THE CULTIVATION OF RICE, THE STAPLE CROP OF CHINA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 6, 5 August 1908, Page 31

THE CULTIVATION OF RICE, THE STAPLE CROP OF CHINA.

A travelling troupe of jugglers making their mid-day meal in the street Notice the chop-stieks held by the man on the left.

In t'hina there is no doubt about the freshness of the poultry, as everything is brought to the door alive.

Mr Edward M. Williams, of Buxton. Pukvhoii. Tv Ante. Hawke's Bay. in re-

spouse to a request for some particulars about Ibis quaint obi organ, wrote a most

interesting letter, and gave the following information: —“This organ was the first musical instrument to reach New Zealand, being sent out from England for my father, Archdeacon 11. Edwards, by an uncle of the family, in the year 1828, five years after our arrival in the country. 1 well remember the excitement generally felt during its unpacking and setting up, and the emotional feeb ings produced when the first musical notes sounded forth, notes so new and strange in the then uncivilised country, and the Maoris stared in utter astonishment at what they called a most wonderful musical box. For some time afterwards many of them used to come round asking to hear it played. The organ was placed in a little chapel which had just been built at Paihia, Bay of Islands, and for many years it was regularly played at English and Maori services. The Maoris quickly learned the tunes, ami sang them heartily to the few hymns which in those early days had been translated into their language. These services continued uninterrupted throughout the Maori war in the north. Tiie instrument is a barrel organ, with pipes in front for ornament, and is, on rather was. turned by hand, giving a good volume of sound. There are three barrels, each supplying ten tunes of sacred music. When, in later years, a small church had been built at Pakaraka, whither my father had retired, the organ was removed from Paihia, and placed in the new building, and here it did duty until replaced by a harmonium. The old organ was given to me by my father, and it was placed in my own house. When I left the Bay of Islands it found its last resting place in the \\ anganui Museum, where it now stands, an interesting memento of by-gone days.”