The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1868. NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 97, 25 April 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1868. NELSON BOARD OF WORKS.

The usual fortnightly meetiug of the Board took place yesterday evening, at the office, Mr Bentley M.P.C., being in the chair.

The miuutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed,

The Public Works Committee recommended that a paved water-course should be put in from the top of the hill iu Rus-sell-street, down to Mr Meech's, that the road should be formed to the Haven-road, and the culvert at the bottom of the hill repaired, on condition that the inhabitants pay one-half of the cost.

The Secretary having submitted his plan for the cutting in Bronti-street, it was adojited, aud tenders were ordered to be invited for the executiou of the work.

The Secretary was instructed to replace the pipes which had been removed in Nilestreet, and to extend the drain as far as the crossing in the road, on condition that Mr Lightfoofc finds the stone or bricks required for the culvert.

A petition having been presented this week to the Provincial Council from residents in Brook-street, praying for protection from the injuries caused by floods, the consideration of any further repairs on the road was deferred until it can be ascertained what action the Council will take in the matter.

Petitions received from residents in the Waimea-road, asking for the formation of a footpath on the south-west side, and for the erection of two lamps, and from certain inhabitants of Trafalgar-street South, asking for a repair of the road, together with a request that a ford might be made at Hardy-street Bridge, were respectively referred to the Public Works Committee.

It was settled that the wages of day laborers employed by the Board should in future be 40s. a week, irrespectively of the weather, but that the laborers should keep the drains and water-courses open in wet weather.

Several accounts were passed, and the Board then adjourned until Friday the Bth May.

It will be seen from an advertisement in another place that the Government Offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday next, the two days of the Nelson Races.

The following reply to the testimonial lately sent to the Rev. W. Kirk, by the Wesley ans of the Nelson Circuit, has been received : —

Wellington, April 18, 1868. To the Wesleyan office-bearers, members, and

hearers of the Nelson Circuit,

My dear Friends — I have just been greatly taken by surprise on the receipt of your very kind testimonial, so numerously signed by Wesleyans of the Nelson Circuit, being quite unexpected. This unmistakeable evidence of your esteem and love is to me gratifying indeed, though I fear you have greatly overestimated my humble services. I can, however, conscientiously say that while amongst you my uniform desire was to do good. If, under God, my labors in any measure were crowned with success, I am grateful. To Him be all the praise. I look back to my four years' residence in Nelson with almost unmingled pleasure. The last year was the happiest of my life. I can never forget the many profitable seasons we spent in the sanctuary, and in the social means of grace. As the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, it is most encouraging to be assured that your supplications will be presented before the Throne of Grace, for myself, wife, family, and the grand cause in which lam privileged to engage My sincere prayer to God for you and yours is, that you may be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.

Thanking you heartily for this expression of your loving regard, I am, my dear Friends, "Affectionately yours, William Kiek.

A correspondent, who is"* a frequent traveller on the Waimea-road, calls attention to the fact that drays and timber waggons, especially the latter, are constantly left out on the public thoroughfare at night, thereby exposing passengers to considerable danger, and suggests that persons 8© offending should be proceeded against.

The members of the School of Arts, in connection with the Nelson Institute, will

commence their studies on Monday evening next, the 27th inst. at 7 o'clock. We understand that a considerable number of students have already announced their iutention to join tbe classes, and as the weekly subscription has beeu fixed at one shilling, the instruction thus afforded is placed within the reach of all classes.

The adjournment of the Council for a week having left the Provincial Hall diseugaged, the concert announced by Mdme CatMndini and her party for Monday evening next, will take place in that building. The programme is a very attractive one ancl comprises many novelties.

Two sermons will be preached tomorrow, by the Rev. J. Crump, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Richmond, iu aid of the Sunday School, and tbe anniversary tea meeting will take place on the following

evening

As we stated in our issue of yesterday, the Rev. Father Hickie will preach tomorrow morning at St. Mary's iu aid of the Catholic University of Ireland. The Independent notices a meeting of the Catholics of Wellington, Dr Grace iu the chair, at which au address, expressive of appreciation nnd respect, to which 280 signatures were affixed, was presented to this reverend gentleman, on his departure from that city, he having remained there during Lent.

In additiou to the horses mentioned in our issue of yesterday, we find that Nurna and Orlando, tlie property of Mr Walters, of Auckland, are expected to arrive by tbe Taranaki to-morrow, Numa won two races on the 22nd inst., the first day of the Wellington Meeting.

The Grey River Argus of the 21st inst. says, that when the determination of the Government to cancel the lease of the Grey Coalmine was known, Messrs. Usher aud Simpson, the Managers of the Company, proceeded to Nelson, and endeavored to convince the Government that the railway would at once be laid down and that everything would be done to develope the mine. The Government, however, after mature deliberation, decided to cancel the lease,, and in pursuance of the Waste Lands Act, submit it to public competition. Pending the disposal of the lease, the Government will carry on the mine, to an extent sufficient to supply the steamers calling at the Port. The Grey River Argus adds : — Rumor speaks of the probability of a new Company being formed of Nelson capitalists to carry on the mine, aud from the names that have been mentioned in connection with the matter, we may rest satisfied that if such a Company get the mine into their possession, the coal trade of Greymouth wili soon be in an active and prosperous state.

The Marlborough News states that during the time of the illuminations and rejoicing at Hokitika, a number of daring Scotchmen marched to the cemetery, headed by a piper, and removed the Celtic cross to outside the fence, then chopped it to pieces, and distributed the fragments. No opposition was offered by the bystanders.

It appears that the convict Swale, who suffered the last penalty of the law at Lyttelton on Thursday week, for having caused the death of his partner by wilfully setting fire to his premises, made a full confession of his guilt on the night preceding his execution. He stated that he had made a previous attempt in June last to set fire to the house in Columbo-street, by leaving a candle burning in a box of paper, which was, however, extinguished by his victim, Mr Rankin, before any mischief ensued. He asserted that he was in a state of stupefaction from drink on the night of the fatal fire, and did not wish for Rankin's death, but though he saw him in bed and asleep, did not arouse him. He added that his carpel bag had been packed up some time previously with a view to being in readiness when he should burn the place.

The cause of the reported gold discovery at Wangauui, is still shrouded in mystery. No one supposes for a moment that either Mr Russell or Captain Shuttleworth designedly misled the community, and in the absence of an explanation as to how they were misled themselves, public excitement

runs high

It seems that Mr Boweu, who was spoken of as the probable new superintendent of Canterbury, has declined to come forward, the salary recently fixed on by the Council (£6OO a year) being considered insufficient.

The best study for the Fire Brigade — Volumes of smoke,