LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 213, 13 January 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We call attention to a singular oversight in our leading article of the 9th inst, when, in treating of the food of the natives of New Zealand previous to the arrival of the colonists, wo have mentioned flax root instead of fern root as one of those articles. All persons acquainted with the subject will have at once perceived our intention, but new arrivals and a few others may be led into the erroneous idea that the root of the flax plant is an article of food.

The last few days have seen a large quantity of wool brought into port from the country, and business seems to be more brisk than it has been for some time. The harbor is likewise pretty full of vessels (large and small), there being no leas than ten in number now in the harbor.

The weather, which during the early part of the summer has been almost unprecedently wet, and had the effect of retarding the operation of shearing in the country, and stopping the trade of the town by flooded roads, seems at length to have become more settled in its character, being fine dry and windy. Gazette.— A Provincial Government Gazette, published yesterday, contains the following notifications : —(1) Accepted and rejected tenders; (2) Surgeon of Strathallan’s report and Superintendent’s reply; (3) the resignation of trustees of Petane School; (4) the appointment of a schoolmaster to the same (Mr. John M’Donald) ; (a) the appointment of a pilot for Table Cape, Hawke’s Bay (Mr. John Campbell) ; (6) notices of sittings of Supreme Court; (7) return of cattle slaughtered ; (8) abstract of receipts and expenditure, from the Ist April to 30th June; (9) over and unauthorized expenditure ; (10) sundry notices to mariners.

Imposition of Postage on Nuwspapeus.— With reference to this late imposition, the New Zealand Herald, of the 2nd inst., treats its readers to the following choice little bit of ir ny:—“Among the many acts which will for evtir endear the present Ministry to the people of Hew Zealand, is the imposition of a penny postage on'newspapers, whether for transmission within or without the colony. More anon.”

Napier Rowing Club. —Associations of the above and of a kindred nature are in every way worthy of the support of all who may feel the itrportance of emulation and cooperation in order to acquire proficiency and excellence in the practice of any noble pursuit The extensive wafers of the Napier Harbor and Bay otfer unusual facilities and advantages for the practice of the noble art of Rowing, and it is with pleasure we notice that the subject has been taken up, and we hope to sec it carried out to a successful issue. In accordance with an advertisement which appeared in our last issue, a preliminary meeting of persons resident on the Spit who are desirous of seeing the Club in successful operation, was held at the Commercial Hotel, on Wednesday evening last, and an arrangement was made to adjourn the meeting to the Masonic Hotel, on Saturday evening next. We cordially wish success to the movement, which, we understand, is intended to be placed o a a similar basis to that of the London Rowing Club. See advertisement. Perforated Cheques. —The following paragraph, exracted from the Otago Daily Mail, forcibly illustrates a subject that lias often occupied our attention. We never approved of the perforated cheques, and would suggest to to such as have the control over such matters that a very few perforations (six or eight) near the middle of the cheque would render the operation of tearing it out sufficiently easy, and yet not destroy the “ indenture” made by tne tear above and below the perforations.—“ During the examination of a witness in'the Criminal Court in a case of forgery the Judge took occasion to remark that the hew plan of perforating cheques to make them mors easily separated from the counterparts was not so well calculated to detect fraud as the old method. In this case, the witness who had furnished the cheques, was not able to swear they were torn from the book, though he was certain he gave the prisoner some cheques oh a day and at a date he specified.” The new Tariff and Direct Taxation.— The progress of a more correct opinion in relation to this subject that has generally been entertained-- is illustrated by the following extract from the New Zealand Spectator , which our readers will see is in strict accordance with the views we hold, and have before enforced on the attention of our readers:— “ In one aspect the increase of duties may be regarded with satisfaction—it will inevitably lead to a revision of the present most obnoxious tariff. Complaints will again arise from all quarters of the partial and oppressive operation of the present system. Calicoes and silks will be measured side and side, and the enormous discrepancy between their values and the duties charged upon them strongly insisted on,’ while the wearers of hats will grumble when they, find that the traditionary “ four-and-nine-penny" is burdened with a duty of five shillings. , . Nothing can justify nor even excuse the measurement duties which are now levied. Even ah ad valorem duty is not so absurd, though too often involving moral delinquencies, and therefore to be avoided. Sooner or later the world will be wise enough to submit to direct taxation, but while indirect taxation must as yet be resorted to, it is a first requirement that it should be regulated upon intelligible principles, so as not to press unduly on any class of the community.”

MISEEPEESENTATIOK ot THE COMJKIBT3 pve the following In illustration of onrleading article of the 9th inst t —“ Dr. Shortland has written • work on New Zealand, in which it would appear that he describes the colonists of New Zealand as greedy grasping land sharks, and opn-ssors of the gentle native. Wo have not yet seen the book itself, but publish from a letter received by a gentleman in Auckland, the following extract:—‘l am glad to see by the newspapers that the war with the Maoris is ended. I often grieve to think how persons calling themselves Christians go counter to His laws whom they profess to follow, using their superior knowledge to oppress and bear down the native populations in countries where they settle. Doubtless there aro some just, upright persons in New Zealand who would desire to treat the natives fairly, and as they would wish to be treated ; but I fear there are too many, who in conduct, though not perhaps in words, say, “ We want your land and we will have it, whether those who sold it had any right to sell it or not.’ I have read a good deal about the holding of land in New Zealand, particularly Dr. Shortland’s sensible book on the subject. ‘ He was some time there as protector of the natives, and has been sent out again by our Government, I believe, to help to explain matters, as he can speak the Maori language, and is well acquainted with some of the chiefs.’ ” —Nete Zealand Herald.

• Some of our amateur gardening friends will be glad to learn the ■ following remedy for a most troublesome pest, for which we are indebted to a contemporary : —“ Cube foe the Aphis. —Take of quassia chips, Bozs.; boiling water, one gallon. Infuse in a covered vessel for two hours in a warm place, then strain and mix it with one hogshead of water—it is then ready for use. By occasionally watering the plants with this mixture, they will be kept perfectly free from aphis. The quassia can be obtained from any druggist at a trifling cost, and will well repay the farmer to have recourse to it”

A Hungry Pair. —A correspondent of the Sydenham Times sends the followin'; to that journal:—“ A neighbour of mine has had for some time past two remarkably fine specimens of the cassowary on his premises. On Wednesday last a carpenter who was repairing their house left a large basket of tools while lie went indoors to fetch something. On his return he missed a chisel, and supposing some one from the house had taken it he was going back, when the male cassowary approached and at one gulp bolted a screwdriver and gimlet which were lying on the floor. The carpenter was terrified ; he thought the bird was animated by some supernatural power, which appeared all the more likely as it did not seem any the worse for its repast.”