GENERAL NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8511, 16 August 1907, Page 5

GENERAL NOTES.

(From Our London Correspondent.)

LONDON, July 5.

Perhaps by the time this letterreaches you New Zealand will no longer be called a Colony, but a Dominion. Seeing the importance of your country in the world's markets, and the go-aheadness of the Islands altogether, the only wonder is that she has so long allowed herself to accept a position which could hardly be called equal to that of hev big neighbour, the Commonwealth. Mr Pember Reeves, interviewed on the matter, has delivered himself a?> follows:—"This is a matter which' was discussed with the Imperial authorities when the Prime Minister of New Zealand was in this country. I do not know whether the word 'Dominion' is to be substituted immediately for the word 'Colony.' 'fhesympathy shown by the Imperial Go* vernment will naturally be a matter for satisfaction to New Zealanders. We in New Zealand are an entirely separate colonial entity, and are too far distant from the other parts of the Empire for Federation. But looking to the future we do not want to be in an inferior class to Canada, Australia and South Africa. Seeing no prospect of federating with any other part of the Emnire, we desire to be of the same class as those countries I have referred to. That is the intention of the proposal." * The following questions and answers took place on Tuesday in the House of Commons with reference to> the merits of mutton, New Zealand and otherwise:—Mr Rees asked Sir J. Jacoby, Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he would consider the propriety of substituting Welsh mutton for Canterbury lamb?' Sir J. Jacoby: lam not prepared to substitute Welsh mutton for Canterbury lamb. lam informed that Welsh mutton is on sale in the London markets between the months of October and March, when I shall bo pleased to supply it to the House. Mr Rees: Is the hon. member aware that he somawhat exaggerates, immensely magnifies, the merits of the colonial article by describing a& Canterbury lamb what might be more properly called New Zealand mutton.. (Laughter). Mr A. Dewar: Is the hon. gentleman aware that Scotch black-faced mutton is the best mutton on the market? (Laughter). Mr Weir: Will the hon. gentleman consider the expediency of obtaining mutton from the West Highlands? (Renewed laughter. Mr J. Shaughnessy: Will the hon. gentleman see that Irish mutton is supplied ? It is the best mutton of all. (Laughter). Mr J. Jacoby: All these suggestions of the hon. gentlemen shall have the best attention.

Miss Audrey Richardson had the honor of playing at Lady Beatrice Pretyman's "At Home" the other day. Princess Louise of SchleswigHolstein, wjho was present expressed great pleasure at her performance. Another pianist from your shores makes his debut on Saturday, viz., Mr Magnus Laing. He has been several years on the Continent studying. His recital on Saturday takes place at the Bechstein Hall.

The Times Weekly Edition has a Chess Probler.,, by Mr Kuskop, the New Zeahindo:-. The managemer.t kindly sent; me an advance print of the column, which also has the following note:—Problem Composers cf New Zealand (by Alain C. White), No. 11, P. A. L. Kuskop. Mr Kuskop is the Mackenzie of New Zealand. England may be proud of the two colonies, which have produced blind problem masters of the rank of these men, though Germany may well claim a share in the glory in one of them, for Friedrich Amandus Leopold Kuskop was born in Weimar on October 23rd, 1844. On complesion of a successful high school career he accepted a clerical position in a commercial firm of his native town After eighteen years of service he left Germany for New Zealand, settling in that Colony in 1881. He was then, and "remained for some years subsequently, practically a beginner at chess, having learnt the moves in Germany, but never taking the game up seriously. In 1892, when nearly 50 years old, Mr Kuskop was obliged to give uu work owing to serious eye trouble, which has, up to the present stubbornly resisted curative treatment. He has, therefore, been unable to read for nearly 15 years, being virtually blind. In these years of affliction, which he has spent in Wellington in the North Island of' New Zealand, he has passed away many pleasant hours in solving problems set up for him by his nephew, Mr F. K. Kelling, a wellknown member of the New Zealand Chess Association. Mr Kuskop first became a regular solver for the New Zealand Mail Chess Columns. A few years later he tried his hand at composition, his first composition appearing in the Mail. Encouraged by Mr Benbovv, the editor, and by the favourable criticisms of the solvers, he kept on composing, always striving for a higher standard.