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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 753, 17 January 1870, Page 2

An English Mail was forwarded per s.s. Wellington on Friday last. Dr Hector took his departure for Wellington in the steamer of that name on Friday last. The s.s. Rangatira is announced to leave for Auckland this evening at 6 o'clock. Colonial Prize Fusing.—We understand that the time within which company representatives may be selected, has been extended from the the 31st January to the 28th February. Eclipse.—A total eclipse of the moon, visible at Napier, will take place to-night and to morrow morning. We subjoin the following particulars with reference to it from the Nelson Almanac for 1870 : B. H. M. First contact with the Penumbra. . 17 11 2S p.m. First contact with the Shadow.... 18 1 30 a.m. Middle of the Eclipse 18 2 19 a.m. Last contact with the Shadow.... 18 4 8 a.m. Last contact with the Penumbra. .18 5 10 a.m. Magnitude of Eclipse (Moon's diameter=l), 1653. The next meeting of the Napier Debating Club takes place to morrow evening at a quarter to 8 o'clock, when the following subject will be considered :—Would moderate Protective Duties be desirable in New Zealand? Although these obnoxious taxes are obsolete in England, yet the action of the Government last session and occasional articles in Government organs show that we are by no means secure against their infliction. As the matter is one thus possessing a general and individual interest, it is a -\ ery appropriate one for the consideration of' our young society. The 18th Roval Irish. —The two companies of this regiment stationed at Napier received orders on Friday last to be in readiness to leave ' for Auckland by H.M.S. Rosario, as soon as that vessel calls, She was expected yesterday, but as she has also to take the Wanganui detachment, she has possibly gone on. Four companies were to leave Auckland by H.M S. Virago on the 13th instant; and the Claud Hamilton left Wellington on Saturday for Taranaki for the purpose of taking on board the two companies stationed there; from thence, the Claud Hamilton would proceed to Melbourne via Nelson and the West Coast.

FLAX.—GOOD SUGGESTIONS. The following suggestions from Mr Joseph Crisp, of Auckland, appear in the Daily Southern Cross, Jan. 12, and are worthy of consideration : "Sir, —J consider the cultivation of our New Zealand flax of so much importance that I think our Provin cial Government could not do better than offer a premium of <£l,ooo for the best ten acres of New Zealand cultivated flax fit to cut for use, and also £2OO for the best five tons of New Zealand cultivated flax manufactured. This, besides giving some impetus to so desirable an operation, would also furnish a large amount of very useful knowledge during tht next three years. Perhaps our Auckland Societies would give some encouragement in the same way."