The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 124, 30 May 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1867.

The Maungatapu Monument is now erected in the new Cemetery, over the graves of the illfated victims of the terrible tragedy which it is intended to commemorate, and, we are happy to say, more than fulfils the lavonrable anticipations created by the design of which it is the embodiment. It forms a conspicuous aud ve^y graceful feature in the Cemetery, and reflects the highest credit on Mr. Burnett, of Hardy-street, who undertook the contract for its construction. Not only has Mr. Burnett conscientiously fulfilled tlie conditions of his agreement, but he has also added, without further charge, two extra feet to the original height of the obelisk, which have added very materially to the general effect. Messrs. Wimsett, to whom the execution of theiron railing round the monument was confided, which, we may observe, is of very light aud graceful character, have also behaved with similar liberality. It has been finally determined — and we think with great propriety — that the obelisk shall not be painted, but be coated with Rausome's Silicate, which is understood to have the effect of hardening, and also of preventing the discoloration incidental to the Sydney sandstone. When this has been satisfactorily completed, the inscriptions, which are already cut, will be colored, and the monument will then be ready foi the inspection of the public. 1 lt may be as well to state that ifc would hardly be fair to form a judgment upon the general effect of the monument in its present state, and we would therefore counsel those who purpose visiting the Cemetery for this purpose, to defer doing so for a week or ten days. The completion of this memorial suggests the propriety of taking such immediate steps as may relieve the Committee from the responsibility which they have incurred in the matter. We need hardly recall to the recollection of our readers that, as yet, no call has been made upou the general public with a view to the liquidation of the expenses attendant on the erection of the monument, the amount already collected having been subscribed by the Committee and by the miners. "We therefore feel confident that the public will come forward generously in. support of any effort that may be made to meet not only the deficit in the fund required for the erection of the monument — some £60 or £70 — but" also to provide the medals promised to all those who joined the search party, as honorable souvenirs of their exertions on the occasion. These, like that much coveted distinction, the Victoria Cross, need not be of very expensive material, and will not probably constitute a very costly item. It has been suggested that, with a view to supply the required sum, a grand Concert Monstre should be given, in which the members of the Harmonic Society, together with the Volunteer Band, and in fact all the available musical talent iu town, should take part, and we feel confident that not only would every musician amoDgst us gladly cou tribute his or her services on the occasion, but that such an entertainment would be very gratifying aud attractive to the public, and, consequently, very well calculated to replenish the coffers of the Committee, to whom so large a debt of public gratitude is owing for the faithful and satisfactory manner in which they have fulfilled the duties confided to them. We trust that uo time will be lost in following up this suggestion, and that we may soon have the gratification of presenting it in a less crude aud ill-defined form to our readers. Pursuant to advertisement, a meeting of the members of the proposed Volunteer Artillery Corps was held at at the Bank : : Hotel, Hardy -street, yesfcei'day evening. .

for the purpose of enrolling additional members,"and of electing their officers, &c. The meeting was numerously attended, and the proceedings were carried ou e con amore. 'Forty-five members were enrolled, and Mr. Albert Pitt, M. P. C. was unanimously elected Captain, the other officers to' be selected after the members have gone through' some preliminary drill. A committee was formed with power to frame rules for the regulation of the corps, to propose a suitable uniform &c,. and will meet again on Wednesday evening to ■ report progress. VVe believe that every probability exists that the corps will become very popular, and that a considerable addition will be made Jo the present number of its members; From intelligence received by the Stormbird, which arrived here this afternoon, having left Westport yesterday, we learn that the accounts from the rushes at Waite's Pakihis, and the Caledonian lead, were very encouraging, Not less than 6000 persons were ou the [ground. / A very substantial culvert-bridge has just been erected by the Board of Works /at the corner of Victory-square formed /by the junction of Hampden and St. Vincentjstreets, which is worthy of especial notice, as being the first brick bridge cony structed in the city by that corporation. Vfhe contract for the execution of this work was taken, as we understand, at a very low figure — ouly £89 10s. — by Messrs. Bioy aud Gillespie, but has, nevertheless, been very satisfactorily carried out, and the bridge is creditable to all concerned in its construction. Apropos to this neighborhood, we would suggest to the Board of Works that the banks of the stream over which this bridge has been erected, and which forms the outlet of all the drainage of Victorysquare and Toi-toi VaUey, should be secured without loss of time. If precautions of this nature be not adopted, each successive flood will commit fresh ravages on the bauks, and thus necessitate a far greater expenditure in the future than would be requisite to achieve this object at the present time. Great dissatisfaction is expressed by persons coming here from the West Coast for the purpose of purchasing sheep and cattle for that market, and who find themselves unable to ship their purchases in consequence of the fact that the majority, if not all, the present steamers plying between Nelson aud the Western ports are monopolized by two or three local dealers. It is evident that such a system must naturally have the effect of sending the West Coast dealers to Australia for supplies, aud a glaring injury is thus inflicted upon our own stockowners. Mr. T. H. Pollock, tbe agent for Cooke Zoyara aud Wilson's Great World's Circus, whose approaching visit to Nelson has been so long announced in our columns, arrived by the Rangitoto, and informs us that the Company will make their first appearance on Monday evenmg next, on the ground adjoining Mi\ Fisher's timber-yard, in Bridge-street. From the success which this Company has achieved in other parts of th ; s colony, and from the ample patronage which is invariably extended to entertainments of this character in Nelson, we may reasonably anticipate that during their stay, (whicb, we are informed, will be limited to four nights), they will have crowded houses. We may mention that not only the New Zealand, but also the Australian papers speak in the highest terms of the performances of this Company. Intelligence has reached Sydney by the last Mail that no further steps had. been taken in Bertraud's case ; but the solicitors for the Crown were ready witli the arguments in support of the appeal when called upon.