independent narrative of the fourth officer of the Tongariro, sets all doubts at rest, and makes it certain the lamentable catastrophe was entirely accidental. Lady Elphinstone and daughter arrived on Thursday in the Rimutaka. NEW AUSTRALIAN CRUISERS. The five Australasian cruisers are now fitting out at Devonport and will, according to Government, be ready to sail in August. Experts, however, opine December is much more likely to be the date of their departure.

VICTORIAN POTATOES. The boxes of Victorian potatoes sent Home proved a dead failure. The majority were sprouting and 501 b boxes were sold for Is a-piece. Even, however, if they’d been Al, ~4os a-ton would have been the outside price fetched, and that would not pay freight. • A few onions were also sent over on trial (as I suggested in one of my October letters) and proved, according to my informant’s prediction, a distinct paying success. This, too, though they were red instead of white onions, as they should have been. RETURNING NEW ZEALAND COLONISTS. Amongst the through passengers for New Zealand by the s.s. Victoria (sailing to-day) may be mentioned Professor Simon for Wellington, Rev. William and Mrs Saunders for Dunedin, and Major Metcalfe, Mr and Mrs McDonald and family, Mr and Mrs Cameron, and Mr E. G. Millett for Auckland. The Arawa sailed yesterday with but a thin passenger list. Amongst the returning colonists and persons of note may be mentioned : Major - General LytteltonAnnesley, Mr Coutbs-Trotter, Mr D. MacIver, Mr and Mrs P. S. Schwabe, Mr and Mrs H. H. Stephens, Mr F. S. Brook-Smith (and family), Mr G. E. Turner, Mr T. Harrison, Mr S. Raphael, and Mr J. T. Powell (and son). Dr. F. S. King, son of Mr King, chemist, of Auckland, who has been walking the London hospitals, and studying his profession at Home for some years, returns to his native city (via Melbourne) per steamer Australasian (sailing May 6th), of which he has been appointed medical officer. Dr. King will be accompanied by his wife, and intends practising in Auckland. NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME. Dr. Fitchett and Mr Mackenzie have at last arrived in London, and are stopping at the Hotel Victoria. I shall be seeing them to-morrow. Mr E. J. Wakefield is also in town again, J and formed one of a deputation backing Sir Jno. Lubbock’s Half Holiday Bill early in the week. I hope to interview him between now and next Friday, though he is a difficult man to get hold of, t being much in request socially. Sir F. D. Bell has a profound admiration for him.

OTAGO GOLD MINES. I At a special meeting of the/Glenrock Goldmining Company on Wednesday, the scheme of amalgamation with |W Premier gold mines (Otago) was discussed and approved, the Chairman describing the New Zealand property at great length.