The lato di.stribulion of honours b}- llio Imperial Government amongst distinguished colonists is worthy o( notice. Lain telegrams inform us tliai Governor JM ungrate, of South Aus tralia, hast i oen created a Knight- Gcmmander / f St Michael and St George; Mr Weld, Governor of Tas mania; am! L'r Hector, of Hew Zea

land, have received Companionships of the same order; and Captain Mac- Mahon and Mr Samuel Wilson, of Victoria, have been knighted. In the ease of Governor Musgrave, the dis tinction conferred upon him is only a fitting recognition of his services in various colonies. But why should Mr Weld and Dr IK c tor be bracketed together as Companions of the most unsatisfactory order which is bestowed by Her Majesty, Dr Hector has done good service to New Zealand, in a scientific capacity, no doubt, but would even his most enthusiastic admirers class his services as comparable with those of the originator of the “ self “ reliant ” policy ? It may be said that Mr Weld’s policy, which obtained the approval of the Imperial Govern ment, has been already rewarded by the successive Governorships to which he has been appointed ; and certainly he may look forward to further pro motion in the service of which he is now a member. But in this case we should imagine that Mr Weld would have preferred waiting until the Knight Coramandership was offered him, to having bis present honours thrust upon him. The knighthoods which have been awarded to Captain MacMabon and Mr Samuel Wilson are recognitions of success in very different lines of life. Captain Mac- Mahon has filled an arduous and important office for a considerable number of years, and no one would grudge him the honour now conferred. But with Mr Samuel Wilson the ease is different. We are all aware that some little t me ago this gentleman offered £BO,OOO to the Melbourne University, and this act of princely generosity was duly notified in every colonial journal and newspaper. Of course such a gift could not pass unnoticed, and the dis tinction of Knighthood has accordingly fallen to the donor’s lot. 