The New Zealand Mail from Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand • 11

NOW ZEALANI MAIL. 11 24, 1894. the latter instantly, though Miss spot Braddon tries heroically to lead us off on false scents. I must confess that when I found her dwelling insistently on the fidelity of the white-haired old bailiff Orlebar I was almost inclined -he being the unlikeliest person in the book to commit murder -to suspect him instead of the obviously wicked major. The new, or Edinburgh edition, of Stevenson's works was more than sub.

scribed as soon as Chatto's issued the circular. It is intended to issue them in crimson cloth with gilt top and paper titlo. The volumes will be printed in Constable's best style, i.e., like Henley's Lyra Heroica," and Kipling's Barrack Room Ballads." If any proof were wanting that the two remarkable volumes of beau monde gossip An Englishman in Paris," and My Parisian Note which Mr Albert Vandam sponsored, were not his own work, it would be found in the novel called "The Mystery of the Patrician Club," the Globe correspondent has just brought out. This book unquestionably is pure Vandam, at least as much of it as Boisgobey and Gaboriau have have not dili- inspired. Mr.

Vandam seems to gently studied the detective romances of these worthies. But, nevertheless, he's hand at a murder mystery. We no haven's read twenty pages of his story before we know why the waiter at the Patrician Club was made away with, and who committed the crime. Another Paris correspondent, Mr H. F.

Woods of the Chronicle, has written much better yarns of this description. 66 The Passenger From Scotland Yard WAS really good of its kind. You should, however, put "The Mystery of the Patrician Club on your library list, if only to contrast its style with that of "The Englishman in Paris." Far the best of the recent pseudonyms is "The Shen's Pigtail, and Other Cues of Anglo- China Life," by Mr Not only are the scenes and stories fresh, giving us glimpses of a practically unknown country, but 4 Mr has perception, humour, a rough sort of pathos, and a very respectable style of his own. The booklet, in short, is well worth eighteenpence. Lady Jeune's volume ot essays will be entitled "Lesser Questions," and is to be published presently by Remington and Co.

Be sure and note Norman Gale's admirable Cricket Precepts of Baloo," in the Pall Mall Budget of the 21st. It is the beat. parody on Kipling yet altempted, and excellent also from the cricketer's point of view. "The new story by Mrs Annie Edwardes, which commences in Temple Bar for July, will be called "The Adventuress," and run to about the same length as Miss Broughton's A Beginner." The latter is now in its fourth edition. Cornhill for July has also a new serial, Fatal Reservation," and contains the first chapter of James Paya's Gleams of Memory." Mrs -Oliphant's Was Lost and is Found," which commenced in June Blackwood, has for its heroine an old lady of sixty, and I expect will prove like 44 Madonna Mary," an illustration of what maternal love will suffer for a beloved a though worthless object.

The subject is one this authoress often returns to, vide Madam," A Rose in June," A House Divided Against Itself," and several of her earlier works. The Woman at Home for July is a good number. I did not care for this magazine at first, but it has improved steadily, and nice women of all classes seem to like it. The July number contains an interesting illustrated article on the wonders of Abbey, a story (complete) by Mrs Hungerford, a detective tale called The Sacred Sapphire," and plenty of talk about dress, fashions, cookery. etc.

Olive Schreiner, who is a capital talker, tells a wonderful story of a bright stone which was ong of the favourite playthings of herself and brothers and sisters. It was about the size of a walnut, and flashed in such an odd way they called it the candle-stone." Not till she had quite grown up, and the candle-atone had long been lost, did any of them realise that it WAS a diamond, doubtless of immense value. The Kimberley mines Were in the unknown future, but this stone must have been washed down somehow from there to the Karoo. Mra Frank Leslie, whose unfortunate marriage with the too Bohemian Willie Wilde is said to have completely broken her health and spirits, has just sold the American papers and magazines she managed so successfully to a company for £80,000. Everybody was sorry for this capable lady during the season she spent in London.

Dressed fittingly the clever business woman would hare made many nice friends, but she went in for rouge and juvenility, and finally two very queer customers got hold of her. Willie Wilde, "such a naughty man, but so interesting," was one, and the Marquis de Leuville the other. The Marquis all but captured the prey, in fact Mrs Leslie had actually arranged to marry him when something awkward leaked out. She left for America, and Willie Wilde followed and married her, He was going to reform, of course, but found American drinks too' alluring to resist, and after a miserable eighteen months Mrs Leslie divorced him. Cock Lane and Common Sense is the title of Mr Andrew Lang's spookbook," of which a most amusing review appears in Monday's Westminster Gazette.

I should like to reproduce the whole of it but as you, Mr Editor, would probably consider that -to quote the writer's favourite phrase "rather steep the following excerpt must suffice. He says: -There are several ways of approaching the consideration of the spook. There i is the literary person's way, regarding the spook simply as providing a certain amount of eerie copy." There is the religious person's way, which rather takes the form of refusing to approach it at all, because it is of the devil. There is the solemn and scientific Psychical Researcher, who denies that it is devilish, but sometimes makes it devilishly dull. Among respectful believers, there is your sombre sort for whom the spook is a thing of deadly earnest, especially in the dark; and, on the other hand, there is Mr Stead, bouncing in among the properties of Borderland" with the air of one who smacks the spook on the back and considers that no family should be without one.

Then among sceptics there is Professor Huxley, who says he can do raps with his big tce, and declined the Dialectical Society's invitation to help in investigating communications" with the remark that he would AS soon listen through a telephone to the chatter of old women and curates in the nearest cathedral town." Mr Andrew Lang's position is none of these. It is avowedly that of "a bellettristic trider," as Matthew Arnold once called himself. It is historical, anthropological, and autiquarian." We should say that the Lang of Cock Lane and Common Sense," as he characteristically miscalls his Spookbook, i is a mixture of the Lang who writes, or used at odd times to write, serions poetry, and the Lang of Custom aud My He trifles bellettristically around ghosts, hallucinations, witchbaitings, crystal-gaziug, and the relation of ghosts to religion and to the law; treats the scientific sceptics to some rather pretty Socratic dialectic and Socratic irony and concludes -what Broadly, that there is a deal of queer matter worth looking into. Of the inplied alternatives of the title, he is decidedly more for 46 Cock Lane" than for "Common Sense." He almost champions the eccentric spook associated with Scratching Fanny "in the famous Lane, as against the facile sneers of a Dr Johnson and a Walpole; while Common Sense is throughout this volume a thing whichDelivers brawling judgments all day long On all things, unashamed. Mr Aubrey Beardsley whose weird and grotesque pasters and illustrations represent the latest development of fin de art is a shadowy young man with a flabby manner.

Oscar Wilde describes him as A silver hatchet with green hair," and my impression is he tries to live up to this lucid description. LONDON GOSSIP. From Our Special Correspondent. LONDON, July 14. RECEPTION AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Ever since the Agent-General made his felicitious first appearance at the Colonial Institute three years ago he has been noted for doing and saying the right thing in just the right way. We therefore went to the Imperial Institute last Friday evening, confident that Sir Westby and Lady Perceval's reception in honour of Sir George Grey would be what the chappies" call thoroughly well done." Nor were we disappointed. The arrangements from first to last proved admirable and in the most perfect taste. There was plenty of space to move about in both reception rooms and gardens--a sufficiency of excellent music supplied by Mr Dan Godfrey and his Grenadiers, and by the Blue Hungarians, and any amount of good things to eat and drink. As a rule, receptions in London, especially big functions of this sort, are formal and frigid to a degree.

But on Friday we were thoroughly sociable, and the must guests who failed to enjoy themselves have been hard to please indeed. This no doubt arose in a great measure from so many of those present knowing one another. I don't suppose there had ever before been so many New Zealanders under one roof in England. Old friends met who had not seen each other for years. Hearty and surprised greetings were to be heard on every side, in fact the atmosphere generally seemed charged with geniality and cordiality.

The invitations issued numbered 1000, and of these nearly 600 accepted, the greatest care having been taken to avoid accidental omission of colonists or of those associated with the prosperity of New Zealand. If any were overlooked it was through want of knowledge of their addresses, and I may point out that colonial visitors who neglect to register their whereabouts in England at Westminster Chambers must expect to miss whatever is going of this sort. Amongst the distinguished guests who were invited were that great little man Bobs," otherwise Lord Roberts, and Lady Roberts (who came with Sir John and Lady Pender), the Marquis and Marchioness of Ripon, Lord and Lady Knutsford, General and Mrs Fielding, Sir Geo. Baden Powell, Sir Chas. and Lady Tupper, Lord and Lady Onslow, Sir George Bowen and Lady Bowen, Sir Jas.

and Lady Fergusson, Sir Hercules and Lady Robinson, the Dowager Lady Clifford, Sir John Hall, Bishop Selwyn and Mrs Selwyn, Sir Edward and Lady Stafford, Captain and Mrs Ashby, and all the Australian Agents-General and their wives, NEW ZEALAND GUESTS. Every part of the Colony of New Zealand was well represented. Among the Aucklanders whom I noticed were Mr P. Comiskey (looking genial as ever), Mr and Mrs J. McCosh Clark, Miss Coates, Mrs and Miss Farmer, Major and Mrs George, Dr Hope Lewis and Mrs Lewis, Mr R.

Mainwaring, Mr C. O. Montrose, Mr A. S. Rathbone, Mr and Mrs R.

Wood, Dr and Mrs Fisher and Miss O'Brien, of Parnell, besides several others. The Wellington contingent was in strong the capital Prominent were Mr. among George the Beetham, invitants Mrs Beetham, and the Misses Beetham, Mr Green (formerly of the Bank of New Zealand) and Mrs Green, the Hon C. J. Johnston, Mrs Johnston, and Miss Emily Johnston, Mr Randal Johnson, Mrs and Miss Johnson, Mr and Mrs W.

V. Jackson, Dr J. H. Kemp, Mrs and Miss Kemp, Mrs Ballance, Mr and Mrs Otterson, Dr and Mrs Guthrie, Mrs Percival Johnston, Miss Schultze-Johnston and Mr Douglas Johnston, and Mr and Mrs Rous-Marten. From Christchurch were Mrs W.

P. Reeves, Mr and Mrs Edwards, Mr Stanley Edwards, Mr K. Loughnan and Mrs Loughnan and Mr. Triggs. Among the guests from Dunedin were Dr Maunsell, Mrs and Miss Maunsell, Mr E.

B. Cargill, Mr W. H. Cargill and Mrs Cargill, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, Dr W. L.

Christie, Miss Large, Mr Faithful Begg, Mrs and Miss Begg. Napier was represented by Mr and Mrs Birch, and Nelson by Mrs Shepherd. Among other well-known colonists who were invited were Mr and Mrs and Miss Buchanan, Mr G. J. Cowie, Mr and Mrs and Miss Cowie, Mr and Mrs Ducroz, Mr and Mrs Hill Jack, Mr and Mrs and the Misses Kennaway, Mr Mrs and the Misses Kennaway, Mr Douglas Le Cren, Mr and Mrs Palliser, Mr and Mrs R.

Slazenger, Mr and Mrs J. L. Sass and Mr Sass, Mr C. J. Tegetmeier (Bank of New Zealand, London), C.

Walker and Mrs Walker, Mr T. F. Wickstead, Mr G. Von Haast, Mrs Ernest Tanner, Mrs Percy Adams, and Miss Ames. The guests began to arrive shortly after half-past 9 o'clock, and were received by Sir Westby and Lady, Perceval in the vestibule of the Imperial Institute.

The western gardens were brilliantly illuminated by variegated lamps, and resembled a scene from the Arabian Nights Entertainment." Sir George Grey arrived shortly after 10 o'clock, and received a most hearty and cordial greeting from Sir Westby and Lady Perceval. Throughout the remainder of the evening the veteran Governor and statesman was engaged in receiving the warm greetings of old colonists, and renewing his connection with old friends who had been associated with him in bygone years. There was something strikingly touching in the spectacle of the distinguished guest of the evening, surrounded by a group of New Zealanders and their descendants, and receiving their congratulations. "Don't you remember, Sir George, when I used to play croquet on Government House lawn asked a lady who introduced her daughter, a pretty debutante; Do you recollect preme with a prize at Mrs queried another matron; "Do you remember my father, who was Speaker of the first Provincial Council of Wellington eagerly asked a third. Of course he remembered.

How could he find it in his heart to forget? But he must have been glad of a respite from these touching reminiscences, when he could retire to a seat in a quiet corner, and talk over great affairs of State with Sir Saul Samuel and other veteran statesmen. At midnight the party broke up amidst much handshaking and hearty good wishes. There were many who had enjoyed a pleasant reunion after long years of separation by wide distances, and who realised the uncertainty of their ever meeting again. On every hand one heard nothing but universal expressions of pleasure and gratification at the thoroughly enjoyable way in which the evening had been spent. It was, in fact, a characteristic colonial gathering, marked throughout by the most perfect harmony and absence of constraint, and it will be remembered with pleasure by all who were present.

Nothing could have been more appropriate or consonant with the feelings of Sir George Grey himself, and to Sir Westby and Lady Perceval belongs the credit of having contrived and carried through. with remarkable eclat the most graceful and fitting compliment to the veteran statesman that could possibly have been chosen. The following is a description of some of the most noticeable costumes worn by the ladies on the occasion Lady Perceval wore a very rich cream brocade gown with pink roses, puffed sleeves high collar; diamond crescent in hair and ruby ornaments. Miss Johnston (sister of Lady Perceval) wore a very handsome grey silk costume, with pink sequins and velvet; diamond and torquoise ornaments. Mrs Percival Johnston -Rich ivory satin gown, long train, with petticoat of deep lace flounces, and black velvet roulettes low bodice, with black velvet revers forming Mercury wings on shoulders; diamond ornaments.

Miss Schultze-Johnston-White muslin, Mechlin lace trimmings, satin rosettes, fresh white roses in bodice--a simple and charming costume. Mrs Farmer -Black brocade, with rich Maltese lace; diamond necklace and ornaments. Miss Coates -Rich soft black silk, with handsome cream lace, and ornaments to match. Mrs Dr Lewis-Elegant pale green silk, pale pink sleeves; low bodice, with Maltese lace; handsome moonstone ornament. Mra McCosh Clark--Black satin, with Watteau train, primrose brocade petticoat; diamond ornaments.

Mr C. Johnston- Pale blue brocade satin, white lace, and diamond ornaments. Mrs Maunsell Handsome terra-cotta silk, with Watteau train. Mrs Ernest Tanner--Rich yellow silk, trimmed with white lace; diamond star. Mrs Percy Adams -Pale pink silk, pale green velvet sleeves and trimming, pear necklace.

Mrs George Very rich black velvet costume, with Spanish mantilla; ornaments to match. Miss O'Brien -White watered silk gown and handsome Watteau train. Mrs Jackson Grey satin with pink chiffon; gold and diamond ornaments. Mrs -Very pretty cardinal silk, with cream lace. Miss Ames Cream and pink silk; diamond ornaments.

Mrs Rous-Marten-Pink silk gown, with rich lace. Miss Johnson--Very handsome black velvet costume, white silk trimmings, Honiton lace, and diamond ornaments. LITERARY TREASURE TROVE. 'An accidental discovery was made the other day which has proved a most agreeable surprise to your G.O.M. About a week ago the manager of the store department of Henry Sotheran and the big booksellers in Piccadilly, read in his evening paper of the National Liberal Club lunch to Sir Geo.

Grey. It then struck him that ever since he could remember a musty old parcel had stood in their store marked with this gentleman's name. He mentioned the coincidence to his principal, remarking, Do you think this parcel can belong to the New Zealand statesman Mr Sotheran looked up his ledgers and found that it did. The parcel contained books sent Home for sale in 1853 by Sir George Grey. Only a few had been disposed of, and these were the balance.

Mr Sotheran, of course, at once communicated with his old customer, and in due course the parcel was sent to Park Place. It proved to contain about 280 copies of three now very rare books, written and published by G.O.M. of the South more than 40 years ago." These are mostly copies of "The Poetry of the New Zealanders," by Sir George Grey, K.C.B., published by Robert Stoakes, at Wellington, in 1853. The other books are: "The Mythology and Traditions of the New Zealanders," published George Willis, at 42, Charing Cross, in 1854, and Maori Mementoes," being a series of addresses presented by the Native people to Sir George Grey, K.C.B., and dated 1853. The value of this literary treasure trove is, you may imagine, considerable, and I found 'Sir George in high glee over their recovery.

It dies not often happen that a book improves in value by keeping, but these, without doubt, are worth treble what they were when first sent over. SALVATION ARMY MAORIS. The Salvation Army Maoris brought over from Wanganui by Major Kempstride are to be entertained at tea next week by Mr C. O. Montrose, who has promised to exhibit them for the benefit of Lady Cook and his Women's Rights friends.

There are three men and a girl altogether, and the girl can, according to Sir G. Grey, "sing like an angel." THE LABOUR WORLD. Eight Hours Demonstration Committee was held last week in the Trades Hall, Mr A. Collins in the chair. A discussion took place with reference to the recommendation of the Public Works Committee of the City Council that the use of the Basin Reserve be not granted for Demonstration Day.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs Collins, Fisher, Rutter, Warner, Pearce, McIntyre, Whiteford and Binnie, was appointed to wait on the City Council with reference to the matter. 'The deputation interviewed the City Council later on, when Mr D. P. Fisher said they were willing to pay any fee and make good any damage, and if the application was not granted it would simply mean the demonstration could not be held. The Committee would undertake to rail off such part of the Reserve as the Council should mark out.

The deputation having retired, Councillor Fraser moved that their request complied with, subject to conditions to be settled by the City Surveyor after consultation with the Committee of the Cricket Association. This was seconded by Coun- cillor Barber and carried, Councillor Petherick being the only dissentient. The usual weekly meeting of the Trades Council was held on Saturday evening, Mr. Allan Ward (president) in the chair. A letter was read from Mr R.

Bell, match manufacturer, in reply to the letter sent by the Council with reference to the strike at Messrs Bell and factory in London. Mr Bell stated that as the Council had not sent the article quoted from the Weekly Dispatch, he was unable to reply to the queries contained in the letter. He trusted the Council would bear in mind that there were two sides to every question. He was quite sure that his company's action had been at all times not only perfectly just, but liberal also. The secretary was instructed to lay before Mr Bell the article referred to, also letters written by the shareholders in favour of arbitration which appeared in a recent issue of the Dispatch.

A letter was read from the Colonial Treasurer, who said that the Council's communication expressing disapproval of the proposed duty on fruit had been referred to the Tariff Committee. The question of drafting a set of rules to conform, with the Industrial Conciliation Bill was adjourned till next meeting. It was reported that some persons were in the habit of doing printing after working hours at their private residences, and it was decided to ask the honorary solicitor if it were necessary to register a printing press. The Parliamentary Committee were directed to interview several of the members and urge An extraordinary general meeting of the them to support Mr W. Hutchison's Bill giving householders a vote at the municipal elections.

The result of the ballot by members of the branches of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants upon the question of the acceptance of the Commissioners' conditions as to the recognition of the Society is as follows 1120; against, informal, 15. The full programme of the proceedings in connection with the Eight Hours Demonstration Day, which is to be celebrated on October 10th, is advertised in the N.Z. TIMES, and there appears to be every prospect of the affair being a great success. The proceedings will commence with a grand procession of the various trades and unions, accompanied by bands, leaving the Government Buildings en route for the Basin Reserve at 9.30 a.m. On arrival at the Reserve the sports will commence, and the Sports Committee are certainly to be congratulated on having prepared a most attractive programme of events.

The chief feature of the day's racing will, of course, be the Eight Hours Demonstration Handicap, of 100yds, 220yds, 440yds and 880yds. In each event the prizes will be £3 10s, £2,. and 10s, and the Bland Holt Cup will go to the competitor gaining the greatest number of points. Should a tie occur, it will be decided by running off at 100yds. Another feature of the programme is the Eight Hours Demonstration Bicycle Handicap; distances, one, three and five miles, for trophies valued at £3 10s, £2 and 10s.

A cup, which must be won two years in succession or three times at intervals, and which is to be held by the Committee until finally won, will go to the winner of the greatest number of points. Winners in these events will have the privilege of choosing their own trophies. There are also trades races, hurdle handicaps, walking handicap, wrestling competition, a high jump event, mile handicap, and a very pleasant day's sport may be anticipated. In evening a grand concert will be held at the Opera House, for which a varied programme is being arranged, and the usual art union will also be held in connection with the demonstration. SYDNEY, August 16.

A detachment of shearers from New Zealand has been sent out west. The strike has practically terminated in the Moorie district. The men are resuming under the old agreement, while a lew sheds are working with police protection under the new agreement. SYDNEY, August 17. About 140 Unionists attacked the Tolarno Home Station, Menindie district, with the object of capturing a number of free labourers, but the latter sought refuge, and the attempt was unsuccessful.

The men then wrecked and looted the nonUnionists' camp. A woolshed on the Natalie Station, Wilcannia, was set on fire, but the flames were extinguished without damage. Twenty-eight sheds in the Coonamble district have started shearing under the old Three of the sheds have accepted the new agreement, and seven have refused to accept it, the latter being filled with non-Unionists. SYDNEY, August 20. The pastoralists consider that the diffculty, as far as obtaining a sufficiency of men is concerned, has passed.

At the Kallara station, in the Bourke district, 300 Unionists attempted to burn a shed, but failing in the attempt they rushed the buildings with the intention of destroying them. The police were obliged to fire before the men were repulsed, but no one was injured. A train conveying free men was bombarded with stones at Echuca, several of the men and a constable being injured. BRISBANE, August 16. Details show that a constable who was sleeping in the shed at Thargomindah was overpowered by 20 men -several of whom were armed with revolvers--blindfolded, and guarded till the shed was well alight.

He was then tied to a tree, and the men left. A very pleasant evening was spent at the Working Men's Club Monday night, when a concert was given to commemorate the opening of the new premises. The social hall was crowded with the members, their wives, and friends, and a large number of people had to be content with standing room on the landing. The concert, which consisted of about twenty items, was a great success, all of them being heartily applauded, and several encored. Contributions were given by Messrs W.

Widdop, F. Woodcock, J. Henderson, H. Austin, Coltman, C. J.

Ellison, F. Lane, F. Thornhill, Greenwood, Munt and H. Hall, and the Club's orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr E. J.

King, gave several capital selections. During the evening refreshments were supplied to the guests, the catering being in the capable hands of Mr Scott. Before the concert began, Mr Heginbotham, one of the vice-presidents of the institution, in the absence of the president, Mr J. F. Adams, who is now away from the city on a holiday, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, and later on in the evening Mr P.

Hutson, ex-president of the Club, addressed the audience. He said, as mover of the resolution that the entertainment should be given, he most heartily thanked them for their attendance, and he also expressed his pleasure at seeing so many ladies present. As they were aware it was his ambition to have ladies admitted to the Club. He hoped to see the Club carried on on a still larger scale. The arrangements in connection with the concert were ably carried out by the Entertainment Committee, of which' Mr.

W. Widdop was chairman, the secretary (Mr C. T. Williams) giving most valuable assistance. The Government has granted £150 for expenditure on the Kimbolton road, part of which is sadly in need of repair, as pointed out by the deputation who recently interviewed the Minister for Lands.

The Customs duties collected at this port last week amounted to £5501 15s, and the beer duty to £38 1s 5d,.