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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 12, 15 January 1868, Page 2

Mr Huddleston wishes us to state that he would feel obliged tp any of our readers who could inform him whether any plants of the ailahthus, (which is now being brought iuto cultivation so largely for the propagation of the silkworm) exist in this province, as he is anxious to procure some cqitings or roots, in order to avoid the necessity of sending to Sydney for them.

The 18th Anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic Schools occurs to-d^y, when the usual tea party for the childreu attending the schools, and also for adults, will take place, tea being served for the children at 3 o'clock, and for the adult visitors at halfpast 5. The exhibition of the magic lantern at the schoolroom, which is usually so attractive on these occasions, takes place at half-past 8, the sports, &c, intervening between the tea party and the exhibition.

It will be perceived from an advertisement which appears elsewhere, that the annual picnic ol the children attending the Presbyterian Church Sabbath Schools (which had been postponed in consequeuce ofthe extremely|unpropitious weather that prevailed duriug the last few days) will take place to-morrow (Thursday). The usual half-yearly district meeting of the delegates from the various Lodges iv connection with the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, took place yesterday, as we have already announced, at the Mansion of Peace Lodge Room, Wakefield, at 10 a.m. The usual business having been tranacted, the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, when P.G. J. W. Wigzell wa3 elected Provincial Graud Master ofthe District ; P.G. C. Brighton, Deputy Grand Master ; and Prov. C. S. Edwards was re-elected Prov. C. S. Other business of importance in connection with the Order haviug been transacted, the meeting was brought to a conclusion.

The formal declaration of the result of the poll for the College Governorships was made by the Revisiug Officer, J. Poynter, Esq. R.M. at the Court-house at 11 o'clock this morning. Neither of the candidates were present, and the proceedings only occupied a few minutes.

We understand that it is the intention of Mr A. Fletcher shortly to open an exhibition at the Institute buildiug of the various works of art, purchased by him during his late visit to Europe, which have just, arrived by the Queen Bee, and are now being unpacked. They consist of a large collection of objects of art, including bronze figures and tazzas, porcelain vases, &c, from Paris, of the latest designs, mounted in ormolu, oil and watercolor paintings, with numerous chromolithographs and photographs from the best London houses. The exhibition, which will iutroduce to the Nelson public a large variety of novelties in art will, we are informed, be followed by a Fine Art Lottery, by which every subscriber will be euabled to obtain a share in the geueral distribution of these beautiful objects. A seizure of three bags of oysters was made by the police last night, under the provisions of tbe Oyster fisheries Act, the present month being one in which the eating of oysters is prohibited. They were discovered lying in the water at the hack of the Albion Hotel, aud fastened to the piles by rope. Ifc is reported that the quondam proprietors of these forbidden delicacies were silently looking at the capture, against which they were too weli aware of the stringent penalties enforced by the Act to offer any remonstrance.

A large road party engaged by the Government for the formation of the Wangapeka track to the Karamea district, left towu to-day in Holder's van, accompanied by several miners bound for that goldfield.

. The Grey River Argus states that on the 4th inst. Saturday afternoon, Mr Rochfort, District Engineer, had a very narrow escape from drowning, whilst he was riding to Greymouth in company with Mr Bonar, Goldfields Secretary. Having arrived afc the Waimea Creek, he put his horse towards the ford ; but no sooner had the animal left the bank than it commenced to swim, and suddenly rolled over backwards, and of course plunged Mr Rochfort into the water. The stream was running strong, and Mr Rochfort was being rapidly carried out towards the surf, but being a good swimmer, he struck out boldly and managed to reach the tail of the spit a few feet from the breakers — a minute later and he would have been irretrievably lost in the surf.

An occasional application of the rules of grammar is desirable even in the Court Journal. It would prevent ambiguities. In the latest issue, fjr instance, our fashionable contemporary gravely announces that the appointment of Housekeeper at Marlborough House is about to be bestowed -upon the wife of a brigadier-general for whom her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales entertains a deep attachment.' What the Court Journal means is that the Princess entertains a deep attachment for the brigadier-general's wife— not the brigadier-general himself.