The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 237, 8 December 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1866.

The Nelson Board of Works met on the 7th instant. Present: Mr. R. Bum (Chairman), Messrs. D. Burns, Carter, Rout, and Aitken. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that au additional fortnight be granted to the Secretary to complete the assessment, and that a subcommittee be appointed, consisting of Messrs. Burn, Burns, Aitken, and Bentley, to inspect the same and report to the next meeting. The Secretary reported that having examined the ground of complaint made by several inhabitants in Washington Valley, he found it necessary to proceed Avith the work at once, as the ditches were a complete nuisance to the neighborhood as well as endangered the health of the inhabitants Avho sent in the petition to the Board. Messrs. Cadell and Scott, of the Maitai Brewery, requested permission lay a drain under the road in Maitaistreet, leading from their premises to the river. Permission was refused. An application from Messrs. Trask and Cook, Hardy-street, to put up two posts in front of their shop, was granted. Permission was granted to Mr. J. A. Langford to erect a verandah before his shop, in Bridge-street, to correspond with those of Messrs. Merrington and Wilkins. A letter Avas received from Mr. T. Martin, Rising Sun, Waimea-road, informing the Board that he had collected the sum of £16 10s. from the residents of Kawai-street, towards the formation of a road near North Esk-street. It Avas resolved that the Board do work to the amount of £40, including the sum subscribed by the inhabitants, under the inspection of the Secretary. An application from Mr. W. C. Murfin for the amount of £27, for extra work in his contract at junction of Nile and Tasman streets, Avas not granted. Mr. E. T. Dearsley was permitted to erect a verandah in front of his shop in Waimea-street. It was resolved that the handrail be continued along the pile approaches at the junction of Nile and Tasman streets, similar to the one now on the bridge. The following accounts Avere passed: — Labor, £30 4s. Od.; Curtis Brothers, £1 9s. 9d.; Cockran, £30; Murfin, balance of coutract, £74 165.; Osman, £18; BroAvning, £5 ; Liverpool and London Insurance Company, £6 os.; Dunlop, £30 ss. The Board adjourned till the 21th. In the Resident Magistrate's Court, today, the Board of Works, summoned T. R. Berry, for £1 16s. 4d., arrears of rates. Judgment was given for plaintiff. Edmund Vellenuth and W. R. Cator, were each fined 10s. and costs, for a breach of the Cattle Trespass Act. T. M. Bryant, was complained against by Sergeant Nash, for riding in the public streets, au the 30th November, at a faster rate than Avas allowed by law. The defendant admitted the charge, but said he was riding a fast trotting pony, which shied at some men that were at work and Avent off at a taDgent in the direction of Sergeant Nash. He had control of the horse, and pulled him up the moment the sergeant spoke. Fined £2 and costs. R. Taylor complained against Geo. Sheppard for assaulting him on the 16th ult. The complainant stated that on the day in question he was riding from the port in a bus^Avith defendant. Some chaffing language was used on the occasion, the defendant calling him an old trap, aud he retorting by saying that Avas as good as a fly-blown saddler. When the bus arrived at Corbetfs corner, the defendant knocked him down and kicked him, and, Avhen he went into the Wakatu to dry his clothes, followed him there and kicked him again. In cross-examination by Mr. Pitt, complainant said he was not drunk, but had a glass or two. The chaff began by his using some words to the defendant in reference to "tuberosity." On leaving the bus he did not abuse the defendant, nor fight with Hargreaves the same night. He was not at all abusive, but was in a skylarking

humor. Thomas Scaife said he saw the defendant strike the complainant and kick him afterwards, but was not aware of any cause for the assault. James M'Conkey, Avho was riding on the bus, heard complainant make some reference to tuberosity, but was unable to repeat all the words used. Here his Worship expressed his anxiety to have the exact words, but the clerk had not recorded them, in consequence of their mysterious nature and the voluble manner in which the first witness had expressed himself. Taylor was recalled, and amidst roars of laughter, said the first words he used to defendant were "How's the tuberosity of your akinion?" which Mr. Pitt said the defendant called Mr. Newton's words, but they appeared very unintelligible to the Bench and the audience. Mr. M'Conkey said he heard words like these used, but he did not consider them ill natured or likely to cause the assault. What began in chaff ended in anger; in fact, Mr Sheppard was not pleased throughout. Taylor was half drunk, and talked in an excited manner. On getting off the bus the complainant told the defendant to come on, on which the defendant struck him. Complainant had said in the bus he could take it out of defendant at any time. There was no challenge to fight, but there was a great deal of jaw. He saAV defendant strike complainant and attempt to kick him, but was not certain if he did kick him. Mr Pitt, for defendant, said when the Magistrate heard the other side he would conclude it was a very trumpery affair. Taylor was greatly in fault ; he had given gross provocation and brought the assault upon himself. He did not justify the defendant's taking the law into his own hands, but his witnesses would prove great provocation, and he doubted not that the Court would inflict a mere nominal fine or dismiss the case. Mr Pitt then gave defendant's version of the story, which he Avas prepared to substantiate in evidence. The Magistrate said he was satisfied without hearing further evidence. No doubt an assault had been committed, but of such a kind and under such circumstances as called for no great penalty. He should inflict a fine of 10s. and costs. A recent number of -the N. Z. Advertiser informs us that our Auckland freinds have been indulging in a little excitement over an election for a seat in the Provincial Council. There were two candidates, and a rather amusing scene tools place at the hustings. The seconder of one candidate accused the editor of the Ferald, Mr. Wilson, who was a supporter of the other caudidate, with having stated that if rum and money would put him in, in he must go. A little mau named Voii Stunner, connected with the Herald, got obstreperous on this, aud great confusion reigned for a time, giving the Returning Officer no little trouble. The candidate — Mr. Wynn, an attorney — who was to be put in with rum and money, retaliated on his opponent — Mr. Hurst, a "potato-dealer" — by saying that that gentleman had said he only wanted to go to the Council in order to be educated for the House of Commons, as he had influential friends at home, and expected to be returned M.P. some day when he Avent back. Mr, Wynn offered to name the person to whom Mr. Hurst had made this statement, but Mr. Hurst thought there Avas no necessity. A poll was taken on a subsequent day, Avhen the attorney beat his opponent by some thirty votes. The H. B. Herald says of the Maori prisoners at the Chatham Islands, though cheerful and well-behaved, they have a strong yearning to get back to their native country, and, forgetting their own offences, attach blame to those who have continued in arms against the Government, and thus shut out all chances of their (the early prisoners) getting back soon. A stiauge discovery has been made on the island, viz., that, among the fiee population, is resident a Maori named Hare te Paea, who is alleged to be the murderer of Mr. Charles Brown, in the early part of the Taranaki war. We trust the Government will . give orders for the immediate apprehension of this criminal. As Dr. Hector was crossing the Waingaro river on the 22nd ult., he discovered the body of a woman lying iu the stream. On

being brought on shore, the body was identified as that of Mrs. Kealy, an old and much respected settler, who, it is supposed, met her death by falling from her horse when fording the river. A correspondent of the H. B. Herald, writing from the Chatham Islands, thus refers to the new arrivals : — We have become vastly fond of the Hau-haus, and the Government are so sensible of this that they have presented us with another batch of 60 of the most truculent looking villains imaginable. Such at least was our impression, as an involuntary expression escaped us — "Great God ! if such is the sample, what must the bulk be ?" The N. Z. Herald states that a man named Mills was recently brought to Auckland, in the Petrel, by the constable stationed afc Coromaudel, charged with larceny, namely, stealing a watch. It appears this is the veritable Jack Ketch Avho hung the murderer Stack, and showed to several Government officials and gentlemen his partiality for good fruit and good company, to the great amusement of the public at the time. We perceive by our Hokitika files that efforts are being made to form a gas company iu Hokitika. We can only hope that its projectors will be successful. The Hawke's Bay Herald of the 24th ult. sates — We learn from a private source that a resident in Auckland — a gentleman of large capital and extended enterprise, who some time since took a run in the Waikato — is about to take the initiative in opening the road between Napier and that district for the transit of stock. We learn from the Taranaki Herald, that at the close of the fire brigade meeting a few days ago, his Honor the Superintendent announced that a class for the study of physical science was about to be formed from amongst the members of the institute. The class will have the use of the electrical machines, galvanic batteries, and other instruments lately arrived from Eugland. The Auckland Penny Journal of the 24th ult. is responsible for the following : — A Yankee from the rural districts went to a post-office the other day, and' presented a bank note in payment for five shillings' AVorth of stamps. He was told that paper money was not received. The countryman thought the post-office officials very particular, so he went and obtained five shillings' worth of coppers. "Now," said he, on returning to the office, and laying down his pile on the windoAv of delivery, "I guess I can suit ye." The man inside looked at the display of coppers, and coolly replied, "We never take more than four-pence in copper at a time — it is not a legal tender above that sum." The countryman looked at the composed official for the space of a minute without stirringr, and then belched out, "Look here, you — ain't you mighty kind o' particular for fellows locked up in such a gaol as this 'ere ? You don't fake only four-pence of copper at a time, hey ? Well, then, s'pose you give me a penny's worth of stamps anyhow." The official very politely cut him off a single stamp, and passed it out, for which the countryman laid down a penny. He was about to pass away, Avhen the latter cried out, " Look here, you, that 'ere's one time. Noav s'pose you give me a penny's Avorth more on 'em." The clerk was not sloav in discovering that he had caught a Tartar. He turned back to the window and asked, "Hoav many coppers have you got ?" " Well, only about fifty-seven of 'em. I had sixty Avhen I begun." "Pass them in," was the gruff reply. "Pass out the stamps fust,and then I will ; but I recken you won't ketch me again." The stamps Avere passed out, and the coppers handed over, when the countryman went of saying, " I s'pose because a fellow holds a office in a place like this, he thinks he is smarter' n all creation ; but I guess they larn't something that time from me." Mr. Nicholson, upholsterer, of Cuba-street, (says the Advertiser) has in his work-shop a new knife cleaner made by himself and the inventor, also a Wellington resident, which it is believed will prove to be a superior machine to the celebrated Keut machines now so much in use. It differs from those

I machines in the knives being put in at the sides, and not at the circumference, so that every portion of the blade is equally cleaned, and there is no pressure whatever on the haft. These will be recognised at once as great advantages over the English machines, which wear away the knives at the point, and often damage the handles. The Canterbury Provincial Council have voted £500 for the purpose of providing a suitable reception of his Excellency the Governor, who is expected to visit the southern provinces during the summer. The strangest ornithological pitched battle we have ever been called upon to record, remarks the Ararat Advertiser, took place a few days ago, in the ranges to the west of Ararat. A digger in walking to his claim, somewhere in the neighborhood of Port Curtis Hill, observed a very unusual commotion amongst a number of magpies, and on going to the place, found that the trees in the vicinity were almost alive with this description of bird, perching on the branches almost as thickly as they could stand, and seemingly intent only on flying to and fro from an open spot of ground which the trees surrounded, and giving expression to a sharp shrill call that bore no resemblance to their usual notes. On approaching the place, he found no less than eleven of them lying dead in a circle surrounding alarge haAvk, also dead, while three or four were fluttering about blind and wounded. On examining the birds minutely, our informant states he found that the eyes of all, including the hawk, were picked out, and the latter bird bore evidences of having passed through a desperate struggle before being placed hors de combat.