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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 86, 13 April 1868, Page 2

Considerable indignation has been occasioned by the intelligence that a telegram had been received this morning from Hokitika, stating that the Tararua, which

was expected here this morning, sfl^ whicli would have conveyed our Mail for Europe via Suez, had left Hokitika for Wellington direct at 1 p.m. yesterday. We understand that the Mail will leave Wellington at 3 p.m. on Weduesday next, the 15th inst., and if sufficient inducement offered, the owners of the Charles Edward, which is announced to sail for Wanganui to-morrow, would allow her to take Wellington on her way to that port, and thus an opporfcuuity would be afforded us of forwarding our letters for home in time for trausmissiou by the Mail which leaves the Bluff on the 19th and Melbourne on the 25th. It is a matter of grave regret that the Panama Company did not give an earlier notice of their intention not to visit Nelson this trip, as many passengers have waited, on the faith oftheir advertisement, to proceed to Wellington and Melbourne, who would otherwise have availed themselves of an earlier boat. We say nothing of the inconvenience and loss to the commercial public by this unexpected •deviation from the advertised arrangements of the Company, or of the fresh proof this transaction affords of the small regard shown by the Government for the convenience of the people of Nelson, in not having entered into a contract for the conveyance of this mail to Wellington.

The anniversary of the Sunday School in connection with the Nelson School Society, took place yesterday afternoon at the Provincial Hall, and was very numerously attended. The children receiving instruction at the School mustered in great numbers, and sang the various hymns with good effect. The Right Rev. Bishop Suter, after reading a portion of Scripture, on the early life of the prophet Samuel, put several questions on the old and New Testament history, which were for the most part satisfactorily answered, and delivered a very appropriate address, which was listened to with much attention. A collection was then made, and after the singing of the dismission Hymn, the proceedings were brought to a conclusion. The annual general meeting of the Society takes place to-morrow evening, the tea meeting being held at the Schoolroom whilst the general meeting will take place at the Provincial Hall at 7 o'clock, Bishop Suter being in the chair.

It is rumored, and we believe with some truth, that a strong probability exists that the graviDg dock, which has been so long called for, and for which this harbor is so well adapted, will be almost immediately commenced. The Provincial Engiueer is said to be drawing out plans for its construction, and at least one contractor is forthcoming who is willing to undertake tbe formation of a substantial stone dock.

On Sunday morning early, a fire occurred at Mr John Gaukroger's, the Foxhill Hotel, which resulted in the entire destruction of the house and most of the stock and furniture, the inmates narrowly escaping with their lives. The origin of the fire is not known. Mr Gaukroger jwas awakened about 2 o'clock by a crackling rioise, and found the place in flames, and directly after he had succeeded in getting his wife out of the burning building, the roof fell in. Although 'Ben,' an old servant, and two men who were lodging at the hotel, did all in their power to remove the furniture and goods, so rapid was the conflagration that they could only save a few trifling articles. The inmates have lost all their clothing except that which they escaped in. We are sorry t6 add that the servant girl had one of her legs severely burnt. We are not aware whether the property was insured.

Notice has*been given that p a' confirmation will be held by the Right Rev. Bishop Suter at Christ Church on Sunday next, the 19th inst. at 3 o'clock p.m.

Moss Rose, a mare who won the two principal races at the last meeting at Auckland, arrived here on Friday by the Star of the South from Wellington, in charge of her owner, Mr George Cutts, and may therefore be added to the long list of horses now in training for our approaching Races.

Another person, named Crowley, formerly manager of the Celt newspaper, was arrested on Tuesday last at Hokitika, charged with having used the following words in conversation: — As sure as the West Coast Times is there, it will be blown up, and the Clerkenwell outrage (or affair) will be nothing to it.' The information was laid by Mr Shaw, the Mayor, who stated that, since the Fenian Procession, he-, had been alarmed by the various rumors afloat. The Resident Magistrate

said that he could not perceive that any threat had been used by the prisoner, and the case was dismissed. We understand that the worthy Mayor of Hokitika has exposed himself to much ridicule by the extraordinary precautions which he has adopted with a view to defend himself against his Fenian foes, real or imaginary. He has taken up his abode at the Government Buildiugs, which, together with the office of the West Coast Times newspaper, of which he is proprietor, are guarded night and day by private watchmen iv his pay, who are especially charged to prevent the possibility of the throwing of any inflammable matter, such as nitro-glycerine, into either of these premises. Whenever the unfortunate functionary goes abroad, he is guarded by two policemen, who walk on either side of him, and he carries a complete arsenal of pistols and revolvers under his belt, beneath the weight of which his movements are said to be anything but easy or graceful. Verily office has its penalties as well as its pleasures.

The Governors of Nelson College, who met ou Thursday last for the purpose of deciding on the claims of the various candidates for the vacant Head Mastership, found it impossible to arrive at a conclusion on thafc day in consequence pf the very large number of testimonials &c, to be inspected, and they will therefore assemble again on Wednesday next for this purpose. We understand that there are now no less than 41 candidates for the appointment.

The Nathan Troupe make their reappearance this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall. The programme comprises two of Little Marion's happiest impersonations, Felix O'Callaghau, and Paddy Murphy, and those who remember the wonder and gratification which this gifted child elicited on her last visit lo this city, will not fail to take au vaii tage of this, the last opportunity which will be afforded them of witnessing her performances, and that of her hardly less talented sisters, before their departure for California.

The Fenian prisoner, Melody, is, it is stated, the same man who made himself very conspicuous as leader of the insurgents at the stockade at Baliarat iv 1854, when Sir Charles Ho thain was Governor.

A telegram was reoeived from Blenheim to-day stating that Madame Carandini and her party have postponed their return to Neison in consequence of the success which has attended their visit to Marlborough, where they have given three concerts which have been very numerously attended. Their concert, announced for this evening at the Provincial Hall, will consequently not take place. The telegram states that Madame Carandini and her party may be expected to arrive here by the Taranaki on the 24th or 25th inst.

The Margaret Campbell, which left Newcastle on the 3rd, arrived this morning, after an excellent passage of 9 days, aud brings latest dates from Sydney. The Westport Times states that Capt. Carey late of the Kennedy, has been presented by the Nathan Troupe at Hokitika, with a beautiful meerschaum pipe gold mounted, and suitably engraved, as a slight token of the kindness and courtesy invariably shewn to the Troupe by him, during the various trips taken in the vessel under his command.

The Colonial Secretary of Queensland has forwarded, officially, a telegraphic message to the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, characterising the rush to the Gympie and Kolan diggings as a very senseless one, stating that Gympie is a good permanent diggings for a limited number, but is more than fully occupied, and that the Commissioner reports most unfavorably of the Kolan, and predicts great want and destitution among the hundreds now rushing there.

The election for the representation of the Westland Boroughs in the House of Representatives has resulted in Mr Harriott's return by a majority of 17 over his opponent, Mr Shaw, the Mayor of Hokitika. The election for Westland South was likely to terminate in the election of Mr Button.

A Devonshire farmer catechising his lad one day on ' the chief end o' man,' said, 'Who made thee?' — 'God,' answered the boy, and nodded his head. ' What did God make thee vor?' No reply. ' Speak, mumchanee, what dost stand digging the head, and chuckening, as if thee was lousy ; Speak, moon-calf. 'Ot did God make thee vor ?' The boy now looked up, and said, 'To carry dung to Crowbeer, measter.'

The eruption of Vesuvius has ceased to be merely beautiful spectacle. It has become a source of panic. It has assumed alarming proportions. An immense current of lava has overflowed the central cone, aud is now skirting the hill on the west and north-west, and approaching the village of Cercola. Constant shocks and detonations are occurring, and terror prevails in the villages on the slopes of Vesuvius. A despatch from Naples dated Jan. 5, says:— The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is still increasing in intensity. The torrent of lava follows the same direction as during the eruptions of 1858, 1559, 1860, and separates into two branches. The northern branch passes close to the observatory, approaching Resina; the southern branch takes the direction approaching Terra del Grecco.

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