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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 53, 17 May 1873, Page 2

The work of building the addition to St. John’s Church would, we believe, have been commenced yesterday had the weather proved favorable. Mr. Holt has obtained the contract, and will probably commence operations to-dav. As regards the procurement of the organ, the vestry, we hear, consider that they have now sufficient funds in hind to justify them in sending homo an order for it by next mail. The instrument is to be similar to that in St. Peter's, Wellington, and built by the same eminent manufacturer, Mr. Hill. The cost of such an instrument, at home, would be £250. — Hawkes Bay Herald, April 24. A Valuable Grass.—The following clip will be read with interest by those who own sandy land :—There is at present growing in the Government Domain, at Christchurch, a specimen of a valuable grass—the Cynodon Dattylon, commonly called (lie “dool” or “doal” grass, wliish was accidentally brought from Sydney along with some other plants, and which should prove valuable to those settlers who possess loose or sandy lands. The grass, it is stated, grows luxuriantly on this description of soil, is very nuitritious, and has the valuable property of remaining perfectly green in tho driest weather, and of spreading with extraordinary rapidity. The Auckland Star states tliat steps are being taken for the purchase by the Government of a very large block of land, about half-a million of acres, in the districts of the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay. The greater portion of the land is of excellent quality, and will serve to locate a very large number of settlers. Billiards.—A billiard match of considerable interest was commenced on Monday, 27th Jan., in the Waverley Hall, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, between W. Codk and J. Roberts, jun. The match was played on a new table, specially built for the occasion by Messrs. Morrison & Co., George-street, that firm having offered as a prize a magnificent gold medal, to be awarded to the highest aggregate scorer in four games — two of 1000 points and two 750 each—at billiards. The first game of 1000 np was won by Cook, the game standing at the finish—Cook, 1001; Roberts, 741. The best break (245) was made by the chau|pion. The next game—one of 750 up—was won by Cook, by 516 points, his best breaks being 374 and 146. On the following day, however, the tables were turned, as Roberts won the second game of 1000 points by 405. In the course of play, Roberts score 174, 126, 120, and 126, the latter break being unfinished. Cook’s highest break was 98. The last S,me was secured by Roberts, by 392 points. uring the game he scored breaks of 180 and 260. The champioh, however, never got into three figures. Reckoning up of the scores of four games, it was found that Roberts was the winner of Messrs. Morrison & Co.’s gold medal by 22 points. The medal was presented by a wellknown amateur to Roberts who stated that he had never played on a better table. In a game of pyramids Roberts won six games to Cook’s three. Cook and Roberts ■have been playing a couple of games at the Hen and Chickens Hotel, Manchester, Cook, on the first night, adding another large break to his already extensive list, viz., 396, in which were 13 and 110 spot hazards in succession. The champion won by 299 points, and Roberts’s best run was 114. When they met on the following evening, Robert/ was more fortunate, and defeated Cook by 235 points. The chief runs were again accomplished by the famed spot haxard striker, and consisted of 141 (30 roots), 122, 104, whilst Roberts was credited with 109 (26 spots).