Local & General.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7013, 18 November 1890, Page 3

Local & General.

Maori Curios. — There is on view at Messrs J. Bowman and Son's rooms a valuable and interesting collection of South Sea Island and Maori curioß, some of which are very scarce and rare. The collection is well worthy of a visit of inspection. Veterans' Cricket Club. — A match has been arranged to take place at Hagley Park to-morrow, commencing at 2.15 p.m., between a team of the Veterans' Club and an eleven of Christ's College. The Veterans will play eighteen men to an eleven of the boya, and with thia handicap the sides should be well matched, the bowling being underhand. The Wat the Rata Grov^3.— An amusing story was told by the President nt the Wellington Field Naturalists' meeting on Thursday last. The manner in which the rata grow 3 was under discussion. The story was, that many years ago the Auckland Institute and Museum, the members of which had contributed liberally out of their own pockets, sought a grant in aid from the Provincial Council. By some error the vote was struck off the estimates, but on the mistake being pointed out, was placed on the supplementary estimates, and was expected to bo carried by the casting vote of the Chairman. It so happened, however, that a member of the Institute had juat previously read a paper pointing out that the rata did not climb aa was supposed, but that the fine, dußt-like seed waa blown by the wind, and, lodging amongst the epiphytic growth, germinated and took root, growing for a time as a small bush, then sending down aerial roots. This, although disputed s& the time/has since been proved. However, there was one member of the Provincial Council whose mental capacity was limited. He rose to his feet and demanded to know if they were going to vote money to an institute that told them they did not know how to use their eyes. A paper bad been read stating that the rata commenced to grow in the top of the supporting tree and Bent its roots to the ground. The matter was absurd — had he not seen with his own eyes the rata " climbing up" and killing the other tree? Who ever heard of a plant " climbing down ?" He appealed to them not to vote money to an institute the members of which could insultthe common sense of the settlers in that way. His eloquence prevailed, and the vote was lost. Bat the rata continues to " climb down," and even the most obstinate persons are bow coming to admit the fact.