FROM THE “STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 9

FROM THE “STAR” SIXTY YEARS AGO.

ADVERTISEMENTS AND NEWS OF MAY 18, 1868. Paper Ball.—An American journal states that the latest novelty in New York is a paper ball. It is said that the quaint, coquettish toilets were composed of paper, which admirably imitated the materials generally used in making up an expensive costume. Chinese Art.—A contemporary: We have been shown a carved frame, executed by a Chinese in- this town, to whom a medal was awarded in the Melbourne Exhibition for woodcarving. He rejoices in the euphonious appellation of Kem Wah Ah Gee. The frame of which we write is cut out ot totara, and is, without exception, the best piece of workmanship of the Lind we have seen done in New Zealand. At the top is a bird carved inside a cage, the wires of which are of the same block of totara as the bird itself. The remainder of the top, the sides and base, are occupied by graceful designs of flowers, fruit and birds. We understand that this Chinese intends to settle here as a wood and ivory carver, x

Progress of Civilisation. —A table compiled from the census taken in December last, and published in the New Zealand Gazette ” of May 14, shows that the total number of acres under cultivation (including in this term land sown in grass) in the province of Auckland at the end of last year was 129,677 acres; in Taranaki, 16,784 acres; in Wellington, 133,888 acres; in Hawke’s Bay, 31,254$ acres; in Nelson, 41,614 acres; in Marlborough, 17,954 acres; in Canterbury, 152,659 acres; in Otago, 122,209 acres; in Southland, 31,0341 acres; in the Chathams Islands, 341 i acres; total!, 677,445 acres. The table also shows the number of acres fenced to have been:—Auckland, 207,994 acres; Taranaki, 18,906 acres; Wellington, 266,308 acres; Hawke’s Bay. 247,005 acres; Nelson, 459.327 acres; Marlborough, 273,382 acres; Canterbury, 1.013,523 acres; Otago, 665,572 acres; Southland, 302,185 acres; Chatham Islands, 933 acres; total, 3,455,535 acres. Captain Hayes.—This individual, ot unenviable notoriety, has been shot dead at the Fijis, according to the latest intelligence brought by the schooner Janie Duncan. It is stated that Captain Hayes and his mate had a quarrel on board, and that they went on to shore to fight a duel. So fai* as the intelligence goes, it would appear that no duel took place, but that immediately after the captain stepped out of his boat the mate drew a revolver and shot him dead. The latter then went on board the Rona, and weighed anchor. Captain Hayes, it will be remembered, had a great deal of the pirate in his disposition. He commenced his career in New Zealand, so far as can be learned, by carrying away a young girl from Akaroa, and his subsequent brutal conduct towards her while she was his captive is sufficiently known to the public. He was next heard of in the north, where his craft was boarded ’ by the Customhouse officers _off Rangitoto, at the entrance to Auckland Harbour, but he was allowed to slip his cables, and nothing has been heard of him ufilil he reached the Fijis. Stock Yards. The opposition raised to an.v part of ILaglev Park being alienated for a public market appears to have prevented the formation of one by public enterprise. But what cannot be accomplished by public means is evidently in a fair way to be carried out by private speculation. Every week appears to make the Carlton stock yards more popular both with owners of stock, auctioneers and purchasers. There is invariably a good attendance, and it is a very rare occurrence indeed when the )*ards are not crowded with animals for sale. the business has been entirely confined to the yards adjoining the hotel, but, being insufficient to accommodate all the auctioneers, very commodious and complete yards have been erected on the other side of the road by Mr W. D. Barnard for his own especial convenience. There seems to be no doubt of the suitability of this spot for a market, and, as open land is not wanting in the vicinity, it is probable that in the course of time it will be more generally taken up, and other than cattle sales conducted thereon. Mr Barnard’s stock yards are immediately opposite the Carlton, and fronting upon the North Road. They coyer an area of 100 ft by 80ft, comprise nine large yards, and are most securely enclosed and protected in every respect. Post-miptial Impediments to Matrimony.—“ Frazer's Magazine ” for December says;—A girl need not give up all her amusements because she has captured a husband ; but the young married woman who is to be seen, night after night, racing down a ball-room with whiskered pandours and fierce Hussars must find difficulty in attending to her household duties in the morning. Ten to one the husband breakfasts by himself, or in company with the newspaper only— not a bad substitute, it may be, for a wife who is not half awake, and cross from weariness and want of» sleep. There is no reason why the married sister should dress more dowdily than the unmarried, but the hideously extravagant fashions of dress which prevail in good society are too often caricatured and burlesqued by the voun&-,English wife. The matron nowadays quite eclipses the maiden. She flirts more industriously, she waltzes more violently, she dresses more outrageously. “ Hang it! ” said D the other day, speaking of a well-known beauty who has not ceased to reign, “ she knows as much slang as a cabman, she drinks as much as a fish, only it’s curacoa, she wears a dress which the French police would exclude ffom the Jardin Mabillc; and it’s for a jade like this that yoq ask me to give my crust of bread and liberty—my shilling whist and my pipe. Not if I know it.” D- is a cynical philospher, but I suspect that in some respects his sketch is not much overdrawn.