THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 160, 9 July 1868, Page 2

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1868.

This province may reasonably congratulate itself on the very reputable, figure which it presents amongst the quarterly returns of imports and exports of the various provinces of this colony, just published in the Government Gazette. Whilst every other province, with the single exception of Hawke's Bay, shows a large decrease in its imports, Nelson can boast of an increase of £30,600 on the corresponding quarter of 1 867. As regards our exports, Nelson can also point to an increase of £102,814, during the past quarter, our province in fact forming a bright oasis amongst the generally unsatisfactory financial state of the other provinces .of the colony, for Wellington and, Auckland alone show an increase in this department, aud this in far less degree than Nelson. We give the following returns of value of imports in the several provinces of the colony for the quarter ended March 81, 1868 ; Auckland, £136,262; New Plymouth, £5,911;- Wellington, £135,143; Hawke's Bay, £22,779 ; Marlborough, £3,737 ; Nelson, £162,981; Westland, £181,374; Canterbury, £152,309; Otago, £479,718; Southland, £31,521; and the Chatham Islands, £43; making a total for the past quarter of £1,311,778, against a total of £1,697,017, for the corresponding quarter in 1867, making a total decrease in value of imports of £385,239. The return of value of exports for the quarter ended 31st March, 1868, is as follows: — Auckland, £82,626; New Plymouth, £255; Wellington, £140,013; Hawke's Bay, £24,460; Marlborough, £28,706; Nelson, 225,496; Weetland, £218,759; Canterbury, £413,153; Otago, £392,385; Southland, £32,569; and the Chatham Islands, £20, making a total for the past quarter of £1,558,442, against a total of £1,739,988, for the corresponding quarter of 1867, and showing a decrease of £181,546. Altogether these returns, as far as the colony generally is concerned, are by no means reassuring, and are certainly not calculated to inspire greater confidence in its present financial state. A testimonial of a very gratifying character was presented on the Ist instant, by his late pupils, to the Rev. P. Simmons, (who, our readers are aware, has been elected Head Master of the Nelson College), on his retirement from the Rectorship of the High School, at Dunedin. The ! Daily Times of the following day gives a report of the proceedings, from which we learn that the articles presented consisted of an epergne or centre piece, and a flower vase, both of beautiful workmanship, and highly ornamented. The presentation was made on behalf of the pupils by Master Reid, who expressed their sense of the many kindnesses they had received from Mr Simmons, aDd of the interest he had always taken in their studies, and in their welfare generally. Mr Simmons briefly acknowledged the presentation, adverting in grateful terms to the admirable manner in which the boys had conducted themselves, especially during the last four months, when, owing to the unreasonable and intolerant feeling which has prevailed in certain quarters in Dunedin, in reference to Mr Simmons, they had strong inducement to act in an insubordinate spirit. This he acknowledged in feeling terms in taking his farewell of his pupils. Judging not' only from this graceful proof of the estimation in which Mr. Simmons ia held by those who were under his immediate , charge, and from the regret with which his departure; from Dunedin is generally regarded, but ; also from his known abilities as an instructor of youth, -we may safely congratulate the Governors of Nelson ; College on the selection they have made from amongst so many candidates for the office of Head Master. We understand that Mr; Simmons left Dunedin on the sth" instant, and is ex pected to arrive here to-day by the Airedale; From a notice in the Government Gazette'of the 20th ult.we learn that Messrs ■ H. Gpulston, Jr.Watkius> J. Sharp, T; R.

Fisher, F. W. Irvine, and W. M. Stanton, have been appointed Trustees of the Nelson Saviugs Bank, in place of Messrs An till, Burn, Connell, Goodman, Kerr, Knowles, Scaife, and Tatton. The first number of a weekly paper called the Alliance, which has been initiated with a view to the advocacy of Temperance principles, haa appeared in Christchurch. The Alliance contains a variety of information illustrative of the movement, both in these colonies and at home, and is apparently ably conducted. The Star Dramatic Company make their first appearance this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, and judging from the array of names, and the sensational character of the mural advertisements which meet the eye at every turn, it may be reasonably anticipated that the lovers of the more modern school of dramatic composition will be amply gratified. The Company, we understand, also boasts a very agreeable addition to its resources in the form of an orchestra, and also in some newly painted scenery, and as the prices of admission are cry moderate, and certainly more commensurate with the present state of the public pocket in Nelson, the Company are entitled to expect a liberal support. We observe that a well known resident of Motueka, Captain Horneman, has received his promotion in the New Zealand Militia, his attainment of his Majority having been duly announced in the last Government .Gazette. A tea party was given yesterday by the Rev. Father Gavin, at St. Mary's, to the children attending the Girls' School, under the present teacher, Miss Smith, and also to .those who have joined the Juvenile Temperance Society instituted by him. About 70 sat down to tea, and although the weather was most unfavorable, indoor amusements were not wanting in spirit or variety, and the evening passed off very successfully. The ketch Alert left Riwaka on Thursday last, laden with produce, for Charleston, but experienced. very severe weather, and on reaching the Spit was compelled to put back into Totaranui, where she lay until yesterday morning, when a heavy sea setting in, she shipped a large quantity of water whilst lying at anchor, and also had her fore scuttle washed away. She was then obliged to put to sea, and made for this port. She had passed the Lighthouse, when a squall came on, with very hazy weather, which obscured the lights, and she struck on the Boulder Bank about 9 o'clock, p.m. There was no chance of getting near her last night, on account of the heavy sea, which made clean breaches over her. The captain and crew, however, came on shore in the boat in safety.! When the; tide left her this morning, it was found that she had received very trifliDg damage, and she landed part of the cargo in good order. The balance will probably be landed this evening, and there is every hope that she will be got off the bank by this evening's tide. The Alert was, we believe, only insured agaiust total loss. It would appear from an announcement in the Southern Cross of the 27th ultimo, that the manufacture of paper from New Zealand flax has attracted the attention of the proprietors of an extensive paper manufactory near Sydney, who have despatched an agent to Auckland for the purpose of leasing a couple of thousand acres of Government land at the Waikato, where it is proposed to grow flax on a very extensive scale. The flax will be prepared in the best possible manner, and will then be exported to the manufactory at Sydney for the purpose of paper making. The programme for the second Grand Provincial Steeplechase Meeting at Christchurch has been published, and the 6th of August — the anniversary of H.R.H. Prince Alfred's birthday — is announced as the &vy ou which, the races are to come off. ; Despatches have been received from his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, Secretary for the Colonies, by the various Australian Governors, stating that a scholarship, of the annual value of £100, and tenable for three yeaTs, in the University of London, has been instituted by the trustees of the Gilchrist Education Trust, to be annually awarded to a candidate resident in Australia, who shall have graduated in. arts either in the University of Sydney or in that of Melbourne^ in which the award shall be vested alternately. Every candidate must be a native of Australia, must have resided in one of the colonies for

five years, and his age must not exceed 22. Each student will be allowed an option as to place of study between the University of Edinburgh and University College, London, but he will be expected to pursue his studies with a view to graduate in one of the four faculties of the University of London. It is suggested that a good effect might be produced ia stimulating competition for the Australian and Canadian Scholai'ships (for a similar offer has been made to Canada), it the colonial Governments could be induced to grant free passages Co the scholars annually elected on their proceeding to England. The Argus of the 22nd ulit. gives the following telegram, from Sydney relative to the Varroville Stud Distribution:— -In consequence of the determination of the Government to stop all the lotteries now advertised and in contemplation, the promoters of the Varroville Stud Distribution are placed in rather awkward circumstances, as the greater part of the shares have been taken up, expenses have been incurred, and the drawing was appointed to take place in less than a fortnight. The promoters of the scheme have therefore determined to proceed with the distribution, and to avoid any contretemps through the interference of the authorites in Sydney, have decided that the drawing shall take place at Melbourne. The Attorney General (of New South Wales) has notified his intention to prosecute the promoters of the distribution if it is persisted in. The Argus expresses a hope that the Attorney General of Victoria will not suffer the law of a neighboring colony to be evaded in this manner. No less than 114 petitions by civil servants of the Victorian Government v, the Queen, for arrears of salaries, were received in one day. The Wesleyan Bazaar in aid of the funds for the Draper Memorial Church, at Adelaide, has realised the sum of £1,050. The full Court in Sydney have, by a majority, sustained the demurrer raised by Mr M'Pherson, M.L.A., against the information charging him with assaulting Mr Lee, M.L.A., within the precincts of Parliament, and with committing a contempt of the House. Mr Lee, who had pleaded guilty to a similar assault on Mr M'Pherson, and who was bound over to appear for judgment, was discharged. The effect of this decision is that the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction in cases of ..assault or contempt committed by members on one another within the House, and while Parliament is sitting. The Judges were not unanimous, there being two in favor of that ruling, and one taking an opposite view. The Government are not satisfied, and intend to appeal to the Privy Council. The Sydney Morning Herald's ' Fiji correspondent Btates that only a small body of the King's troops were repulsed by being taken in ambush. King Thakambau, with the main body of his chieftains and native forces, was still in the field, and the issue was not yet decided. The war was considered the greatest ever known in the island. The agents of the Melbourne Company who are negotiating for the purchase of King Thakombau's rights over the Fiji Islands, have concluded their arrangements with that sable potentate, by which he agrees to grant them 200,000 acres and the presumptive right over the whole territory, with other concessions of an important character. In return they guarantee to assist King Thakombaa in the defence of his territory, and pay the American debt at present held over it. They further agree to give the King an annuity of £200, and to continue the same to his son, who succeeds him, The settlers in the islands have protesteii energetically against this arrangement, ' Which is denounced by- the Sydney^; Morning Herald as being dangerous and unconstitutional. """ "' '■" It is a popular delusion to believe. that powder on a lady's face has the same effect as in the pan of a musket*— assist her to go off. : •