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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 172, 22 September 1866, Page 2

Some of the Nelson members of the House of liepreseutatives must have been pleased to find themselves so famous as the Wellington Advertiser told them they were on the 17th. It says : — To those who take note of our Parliamentary proceedings, and lament the absence of many well-known statesmen who watched the infant days of constitutional government, it is a subject of no small joy to see such men as Stevens, of Selwyn, Curtis, of Nelson, and Oliver, of Wahnea, taking distinguished parts, ancl by their manly eloquence, high constitutional principles, sound judgments, and discriminating support to their party, giving a much desired tone to the debates.

We see that Mr. Barraclough, whose premises wero destroyed by the late fire, intends to open a bathing establishment on a scale larger tban that lie previously possessed. He has chosen tin admirable site, where abundance of good water can be procured for bathing purposes. The baths will include, cold, hot, shower, douche, and stream baths. There will be 12 separate bathing-rooms for males and 7 fur females, in separate buildings. We should imagine that these baths will be much patronised by that class of the community who have not time or opportunity for sea bathing. Bathing is so essential to health, especially in the summer season, that there are lew who will not avail themselves some time or another ofthe advantages offered by a cheap bath. We are informed that should the proprietor be encouraged by the public, he will erect a bathing establishment on a larger scale than that to which public attention is now solicited.

The Nelson Volunteer Eire Brigade met for practice last evening for the first time. About 40 members assembled and went through various exercises, nnder the superintendence of Captain Knight. The evening was devoted to drill, and the acquis 5 tion of the knowledge of the different duties which firemen are expected to perform. The hook and ladder company, the hose companies, and the fire company, were initiated in the duties of their respective orders. There are 80 members ou the -list, about half of whom last evening made a very good beginning. We trust the matter will be taken up in earnest, aud that the members will see the importance of observing strict discipline and close adherence to the rules. When the uniform is ready the Brigade will present an imposing appearance. The next practice night is Friday, at 7 p.m.

We understand that since the conviction of the prisoners, charged with the Maungai7ipu murders, they have continued to show their usual characteristics. Burgess is as cool and unconcerned as ever, while Kelly and Levy continue to assert their innocence to their spiritual advisers and those with whom they come in contact. It was reported yesterday that Burgess had made another confession. If he had no reliance would be placed upon it, after the repeated falsehoods he has uttered. We are informed on good authority that it is a mistake to suppose Burgess is engaged in writing another history of his life. Neither of the prisoners is permitted to write except in. the presence of a warder. Kelly has spent a good deal of time in bed, since his conviction, aud has evidently broken down uuder -the anxious ordeal through which he has passed. The seizure of the manuscript of Burgess, by order of the Judge aud its transfer to the hands of the officers of the General Government, has been a heavy blow and great discouragement to the caterers who anticipated a rich harvest from its publication.

His Honor Judge Johnston left Nelson yesterday evening, by the Rangitoto. We are glad to learn that the promotions referred to by Judge Johnston, in his recent address to the jury aud the public, have taken place. Sergeant-major Sliallcrass, has been promoted to the rank of luspector of police ; Sergeant Edwards, to that of Sergeant-major; and Sergeant Nash, who has hitherto been second sergeant, to be that of Sergeant. The Rangitoto and Taranaki arrived at Wellington to-day. The Phcebe sailed from Picton this morning* The G. R. Argus has received information from the new rush at the Teremakau, to the effect that between 3.000 and 4.000 men are on the rush and iu its vicinity, but there is at present not sufficient ground for more thau a small proportion. Only two claims had been bottomed when our informant left, but the prospects in each were very good. The G. R. Argus reports .an accident of rather a serious nature which befel one of the employees in the office, named WiUiam Taylor. He was engaged working the press Avhen he inadvertently allowed his hand to remain on a part of the machine in which the heavy metal table traverses. The consequence was that his hand was jammed and severely crushed, several of the bones being brokiug. Dr. Smith attended to his injuries, and he is now in a fair way recovery. The G. R* Argus learns that a new and tolerably good rush has set in to a creek on the Inaugahua, but that mining affairs in that district are generally dull. The diggings on tliis side the Saddle nre decidedly the best, and it is expected that there will be a great improvement during the coming summer. From Duffer's, Noble's, and Red Jack's the accounts are highly satisfactory, the sluicing parties being all profitably engaged. The G. R, Argus notices, with regret, that the Hospital Committee has found Jt necessary to institute proceedings against its late collector for embezzlement, he having retained to his own use certain monies received by him as collector, aud not accounted for. The AV. C Times says that the news from the Scandinavian Rush (Stafford-Hill) is so far satisfactory that every shaft yet bottomed ou the lead is paying remarkably well. According to the W. C. Times a very extensive rush has set in to a terrace about two miles north of the Arahura River, at the back of the- Lagoon. The Okarita Times informs its readers that Mr. Peter Soreusen is about to uuder- ' take the speculation of placing on tbe river a punt for ferry purposes. The necessary timber is now laid down on the north bank of the river, and the work of constructing the punt is to be proceeded with immediately. The chains and other gear are being procured from Dunedin. The new diggings at the Arahura appear to be attracting a good many miners. The Hokitika papers state, however, that tbere is not room for any more new comers, every bitof available ground having been takeu up. The return of gold from \l\e Otago goldfields appears to be on the wane. The escort which arrived in Dunedin on the 10th of August, brought down the smallest amount for the year, 6,171 ounces — the produce of twelve gold-fields for a fortnight. The escort ouce brought down nearly 50,000 ounces for the same period. The Hokitika E. Star, thinks it may not be uninteresting to the honest portion of the public to know that the proposed Vagrant Act, which there is every reason to believe will soon be a law of the colony, has created the greatest confusion amongst the classes for whose especial beuefit it is designed. Several shady birds have recently sold off their establishments, and more aro preparing for flitting when the operation of this measure commences, If New Zealand can get rid of them in this way it is all the better,- instead of being compelled to feed and clothe them, either through arrest in anticipation, or in punishment after detected rascality. We have reason to believe that the police are quietly taking notes wherever stations are formed, and on the Vagrant Act coming iuto force more than at present suspect that harm

is hanginjr over them, will have to show that they have 'lawful visible means of support. Failing to do this, probably a hint at emigration, or the alternative of incarceration may be offered them.

The Taranaki Herald of the 15th states small parties of hostile natives have been seen in the neighbourhood of Urenui aud White Cliffs lately, who are probably Ngatimaniapotos, on their way from Ngatiruanui to their own homes. They have destroyed, to a considerable extent, the survey on the Pukearuhe block, on which Captain Messenger's company of military settlers is located ; and about a fortnight ago, fell in with a straggler from one ofthe camps, who suffei'ed no further injury from the encounter than a good fright.

The D. S. Cross, has some curious information from Waikato as to the way in wliich tlie natives took the visit of Thompson to Wellington. The hostile natives were, of course, anxious to bring something out of it unfavorable to the pakehas, and the report was spread that Thompson was dead — that he had been poisoned by the Governor's butler. The well disposed natives strenuously denied this, saying that the Governor would not do such a thiug when he had invited Thompson as a guest. As to how Thompson's going to Wellington has affected his influence amongst the natives, we are unable to speak. We learn that cousiderable dissatisfaction exists amongst the friendly natives in Waikato, and about Raglan, iu cousequence of the delay iu issuing to them Crown grants for certain pieces of land, which they were led to expect a considerable time ago. They have come to look upon the Crown grant as the only absolute and indefeasible title.

We learn from the Auckland Ilerald that the horrible wretch Kereopa has been seen lately at a place called Operau, sixteen miles from Alexandria. He went thither to pay obedience to King Matutaera, on warlike thoughts intent ; but tho king was "doing" the calumet of peace. It is said be pointed to the soothing "cutty." to his cap, his lately purchased left-off naval uniform, aud flually to his nev/ pair of "brecks," all of which he suspected shrewdly he might lose if he lent further ear to the voice of the tempter.

The Auckland Herald says -we liave had a young man amongst us for some time who aspires tothe notoriety oflhe hero of Mr. Ainsworth's novel — "Jack Sheppard." Tlie name of tliis ambitious youth is Frederick Piummer ; lie is said to be well connected. He has coufessed to the commission of more than twenty burglaries — he made no concealment. The Herald states that the district of the Kawhia has beeu raised by the King to the rank of an integral tetrarchonate, and four well-known rebels are tlie principal magistrates of this native stale. The pubiic spirit of these individuals is great. They sleep all day, smoke, eat. drink, talk, ancl play cards all night. Under auy other government in the world than ours it is probable that the native New Zealander, the finest aboriginal race yet met with, would have been a useful, if not, a very admirable, member of society.