LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3284, 23 August 1871, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

The Flax Exhibition. — Ifc is a question of taste whether the House of Assembly or the Colonial Museum ia at present the most interesting place of resort for visitors to Wellington. Auy visit paid to the city afc present, either by suburban and rural residents or by passengers from other parts of the colony, would certainly be incomplete if the contents of the Museum are not seen and studiously inspected. The exhibits which deserve and will attract most attention are those which have, with much taste and discretion in point of selection, been displayed along one side of the large room of the institution, and which are now open to the public as the result of tho labors of tho Hoyal Commission for the collection of specimens illustrative of the utilization of the flax plant of the colony. In consequence of the amount of work which has to be overtaken in the Government printing office, no catalogues of these exhibits and collected specimens have yet been published, and ifc is therefore not easy for the reporter to do justice to the exhibition, or to convey information as to those whoso industry and skill it so fully represents. Bufc tho visitor to the Museum will, even without tho catalogue, find the flax collection a very interesting attraction, and find ifc sufficiently described by the cards appended to each specimen to enable him to derive a large amount of information as to the progress of what is rapidly becoming one of tho most important of colonial industries. Tho exhibition is the more interesting by the Commissioners having procured, from all parts of the world, samples of vegetable productions hearing affinity to the flax plant;, and samples of tho articles into which they havo been converted, or tho processes by which that .conversion has been accomplished. There are, for instance, samples of Egyptian flax, Italian, Eussian, Bombay, Manilla, and Sisal hemp, and Aloe fibre, accompanied by descriptions of the breaking I strain of tho samples, of tho cost of the fibre in London, and other particulars interesting in their trade relations, As subjects of comparison there are also sent from England samples

showing the qualities of flax most in demand, and samples according to the brokers' classification of flax as sold in the London market. These, with cord, rope, sacking, and other articles into whi«h flax is now transformed constitute the exhibition so far as ifc illustrates the progress of its manufacture in tho hands of Europeans. Bufc perhaps the most interesting feature of tho exhibition is thafc by which is illustrated the extraordinary skill which the Natives have acquired in their manufacture of the plant. There are some mats, robes, and fancy articles, tho texture, dye, and design of which are, indeed, astonishing when it is considered thafc they are the produe tion of handwork and not of elaborate machinery or chemical applications. By way of contrast, and as illustrating what has been dono by these means, so far as the mere preparation of the fibre goes, there are as many as tvvenfcy-one specimens propared by special processes — separate, we presume, from the processes of steeping, stripping, or scutching ; and there aro a few samples of faucy articles the result of chemical preparation according to European discovery and taste. One feature of the classiGcation by tho Commissioners is the division of the colony into the Northern, Central, and Southern districts, from each of which there are specimens of the fibre, as dressed by different mill-owners ; and, besides these there aro living specimens of the varieties of fcho phormium tenax, with samples and diagrams of the growth of the plant. To render any description of the exhibition interesting, or even intelligiblo, we repeat that it would bo necessary to mako reference to tho catalogue which has been prepared bufc not yet published, and when it is published we shall take care to utilise ifc so that something like a full record of what the Commissioners have dono for the colony, aud what the manufacturers and others havo done for the Commissioners, may be made. Judging by the number of visitors to tho Museum sinco its attractions have bean enhanced by this temporary addition to its contents, there will bo no lack of public iuterosfc taken in the exhibition, and thafc interest will, no doubt, bo augmented by the receipt of other exhibits, aud possibly by experiments instituted by tho Commissioners, or by others to whom ifc caunot fail to be a source of suggestion. Missing. —A boy named Walter Harris, who was last seen fishing from the piles under the Queen's wharf, is reported as missing since Monday afternoon. Masonic. — Afc a meeting of Freemasons in Barrett's Hotel, on Monday evening, the preliminary steps were taken for the formation of a Lodge under tho Irish Constitution. Resident Magistrate's Court. — Afc this Court, yesterday, before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M., several persons were fined for allowing their horses to stray. Among the civil cases there was ono in which A. P. Stuart was tho plaintiff, and the captain and owners of the ship Edinburgh Castle were the defendants. The claim was for £9 for depreciation of five pockets of hops through damage at sea. judgment for the aniouufc claimed. In the case of A. Creamer v. J. Bradley judgment was given for a claim of £_ lis, and in fcho caso of Francis Gif Ford v. Walter Brown, judgment, with immediate execution, was given for a claim of £25, tho amount of a dishonored cheque which the plaintiff had cashed. Water Rates — Mr Croft has undertaken tho work of canvassing for signatures to a petition praying for the exemption from water rates of all persons who will not have ifc laid on to their houses. As usual with petitions, there seemed to bo no difficulty in securing signatures. Telegraphs in the North Island.— We beg to correct a mistake in our report of the Hon Air Gisbornc's remarks in reply to Mr Creighton's question about Telegraph oxtcusion in tho North Island. Sinco the present Government took ofiico they havo extended the telegraph in the North Island 32G miles. The Luna. — Sixteen of the Armed Constabulary left yesterday in tho Luna to occupy a post; afc Wairoa in Hawkos' Bay. A New Weapon. — Among tho colonial affairs of importance which have occupied Air Vogel's mind during his visit to England, that of colonial defence was not overlooked. We have long been in want of a suitable weapon for this country, as any one who has trailed the long Enfield through the bush knows to his cost, and a very perfect little weapon has been brought oufc to New Zealand. Ifc is a Snider carbine, manufactured by Mr Blakemore, a light handy tool, fitted with a sword-bayonet calculated to answer the purpose of a tomahawk. Ifc is accompanied by a neat apparatus of a syphon pattern for cleaning the barrel and allowing nofc a drop of the water used to touch the mechanism of the breech. With ifc Mr Yogel also brought out a new pattern of breech loading revolver, carrying a large ball, but very light, the stock being afc an angle which fits well to the hand — an advantage not possessed by the Dean and Adams, with which our force is now supplied. Wo understand, also, thafc the subject; of tho defence of harbors was not omitted, and thafc various high authorities wero consulted on the matter. Westland County. — Air Harrison, M.H.R., yesterday gave notice of a series of resolutions, by which he proposes the abolition of the County of Westland, the substitution of a system of district boards on the West Coast Gold fields, with wardens as chairmen of tho boards, and the administration of police, gaols, &c, by the General Government. Accident. — Tho " Wanganui Herald" reports an accident that befel Mr John Davidson, of the firm of Seafcou and Davidson, cattle exporters. It appears that the gentleman in question was driving j some cattle down the No. 2 line, when his horse fell, and rolled on him several times. He was taken to tho Red Lion Hotel, and received medical attention. The injuries inflicted, although serious, ore not; of a dangerous character. Nuggets. — With regard to mining matters at the Nevis, the correspondent of the " Dunstan Times" in that district says : — The largest nuggot of gold as yet discovered in the province of Otago was brought to light on Saturday last by I Jamea M'Donald and party in their claim j about five miles abovo the township. The ground has only lately been taken up, aud ,the party in constructing their tail race, and just where they first struck the bottom, turned up this fine lump of gold, together with a smaller piece, weighing about fivo pennyweights. The discovery has created quite an excitement, and a rush on a small scale has sot; in to tho locality. Accident. — Those who wero accustomed to Mr Beda'a performances afc the circus in Auckland will bo sorry to hear of his having met with a sad accident at the Thames. It is thus narrated in tho " Thames Advertiser" : — Mr Beda whoso performances on fche flying fcrapozo at tho circus have excited so much surprise, mci

with a very severe accident last night while -going through tho very difficult and dangerous foafc of the " leap for life." In this fcafctwo men hang suspended to tho high trapeze, and Mr Beda sprang from the flying trapeze attaching himself to tho lowest of the two. By some means, probably on account of tho jerk, tho middle man lost his hold and fell with Mr Beda into the circle from a very, great height. Beda fell head foremost, and ifc was feared at first that he was killed. Ho was, howover, at once lifted, and ifc was then seen thafc ho was bleeding from a wound in fcho head, and thafc one of his wrists were injured. Ho was taken to the Golden Fleece Hotel, and Dr Trosseau was sent for. After examining tho patient the doctor announced that tho injuries wero not dangerous, and no bones wero broken. The shock, however, was very severe. The other man escaped almost uninjured. MiningNoaienclatuke.— Some strange readings appear in the Auckland papers. The following is a specimen of "latest from the Thames: Golden Calfs and Nonpareils rising in favor. Central Italy making good show. Bright Smiles in firm demand. The Chinese Invasion. — In noticing the Chinese invasion, tho " Otago Daily Times" of the 15th says -.—The " Mongolian hordes" received a fresh accession to their ranks of 333 heathens yesterday by the Noord Bradbauf, and 250 moro arc reported to be on their way. In the three weeks from 25th July to yesterday, inclusive, 1,126 Chinese have landed at Port Chalmers, or an average of 15 a day, Sundays included. The Rev Father More au. — The testimonial from tho Protestants of Dunedin to the Rev. Father Morcau, who has arrived in "Wellington, 'was presented by Mr H. J. Walter, afc the City Council j Chambers. Mr Walter stated that a ' purse of sovereigns amounting to over £80 j had been collected, and he afterwards ' read tho testimonial. Extraordinary Assault.— An assault of an extraordinary character is related in the Melbourne papei'3 as having been perpetrated afc the Collingwood branch of the Commercial Bank, Afc 3 o'clock in tho afternoon a man ivenfc into the bank, and, after having somo dew words with the manager about a cheque, flung a piece of lead weighing 21bs at him, breaking one of the manager's ribs. The mau then took oufc another piece of lead, tied up afc the end of a handkerchief, and ran round the counter to continue his murderous assault, when assistance arriving.he ran away, but was captured and given into custody. It is doubted whether the man was insane or was wanting to rob the bank. Tub Improved Price of Wool. — Tlie following calculation is made by the "Otago Times" as to the effect in that province of the improved prico of wool : — Nearly all last season's clip from this province would bo offered for salo in June, and would benefit by the rise, which must amount to about 3d per lb. above tho February rates. According to a lato Customs return, the quantity of wool exported from Otago for tho year ending 30th Juno, 1871, was 12,928,0071ba, valued at £523,213. A rise of 3d per lb. on this quantity means therefore that woolgrowers here, through the competition of French and American buyers, are richor by £1(31,G00 than they would have been had their wool been sold afc the February sales. It would be impossible to enumerate the benefits which will accrue to the community if the price of wool is now maintained. Not only will confidence in station property as an investment be restored, bufc the value of freehold property in fche country and in Dunedin will bo enhanced. It may be fairly said that a material rise in this description of produce is one of thoso winds which blows every one good. Sudden Death. — Another very sudden death is reported by the " Taranaki Herald.'' Mrs Ryan retired to rest on Thursday evening iv apparently good health, but about fivo o'clock nexfc morning, her daughter, who slept in tho same room, hearing her mother breathing hard, rose and lighted a candle, when s_e found her just dying. She immediately sent her brother for Dr St. George, who on his arrival pronounced Mrs Ryan dead. Tookey's Shares in Melbourne.— Wo extract the following from a Melbourne paper :— " The ups and downs of life, and the up 3 and downs of Tookey Bharea would almost appear to hare something in common — the main difference being that tho latter follow each other at briefer intervals than the formor. To-day tho happy holder of Tookeys eats, drinks, and makes merry, on the strength of fabulous yields in the future ; to morrow his hopes die, in dread anticipation of that " pinching out' of the ' coming shoot of gold,' which has happened beforo in other claims, and which will happen again. From £3 103 to £35 in a few weeks, with nothing iv particular to justify the extraordinary fluctuations in value ! A very surprising riso thia, even in a country where such movements, in a modified form, are not uncommon ; bufc still more surprising when it is remembored thafc tho furfamed Thames is a long way off, and that some local incendiary has evidently been making a ronewed effort to set the Thames on firo with rod-hot promises of dividends. That tho conflagration has spread oven to tho uttermost ends of tho Ballarat Corner is a fact now beyond dispute The cry for Tookeys, both there and under the shady Verandah, is unceasing. Tho questions and greeting interchanged by loungers in tho streets aye not, 'How aro you?' or 'Good morning,' bufc ' How are Tookeys ?' just as if distance really did lend enchantment to the popular view of Tookeys, in spite of all experience of such I dangerous enchantments, and thoir liability to j ' pinch out,' a3 the Thames reefs are said to havo a knack of doing." ' The Carandinis. — Having just refcurnod from San Francisco, Madame Carandini and her* daughters Eosina, Isabella, Fannio and Lizzie, assisted by Mr Walter Sherwin, reappeared in Sydney, beforo a tolerably numerous audience, in tho Masonic Hall. Their reception was very gratifying. Madame Carandini, on stepping on tho platform, was greeted with prolonged applause, and for her rendering of the old song. " Annie Laurie," in which her fino voice was heard to advantage, she was encored. Her accomplished daughters was also recoivod |very favorably, their first appearanco being in a quartette. " La Carita," in which the harmony of their united voices were displayed with a very pleasing effect. Miss Eosina and Miss Fannio wore both encored for solos given by them ; and thoir execution of part songs, assisted by Mr Sherwin. was also highly commondable. Miss Lizzio Carandini, a younger daughter, made her debut, undor very pleasing auspices, being encored for her rendering of the song, " Alas, those chimes." Tho concert waa jjclosed with the amusing duet, " Trust hor not," in which tho parts wero very woll executed by Miss Eosina and Miss Fannio.