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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 127, 1 June 1868, Page 2

The p.s., Moutoa, the arrival of which from Waugauui we noticed in our issue of Friday last, and which is intended for the Richmond trade, made her first trial trip from this harbor on Saturday last. At 10 a.m., a large concourse had assembled on the Government Wharf to witness her departure, and a numerous circle of friends having accepted Captain Trewheellar's invitation to accompany the little steamer on her first venture on the waters on which she is intended to ply, she started from the Wharf at full speed out of the Harbor. When abreast of the Bellbuoy, the wind freshened from the South West, accompanied by a very heavy sea, but the Moutoa nevertheless proved herself to be a boat fully adapted for the work for which she is destined. Much anxiety was felt by those on board to ascertain her speed by the measured mile, which, however, she accomplished against the swell and flood tide, in 12 minutes, with the engines working 28 revolutions and boiler pressure of 58 lbs., and we may add that the engineer is confident that her speed can be still further increased. She afterwards proceeded to the Waimea River, and anchored off Saxton's Island. The numerous guests on board were then invited to partake of an excellent repast prepared by Mrs Trewheellar or their their refection, to which ample justice was done, and at which the most cordial wishes were expressed for the success of Captain Trewheellar and his partner, Mr Johns, in their spirited undertaking. About 2 p.m., the wind still increasing, she got underweigh, and steamed towards Richmond, but when distant about half a mile from that township, the captain thought it prudent to return, as there are as yet no beacons to mark the channel, and the wind continued blowing hard. At 4 [p.m. she proceeded to Nelson, and although the tide was ebbing rapidly, came in with ease, arriving at the Government Wharf, at 6 o'clock. The little Moutoa has a history, for she was built at Waikato, and was taken to Wanganui, foi the conveyance of troops, &c, up the river named after the island Moutoa, the scene of the famous battle between the Hau-haus and friendly natives. She was eventually given by the Government to the latter, in. acknowledgment of their services, and by them sold to her present proprietors. We ' understand she will run a few trips to Richmond this week, and then go on the Island for painting, &c. Another important addition has recently been made to the fast increasing number of highly creditable buildings which are in course of erection in this city for purposes of business. We ailude to the handsome store just completed for Mr H. Hounsell

in Bridge-street, nearly opposite that belouging to Messrs N. Edwards & Co., and the dimensions of which are probably unrivalled by any other store in this colony. ' The building, the exterior of which presents ix very substautiul appearance, consists of two stories, the lower of which is divided into wholesale and retail stores, the hitter of which, occupying the centre of the building, is of a circular shape, 50 feet in diameter, the various compartments of which are appropriated to the sale of ironmongery, grocery and oilmen's stores, china and crockery, and in fact every imaginable requirement for domestic use in almost inexhaustible variety. On one side lies the flour store, capable of holding 100 tons of flour, lined with iron throughout, and we need hardly add, completely rat proof. Ou the other lies the office, with the wholesale stores, and in the centre a handsome flight of stairs leads to the upper floor, thereby forming one spacious showroom, 93 feet by 50, in which furniture, carpeting, &c, of' every description, and suited to every purse, are tastefully displayed. Below the staircase is a large safe for butter aud cheese, with another room for the reception of engravings, &c, and the whole establishment is most complete in every respect, water being laid on with hose to both floors, a brick partition wall Laving been built oa the side abutting upou the adjoining buiiding, and' every precaution taken against casualties by fire. Amongst the outbuildings are also extensive repositories for gunpowder, kerosine, &c, which have been erected at a safe distance from the main structure, Altogether the inspection of £his store is calculated to provoke a very flattering estimate of the increased importance of this city in a commercial point of view, and the establishment reflects great credit not only on the builder aud architect, Mr Henry,- who has contrived to combine lightness of appearance with great strength of construction, but also on the spirited proprietor, Mr H. HounselLwho may justly be congratulated on what we trust will prove a very successful enterprise. A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Football Club took place on Saturday evening at the Nelson Hotel, and was well attended. It was unanimously resolved that such a club should be formed, and after some discussion it was determined that the subscription should be fixed at the very low figure of half-a-crown, in order to extend the club as much as possible, and thus to secure a large number of members, numerous players being essential to the game. The following committee was appointed to receive subscribers' names &c. until the next meeting : — Messrs Greenfield, Stavert, and J. W. Taylor. The meeting then adjourned until Saturday next. The club is now fairly started, and we trust that the movement which will be the means of affording healthful recreation, especially to the younger members of the community, during the winter season, will meet with general support. To-morrow evening the Anniversary tea meetiug. followed by a public meetiug, at which addresses will be delivered by the Revs. W. Lee, J. Crump, and other ministers and friends, will take place at the Wesleyan Church, Hardy-street. The anniversary dinner of the Past Grands of the Order of Oddfellows takes place this evening, at the Nelson Hotel, which, it is anticipated, will be, as usual, very numerously attended. The Richmond Cattle Fair takes place on the ground belonging to the Nelson Agricultural Association, on Wednesday next. We would remind our readers of the attractive entertainment announced to take place this evening at the Provincial Hall, in which Mr and Mrs Anderson, Mr Kelly, and M. de Labalestrier, artistes of repute, who have recently arrived from Melbourne, will take part. The programme is an especially varied one, including dramatic readings, and musical selections, both vocal and instrumental, and we trust to see a large audience assembled. The Rev. Father Tressallet, who for the last few months has been on a special mission to the West Coast, during the late political excitement, returned to Nelson last week, and preached at St. Mary's yesterday evening. Father Tressallet has been chosen to accompany the Right Rev. Bishop Viard as his chaplain, on his approaching visit to -Some, for which destination his lordship leaves by the next

Panama steamer. We understand that it is the intention of the Catholics of Nelson, amongst whom Father Tressallet has labored for the last five years, to present him with some testimonial of their respect and esteem before his departure for the Eternal City. We understand that the Acclimatisation Society is in expectation of receiving a large consignment of English singing birds by tlie Gertrude, which will probably arrive at Wellington some time during the current month. It is also, we believe, the intention of the Society to send home a considerable sum for the purchase of hares aud partridges, to be transmitted to Nelson by a favorable opportunity in October next. A lecture was" delivered at Kaiapoi on Wednesday week, by Rev. W. Lee, entitled 'An evening with the Poets,' with illustrations, the Rev. J. B. Richardson occupying the chair. The audience, which was very numerous, testified their appreciation by frequent applause. A vote of thanks to the lecturer was passed unanimously. — Canterbury Times, May 9. An interesting fiict connected with the recent rise in the price of flour is thus mentioned by a Christchurch paper : — A vessel has arrived at Dunedin from Valparaiso with 320 tons of flour. The consignee declines to fix the price at which he is prepared to sell till he receives further advices from Melbourne. This fact ought to be carefully borne in mind by our farmers, who do not sufficiently value the influence which the Melbourne market has upon the prices in New Zealand. At the time the Prospector left Valparaiso no other vessel was laid on for the Australasian colonies, which shows that the demand elsewhere was equal to the supply. Altogether, the report from Valparaiso is in the direction of an ascending market. Dr Selwyn, the recently appointed Bishop of Liohfield, will leave London for his New Zealand diocese in July. He holds both bishoprics at present, and will continue to do so until his successor in the colonial diocese is appointed. At present there is no endowment. The diocese of Lichfield will be placed in commission during Bishop Selwyn's absence, "which must necessarily extend over several months. The papers containing the details of the celebrated Yelverton-Longworth case weigh three tons. This case has been tried 18 times, has employed 26 judges and 200 lawyers, and has cost £25,000! The island of Java must be a pleasant place to live in. According to the latest official statistics published, 148 persons were devoured by tigers in one year, and in another the same fatebefel 131 persons. The crocodiles during the same period ate about 50 people a year, and between 30 and 40 a-year were killed by serpents. The inhabitants, however, do not seem to allow their habitual equanimity to be much disturbed by the fate of their fellowcolonists. The Governor-General some time ago offered for every tiger that was killed the sum of 22 guilders (£2), but this did not tempt the Dutchmen to action. —Pall Mall Gazette. The Church Association have already received guarantees to the amount of £20,000 towards the Fund for the maintainance of Protestant and Evangelical truth in the Church of England, and for assisting parishioners who apply to them for advice and expense of appeals to the law courts. Amongst the subscribers are the names of Sir Henry Oglander, who has paid down £100, the Bishop of Cashel, £100, Yen; Archdeacen Hill, £50, General Lawrence, £30, Col Sir H. Edwards, £20, and E. Hanbury Esq., £100. A young Irishman wrote last week from London to his family: — I am very happy to say that I have to-day, when luckily all my pockets were empty, been robbed of every single thing in them. Had I been robbed to-morrow, after I receive my uncle's legacy, the pickpockets would have reaped a rich harvest. Fortunately, I had long ago resolved to take a cab to-morrow, having been duly warned of the light-fingred gentry.