MANUFACTURE OF FLAX.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1061, 29 June 1869, Page 2

MANUFACTURE OF FLAX.

We have devoted a good deal of space lately to correspondence, and extracts from othet* journals, bearing upon the cultivation and manufacture of native flax. We are glad to learn that this branch of industry, which has been for some time rife in Auckland, is now engaging the attention of several gentlemen in this province. A good mauy of Price's machines are understood to be ordered for this

plac^r~TEe~Messrs;-Noli3on are, we understand, expecting four, to be worked by their steam engine ; and other settlers have sent their orders to the makers. We hope soon, therefore, to see manufactured flax take rank as an export from this port ; but, to secure its continuance as such, the plant should be extensively cultivated. The present is the season to plant the native flax, and we hope our settlers, large and small, will not allow it to pass away without doing something in this direction.

J. D. Osmond Esq. is expected to arrive in Napier by the Wellington, on Wednesday next. It is surmised that he will aot as General Government agent.

Meanee Presbyterian Church.—Weather permitting, the Rev. Alex, Shepherd will, on Sunday next, be inducted to the pastoral charge of the Meanee and Havelock districts.

Divine Service. — The Bishop proposes, weather permitting, to hold Divine Service at Waipukurau, on Sunday, July 4tb, at 1 1 a.m., and at Waipawa, at 3 p.m. At both places it is proposed to administer the Lord's Supper.

The English Mail, announced to be forwarded yesterday by the Lord Ashley, did not go, owing to that vessel being laid up in Auckland. It will be forwarded by the Rangatira on Friday next. The mail may possibly close on Thursday evening.

Captain H. R. Russell will, we assume, under present circumstances, be relieved of the General Government agency in Napier. We take this opportunity of acknowledging the uniform courtesy we have experienced at his hands— our relations to the opposition making no apparent difference in his willingness to supply this journal with the information at his command.

I High School. — The closing examination was held on Wednesday last, the 23rd June. Notwithstanding the great difficulties under which they laboured from colds and whooping-cough, the pupils acquitted themselves very creditably. The visitors present were the Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rev. G. Morice, J. Anderson, Esq., and W. Colenso, Esq. At the close of the examination, Mr. Stables read the order of merit, as follows :— First ClassScholarship, 1, Alfred J. Hamon ; 2, Walter M'Kenzie ; general improvement, John Begg, J. Oliver. Second Class — Scholarship, 1, David Miller; 2, John Martin; second division, 1, Charles H. Badley ; 2, Henry Gifford 5 general improvement, Arthur J. Faulknor, James Morley. Third Class — Scholarship, 1, Winter J. Hamon ; 2, William Miller; general improvement, Charles W. Badley, William Oliver. The Rev. Mr. Morice, in a short address, expressed his satisfaction at the appearance made by the pupils, and the creditable manner in which they had gone through their various exercises, as well as his great regret at the intended departure of Mr. Stables from Napier to another sphere; and Mr. Colenso added a few words to the same effect. After which, Mr. Stables ihtiwated that, having been appointed to the Dunediu South School, he would be shortly leaving for that sphere of labor, and that therefore this school would be closed. I