The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1867. EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 223, 23 September 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1867. EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

We summarise the following intelligence received yesterday by the Phoebe.

The English papers are filled with details of the magnificent reception given to the Sultan and the Viceroy of Egypt, and to the Belgian Volunteers. The Sultan took up his residence at Buckingham Palace, but went to Windsor on the day following his arrival, where he lunched with the Queen. Concerts and fireworks at the Crystal Palace, a City reception, a naval review, a ball at the Agricultural Hall, with many other entertainments of the most magnificent character were offered to him, and every homage has been paid to the great Mahommedan ruler. The Viceroy was also heartily welcomed; he was feasted at Guildhall and made a speech iv Arabic, and at the Dramatic Fair at the Crystal Palace won all hearts by presenting a pretty girl who offered him a scent bottle with a purse containing £50. The Viceroy was the guest of Earl Dudley during his visit to England. Upwards of 2000 Volunteers accepted the invitation of the English people, and received some return for the splendid hospitalities shown to our countrymen iv Belgium. The weather unfortunately was stormy, but nevertheless the whole affair passed off" with much spirit, and showed the Belgians that if the British people have not learned to entertain graciously, they at least do so heartily. Wimbledon" shooting has been exceeedingly good this year. The International Challenge Trophy has been again secured by Scotland. The Lords and Commons have shot against one another, and the latter have been victorious, whilst the Queen's Prize, won last year by a Scot, has this year been carried off by a Bristolian Sergeant Lowe, of the Ist Gloucestershire, with 57 points out of a possible 84. Harrow again carried off the Public Schools' Prize. The Chancellors' Challenge Plate competed for by the Oxford and Cambridge Universities, was won on a fearfully windy day by Oxford, by 8 points. The Princess of Wales is doing well, and continuing on the path of complete recovery. On every fine day she takes exercise in the garden of Marlborough House in her carriage. No national steps are to be taken by Europe to avenge the death of the Emperor Maximilian. Lord Derby uttered the strongest denunciation of the cruel and useless crime, but Lord Stanley told the House of Commons that he could not assent to a resolution condemning the deed, as it would be necessary to go into the whole history, of the case, and the expedition to Mexico. Moreover, ours is not, he said, a Parliament of the world, but of the United Kingdom, and it is not our business to be offering opinions upon acts of other nations. The unhappy Empress is said to have been restored to reason, for a few minutes,, by hearing of her husband's fate, but to have relapsed at once, and none can "wish it otherwise. The American Press is honorably indignant against the insult and ingratitude offered to the United States, which made the Empire impossible, and oaly asked in return the poor boon of the life of a young man. Interference is more than hinted at. The news of the Emperor Maximilian's death, which.reached his brother the Emperor of Austria at the Munich Railway Station, produced a terrible effect on him, and he was seen to weep bitterly. Lopez, the traitor of Q«eretaro, was a Knight of the Legion of Honour, a,nd his name has been erased from the Order. : The title of the life of the late Priuce Consort,: the publication of which is just announced, is The Early Years of H.R.H. the Prince Consort, compiled under /the direction of her^ Majesty the Queen, by LieutenantrGeneral the Honorable Charles: Grey;'- It is published by Smith -&-Eldeiv - The Eeform Bill has been read the third time.an'd.paß6ed iii the liouse of .Co'mmpn8 v It has been read'itne first time in the^Hpuse ; pfLbfd^abS 7th'e-7secbnd reading stands:

for July 22, Important amendments will, it-is said," be moved in committee by Earl .Grey.- • • *." 7 " •-.*.,">•- Earl Russell has distinctly announced that the question of the. Irish Church must be determined in the session of 1868.

The House of Lords has decided on appeal, that John Alexander Gavin Campbell, having established the legitimacy of his father, is entitled to the succession and estates of the Breadalbane peerage. Lord Justice Turner, who died on July 10, is succeeded by Sir John Rolt; and Sir J. Karslake is appointed AttorneyGeneral, and Mr Selwyn Solicitor-General. Dr Alexander, Dean of Ely, is likely to succeed to the Bishopric of Derry, vacant by the death of Dr Higgin. The Deputy-Commissary-General has been removed for not having provided for the cavalry at Hounslow, sent from Aldershptt to the intended Review in Hyde Park, which was abandoned. The Government have contradicted the reports of the intention to send a military force from Bombay to Abyssinia.

An error occurred in the notice of the Collingwood gold-field which appeared in our issue of Saturday last, which, if uncontradicted, is calculated to mislead. It is stated in the third paragraph that * the quantity of gold in the neighborhood, which is as yet unprospected, is almost unlimited.' The word gold should read ground. f- It may be as well to state that since writing the abovemeutioned notice, which was strictly founded on information received from the most reliable sources, Mr Thomas Morgan, whose name is well known on the West Coast, accompanied by several other miners who have very recently visited Washbourne's Flat, have called at our office, and they express very decided doubts as to the alleged richness of the Collingwood gold-field. They state that two holes have alreadybeen bottomed on the reef, one of which turned out a ' duffer,' no gold at all being found in it, and in the other, which was bottomed at a depth of about 74 feet, the eilor of gold only was found at from 40 to 70 feet deep, and nothing whatever was discovered on the bottom. In the presence of such conflicting statements we can only counsel those who may contemplate giving these diggings a trial, to postpone their departure until more decisive intelligence has arrived. We understand that a letter has been received by the Government stating that the 24-pound howitzer, promised two months ago for the use of the Volunteer Artillery, cannot be sent to Nelson until a Government steamer is dispatched to Auckland, by which it may be transmitted to Nelson. This is a specimen of cheeseparing which is hardly consistent with the fact that three cases, of quite as large measurement as the howitzer would be, and filled with old leather belts and pouches, of the most antique fashion, and only fit for bullock harness, were sent down for the use of the Nelson Volunteers about a fortnight ago, which now lumber the Orderly Room, and occupy space which is much required for other purposes. We are happy to learn that Mr Carvill of Foxhill, whose accident we mentioned some short time ago, is progressing favorably under the care of Mr Oldham. Shortly before 1 o'clock on Saturday, the residents of Hardy-street were startled by seeing a cart and horse belonging to Mr Pringle, of the Waimea-road, which was careering at full speed towards Tra-falgar-street, despite all the efforts of the driver, Mr Pringle, jun., to restrain the animal. On reaching the Bank Hotel, it came into collision with Mr Wadman's cart, which was standing across the road, laden with soda water bottles, etc., and the horse fell heavily, without, strange to say, causing any injury to either vehicle, beyond the breaking of the harness on Mr Pringle's horse.

The cricket season is to be inaugurated to-morrow by a match to be played on Victory-square between the officers of H.M. s.s. Cleopatra and some Waikato settlers, now visiting Nelson, and eleven Nelson cricketers; the wickets to be pitched at 10 a.m. From the names of the gentlemen who are mentioned as likely to take part in the match, a spirited game may be anticipated; and doubtless, should the weather be propitious, a large number of spectators will be attracted to the ground.

A bazaar of useful and ornamental articles is to be held at Greymouth, in aid of the Wesleyan Building Fund, on the 9th of October next, and on the three following

days. We have been requested by the members of the Ladies Committee to intimate that any contributions towards the bazaar will be thankfully received '"by Mrs Shaw, at the Wesleyan Mission-house, Greymouth, to whom they may- be "forwarded, y ' -*'■"

We find that telegraphic communication was resumed on Sunday afternoon. The interruption was caused by a very extensive bush fire at the foot of the Maungatapu range on the eastern side; and considerable damage was incurred in consequence of the falling of several large trees across the line at various parts. : We learn that Mr Oldham, of Wakefield, experienced a very hai.ro w escape on Thursday last. It appears that Captain Cole, who is residing in that neighborhood, and who, we regret to state, has for some time past shown evident symptoms of aberration of intellect, met Mr Oldham near Dixon's store, at Springgrove, during the afternoon of that dayj and on that gentleman accosting the captain he was startled by receiving a reply in the shape of a shot fired from a gun which Captain Cole was then carrying. The charge passed through his coat and waistcoat, raising a wheal across the ribs, but happily did not cause any further injury. Captain Cole was, we believe, at once taken to his home, and was thence conveyed to town; and an investigation took place on Saturday at the Resident Magistrate's Court, which resulted in Captain Cole being placed under the surveillance of the authorities.

We find that the Nathan Troupe are performing with great success in Christchurch.

The report of the Marine Department gives the return of light dues collected at Nelson during the financial year 1866 at £978 17s sd. The total amount received at the different ports of New Zealand is £7136 os lid. Since February, 1867, light dues have been collected at the ports on the West Coast of the Middle Island from all vessels which have been benefited by auy of the existing lights.

Mr Johnson, Secretary to the Canterbury Acclmaitisation Society, arrived in Dunedin on the 18th inst. by the Rangitoto from Tasmania, and brought with him 800 trout ova for Canterbury, and 400 for the Otago Society. The ova are reported to be in excellent condition. Those for the Otago Society were removed to the grounds at the Water of Leith.

Our readers wiil perceive that Mr Davis, the well-known photographic artist, has originated a proposition for the formation of a Photographic Art Union in this city, the terms of which may be found enumerated in an advertisement which appears in another place. The prizes are many of them of a very costly description; and, as each member will be entitled to a prize of more or less value, we cannot imagine that any difficulty will be experienced in making up the requisite number of subscribers, so that the drawing may take place, as at present proposed, about the Ist October next. The scheme certainly offers very uncommon advantages of which many will doubtless gladly avail themselves.

The Charleston Argus has ceased publication, and is now amalgamated with the Westport Times. The proprietors state — In future we shall issue the Westport Times every Tuesday, Thursday, and. Saturday, and our hope is that we may, at an early date, be called on for more frequent publication. If such be the case, we shall gladly comply with the circumstances, and print daily. So impressed are we with the future of Westport that we have amalgamated the Charleston Argus with this journal, and concentrated all the means at our command, in order to produce a journal worthy of the district.

The Westport Times says there can be little doubt, whether the Mokihinui diggings prove as prosperous as expected or not, a great deal of payable ground will be opened up to the northward during the ensuing few months, and the coming summer will see a large mining population briskly, and also profitably, employed. As yet the value or otherwise of the late discoveries have to be tested, and the usual contrary opinions have to be put to proof as to the resources of the district. There seems to be a well-grounded confidence abroad that the Mokihinui district will turn out a highly payable goldfieid, and will handsomely remunerate^ numbers who have located there.. „,., v ,. „....; We extract the following from a letter just received from a settler at Patea, which may prove interesting. to our readers lrThe land {generally in . this : district;^ good and gets a high character :from -those who

ought to be good judges; at present it is bringing a good price, especially in large blocks, say 400 to 600 acres. Some was purchased about a, fortnight ago .(600 acres) at the rate of £3 3s 6d per acre ; one person at the same place offered 120 acres for £2 ah acre; but by going a little farther from. here, -say 15 miles or so, land can be had cheaper; for instance, several 50 acre sections with the town sections were sold at, Mokoia for £80 each. About the end of -September a good many of the men will have fulfilled their term of service . aud will probably sell out and leave the district, which will lower the price. The district is improving rapidly; many are settled on their land, a good deal of which is already fenced iv. The land between the Patea and Waitotara rivers is only now being surveyed; two or three companies will get their land in that block. Some of the men are now selling their scrip for 30s to 40s per acre, the party buying the scrip can choose for himself. Land sold by auction in Wanganui went far below what has been sold here privately. Generally speaking the land this (the north) side of the Patea river has very little bush on it. I cannot say I like Patea — the township ; it is a dull, miserable sort of place, right on* the sandhills, and very much exposed, so that in windy weather it is very. unpleasant owing to the sand. There is some talk of the township being surveyed about a mile up the flat; if so, it will be away from the saud, and much more pleasant and agreeable site for a town. Where the buildings are now it is Government land, and one is not justified in going tq much expense to make the place comfortable. : The pilgrims of Mecca have so much to do with the occasional introduction of cholera into Europe, that we are accustomed to watch their movements with some interest and no little auxiety. It is, therefore, satisfactory to learn that this year, the pilgrimage has been attended with more favorable results than usual. Intelligence from Suez states that 8847 pilgrims had arrived, and that, owing to extreme attention to sanitary measures, not a single death had occurred. The pilgrims from Jerusalem are returning, a Russian steamer, the Viadmir, having brought no fewer than 850 to Constantinople. — Medical Times and Gazette.