NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5981, 18 January 1881, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Professor Haselmeter is in Canterljurj-. A lawn tennis-club has been formed at Hawera. It is proposed to commence the manufacture of potato flour at Patea. A "society journal," called Liberty,- has been issued in Christchurcli. The Australian Eleven are -to play at Timaru on January 27 and 28.'' The Wellington Corporation has been practically forgiven £ 100 in Corporation rates. The Taranaki Herald says that building and fencing are the order of the day on the Waimate plains. It is proposed to hold a public demonstration at New Plymouth on the completion of the root of the breakwater. The slaughter of the pigs on the plains still continues. Several dray-loads passed through Hawera during the past week, i Judge Johnston, of Wellington, announced in Court lately, lie would have it painted up, if necessary, that the Court would not wait for counsel. Heavy rain fell in Auckland yesterday, and .if it has been general over the country, as seems likely, considerable damage must have been done to crops. ; Tlie New Zealand Times condemns, and; the Post approves,. -the commutation of Whareapa's death sentence for'the murder, of his European wife. ': A patent has been applied for 'by"Mr.! W. J. Alcock, of Ashburton, for a machine for filling ruts, spreading shingle, and keeping roads in repair. ! . ; The Presbytery of Dunedin have adopted an overture in favour of the establishment of a system of Bible and Christian Evidence Classes throughout the colony. ■ Miss Aretliusa May (daughter of Mrs. 1 Walter Hill) was married lately at Grey-' mouth, to a young and rising comedian, J. J. /Kennedy. Miss Clara Stephenson was chief bridesmaid. -

Mr. Decimus Atkinson states that he has succeededin making a good Portland cement, and he. offers to supply the Taranaki Har-; .bour Board with any quantity, but not less' than 100 tons, at £3 17s'6d per ton.

Among the presentations lately made to: the Dufledin Museum are a lizard from' Kaipara Heads, Captain Meyer; • the hair of ; a Fiji islander, Dr. Co'ughtrey ; and a-pair of "colonial " rats, Mr, It. Miller. ' . The Patea Mail says of North, the sport-; ing hairdresser:—'' -We are informed that lie had been hurrying up tl;e subscriptions received on these sweeps by his agents, and he has now made a clean sweep of the lot." Preaching at the Catholic Church on Sunday evening (says the Southland Times) the Rev. Father M'Evoy took , occasion to comment in very eulogistic i terms' on the sentiments regarding Catholic education expressed by Mr. J. , W. Bain, M.H.R., at ■the opening of the Roman Catholic Bazaar. ! We hear that His Excellency the Governor (says the Dunedin Herald) has expressed his regret at being unable to attend the Otago Caledonian Society's annual sports this year, and it is probable that-when he does arrive in Dunedin the society will hold a special gathering in honour of the occasion. The goliath crane made by Messrs. McEwanand Co., for Kurrachee, cost £3000,* and lifted 25 tons. The goliath crane built for the Taranaki Harbour Board by the same firm, built on the same plan,' cost £2600, and will lift 40 tons. It was iexpected to be shipped from London about the 20th November. ■ ■ i A late Maori prisoner in Dunedin renders Te Wliiti's potato puzzle thus " Had you given me this potato • before it was cooked; it might have been plain ted, and borne fruit; of which we might both have partaken ; but it has already been cooked, and is of no use except to be eaten; it cannot be planted." ! A number of men at Wellington, whp liave for some time past been: permitted : tO earn rations: ~by.:. breaking - stones, having asked the Relieving Officer to obtain them permission to earn sufficient money to • pay for their house , reiit,' Mr. Danks promised to bring the matter under the- notice of the City Council,