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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 156, 6 July 1867, Page 2

Those who may desire to possess souvenirs of the visit to this city of the Nathan Family, who left this morning for Wellington, and whose versatile and precocious powers have left such pleasurable reminiscences amongst us, will be gratified to learn that Mr. Block, of Hardy-street, was enabled to take portraits of, we believe, each member of the party, which are excellent likenesses. Two or three portraits of Mr. Chambers in various characters, of the size known to photographers as the " Cabinet," are also not only interesting as likenesses, but also as works of art, being very cleverly and effectively managed. Mr. Small's h'er^ff at the Odd Fellews' Hali on Thursday evening was a complete success, the building being well filled, and the performances all that could be desired. The Nathan children appeared in no less than three new pieces, and gained new laurels in each of them. We much regret that our present space will not admit of a more lengthened notice of the performance, which was received throughout with most genuine and well merited applause. Mr. Small, the beneficiaire, in the Irish Tutor? (poor Tyrone Power's famous parfc), wa3 most successful, and his announcement that the Troupe would revisit Nelson at no very distant date, was hailed with real pleasure by the audience, who, one and all, seemed sorry to part with this very clever family, who have afforded the Nelsonians so much real enjoyment during the last few weeks.

At a meeting held in the Suburban North district on Monday last> the following gentlemen were elected to fill the vacancies in the Country Road Board in place of those retiring. Mr. A. S. Collins and Mr. T. Doughty, who were members ofthe Board before, were both reelected, and Mr. W. Wastney was elected in the place of Mr. R. Pollock, whose term of office-had expired, but who was not proposed for re-election. Mr. J. M. Pierson -and Mr. E. Wastney were elected auditors bf the accounts of the late Board. At a general meeting of the ratepayers in the Pangatotara Road District, held on Monday last — the first Monday in July — according to fche provisions of the Act Mr. Henry Young was requested to take the chair. The Secretary and Chairman of the Board produced an abstract of the accounts, with th-pv accounts themselves in detail, and gaveVknfißxplanation of the proceedings of the Board during the year just expired. The outgoing members, Messrs. Wright, Marshall, and Dutton (the latter absen&.^ye **n account of their stewardship, .^fthen left the election of three new members of the Board to the meeting, which wds unusually numerous. The two outgoing members were then almost unanimously re-elected, with the addition of Mr. T. Heath. The accounts were audited, and pronounced to -be correct and satisfactory, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meet- '- ing separated. As has been already observed, there was an unusual number of ratepayers present, and the meeting passed off very satisfactorily, even though one of the party did his utmost to prevent it, by raising several questions which were pronounced by the meeting to be factious and useless, the chairman explaining all the points raised to the evident satisfaction of a iarge majority of the ratepayers present. The opening of the new Anglican Church of St. Michael, Waimea West, took place yesterday afternoon, in accordance with the.announcements which had -appeared in the local journals. It had been hoped that the Bishop of New Zealand, who had arrived that morning in the Phoebe from Auckland, en route for Wellington^* would have been present on the occasion; but at the last moment his Lordship, learning that the Waimea river was rapidly rising, was reluctantly compelled ' to give up his intention, fearing lest his return to town might be thus prevented. Although the weather was anything but propitious, the rain falling almost without intermission throughout the day, a large number of persons were present, tie church being filled to its utmost extent. Several of the Anglican clergy of the diocese^ took part in the service, the Rev. F. Tripp reading the Evening Service as far as the Psalms ; the Psalms as far as the third collect being read by the Rev. S. Poole and the rest of the prayers by the Rev. T. S. Tudor. The first lesson was read by the Rev. W. Lewis, the second by the Rev. A. Towgood, the sermon being preached by the Rev. G. H. Johnston, Commissary of the Diocese, who took his text from tho 18th chapter of Sfc. Matthew, 19, 20 verses. The reverend preacher dwelt at some length on the nature of prayer, and on the sanctity of the realisation of God's presence in buildings set apart for His service, and then feelingly and eloquently alluded to the peculiar circumstauces which had given rise to the erection of this church, as a memorial to the late Captaiu BlundeU, adverting to his many virtues and piety, and quoting many recent precedents, in the mother country,, of the erection of similar memorials. At the conclusion of the sermon a collection was made, which amounted to more than £11. St. Michael's Church is of a good ecclesiastical character, being designed, as far as wae possible in a wooden structure, in the

early pointed style* Mr. Brunner, the Provincial Surveyor, being the architect, and is also well and substantially built, the tower at the east end being surmounted with a small spire, which produces a very good effect.. The building is calculated, with the gallery (in front of which is a tablet to the memory of the late Captain Bluudell), to hold about 150 persons. Bishop Selwyn left this morniDg by the i Airedale for Wellington en route for Panama, being accompanied on board the vessel by several of the clergy of the diocese, who remained with his Lordship until its departuie. We understand that the Bishop's absence from the colony will not exceed twelve months.