THE PKOVINCES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 163, 23 March 1871, Page 6

THE PROVINCES.

A Ohristchurch paper says that the manufacture of woollen mats has become an established industry in that city, there being two manufactories on the Ferry, which, between both, turn out about 250 mats per month, The mats are made from the skins of sheep and lambs, the skin being first reduced to a state of softness and pliability, and the wool being dyed in all the various colours of the rainbow.

It is amusing, and at the same time pitiable to notice the abuse, not to say vulgar vituperation which some of our contemporaries lavish upon others. For some time past the " Timaru and Gladstone Gazette " has taken every opportunity, imaginative and otherwise, of belabouring its local contemporary, the " Timaru Herald," in a manner which must be becoming disgusting to its own readers and to every other intelligent person into whose hands it may fall. To its praisp, be it said, that the " Herald " treats these attacks with the contemptuous silence they deserve. Does it not strike the editor of the "Gazette" that by the course he is taking he will forfeit the esteem of his contemporaries and the public? and does he not think it far more 'honourable, instead of becoming a public laughing-stock and standing joke, to endeavour to merit and maintain the proud and responsible position of leader and teacher of the people] The following is about the mildest specimen we can select from the "Gazette": — ■ "Repoit says that the "Timaru Herald " changed hands yesterday, and that a change of name is also contemplated to that of the " Gentleman's Journal." It is also rumoured that "A Gentleman" will contribute a series of articles on " dignity versus brains." We believe the former report to be correct, but we cannot vouch for the latter."

A correspondent supplies the following to a Wellington contemporary :—: — A gentleman went the other day 'to a well-known livery stable in this town, and inquired the charge for a horse to take him to the Hutt. He was toldlfl 10s. He took the horse, and on his return he tendered half-a-sovereigu in payment. He was told, to his astonishment, that he had 10s. more to pay. " For what ? " he enquired. " For the journey back," was the reply, "you only engaged the horse to take you to the Hutt." The gentleman seeing he was caught paid the money and went away. The next day he went and inquired the chai-ge for a horse to take him to the Taita. He was told 15s, On bis arriving at the Taita he put the horse up at the hotel, and returned to town by the coach, went to the stables, and tendered the 15s. in payment. " But where is my horse ? " asked the astonished proprietor. "At the Taita," was the reply, " I only hired him to take me to the Taita."

A correspondent of the "Southern Cross" writes: — "Sir, — You may not be aware that the Maoris have got hold of a story to the effect that the reason of there being no money in Auckland is that Prince Alfred took it all away when he left. The Maoris firmly believed the story, and are curious to hear what it was that caused the Prince to take the money."

The Auckland " Herald " says :—: — We ai*e informed by one of the coach builders in town that he has made a test of the New Zealand wood used in the construction of coaches, against Tasmanian and Australian timber, used for the same purpose, and he finds that our native wood is incomparably stronger in every respect. When tested in the usual way it showed 100 as, against 70. Our informant says that m future the firm to which he belongs will import no more Australian wood, but will rely wholly upon the native timber.

Some daring thief stole the Bible out of the witness-box in the Resident Magistrate's Court at Wellington, the other day. The " Post " states that it is said that the officers of the Court supplied the deficiency for the nonce by a copy of Johnson's Dictionary.