The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 79, 4 April 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1867.

FAREWELL MEETING IN THE WESLEYAN CHURCH. The Eev. Messrs. Kirk and Bunn, Wesley an Ministers of this town, being in obedieuce to the appointment of the Conference, about to leave the province, the former for Wellington and the latter for Southland, the members of the congregation took farewell of them lust evening at a tea-meeting, and subsequently at a public meeting which was numerously attended. Mr. R. Burn occupied the chair, and in commencing the proceedings remarked on the custom that prevailed amongst the body, requiring the ministers to move periodically from one district to another. He expatiated on the advantages the Wesleyans of Nelson had derived from the ministrations of the gentlemen of whom they were about to take a sorrowful and affectionate farewell. They had beeu instrumental in communicating much spiritual instruction, reclaiming many from the paths of error, and stimulating the whole body to a diligent discharge of their religious duties. The church and congregation highly appreciated the patience, zeal, and devoteduess of the ministers who were now about to leave them, aud wished them great success in their future undertakings. The chairman then called on the circuit steward to move a resolution that had been, previously agreed on. Mr. R. Lucas, the Circuit Steward, said he had great pleasure in moving the following resolution, which he doubted not would find acceptance with the friends and members present: " That the cordial thanks of the Wesleyan. Church and congregations of the Nelson Circuit, be accorded to the Rev. W. Kirkand the Rev. R. S. Bunn, for their faithful, affectionate, and successful labors, during their residence in Nelson ; and we pray that the Great Head of the Church, who has so signally owned and blessed their labors here, may go with them to their new spheres of labor, and make them a still greater blessing than he has heretofore." He was happy to say that the circuit was in a most healty financial state, which was to be attributed to the selfdenying labors of the miuisiers who were ebout to leave them. It could not be denied that great things had been accomplished during the period of their ministrations. For instance, the society had raised £950 towards the ministers house and schoolhouse, in Nelson, which were now free from debt. They had erected a gallery .in Nelson Chapel, at a cost of £190, this was also paid for. A Chapel and Minister's house had beeu built at Richmond, the cost of which was £450. A small debt of £175 was all that remained on these buildings, an amount which he hoped would be reduced to £75 next year. They had expended £150 for furniture in the Ministers houses. There was only a debt of £400 remaining on the whole of the block of buildings and land in Nelson. The liberal contributions of the people had en~ abled the officers to pay the ministers' salaries without begging. Pie felt that the people were grateful to Messi-s. Kirk and Bunn for the share they had in securing this prosperity. It was as satisfactory to their ministers who were now leaving them that the cause was comparatively free from debt, as it would be to the new ministers to find themselves free from so great a source of anxiety. He. believed that the spiritual feeling amongst the Wesleyan community was, thanks to the efforts of the ministers, blessed by their Divine Masier, as conspicuous as was the financial prosperity ; and the members and congregation could not allow their instructors to depart without showing them how high they stood in the estimation of the Wesleyan community, aud wishing that an abundant blessing might rest on themselves, their families, and their labors. Mr. Wagg seconded the resolution, in a speech characterised by good feeling towards Messrs. Kirk and Bunn, who were highly eulogised for their laborious services and the work they had accomplished during their residence in the Nelson circuit. .

The resolution was carried b$^ acclamation. The Rev. Mr. Kirk, in returning thanks, took a review of his labors, during the last four years amongst the Wesleyans of Nelson. He dwelt on the difficulties he. encountered in the early period of his ministry, in consequence of his having labored for many years previously exclusively amongst the Maori race, which deprived him to some extent of the efficiency which was expected by an English cougregation. As he came to Nelson not by his own wish, but at the desire of his older brethren in the ministry, he addressed himself to the difficulties of the situation with all the vigor and energy he possessed, aud was thankful to lose that feeling of despondency which affected him in the early days of' his miuistry. In reference to success he held that a minister was not responsible for this. It was the duty of a minister to be faithful to -his charge, and success must spring from a higher source. He trusted the new ministers would be received in a candid and liberal spirit, that slight deficiencies would be regarded Jin a charitable aspect, and that if adveile criticism were indulged in, it would not be allowed to reach the ears of the object of it, as was the case with him in an early -period of his labour, much to his discomfort, and adding to a sense of self-depreciation which was sufficiently oppressive. He rejoiced in the success which had attended Mr. Bunn's labors, and was thankful the finances of the society were in so satisfactory a state. The Rev. gentleman concluded a most feeling address by reciprocating the good wishes which the congregation had so cordially expressed. The Rev. Mr. Bunn delivered an address characterised by deep feeling in which he glanced at the most interesting features of his labors amongst the Wesleyans of Nelson province. The difficulties of the Christian minister were dwelt upon with great pathos. It was shown that the man who laid himself out to instruct the ignorant, reclaim the vicious, and assist the disconsolate, was engaged. in a work that required the greatest sympathy from those amougst whom he labored. He was thankful for the success which had attended his labors in the rural districts, and felt proud that at Richmond, Spring Grove, Hope, and Motueka, the society was increasing in numbers and influence. Having expressed a desire that both he and Mr. Kirk might be enabled to continue faithful and efficient in the new sphere of action to which they were called, he concluded by expressing the gratification he felt at the manner in which the services of himself and brother minister had been appreciated by the people. Several members of the congregation having testified to the advantages they had received from the instructions afforded by the ministers, the proceedings were brought to a close by singing and the benediction.

In our Police report, yesterday, Sigley v. Rowlands was by mistake printed for Rowlands v. Sigley. We are indebted to the officers of the Claud Hamilton for copies of the Wellington Evening Post, from March 26th to 30th inclusive ; and to those of the Stormbird, for the Evening Post of the Ist April, and the New Zealand Advertiser of same date. We have to thank the officers of the Airedale for two copies of the New Zealand Herald, sent us in exchange for the Mail. The New Zealand Advertiser of the Ist instant has the following paragraph : — "The Nelson Evening Mail, singular among the other publications in the same town, complains of a lack of supplies of our paper. Our shipping reporter assures us that files have been sent by all the steamers to all the Nelson papers. We have not had any complaints of the exchanges for the Examiner and Colonist not having come to hand, so we are inclined to believe that, the files for the Mail must (unaccountably no doubt) have gone astray. We are punctilious in our files of exchanges, and regret that anything should have occurred to interrupt the cordial current of communication between ourselves and the Evening Mail."

We can assure our contemporary, without pretending to iiccouut for the mishap, that bis exchanges do not reach us. To insure them, wo have posted the Mail to the New Zealand Advertiser, in addition to sending files per steamers. Yesterday, the 3rd instant, we received one copy only per the Stormbird, which is duly acknowledged in our columns; but we have a painful conviction that there are numerous copies in arrear. ' We. hope for better things. •.The Nelson Cricketers have been informed that the Wellington Eleven will not be able to come to Kelson this season. We need not hardly say, that in common with a great number of town's people, we deeply regret that the Wellington Cricketers have come to this resolution. The Nelson Harmonic Society give their Second Quarterly Concert for this .year at the Provincial Hall, this evening. The programme comprises selections from Costa's latest Oratorio, Naaman, which was performed with so much success at the last Norwich Festival, aud the second part consist of a miscellaneous selection of secular music of a miscellaneous character. A meeting was held at the Catholic Station yesterday evening, with a view to concert means to secure the assistance of Sisters of Charity in the female school attached to the mission. The meeting was numerously and respectably attended, and was highly successful, upwards of £120 having been subscribed in the room towards this object. It is stated that £100 will be the amount requisite to defray the expenses of the passage money, outfit, &c, of the Sisters, and also to erect a suitable building for their reception on their arrival here, (which will, in all probability, take place in about nine mouths' time), and that on the will known zeal of the body in the province, will without very great difficulty supply the sum. for so laudable a purpose. We give more fully the verdict of the Court of Inquiry, recently held on the loss of the steamship Star of the Evening. Mr. Coutts Crawford concludes an elaborate report as follows : — Taking into consideration the darkness of the night, I am of opinion that a course outside the Ariel should have been steered, passing seven or eight miles to the eastward until he got into 40 fathoms of water, when a northerly course might have been taken with safety. In conclusion, it is but just to observe that the master had made about sixty voyages on that coast, and had never before met with any accident; and that all on board do readily attest to his utmost personal attention during the whole of the nij^ht upon which he sustained the loss of his ship. The West Coast Times, of the 25th ult , says : — The s.s. Gothenburg steamed away to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon with 7,379 ounces of gold dust, of which 3,750 ounces were shipped by the Bank of New South Wales, and 3,629 by the Bauk of New Zealand. We (Wellington Evening Post) observe in the Police Office photographs and descriptions of two young, men who have absconded from Messrs. Bell and Black's wax match manufactory in London, taking with them a considerable amount of money. We (Wellington Evening Post) hear " that Captain Turner, late of the Star of the Evening, has been appointed in the South td take over charge of another steamer. We learn from the Wanganui Times that a meeting of Hau-haus and friendly natives took place at Papatopu, on the "VVaitotara River,- .on the 23rd ult. The object >of the meeting was to form aa amalgamation . between the King Maoris and the loyal natives. The Lord Bishop of Canterbury held a confirmation at Rangiora on Sunday week last, at which twenty young persons partook of the rite. His Honor the Superintendent of Canterbury has intimated the probability of his granting 300 acres, where the Grey mouth race course is situated, as a public recreation gi'ound. : The Otago Provincial Council elections have resulted generally in the return of candidates favorable to Mr. Mticandrew.

The Hon. Major Richardsou has lost his seat in the Otago Council for Clutha, having only polled 40. votes to his opponent's 360. The Bruce Herald of 20th March, relates the following romance of Mr. Macandrew's election: — At the West Taieri on the polling. day. an old settler, with a horse and cart, had travelled several miles to record his vote, but, before doing so, had to stable his horse ; while in the act of unyoking, the horse bounded forward, knocking him down, treading severely on his hand, while the wheel of the cart passed over his arm and head. Medical aid was promptly procured, but the injuries -were of so severe a nature that he was oi-dered to be carefully conveyed home. In due course the doctor's orders were being obeyed, but on nearing the polling booth our hero observed he was being driven past, made a signal to stop, and ordered the man to drive him to the poll, to which the driver objected. Upon which the poor man with a desperate effort half raised himself, and addressed him thus — "With my last breath I command you to drive me to the poll, that I may vote for Macandrew." He was accordingly driven to the booth — the papers were brought to the cart and signed in a way to satisfy the Returning Officer that the vote was for Macandrew ; having done so he exclaimed with extreme satisfaction, "lean now die in peace, as I have done my duty to au honest man, and a man who helped me and my family at a time when I had need of it." The Victorian papers abound in allusions to the Cumberland disease, which Las been brought across the Murray, from New South Wales. The border papers appear to have exaggerated the evil in stating that persons have died from eating the flesh. The government have investigated the matter with the following result : — We understand that the government yesterday received information that the Cumberland disease had brokeu out amongst. sheep at Edgehill, near Warigaratta. The Chief Secretary at once telegraphed.to the local inspector to proceed to the spot, and report upon the alleged occurrence. If necessary, another travelling inspector will be dispatched to the district to-morrow; aud if, as is expected, the Public Health Act Amendment Bill passes the Legislative Council to-day, stringent measures will at once be adopted to prevent contagion from infected cattle or sheep in New South Wales. So far as the inspector's investigations in Beechworth and the neighboring localities havereached, the matter appears to have been exaggerated. No evil effects have followed the eating of the sheep alleged to have been diseased, which hove been killed for human food. The inspector had oue killed in his presence. It appeared to be perfectly healthy, and he afterwards partook of the meat. The Mrs. Kelly, whose death was attributed to having eaten diseased meat, died, it seems, from disease of the kidneys. There is no reason to doubt that the Cumberland disease lias appeared on the other side of the Murray, aud the fact has, we believe, been communicated by the New South Wales inspector to the liead of his department. It is, however, difficult to arrive at the exact truth of the matter, us whilst the trans-Murray squatters are most anxious to conceal a fact so injurious to them, the ' Victorian graziers are equally interested in exaggerating the real facts of the case, since if they prevent the importation of cattle and sheep from the neighboring colony they will realise much higher prices for their own stock. In its agricultural report, under the date of March 18th, the Argus says :— All Jhe reports received as yet by the Chief Secretaay about the diseased sheep which have crossed the Murray; were laid before the Assembly last evening, and from them we learn that there is little cause for further alarm on the subject, although our chief inspector of sheep says, in his letter, that, if the Cumberland disease once obtains a footing in this colony, its ravages may not come to an end uutil millions of sheep have become its victims. As we pointed out last week, this is an epidemic, not a contagious disease, so there is no danger of its obtaining a footing here simply be-, cause a few sheep with the germs of it in' them happen to have been driven across, the border while able •to travel. The flock appears to have consisted of 300 when it reached Albury, 200 of which' were sold to the butcher, who died there from the effects of animal, poison, aud the remaining 100 to different butchers at. Beeehworth. None of .these or their cus-

tomers have suffered any ill effects from either killing the sheep or eating them, so we may suppose that all the diseased sheep had died before they got further than Albury, and that all the remainder of the flock have beea killed before this. — Grey River Argus. We give the following for the benefit of our lady readers : — How to take care of a Piano. — It should be remembered that the pianoforte is susceptible of a change of temperature, and, when tuned in one temperature, it will be out of tune in another. Good and well-made pianofortes will stand in tune, if they are tuued in proper periods. Many people, if they wish to avoid expense, will let their instruments remain long out of tune, which is a great detriment to them, as they are less likely to stand well after having been so left. We will offer a few hints in reference to the matter. A pianoforte ought justly to-be tuned twice a year at least. First, when you commence with a fire in the room ; second, when a fire is discontinued. By following this course, you have the best guarantee that the instrument will remain in tune for the longest period of time. A^ain, the instrument should not be suffered to remain long below concert pitch ; if it is for years tuned below, it will never stand up to the pitch without a great deal of labor, if, indeed, it ever stands at all. Many otherwise beautiful instruments are nearly or quite ruined for want of proper attention to these simple facts. Yet it will not answer for a professional tuner to recommend these things ; if he does, the people will suspect him immediately of selfish motives, and say that he is planniug for his own advantage. Owners of pianofortes who are not acquainted with the nature of the instrument ought to bear these facts in mind, when, by a yearly outlay of a trifling sum, they may save themselves infinitely more than they expend by the preservation of their instrument in which they have invested so much. A letter, dated 26th January, from the Crown law officers in London, has been received by the Sydney Government in reference to Bertrand's case. The case for the crown was ready for hearing, probably on the Ist February last, when the Privy Council was to sit. The ease ou behalf of Bertram! had not been lodged by his solicitors, though it was understood to be in preparation, and would probably be ready when called upon. It is very probable that by the next mail, via Suez, the Governiwent will be informed, by telegram, of the result which may be arrived at. On the 13th ult., as the Omeo, steamship, lying at Newcastle, was getting under way for sea, a serious and most painful accident occurred to the chief engineer, Mr. Carter. It appears that Carter, with several others, was engaged in cleaning one of the flues attached to the boiler, the instrument used being a long iron rod ; and while striking this with a heavy mallet one of the plugs with which the boiler is studded was driven out of its place. A great rush ot steam of course immediately took place, and as Mr. Carter was standing opposite the aperture he was iv an instant covered with the scalding vapour, the full force of which was directed against his arms, ueck, and shoulders. As soon as the accident was preceived a general rush was made for the deck by the firemen and others in the engine-room, many of whom were .under the impression that the boiler was bursting ; and Mr. Carter, who was half blind and mad with pain, jumped overboard into the river. The tide was running very strong at the time, and it is probable that he would have been drowned, but a waterman named Green happened to be passing at the time, aud Carter was as soon as possible rescued from his perilous position and conveyed on board again. His injuries were then attended to, and although they were found to be of a very painful character, we are happy to state that no serious consequences are likely to ensue. Sydney telegrams state that Dixou, for the Oriental Bank bill robbery, has been remanded for trial to the Melbourne April Criminal Assizes, instead of the case being proceeded with during the present sittings of the Crimiual Court. The Customs receipts of New South Wales for the month of December, amounted to £60,466, making a total for the past year of £766,000. This is about £200,000 -less than the Customs receipts of New Zealand, which has not half the population of New South Wales, nor half the extent of pastoral aud agricultural country.

To those who have worn down their teeth iii masticating poor old tougpl cow beef, says the Queen, we will say that carbonate of soda will be found a remedy for the evil. Cut the steaks, the day before using, into slices about two inches thick, rub over them a small quantity of soda, wash it off next morning, cut it into suitable thickness, and cook to notion. The same process will answer for fowls, legs of mutton, &c. Try it, all who love delicious, tender, dishes of meat.