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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 34, 10 February 1870, Page 2

Jonathan Earnshaw, has been charged at the Resident Magistrate's Court, at Christchurch, with having defrauded his creditors by concealing part of his property when filling his declaration of insolvency, and committed for trial. Thomas Sharp Asquitb, charged conjointly with him in the same offence, was committed at. the same time. An ExPEmaiBNT lias recently been tried by Messrs. Miles and Co. with the view of ascertaining whether New Zealand flax is subject to spontaneous combustion. A short time ago a quantity "of flax was thoroughly saturated with water, and then done up into a bale. The bale having

been sewn, up in coarse sacking, well tarred on the inside, was packed in a Tvooden case, and placed in Mr. John Anderson's engine room, so as to be subject to the heat of the fires. On the 31st, the bale was opened in the presence of several gentlemen, among whom were the agents of Insurance Companies. The flux was found to have dried considerably. The middle of the bale was decidedly warm, but there was no appearance of scorching, or extreme heat. In some places the fibre had commenced to rot from the action of water. The result must be considered satisfactory, as it is certain that either wool or hay would have shown signs of fire under similar treatment — Lyttelton Tiwes. New Zealand Flax. — The colonists seem to have been most determined and energetic in their endeavors that we at home should try the fibre in all its various stages of manipulation, commencing with the rough straw up to the superfine dressed, in value from £10 to £53, according to condition. Doubtless it will be supposed that the article must be much •inquired after, and it may be asked why rope-makers and spinners pay such full •rates for it, even far above the value of Russian hemp, which sells at about £34. The reason is because our staple article Manilla hemp, to-day commands such an enormous price that its users are driven to seek a substitute, which they find in the New Zealand hemp ; for without question the great rival of the latter is the Mauilla, which I believe will eventually be found to maintain a superiority in value of £10 to £15 a ton. Good-roping Manilla at present brings £63, an enormous figure. Supposing it should fall to old and average rates, say £40 to £45, down must come the liew Zealand article. With this in view producers must ever be watchful. In my opinion a rope of Manilla will stand wear and tear better than a- similar New Zealand make, for in the former we have a long, clean, even, strong "fibre, entirely free from dust or hairy substance, while in the latter we have a hairy or splitting substance. True, it is softer than the Manilla, but lacks its uniform solidity and strength. I cannot say the greater portion of our manufacturers are using the article or like [it, but this is certain that some few of our largest have actively taken the produce in hand, and are sure to have many in their train, once that the rope takes a stand on its own merits. In conclusion, my advice to all is to send none but the very best that can be produced, white in color, long, strong, and, above everything, clean and of equal length, and so producers will not only realise a handsome profit but meet with quick returns. — European Mail. The Southern Cross, of the Ist inst., says : — There are any amount of claims being sold upby the Warden. The promising mines that a few months ago were worth twenty thousand pounds \ where are they now ? One claim, with a high sounding golden name, was sold for thirteen-shilliugs. Poor shareholders, whobought in at twentyfive shillings a scrip, how long will it be before you are again troubled with gold fever ? But never mind, yon will have many, many brothers in misfortune." - The Peripatetic Philosopheb, writing on the probabilities of success attending the Lyster Opera Troupe, says : — I would back the original Old Bob Ridley or the Rev. Charles Clark to draw better than ten operas. I fear that Mr. Lyster is on the wrong track. Ido know a way to make money by ' importing talent,' but ■every impressario may not be enterprising enough to try it. It was confided to me by Barn urn after I came back with Washington's nurse for Mm. Take a clergyman., and, if possible, of the sectarian persuasion, and get him to run away with another man's ; no, that's too common — to poison his aunt. Have him tried, acquitted, and then reconverted, and bring him out as a Popular Preacher. You'll make your ' pile ' in no time." The following obituary notice appear in a Cornwall paper : — There expired at Talskiddy, Cornwall, on Saturday last, Joan Tonkin, aged .96, whose faculties continued good to the last. She leaves 10 children of the united ages of 623 years, 49 grandchildren, and 98 great grandchildren. The deceased's husband, who was a farm laborer, lived 42 years on •one farm af the weekly wages of 75., notwithstanding which no member of the family ever received parochial relief.