THE NORTH.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2649, 14 August 1871, Page 3

THE NORTH.

Hau-hauism is fast dying out, and everywhere the Natives are abandoning that silliest of fanalieisms. Much has been said of the “singular fascination” Hau-hauism exercised on the Native mind ; but I very much doubt if any sensible Maori ever believed in it as a religion. The simple fact is, Hauhauism became popular with most Maoris because it offered a sensual race greater license between the sexes than even Mormonism permits. At least a score of times 1 have heard young Natives admit as much. I regret to add that, as far as I am aware, relapsed Hau-haus evidence not the slightest desire to re-embrace Christianity. It will be recollected (says the Press) that previous to the departure of Messrs Harris and Hewitt for Dunedin, the latter made a match with several gentleman of Christchurch that he would run half a mile on a level road in 1 minute 55seconds. The amount staked was L 25 by Hewitt against LSO by the backer of time. From the names of the gentlemen concerned in the affair there is not the slightest reason to doubt but that the match will be fairly run off, and Hewitt himself is very sanguine of doing the distance. If he does do so, it will be a really'splendid performance. At present there is no time fixed, but Hewitt will have to declare some day not later than August 19th, with liberty should that day prove unfavorable, to extend the time seven days, notice of such intention being given to the backer of time. LlOhas been posted by Hewitt, and L2O by the backer of time, and the remainder lias to bo forthcoming on the 18th fnst. Hewitt has taken up his quarters at the Plough Inn, and is doing first-rate work, his trial spins having been done in a time which promised a successful issue in the contest. Our Wellington contemporaries have been devoting much space to the description of the casting of a bell for the fire brigade of that city, which has been successfully completed at Mr Mills’ foundry. The Independent says In shape, the bell has an exceedingly graceful form. Its dimensions are—Across the mouth, 3ft. ; 2ft. din. in height to the crown, and 2ft. 9in. to the top of the chaplets, The lettering on the bell has been done with a precision of foim that could hardly be expected, the words encircling the top being “Founded in Wellington, New Zealand, by the Wellington Fire Brigades, 1871. ” About the centre stands out, in bold letters, the word “ Fire,” and on the other side the name of the founder, “ E. W. Mills, Fecit.” About 12 cwt. of metal was put into the furnac-c for the easting ; but this was not all used, the weight of the bell being half a ton. The metal employed was the beit copper obtainable, and the finest Cornish tin. The clapper, with the fittings, weighs about Ollbs, the striking knob weighing 14lbs. The success ill accomplishment of the work carries with it a greater significance than at first sight might appear. Mr Mills has demonstrated to the whole Colony the ability of Colonial foundries to perform work of which they have huherto been thought incapable. A West Coast contemporary says:—“A painful illustration of the reversi s of fortune which may attend a man in business in these colonies, came under our notice this week. A gentleman of extensive commercial reputation, a few years back, was seen this week to be touched on the shoulder by the Court bailiff, and marched to durance vile on a Magistrate’s warrant for a debt of a few' pounds. The same person, six years ago, had in another part of the Colony seldom less than L 20,000 under discount at his banker’s, where his credit was then so undoubted that the manager’s instructions were “pay without reference to ledger or him,” and where, as an index to the value placed trpon his account, three immense cheque books, with the customer’s name, were specially printed at the expense of the bank, two of which, we believe, to this day may be found in the book-safe of the branch. Another six years turn at the wheel of fortune may reinstate him in his former position, but we fear the West Coast is not the most likely place at present to contemplate such luck.” In reference to the flax challenge of Mr Pownall, of Wellingt. n, the Post says the gentleman named, who is well-known in connection with flax mills at Manawatu, has devoted much time and money, as well as careful attention, to flax-dressing, and especially to the improvement of the machinery in nse for that purpose. He has at length, as we are given to understand, completed a machine superior, in the opinion of competent judges, to any yet tried in New Zealand, and which is capable of scraping both sides of the split leaf —a most important improvement. Consider the fact that the high value of the fibre of the phormium ienax, when properly prepared, is clearly established, and that only the want of suitable machinery has hitherto precluded us from creating out of it a most lucrative article of export, any movement towards perfecting the machinery now in use should meet with warm encouragement from every one who has the common interes att heart. We trust that not only will some speculative individual afford Mr Pownall the opportunity of winning the LSOO, but that his invention may prove of yet greater utility both to himself and the colony. A monster meeting to advocate the Permissive Bill movement will be held in Christchurch shortly, in view of the approaching session of the General Assembly. The Wanyanvi Chronicle, without giving its authority, makes the following positive statement: —“ The Hon. Mr Vogel will not arrive in the Colony before the end of Sep- . teraber. The Assembly meets on the I4lh August, but only business of a formal character will be advanced by slow stages till the arrival of the Treasurer, whore presence seems indispensable to any practical progress in the House.” Who has not often been surprised at the difference of prices given by contractors for works tendered for. A striking illustration of this was for a temporary footbridge over the Hutt, stated in a late Wellington pap *r. Five tenders were submitted, at the following prices : —L4OO, L2OO, Ll3O, LCO, LIS. The lowest tender was acceptedAs an instapqo pf the great depreciation that has taken in the value of station propei ty, a recent Canterbury paper reports the sale of the Balmoral estate in the Amur!

district, comprising 14,000 acres of leasehold, 24,000 acres freehold, and 24,000 sheep, for the sum of L 24.250. The purchaser was aMr Hanuah. This is a different state of things to that which existed when MrDuppa disposed of his run and sheep in the same locality for L 150,000.