NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5999, 8 February 1881, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

The Australian Cricketers are to play at Wanganui. The Germans of Christchurch held thoir annual pic-nic on February 6th. A small paper, called The Bullcr Times, has been commenced at Westport. A comic monthly publication lias been issued in Wangaiiui, called " The Taniwha." The Otago Daily Times complains of garden robbery and other forms of larrikinism there. The enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act is said to have been very successful at Oamaru. The Library Committee of the Board of Governors of the Canterbury College has reported in favour of the opening of the reading-room and library on Sundays during certain hours. From the Mataura Ensign we learn that on his farm at the Pyramids Mr. B. Hamilton has 330 acres of wheat which will thresh 60 acres to the bushel. Mr. Hamilton has only occupied the land for about a year. The Government have accepted the tender of the Westport Colliery Company for the supply of coal for delivery at Wangaiiui, Waitara, Foxton, Wellington. Napier, Lyttelton, and the Bluff, till the 31st of December, ISBI. Mr. Marsh, a chemist, has purchased 70 acres of land at Kakariki, near Halcombe, and intends erecting a mill there to crush linseed. Experiments on a small scale have proved that European flax will grow luxuriantly on the West Coast. The natives report that Te Whiti predicts that Major Parris will not retain his present office for another year. He also declared that Mr. Bryce undertook to take all the land within a year, but pointed out that he lias not got it, but on the contrary, has lost his position as Native Minister. Mr. A. Dornwell, formerly of Auckland, lias the following advertisement in the Otago Daily Times :—" Has a horse only instinct, or has it reasoning capabilities ? After rubbing turpentine oil on my mare's sprained shoulder, and when the pricking sensation became intense, she took a mouthful of straw, and began rubbing the sore place. The above animal can be seen any day behind the shop, where the primost meat in Duucdiii is sold at the lowest price."