ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 490, 19 July 1890, Page 4

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(Via Brindisi.) London, May 30. The selection of the Dukedom of Clarence for Prince Albert Victor confirm* the rumour (for semo time current) that a now departure will bo taken in tho case of Prince George, whose title, it is suggested, shoald be associated with some of our colonial possessions. In ordinary course Prince Albert Victor would have-been denominated Duke of Kent, and the Dukedom of Clarence would have been conferred on Prince George. As, however, only one of these titles could bo retained, it was resolved the latter as the oldest must be the one. Should Intercolonial Federation be successfully consummated somo time in the course of the next two years, there can be little doubt that that will be tho moment chosen for paying a compliment to Australia. The chief difficulty lies in the selection of an appropriate title. Duke of Melbourne would offend Adelaide and Sydney, and Duke of Australia sounds over comprehensive somehow. The dearth of general news just now is exemplified by the clucking which the liner and Loudon correspondent fraternity have been making over tho suppositions disappearance of Mr Christie Murray. - One writer considers it probable Mr Murray has gone to visit his old friend Stevenson at Samoa: another understands he meant to reside some months amongst the Maoris in the King Country; a third refers darkly and sorrowfully to the popular novelist’s known disposition towards overwork.

Captain Ashby, probably because the “ wish is father to the thought,” still prefosses himself confident that the Marlborough will ultimately turn up. At Lloyd’s, and the offices of Messrs Shaw, Savill and Company this confidence is not however shared. The underwriters, indeed, now regard tho ship as hopelessly overdue, and no quotations for ro-insuranco are obtainable. The Marlborough is new 139 day* out. The 8.8. Ashleigh Brooke, which ran ashore and became a total loss whilst on her way from Barry to New Zealand, was insured for the voyage out and Home at 35s and 40s per cent. She is valued at £34,500. The refrigerating machinery, valued at about £12,000, is also insured. The reduction of tho premium for insurance on frozon meat cargoes from New Zealand, which has been going on for some timo past, is worth noting. Less than two years ago, a leading company over here re- ( fused to do business under five guineas per cent, for “all risks.” From this figure ib . dropped to 90s, and then to 80s. When the cover expired it was offered for renewal at 70s, but the Company had reached their limit, and declined tho businese at anything under 80s. The cover was accordingly offered and placed with another English company at the 70s rate. Meanwhile, some enterprising broker discovered a market on tho Continent at 60s with good security. Several English companies have followed suit, and there the rate stops for the present. Tho numerous friends of poor Annie Poolo (Mrs Russell Cranfurd), will bo sorry to learn that th 6 voyage homo has dono her no good, and that the poor lady is now in St. Thomas’s Hospital, and extremely ill. Mr Parnell has been complimenting the people cf Australasia upon their “noble response ” to the appeal of the Irish delegates. Mr Deasy was evon more emphatic, and declared that the .\ntipodeans would subscribe to the cause” whilst they had a shilling left. Last night Mr Dillon was banquettod at Dublin, Ho gave an enthusiastic description of his welcome in the principal cities of Australia and New Zealand, After denouncing those who had prophesied failure for the mission Mr Dillon proceeded to give the amounts contributed by tho various colonies as a result of the effort* of himsolf and his colleagues. In all £32,849 was subscribed. f The idea impressed on him was that as long as the struggle went on ‘she people of Ireland could appeal to the people of Australa again and again. The £32,000, he said, did nob represent the capital that Australasia was willing to pledge and risk in tho struggle; it represented the income on which they could depend long as the people of Ireland were loyal to the cause. In proportion to their resources the people of Australasia had given a larger sum than the people of America. Their cause wa* not, as many people would like to believe, confined to people of Irish lineage in Australia. In most of the colonies, and more especially in Now Zealand and Queensland, a large section of the population took an active part in and sympathised most eagerly and warmly with the Irish cause.