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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 78, 2 April 1868, Page 2

Wo find that telegraphic communication with Hokitika has been suspended since, last night. This is the more vexatious" af 1 ' the Fenian prisoners "were remanded ou Saturday last uutil yesterday, and we are thus deprived of auy information as to the result of their examination,^. ". The second examination of the Fenian prisoners at Hokitika, was proceeding when the Phcebe left that port yesterday, at half-past 2 p.m. A trial of tho powers and capabilities of the Waterworks was made yesterday afternoon, at the request and in the presence of Mr. Stanger Leathes, the Inspector of the Liverpool, London, and Globs Insurance Office, and who is also acting on behalf of some other of the Insurance Companies. A large concourse of spectators were present, including his Honor the Superintendent, the Provincial Engineer, the Managers of the various Banks, and other leading members of the community. The trial was first made at the Government Offices, where the two mill-protectors and two hydrants were brought into use simultaneously at the four corners of the building, throwing the water completely over the roof. The hose reel was then taken to the store of Messrs. N. Edwards & Co., where two jets were played. There being a differ-

ence of about 16 feet fall in the level between the Government Buildings, and Messrs. Edwards' store, and the mains being larger, the lorce was still greater, and the trial eveu more satisfactory than in the previous instance. The Inspector, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent aud the Provincial Engineer, afterwards visited tho Reservoir in Brook Street Valley. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Franz Gotlieb, charged with making use of obscene language iv the public streets was lined £2 aud costs. The following debt case was heard:— Jas. j Simpson v. Rufus Adolphus Anthony r muigau. j. ais was au action to recover lis. lor board and lodging. The defendant admitted the debt and asked for time. Amount to be paid with costs, in 10 days. Wo learn that tho Government have given instructions that the messengers employed in the Telegraphic Department shall be supplied with uniforms, similar to those lo bo worn by the Post Office lettercarriers, and which will come into use on the Queen's Birthday. A case of some iutcest under the Oyster Fisheries Protection Act, came before the Resideut Magistrate's Court to-day. It appears that the police at an early hour yesterday morning, came upon six bags of oysters which were lying in the tide-way at the Port. These were afterwards claimed by a man named Barrett, who h id provided himself later iv the day with one of the Oyster licenses issued at tbe Custom House, and who thus claims exemption from any pains and penalties attached to the capture of these delicacies without a license. It is urged that Barrett, could not have been possessed of a license before he removed the oysters (which were already sold), from the Waimea River. The ease will ; be heard this afternoon. The five fence months for oysters expired on the 81st. ulto. The cricket match yesterday between the Cabmen and Draymen of Nelson terminated in a decided victory for the latter, with live wickets to go down. It will bo in tho recollection of our readers that a man named Gray, who had started from the Baton, about six weeks ago, in company with a party of diggers, en route for town, being overcome by liquor, lay down to sleep on the roadside. As, however, he did not overtake his companions at Sutcliffe' s accommodation house, one of the party, named Garton, returned in search of him to Taylor's store on the Baton, but failed in discovering any traces of him. On reaching Waimea West, his mates gave information of the circumstances to the police constable of that district, and instructions were immediately issued by Mr. Inspector Shallcrass that a search should be prosecuted for the missing man. This was accordingly done, but with equal want of success, aud it was surmised that Gray must have retraced his steps towards Taylor's, and been lost in crossing the Baton. Fruitless search had been made for the body on the banks of the river by the police, but, on Sunday last, the body of the unfortunate man was discovered lying on a bar of the river, upon which ifc had evidently been carried by a recent fresh. His money was untouched in his pockets, and the man had plainly met his death in the manner surmised. The report on the West Coast Railway, on which so much anticipatory comment has been expended, and the completion of which had been delayed by a paiuful accident which occurred to Mr. Wrigg some weeks ago, was placed in the hands of the Government yesterday. The anniversary dinner of the Oddfellows and Foresters at Motueka, which had been announced to take place on Thursday last, and was postponed until the following day, in consequence of the very inclement

-state of the weather, seems Lo have passed off very successfully. His Honor the Superintendent, who had arrived the previous morning from Nelsou, took the chair, C. Parker, Esq., M. 11. R., occupyiug the vice-chair. The diuuer, which •did great credit to the cuisine of mine host of the Motueka Hotel, was numerously attended, and appears to have beeu most satisfactory to all concerned. We stated ou the 12th ult. that Mr Balfour's long-looked-for report on ihe Harbor might be expected shortly. We now learn that the report was received by the Government on Saturday last, and will be published immediately in ihe Gazette. M. aud Madame Simonsen's Concert takes place this evening at the Provincial Hall, under the patronage of his Houor the Superintendent, and we understand that a very considerable uumber of tickets have already been disposed of. The programme contains several novelties, including a cavatina from 'Ernani, Jenny Liud's celebrated Echo Song, and some favorite ballads by Madame Simonsen, and De Beriot's seventh 'Air Varie' with a fantaisie on airs from 'Masanielio ' for M. Simonsen, together with other pieces which have already been heard, aud have become exceedingly popular. There can belittle doubt that the experiment of reducing the prices of admission to these entertainments, so as to airord to ail an opportunity of listening to the performances of these admirable artistes, wiil not be a source of regret to M. and Madame Simonsen, in a pecuniary point of view, whilst the superior capabilities of the Provincial Hall will afford additional advantages for the display of their powers. We are happy to have it iv our power to contradict a statement which has been Eomewhat industriously circulated, and which has gained considerable credence in this community, to the effect that Fenian meetings have been periodically held for some time past at tha Miuers' Arms, Hardy and Collingwood-streets. Mr Corrigarj, the proprietor, informs us that when the rumor first readied him, he was inclined to treat it with contempt, but finding that the statement is generally credited, he requests that we will give it the most unqualified contradiction. It is quite uatural thafc a house of public entertainment, of which the landlord happens to be an Irishman or Scotchman, should be patrouised by his couutrymeu, aud this is a matter of every day occurrence. Beyond this, Mr Corrigan assures us very emphatically that no ground exists for the injurious statement to which we have alluded.