ThiS Day.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 80, 7 June 1866, Page 2

Th iS Day.

STOWAWAYS. Captain Palmer, of the Wallaby, appeared to lay an information against Robert Wilson and William Russell, for sailing from the Buller to Nelson, contrary to the 16th section of the Steam Navigation Act, 1862. The prisoners pleaded guilty, saying they conld get nothing to do at the Buller, and could not stay there, and that they had no money to pay their passages. The Magistrate: You are liable to a penalty of ■£5- according to the 16th clause of the Act, which I will read you, and tliat such persons as you may know of its existence. The clause states as follows: — "If any person travel or attempt to travel in any steam vessel that has been duly surveyed, in conformity with the provisions of this Act, withoat having previously paid his fare, and with the intent to avoid payment thereof ; or if any person having paid his fare for a certain distance, knowingly or wilfully proceed in. any such vessel beyond such distance, without previously paying the additional fare for the additional distance, and with intent to avoid payment thereof ; or if any person knowingly and wilfully refuse or neglect, on arriving at the port to which he has paid his fare, to quit such vessel, every such person shall for every such offence forfeit and pay to the owner of such vessel a sum not exceeding five pounds, in addition to the fare payable by him." The captain having informed the magistrate that the fare was £i, the latter said he should fine the prisoners £7 each, with thealternative of imprisonment for the usual time. The term of imprisonment for debt for that amount is two months. Many persons do not seem to be aware of the necessity of taking out dog tickets for the current year. Any person neglecting to do so, is liable to an information as well as to lose his <log. If the dog should be seized by the police he will have to pay 40s. to redeem it, and if the animal be not redeemed within 48 hours from the time seizure, it will be destroyed. We understand that 300 tickets have already been tat en out in Nelson, this year, at 10s. each. Strangers arriving in the town are not supposed to be aware of the ordinance, and will most likely prefer complying with it, to having their faithful companions buried at the foot of the laurels at the Court House, which owe their luxuriance to the carcases of the uufortunate Fidos and Carlos, which have been buried beneath them . The Rev. Mr. Gariu has called attention to the fact, that in our police report of Juno 2nd, in the case of Garin and others v. Moore, a portion of the evidence of the plaintiff was omitted. The omission was caused by want of space. At the request of Mr. Gariu, the omission is now supplied. Mr. Moore having undertaken to keep the spire watertight, received notice on the 12th July, that if he did not come before the 17th to repair, the committee would employ some one to do it at his own expense. He came only on the 27th, when he was not allowed to work, and was told the work would be done at his own expense. The committee felt it their duty to lake this course, as the short time that intervened between the 27th and the 31st July, the expiration of the third month, would not have allowed them to ascertain that the work was water-tight. The usual fortuightly meeting of the Nelson Band of Hope, was held yesterday eveniug in. the Temperance Hall, there was a good attendance. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Crisp, on obedience to parents and employers, and by Mr. E. Blincoe, on temperance. The meeting separated at 7 o'clock. The Wallaby brought up three stowaways yesterday from the West Coast, and it was the intention of Captain Palmer to give them in charge here, so the police flag was hoisted as she neared the Boulder Bank. One of the men, however, jumped overboard when the vessel was fairly iv the harbor, and swam ashore. The other two are now in custody. We have received the first number of the Westland Observer, which is simply the Okarita Times, enlarged. It now is a well got up autl handsome paper, and contains a great deal of local information. We trust that the enterprise of the proprietors will meet with the support it deserves from the Okarita public. On the 4th instant, as constable Gaynor was bringing a man charged with lunacy from the Grey to Nelson, on board the steamer Wallaby, the man took it into his head to escape from custody at the Buller. He was followed several miles into the country but without result. It has been suggested

that a few days lodging in the bush at this season may have a curative effect on the runaway, especially if his madness is caused by excessive drinking, which is the case with nine-tenths of the lunatics who are brought to Nelson. The name of the escaped lunatic is William Crane. He is five feet six inches in height, fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. Richmond Fair which took place yesterday cannot be boasted of. Many persons say it was the worst they ever attended. There were about a score of fat cattle. About half a dozen horses changed hands. A few three year old steers fetched £11 each. Mr. Moore had a lot of sheep to sell, but had no offer for them. There was no attempt, whatever, to exhibit produce. Probably 100 persons were present in the course of the day. Some persons think the fairs occur too frequently, and that a fair of twice a year, would be an improvement on the present system. Some dissatisfaction. was expressed at the departure from the usage "which allows private auction sales to take place after a certain hour in the day. We are informed that Mr. Hornby could have disposed of a lot of sheep, but was not permitted to do so, because he had not made a formal application to the officials.

only remains for farmers to produce the raw material in sufficient quantities to keep the manufacturer going. In the neighborhood of Melbourne several persons have for the last year or two been growing flax solely for the seed to fatten stock with, making use of the straw for litter."