The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 88, 15 April 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1868.

To-morrow Nelson is to hold high festival, in orderto honor the formal in auguration of the most important and most beneficial work which has yet been devised and carried into execution in this province. Although it was at one time confidently hoped that this ceremony would have received additional eclat from its performance by royal hands, and some degree of regret and dissappointment must, in consequence, naturally mingle with our rejoicings on the occasion, we have still ample reason for seconding most heartily and unanimously the intentions of the Government in proclaiming the day as a public holiday, for the benefits accruing to the community from this long-anticipated boon become more patent every day, as its operations are extended. We have heard much lately of the badness of the times, and certainly not altogether without reason, but if there be truth in Rochefoucauld's selfish maxim, that there is something in the misfortunes of our best friends that does not , altogether displease us, we may take comfort from the reflection that our neighbors in the other provinces of the colony are, at all events, in no better plight than ourselves. None of us can remember a time in which it was not said that the world was in a state of bankruptcy, and ought to go into Chancery and be sold. And yet, although she owes more than she will ever be able to pay she keeps her head above water and goes on at times right merrily enough. Only let her turn this corner, and that will prepare her for the next, and then all will be right. Grumbling does no good, and at holiday times it is absolutely intolerable. We must hear nothing, then of bad times to-morrow, but enter into the spirit of the day as heartily as we can, without rendering ourselves obnoxious to the charge, too often preferred against Englishmen, and not without just cause — that they always take their pleasures sndly. The official programme for the day appears iv another place, and is sufficiently concise. The Superintendent, with the various persons entitled ex oflScio to take part in the ceremony, of course, accompanied by such members of the general public who may wish to be spectators on the occasion, will leave Government Buildings at 11 o'clock, for the Dam and Reservoir, where the actual ceremony .of opeuing the Waterworks -will be performed by his Honor, returning about half-past 1 o'clock, when the Fire Brigade wili exhibit the action of the fireplugs, &c, in various parts of the city. After thie an address will be given by the Superintendent, &c, and a luncheon wiil be provided in the Provincial Hall, for which we understand that about ISO invitations have been issued by the Government. We believe that it was at first intended that this last part of the programme should be of a public character, but this was ultimately found to be im-pr;-cfcic&b]e, aud the proposition was reluctantly abandoned. Let us hope that the skies may prove propitious on this day of good omen, and that nothing may occur to mar the felicitous inauguration of this nolble work.

' We are informed in reference to a letter which appeared in the Examiner of yesterday, calling attention to the present state of the upper part of Colling wood-

street, that it is the intention of the Board of Works to gravel the 'road, as soon as the substratum shall have become sufficiently hardened to permit of it. Perhaps we may be permitted lo suggest that at the same time a few ioads of gravel might be very profitably bestowed on the road near the junction of Manuka and Collingwood streets, which is at present in a wretched plight. A special meeting of the Fire Brigade took place yesterday evening at the Engine Room, for the purpose of receiving a communication from the Government, requesting them to take part in the proceedings of to-morrow, accordiug to the advertised programme. It was unanimously resolved to comply with this request, and the Brigade will meet for the purpose at 1 o'clock at the Government Buildings. We learn that the Governors of Nelson College have this afternoon unanimously elected the Rev. F. Simmons to the Head Mastership of that institution. A very gratifying address has lately been prepared for transmission to the Rev W. Kirk, now resident in Wellington, but who, for we need hardly remind our readers, was Superintendent of the Nelson Wesleyan Circuit for several years. The address, which has been beautifully engrossed by Mr F. Main, has been signed by upwards of 150 male members of the reverend gentleman's late congregation in this city, and is couched in the following terms: — Rev. and Dear Sir — We, the undersigned Stewards, Leaders, Local Preachers, and Friends of the Wesleyan Societies, ask your acceptance of this testimonial, and beg that you will regard it as a tangible token ot our grateful feelings of thankfulness to you for the many refreshing seasons we have enjoyed under your faithful ministrations during the four years you have been amongst us ; as well as in acknowledgment on our part of our high appreciation of your abilities and of your devotedness to. God, and the various duties connected with the Church. In the Sanctuary our hearts were often cheered, and our hope brightened when we listened to your discourses — so full of Life, love, and power. Although we bow in humble submission to the will of the Conference, we shall reflect again and again on the many delightful meetings we have enjoyed under your Superintendency. As a minister your urbane sacts5 acts of kindness and goodwill, have won for you the respect of all parties. We assure you, that yourself, Mrs Kirk, and family, and also the great work in which you are engaged, will not be forgotten by us in our supplications to the Throne of Grace. We are confident that you will carry with you the sympathy and goodwill of those amongst whom you have so successfully labored. Our earnest prayer is that the Great Head of the Church will give you health and strength for many years to come, and that your labors in His cause -will be abundantly blessed. The return match between the No. 1 City Rifles and the Waimea Company took place on Monday at the City Butts in Murphy-street, and resulted in another success for the Waimea Volunteers, who gained the day by five points. The match however, was far more evenly contested than on previous occasions, and the City Company are so confident of their powers, that they have challenged their opponents to fire for £5, each Company to find five representatives, and the match to take place on the Nelson ground. We are gratified to perceive from an announcement in our advertising columns, that the drawing classes at the various town schools will be re-commenced at the conclusion of the Easter holidays, under the able superintendence of Mr T. Hodgson, who, it will be remembered, had charge of these classes some time since. It is pleasant to be able to add that a very general desire has been evinced by the children attending the schools to avail themselves of this opportunity of cultivating this delightful art. The twenty-fourth annual meeting ot .the Nelson School Society was held yesterday evening at the Provincial Hall, and was very numerously attended. Nearly 200 persons were also present, at the tea meeting which took place in the Schoolroom, at an earlier hour. Shortly after 7 o'clock, the chair was taken by the Right Rev. Bishop Suter, and the proceedings having been opened with prayer by the Rev.E. Thomas, a hymn was sung, and the Chairman then addressed the meeting, descanting upon the peculiar and distinctive work of Sunday Schools, as not being that of the Church nor of the minister ; upon the qualifications aud responsibilities of teachers ; and the singular adaptation of the Bible as a medium of instruction to children. Recitations were given very creditably by the female pupils, and another by a very young boy. The Report was then read, which showed a balance of over £40. Mr J. J. Davis and the Rev. E. Thomas then addressed the meeting at some length, and the Chairman having made on excuse for the

Rev. J. Thorpe, said that he thought that the Society had too large a balance in hand, 7|d. or Bd. would be quite enough, and expressed a hope that it would be employed for religious purposes. A hymn having been sung, Mr James Hooper suggested that the balance in favor of the Society should be expended, with the aid of additional subscriptions, on the erection of a new schoolroom, which was much wanted, and then proposed the names of ten gentlemen as the Committee of Management for the current year, which was seconded by Mr Sanger, and carried. Messrs Gardiner and Hill having addressed the meeting, the Right Reverend Chairman made a few concluding remarks, expressive of the pleasure he felt in doing anything which could contribute to the spiritual good of Nelson, as he was not one of those who thought there was only one way and system of doing anything, for there was much for all to do. The National Anthem was then sung, and the Benediction having been pronounced by Bishop Suter, the meeting terminated shortly before 10 o'clock, a collection being made at the doors. We are requested by the members and friends of the Society to express their sense of deep indebtedness to the Bishop for his valuable assistance on this occasion. It will be seen from a notice in our advertising columns that tenders are invited for the erection of a new Anglican Church in Vanguard-street, from the designs of Mr. Beatson, architect, of this city. The church is to be in the Byzantine, or rather, Lombard style of architecture, and the original design, which embraced a chancel with a semi - octagonal apse, having a campanile on oue side, and a vestry on the other, is of simple but very effective character. It has, however, been found necessary to modify this for the present, and merely a portion of the nave will be built, leaving the east and west ends to be completed whenever sufficient funds are forthcoming. The nave will consist of three aisles, the centre one having clerestory windows, all having open roofs, and its present proportions will be about 60 feet in length, and 50 feet in breadth, with a height of 23 feet to the tie beams of the centre aisle, and of 10 feet for the side aisles. The portion of the church to be now erected will seat about 320 persons, whilst the original design was intended to accommodate about 600 persons. It is impossible not to regret that the funds now at the disposal of the Building Committee will not at present permit of the realisation of Mr Beatson's original design, which would have formed a very striking and picturesque accession to our local architecture. We are informed that a cricket match wili be played to-morrow between the No. 1 Rifle Cadets and the Artillery Cadets at the Botanical Gardens, and also the return match between the Wood and Band of Hope Clubs, the former having been victorious on their last occasion. On the 2nd of April, Mr Robertson asked the New South Wales Government to bring in a bill, asking the Government to grant a month's supply, with which the Government refused to comply. The Argus of the 30th ult. states that a private telegram from Sydney had been received by a gentleman in Melbourne, stating that Mr Aspinall, the counsel for O'Farrell, had been honored by the kindly expressed regards of the Prince. At a dinner given during the previous week at Mr Dalley's residence, Mr Aspinall was present, and was well received, Viscount Newry and the Hon. Elliott Yorke, being amongst the company present. This fact sufficiently disproves the absurdity of rumors which were abroad to the effect that the learned and witty counsel had been rudely received in Sydney. During the recent restoration of a church at Brighton occupied by the advanced Ritualists, one of the workmen employed ascending the pulpit, exclaimed * I publish the banns of marriage between this church and the Church of Rome.' * Aud I,' said another artizan, turning towards the first speaker, 'forbid the banns.' 'On what ground ?' replied he of the pulpit. ' Coz the parties is too near akin,' was the reply. The Home News says :— On Tuesday, Jan. 14, Bishop Selwyn performed the first public act that devolved upon him as Bishop of Lichfield. His lordship consecrated a church dedicated to St. Martin, near Bilston, in the very heart of the black country. During the luncheon Bishop Selwyn, in reply to the toast of his health, made some feeling allusions to the late Bishop Lonsdale; and said he was a man whom, perhaps above all others, he venerated and took for an example. To follow such a one would have been a most

overwhelming responsibility if he had followed him by any choice of bis own. Not that ho wished them to understand that he came there with any unwillingness. He came there with the same willingness as that with which he first went to New Zealand. He had no desire either to mark out or choose his own path. He confessed that when her Majesty, with kindly consideration for his feelings, gave him the blackest portions of her doninions, he felt it rather a relief than otherwise. He felt that it could not be imputed to him that he had selected that diocese for its peculiar natural beauties, but he had quite expected to find many moral beauties in it. He should be quite willing to work in the black country with all the heart and soul and strength with which God had blessed him, provided always that he went back to New Zealand and put in order for a successor that dear old house in which he hud spent 26 years of his life. When he left New Zealand he wound up his watch only for a twelvemonth. That time would soon expire. He must go back and complete the promise he made to them that he would return. If he should be spared to come back to England, he would spend the remainder of his life in their service.

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