GENERAL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 99, 4 May 1870, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

WELLINGTON,

Mr. Driver, M.H.R., addressing his Otago constituents, pronounced in favour of Wellington for the port of call. A requisition from the people of Wellington calls upon the Deputy-Superintendent to convene a public meeting on the mail fine question. The Governor is to be petitioned to declare Wellington a municipality under the Municipal Corporations Act. Amongst the passengers for Melbourne per Omeo yesterday, we notice the names of the Hon. Mr. and* Mrs. Pitzherbert and Mr. H. Pitzherbert. The latter gentleman is, we believe", about to enter the University of Melbourne, and, aft er seeing him entered there, his father intends returning here in time to attend to his Parliamentary duties. The Bishop of Welmngtoh.—A rumour, which we almost fear is too well grounded, has been in circulation in town the last few days, to the effect that the highly respected Bishop cf the diocese, Dr. Abraham, is not likely, to return to the colony, and that he intends to resign his charge of the diocese of Wellington. It is added that continued ill health on the part of Mrs. Abraham is the reason for his relinquishing the intention of returning to the colony, and that Dr. Selwyn, his former metropolitan, aud the present Bishop of Lichfield, has eagerly seized on the opportunity of securing his old colleague's assistance, and has appointed

Dr. Abraham his private chaplain, Mr .^ladstone having further nominated him, coflluto!! Bishop of the diocese of Litchfield. Dr. ___ras hams's retirement from the charge of thi. diocese will be most deeply regretted by the members of all denominations, for he was universally liked and esteemed, both as a Christian clergyman and as a private gcntlemar. Since writing the above we have been informed that Archdeacon Hadfield has received the Bishop's formal resignation, which is to. take offect from the Ist proximo. Plax. —Messrs. Levin and Co.'have favored us with the following extract from a letter from Messrs. Armitstead and Co.:—" Within the last three or four years this fibre has been brought under our notice at various intervals and it has been experimented upon by, and occupied the attention of, several spinner. The result has shown that in the present state of preparation it is not adapted for either spinning or cordage purposes. If tho flax could be divested of the gum which seems to adhere to it, we believe the fibre would be quite available for spinning into yarns, but in its present state the gum imparts a dryness and brittleness which completely deprive the fibre of any natural strength it would otherwise have. The gum could only be removed from the fibre during the proc.ss of preparation, as, after it has been allowed to dry, any attempt to remove it would only destroy the fibre."

The cost of raising and refitting the Taranaki was £9000.