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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 153, 1 July 1868, Page 2

It is stated in political circles that Dr Irvine- will offer himself to the electors of Nelson, to fill the vacancy iv the Provincial Council, occasioned by the retirement of Mr A. Pitt, and that there is every probability that he will be unopposed. The Supply, which arrived here from Collingwood on Monday, brought a considerable quantity of coarse, nuggetty gold from the Rocky River, and it is stated that the same claim yielded a 7 oz. nugget, immediately after its purchase from the original owner by a Maori. A geueral opinion appears to prevail that the mining population on the Rocky River and the Aorere will receive very considerable accessions during the coming spring. Amongst the illustrious men who died during the month of April last, Dr Elliotson, the man who introduced the stethoscope into England, who discovered the curative properties of quinine and prussic acid, and who founded the North London Hospital in Gower-street, must not be allowed to pass away out of remembrance without some notice. Dr Elliotson was one of the most distinguished scientific men of. the age, and was, latterly, more generally known to the public in connection with mesmerism, of the truth of \ which he.was so firmly convinced that he

did not hesitate to resign his professorship in the London University, rather than even seem to imply any doubt in regard to the question. Possessed of a large fortune and a large professional iucome, it is not too much to say that he sacrificed the former to his beuevolence and the latter to his innate love of truth. We quote the following from the Westport Times of the 26th ult.: — Last night we were shown two nuggets, one weighing 2oz. 13dwt. 4gr., the' other loz. 14dwt. which were purchased by a well-known townsman yesterday, the produce of the Lyell diggings. Our informant, who we believe incapable of telling what was not true in the strictest sense, informed us that he has either purchased or agreed to purchase the balance held by the same party, comprising 26 others, and a large amount of gold. A letter received by a resident at Westport, from a friend at the Fijis, is quoted in the Westport Times of the 26th ult. Tho writer strongly urges his friend, if things are not going well at Westport to take a trip to the Fijis where fortune awaits him. The correspondent has a situation in the British Consulate, and naively confesses that it is a most agreeable position for he has nothing to do. He goes on to say that the land can be bought from the natives for Is. per acre, and from white speculators at 2s. to 10s. He advises the Melbourne or Sydney route, and counsels the shipment of cheap calico, flash looking guns and muskets which must have ' Brummagem' polish strong upon them, turkey red and white beads, provisions of various kinds, includiug tea, sugar, salt beef, and what is more necessary than all, a good whale boat, with anchor, chains, mast, sails, oars, &c, complete. The writer had been there two years, and liked the place exceedingly. A good matrimonial market is open for the fair sex there, for we are informed that though there are 800 white people there is not a marriageable female among them.' The Canterbury Times notices a great improvement which has been effected in the mauner of letting the public know at the Christchurch Postoffice when the mails close. Hitherto these notices were posted outside, and were often defaced by those who thought of nothing else but mischief. Now, the notices are posted afc the front widow, and are covered with glass, so that they cannot be interfered with by those outside. These notice papers give the name of the steamer, where she is to sail for, and the time at which the mail closes. A column is reserved for the notification of any change in the hour of closing should a telegram be received to that effect.