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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1937, 21 July 1869, Page 2

Political.—The Commissioner of Police is a passenger to Wellingfon by the Oujeo t '-day. We believe he his been s°nt for by the Ministry to consult him on police arrangements.

Tire Municipal Election. -We underhand that Mr Andrew Mercer has consented to become a candidate for the representation of High Ward in the City Council.

Drawback on Goods.— ln the House of Representatives, on the dh ins' ant, Mr Reynolds asked the Government whether it is their intention to amend the Customs be gulation Act, 1863, so as to allow for drawbacks on all goods imported which may be re-sh jjjjed, provided that the duty amounts to 1.5 or upwards ?—The Colonial Treasurer said a report of the Commissioner of Customs on the subject had been received, aod he would ask the hon. member to put his question next Wednesday.

o amaiiu. —An unusually high tide or wave occurred at Oamaru on Wednesday morning last, the sea having passed over the shingle hank into the creek.

An Intelligible Telegram.—The Oamaru Times gives the following specimen of an intelligible telegram received a few days ago by a gentleman in town. It is to us, as to him, quite incomprehensible, and is as follows :—“ Chatham islands sighted off timaru Bound for Oamaru as breakwater. Please reply.” Legal.— Mr Silas J. Stedraan, who for the past three years has acted as secretary to Mr Justice Gresson, has be n admitted as a member of the New Z ;a and bar. His Honor, in admitting Mr JSteilman, said that Mr Justice Johnston, by whom Mr S. had been examined, spoke in high terms of the manner in which that gentleman had passed his examination. — Press. Maerewhenua Diggings. —We learn that the result of Mr Ashcroft’s interview with the Government has been that Mr Warden Robinson will again be despatched to the Maerewhenua, and, should the report be favorable, a goldfield will be proclaimed. The Government have also promised to subsidise prospecting to a small extent, and appear to be anxious to develop the resources of the district. —Oamaru Times. The (Southland Debt. —ln the Assembly on the 9th install 1 ', Mr F. 1) Bell stated that the amount of debentures authorised to be raised for the extinguishment of the Southland Debt was 1.422,000; the actual sum realised, L 356,457 ; the amount of debentures required to pay the sum, L 401,862, to which had to be added for interest, L 17,167, making a total of L4IS, 529, leaving in hand, L 3,170. Certain expenses, however, had to be deducted, which reduced the balance to not more than L 2,500, and it would possibly be much less. It would, therefore, be necessary for the House to make further provision in order to give effect to the Amendment Bill,

Sporting.—The Nelson Examiner oj July 7 has the following : —The weights' for the two groat Australian Handicaps have been published—The He v South Wales Metropolitan Stakes, two miles, to bo run at 'Randwick on the 9th of September, aud the Melbourne Cup, to be run at Flemington on the 4th November next. Mr lied wood’s colt, Manuka, is entered for both, but his entries of Peeress and Misfortune for the Melbourne race must have been received too late, as they do not appear in the list. There are remarkable discrepancies in these handicaps, as, for instance, Manuka is eleven pounds better against Glencoe at Sydney than at Melbourne. The writers in the sporting papers in Melbourne all consider Mr Redwood’s colt and the other four-year olds, too heavily weighted at 9st 4djs. Manuka is now in work and looks exceedingly well.

New Zealand Flax.—Encouraging news for flax-dressers has been received in Canterbury. Messrs Devitt and Holt, brokers, report as follows :—Shippers have at last summoned up courage to send home parcels of a sufficient size to attract the attention of buyers, 1,400 bales having arrived during the last week or two. Of these, 600 hales have been offered at auction, and about one third sold- viz., Ist quality, dressed, L 37 to L3B 10s; 2nd quality, only part sold at 1.35, the rough undressed is very little sought after at L 24 to L2". In making further shipments of this article we would recommend a regular sir-ply of well dressed ; the par ially dressed is very objectionable to the trade. We would rather see it sent home in the straw without any expense incurred in the Colony. We regret to observe in the parcels just to hand that the naturally strong fibre has b- on much weakened in the dressing ; tins should carefully be avoided, as the gr. ar-end to bo obtained is a sure ssful com etition with Manilla hemp, which realises L4B per ton. -

Mathiesun’s Agency has received the fol owing interesting report by Messrs Burber, Nephew and Co., on New Zealand flax. It is dated London, May 21—Dear Sirs, —We have much pleasure in handing you, as requested, a report on the New Zealand Flax and Tow Market. For some years past, the Loudon market has been almost bare of both flax and tow from New Zealand ; only occasional arrivals having occurred, and the--o of vory small quantities, but now it appears that we are to ho well supplied with both these articles, for the imports during tin* past few weeks have been considerable, and a la’ge quantity is still afloat. Great care should be taken in cl auing, that the fibre o! th - flax is not weakened ; what has arrived hitherto, is mostly well cleaned and strong. Rope and twine making are the principal uses to which the flax will be turned, and .even if it is found to be not sufficiently s rong by itself, it will do excellently for mixing with Manilla hemp. We think it will be quite safe to calculate on this fibre, of similar quality to this parcel per Siam, which was very good clean flax, fetching within LIO to LI2 per ton of fair current Manilla hemp, the present value of which is L 47 10s,— Mr G. Tallcble, writing to Messrs Dalgcty, Du Croz, and Co., says:—“ i ear Sirs,—ln reply to your favor of 19th, we advise your friends as fallows, respecting flax:—]. The best dressed be only shipped, comprising good length, strength, and bright even color; inferior sorts are neglected, 2. Bales of from 3 to 4 cwt , press packed preferred, covered with wrap ers. The parcel imported per Light Brigade, being only indif fereutly cleaned, is slow of sale-prices fr >m 27s to 28s ; but the parcel (A in diamond) per Siam, being well cleaned, sells freely at 34s to 35a.”—A Wellington contemporary of July 13 bar the following ; Flax-dressing seems to be gradually becoming a productive industry of' great importance. Al over the Colony public attention is being directed to it. Messrs Mills and < b., who have manufactured the largest portion of the machines that have been used, arc continually reC’ iving inquiries about them, and have at present no feiver than eight on hand. Thm

a e for Wainui-o-Mata, Wairarapa, Blenheim, Manawatu and Turakina, Wanganui, Napier, &c. They are double machines, improved upon Price’s, and lifted with brass be rings. They are capable of turning out 2i tons of dra-sed flax in a week an • can be Worked by steam, water, or horse power. In eveiy place where flax-dr ssint; has as yet been fairly tried, it has proved a great success, and we have little doubt that eventually its prop'ration and manufacture will prove one of the most important industries of the Colony.”