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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2297, 16 September 1870, Page 2

The Militia.—The rumor that has been current since the receipt of the war news, that the militia were to be called out, ia without foundation. The Government have determined not to call out the militia for active training and exercise at present, so that those liable to serve may rest perfectly at their case, for the tirne being at any rate.

Princess TaEATRE.-T-We,,, would remind our ?tliat tfiirpwjtermaiiide ,by the Garrick Club id aid of; the funds of the Benevolent Institution takes place to-night, As a good many . seats , Save already been secured, wc may fairly anticipate a good house. Capture of* —The Mnories at the Heads report the capture of a black whale near, Waikouaiti yesterday morning. It appears to have been first seen by the cutter Advance, that arrived here last evening, and af tea wards by the Maoris, who lost no time in effecting its capture. Our informant states that only one hour and a-half was taken in fastening to and killing it. As there is now the neecssary plant at Waikouaiti for extracting the oil from the blubber, the whale will not be brought here as on a former occasion. '1 he size of the captured whale is said to be something smaller than the last, one ; it will probably yield about six tons of oil. As the whaling season is very far advanced, it will prove a reward for past exertions, and tend to stimulate and encourage further action in developing this industry. The North. — We make the following extracts from our exchanges:—The Grahamstown Mail says : Several specimens of one of the strangest natural curiosities of New Zealand were brought to our office by a man who had found them in the bush. They are the vegetating caterpillcr, or hotete. Out of each of the beads of what had formerly been large caterpillars, has sprouted a branch, and the bodies have been converted into vegetables, but retainiug the animal shape, the legs, head, and eyes being quite discernible.—So heavy was the rainfall at Auckland on fho morning of the 20th ult., that a milkman coming into town on his cart had Ins horse swept off his legs by the current across the roal, and got all his milk spilt.—The Sphinx is to tow four lighters.to Bermuda. She will then make her way across to Australia, on which station she will relieve the Virago.—A Northern contemporary says : It is reported that a matrimonial alliance will shortly take place between Miss Fanny Carandini and Mr Carey, of .the firm of Carey and Gillies, Auckland. The -Carandinis intend leaving in a short time for Honolulu.—Rumor has it that a matrimonial alliance is likely to take place shortly between a well-known and amusing bon. member from the South and a 'ady who has resided many years and is much respected in Wellington. The Graving Dock.—This work, which from the commcnccmeufc has been carried on so admirably by the contractors, Messrs Connor ami MTCay, is rapidly progressing. On one side the last course of the stonework is laid, and rn the other only one course is needed to raise the wall to the required height. The vast area of the dock can now be realised by visitors, as the floor ■throughout the whole length is partialy laid. The rapidity with which this magnificent piece of work has proceeded latterly, notwithstanding the drawback of bad weather, seems little short of marvellous. It is. however, easily explained. Every arrangement for the work has been marked by forethought in the minutest particulars. There has been no waste of time or labor. Every stone had a place, and was carefully prepared for it. The consequence is that, though shaped twelve mouths ago, it is fitted in less time than is necessary to describe the process. By a derrick it is placed upon a truck—descends ; n inclined rail with velocity cheeked by a steam-engine. On the level a ton is conveyed by the power of one man to another derrick, so placed as to command the exact position designed. One stone is so cut as to bind its neighbors—a few trowels of cement form the bond between the newcomer and those already laid—-a pinch with a crowbar completes their close contact, and the work is done. Those blocks weighing several tons, which form the recess on which the hinges of the gate will turn, are admirably fitted. The pump shaft is formed, and two beautifully-cast centrifugal pumps, each designed to throw out 10,000 gallons a minute, have arrived. The latter are splendid castings, such as can only he turned out by British iron founders. The interest of this work increases as it approaches completion.

Flax. —The “ Anglo-Australian ” in the European Mail says : —With regard to New Zealand flax, I may mention that Dr Featherston lias just visited the manufacturing districts both in Scotland and in the north of England, with the view of ascertaining to what purposes it may be applied, and the result of his inquiries has been satisfactory, He has gathered that bright and ch an will be hugely used by British ropemakers at about L3O. An extensive market for the article is likely to open in America. Spinners will not use ordinary sorts, but prepared native will fetch from L4O to LGO for any quantity, Hope manufactured from the flax is selling at L 37, but it is not suitable for blocks when the tackle is subject to damp. It is, however, very serviceable for running gear. I hear that 800 tons of New Zealand flax were re-exported from Liverpool to [Canada the other day. At present there is a steady demand for good line clear parcels, but low common are neglected, and one may expect to see single figures the quotation for this description before long, so overstocked is the u-arket. I have recently been shown the design of a new machine intended for dressing New Zealand flax, the fibre of which may do, it is thought fer paper. It is hardly fine enough for sheeting! The Agent for Canterbury was kind enough to show me the other d&V a specimen of paper manufactured from the body of the wood in the Forest of Dean. Certainly, judging from that, New Zealand flax might be profitably used for the same purpose.

The adjourned meeting of the Caledonian Society will be held at Wain’s Hotel, this evening, at 8 o’clock.