SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

Southland Times, Issue 731, 3 October 1867, Page 3

SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC.

The Amateur Concert in aid of the Ladies' Benevolent Society came off as advertised on Wednesday evening, in the Mechanics' Institute, and was a decided success both musically and pecuniarily. The Hall was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, and the whole arrangements reflected great credit upon the managers. As the performers were few in number, they wisely avoided any attempt at the choral or orchestral effects which belong more properly to Philharmonic Societies. The overture (Rossini's " Tancredi,") arranged for two violins and piano, was very well rendered, as were the two charming vocal quartette by Mendelssohn. There were two pianoforte duets and a solo, all admirably performed. The violin solo was a great musical treat, and received a well merited encore. A similar compliment was paid to the duet "Ye Banks and Braes^' and " O wert thou." The bass and tenor singers appeared rather hoarse in their first solos, and it was still more perceptible in their duet ' Love and War," but in the second part they "were in capital voice, and " Love's Eequest" (sung by the teaor, and twice encored), and " Free as the Wind" (bass) were two of the "hits" of the evening. Both the treble solo 3 were excellently sung, also the duet "Forget Not." The gentleman Mho sang Spohr's fine ballad " Love and Courage," gave for the encore "The Bashful Young Greatlemen" with great humor and point, and was warmly applauded. The house was well filled, and the audience appeared thoroughly to enjoj the concert, which ended a little betore eleven.

The ''Daily Times" of the 26th ult. contains the following : — A special meeting of the Synod of Otago and Southland, to consider the application cf the conaregation of the First Church for a colleague and successor to the Rev Dr Burns ; and also an application from the Rev Greorge Sutherland for admission to the Church, was held in the room beneath the First Church. The Moderator (the Bey W Will) presided, and there were present a number of ministers and deacons, members of Synod, and also members of the congregation of the First Church. On the motion of the Eev Dr Burns, seconded by the Eev D. M. Stuart, it was unanimously resolved that the Rev George Sutherland's application be acceded to. Mr Sutherland was introduced to the Moderator by Dr Burns, and to the Synod by the Moderator. A deputation from the congregrtion of the First Church was present, and extracts from Minutes of meetings of Presbytery having been laid upon the table, Messrs Duncan and Moore expressed the desire of the congregation that a colleague and successor to the Rev Dr Burns should be appointad. Dr Burns also addressed the meeting upon the same subject. It was then unanimously resolved that the Synod grant the request of the Fir3t Cnurch for a colleague and successor to their minister. A motion was then tabled, that on behalf of the First Church a second charge be made upon the Sustentation Fund. Considerable discussion followed as to whether the motion could be brought forward at the present meeting of Synod, and eventnally it was withdrawn, it being resolved to leave discussion of the matter untfl the next meeting, in January next.

The utilization of the native flax of New Zealand has recently engaged much attention. .Neither individual enterprise nor Governmental stimulus have been wanting to secure the desired result, viz., the production of a material suitable for the manufacturer, and at such a price as would ensure for it a large consumption in foreign markets, thereby rendering it a staple and important export. Several processes, all to a certain extent successful, for the attainment of this desideratum, have already been patented and are now in operation in various parts of the colony ; and it seems certain that it only requires a very little more experience on the part of those engaged in the experiment to solve the important problem. In this matter Southland is certainly, if not in advance, at least on an equality with any of the other Provinces. Native flax is now used to a considerable extent in the local manufacture of rope, twine, matrrasses, and other articles. We have before us a sample of the prepared fibre which seems to come very near answering all the requirements above mentioned. The | sample alluded to is from the mills recently erected by Messrs Hay Brothers at the junction of the Waianiwa and Oreti, and recently got into operation. It may be remembered that a short time ago a tract of about 350 acres in that locality was reserved from sale by the Government, for the express purpose of encouraging this industry. Messrs Hay, having made- arrangements with the Government, went to considerable outlay in procuring and placing upon the ground an extensive plant of the most approved description. We are not in a position to describe ihe process employed by them, but it is highly satisfactory to know that the result so° far is successful. We learn that there are now about a dozen hands employed at the mills, and that though but newly started, and not altogether in working trim, they are producing fully half a ton per day of the fibre, ready for shipment. Eor a sample of the flax sent to Melbourne they are offered £33 per ton; one firm alone being prepared to receive twenty tons per month at that price, while the improvement aparent in that produce!? since the shipment of their first parcel, warrants them, in anticipating a still hieher price. At the same time that it is desirable to enhance as much as possibles tre intrinsic value of the article by improving its condition, it is equally desirable that it Bhould be capable of being produced io large quantities at the price above quoted, and this we are assured can be done by the appliances now in operation, and leave a satisfactory margin of profit to the enteygwßiQg fisw lfho tow n*«* tto «f>e?i»