The Queen in a Dilemma.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 476, 31 May 1890, Page 4

The Queen in a Dilemma.

The 44 Irish Times’ ” London correspondent says The Queen is at present confronted with the most curious perplexity of her long reign. There arrived her some days ago Bishop Ridley, a distinguished prelate, from Vancouvers Island. The Bishop was a prime favourite with tho principal chief or king of the island, in whom he succeeded in stirring an intelligent interest respecting the British Empire, its Sovereign, its people and general concerns. The lung, however, seems to have acquired an inaccurate idea of the pecuniary circumstances of Queen Victoria, for when Bishop Ridley, bofore leaving for a visit to this country sought a farewell audience, his Majesty passed a purse af 100 dollars on tho Prelate’s palm, with a request that the sum might be presented as his Royal gift and favour to the British Monarch. The position was very awkward ; but serious missionary interests were at stake, so the Bishop became pursebearer and envoi, and on bis arrival communicated to Sir Henry Ponsonby the nature of his errand. The problem is how to avoid offending the petty potentate, who is expecting due acknowledgment of an offering which, of course, has not been accepted.