The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 166, 16 July 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1868.

We find that the Suez Mai!, which arrived at the Bluff yesterday, at 1.15 p.m., will probably reach Nelson either by the Otago or the Alhambra, on Mouday evening or Tuesday morning next. We learn that a cornrnissiou has been appointed by Mr Stafford to enquire into the circumstances connected with the late disturbances at the Buller, and the steps taken by Mr Commissioner Kynnersley to suppress them. The Commissioners appointed are Mr Bower), R.M. of Christchurch, andMr.J.W. Hamilton, of Christchurch, and we understand that they will proceed to Westport immediately. This step must prove very satisfactory as well to Mr Kynnersley, as to the public generally. The liov. F. Simmons, Head Master of Nelson College, has been presented with another valedictory testimonial from the ex-pupild of the High School Dunedin, consisting of a finely illuminated address and miscroscope. As we briefly mentioned in our issue of yesterday, the polling for two members of the Wairnea Road Board took place, pursuant to previous arrangements, on Monday last, the 13th inst., at the five polling places within the district. Judging from the fact that 195 electors recorded their votes on this occasion, whilst several others, who, having forgotten the condition on which alone that right could be exercised — by the prepayment of the rate — were debarred from voting, there can be no question that very unusual interest was fell in the contest. Richmond, Waimea West, Dovedale, Waimea South, and Stoke, were the five polling places, aud the following is the result of the election : — Mr Holland, 76; Mr Gapper, 69; Mr Mercer, 66; Mr J. Kerr, 45; Messrs Hastilow and H. Martin, jun., 37 each. 59 votes were polled for Mr Holland in Waimea South alone. Messrs Mercer and G-apper polled in Richmond 52 and 51 respectively, a noteworthy circumstance, inasmuch as it proved that the ratepayers of that township were determined to obtain adequate representation at the Board. Shortly after 6 o'clock, the chairman, Mr W. Harkness, after announcing the result of the poll, declared Messrs G. Holland and S. E. Gapper to be duly elected as members for the ensuing two years. In reply to a correspondent who desires to be informed as to the provisions of the Divorce Act, passed by the General Assembly in their last session, and which has now received the Royal Assent (in spite of the anticipated conflict between the new Colonial Act and the Imperial Acts which existed on the satne subject), we have to state that the Act which has now become law provides both for a judicial separation, a mensa et thoro, and also for a complete divorce. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morniug: — Joseph Bradcock was charged with . committing an assault of a very brutal character upon his wife, Mary Ann Bradcock, and was fined £l and costs, the complainant declining to press the charge. — W. O'Brien, on remand, charged with stealing's, gold chain and locket, the property of G. F. Anson, was discharged, no additional evidence being forthcoming. — The following debt cases were heard yesterday: — Merrington v. Durham. This was an action to recover £2 19s. 5d., for goods supplied. The defendant failed to appear, and judgment was given for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with 7s. costs. — Merrington v. Thompson. Action to recover £2, for goods supplied. Judgment for plaintiff for amount claimed, with 11 8. costs. The monthly meeting of the Nelson Fire Brigade takes place to-morrow evening at the Engin&house, Harley-street, at 7 o'clock. We stated a few days ago that Mr Russell, of Wellington, who is now visiting Nelson, had very kindly volunteered to give a musical entertainment in aid of the funds of some public institution ia this city. The Hospital was naturally sug-

gested to Mr Russell as being the most fitting recipient of the results of his generous iutentions, and an offer to this effect was tendered to the Managing Committee. We learu, however, with much surprise and regret, that this proffer of gratuitous assistance was unceremoniously and even brusquely rejected on their part by the I-Tononuy Secretary, Mr. C. Hunter Brown. Uuder these circumstances we are happy to learn that Mr Russell's offer will still be made available for the benefit of the city, the Committee of the Nelsoa lustitule having, in happy contrast to the treatment which he has received at the hands of the Hospital authorities, gladly taken advantage of the assistance placed at their disposnl. It is, we uuderstaud, arranged that the entertainment shall take placo at the Provincial Hall, probably oa Wednesday evening next. From what we learn from competent authority, and also from the opinions of the public press in Wellington, we believe that^ the public may confidently look forward to the enjoyment of an entertainment of very agreeable charactei*, the successful result of which would also confer essential benefit upon the Institute. We regret to hear that an accideut of rather serious character happened yesterday afternoon to Mr Thomas Mills, of Hardy-street, acid to one of his employes named Newton. It appears that they were returning from Wakufieltl iv a four wheel carriage, and had not proceeded far from that place, when Mr Mills, who was driving, whiist*lightiog his pipe, dropped the reins just as they were overtaking a bullock dray, aud in recovering them, pulled the wrong rein. The trap was thus brought into violent collision "with the dray, and was immediately upset, and much damaged, both the occupants being thrown to the ground, where they remaioed for some timein an insensible state. Dr Oldham was speedily in attendance, and at once proceeded to set Mr Mills's collarbone, which was dislocated, Mr Newton being very much bruised, but receiving no more serious injury. They were both brought in to town this afternoon, and Dr Cotterell is attendiug Mr Mills, who is still suffering much pain from the effects of the accident. We learn with regret that Mr Joseph Holland, eldest son of Mr George Holland, of Foxhill, on Tuesday lost a thumb and finger, t which were taken off by the circular saw, as he was engaged in cutting wedges for the tramway. The Westport Start, July 10, says — Whatever information is received of the progress of mining parties on the Caledonian Lead continues to be of a most favorable character. We are told that Marshall and party, who have for seven months been putting in a tunnel, have at length finished their work, and have obtained most excellent prospects. The expectation is that they will realise £30 per week for a considerable time. The prospect obtained is said to be as much as 3 dwts. to the dish. Hansen and party have also finished their tunnel, and expect good returns. Reynolds and party are in 520 feet, and have equal reason to be sanguine as to the results of their labors. At the sitting of the District Court, Hokitika, a juryman named William Costello objected to be sworn, stating that his reason for doing so was that he had 'no belief.' He was immediately challenged on the part of the Crown, and told to stand aside. The non-believer then applied to the Court to be discharged from attendance, and his Hoaor replied, 'Well, if you have no belief in anything, you are very little use here ; you can go.' The disciple of unbelief then left the Court, — Grey River Argus. The total amount of wool produced in the province of Otago during the last season is stated to be 22,921 bales, being an increase of 3075 bales over the previous year. The Blenheim Board of Works is no longer in existence, a meeting having been held on Thursday last, when the chairman and all- the members resigned their seats. A meeting of the ratepayers was to be held on Tuesday, when the Express says they will have the opportunity of electiDg successors if they see fit, or accept the alternative of the roads becoming worse, if possible, than at present. A Wellington telegram in the Marlborough Express of the 11th inst says that home despatches state that the Westland County Act is illegal, being ultra vires of the Constitution Act. A bill is to be introduced in the Imperial Parliament

validating it, and giving the Assembly full powers for future legislation. The Attorney-General has suggested alterations in the Duke of Buckingham's draft bill, without which the proposed Imperial validation would be open to grave doubt. These suggestions were only sent by the May mail, with a request that the Duke of Buckingham would get the Act passed immediately, and so prevent otherwise serious consequences. A very successful amateur concert was given at Blenheim ou Tuesday week, in aid of a benevolent object, at the Provincial Hall, which was crowded to excess. The proceeds of the evening were estimated at £45, and the performance, ia which Mrs Muller, Mrs Kissling, Mrs Rutland, the Misses Budge, Messrs Gr. Henderson, Wyvill, Falconer, Mears, and others took part, is described by the local papers as having been very satisfactory. A rifle match between four Scotch and four English members of the Marlborough Cadet Company came off on Saturday last at Blenheim, in which the Scotch were victorious by 23 points. Sydney telegrams of the 25th of June give the following items of intelligence: — A woman named Hunter was run over by a train, near Bur wood, and fearfully mangled. — Advices from Carpentaria state that the native police who went out on an expedition to avenge the murder of Mansou and his companion, shot 50 blacks, including the supposed murderer of Manson. — A strange discovery ha 3 been made near Ifoubark. A Chinaman was found hanging near the scene of the late atrocious murder of the storekeeper Lee and his children, with his head partly severed from his body. On searching the corpse a paper was found in his pockefc, stating that he had committed suicide on .account of his crimes. The police believe that the man was murdered and placed there to divert suspicion from the man before arrested. Some amusement was lately caused in the County Court, says the Castlemaine Daily News, during the hearing of the case Caines v. Aberdeen. Aberdeen, while in the witness box, several times appealed to his Honor Judge Forbes to save him from being swindled j ' not,' as he said, ' that he cared for himself, but for the sake of his innocent children.' The dispute was in reference to some land, it appearing to be a question of title between the litigants j and, as a climax, Aberdeen pulled a roll of notes from his pocket, offering his Honor £50 if he would give him the land. His Honor stated that he had never been so grossly insulted, and threatened to commit Aberdeen if he did not keep quiet. On the conclusion of the case, Aberdeen adjourned to the front of the Imperial Hotel, where he gave free vent to his pent-up feelings, and ia an outburst of virtuous indignation denounced the law and all its belougiDgs, declaring that there was no such thing a3 justice to be obtained in a law court. The sequel to this, as to most other of ' Williams's ' adventures, was that he was taken to the lock-up, and left in the care of Mr. Lloyd for the night. Judge Boothby (says the Melbourne Leader) has gone before a tribunal from whose decisions there is no appeal. ' Undeterred by the absence of sympathy with his pretensions or the deprivation of office, he persevered to the last ia his own interpretation of the South Australian Constitution and his resistance to the local Executive. The last mail brought notices, which were served upon his Excellency the Acting-Governor and others, announcing his intention to appeal to the Privy Council against his deposition from the judicial bench, and he had made such arraugementa in England that the case would probably have come on for argument in November. It is not very probable that any other colonial judge will raise similar points for the • discussion of the Privy Council ; but, at all events, Judge Boothby's career has shown the necessity of distinguishing between the -independence and the irresponsibility of the judicial bench. A resident in South Australia, named Pigdon, had his third snake adventure a few days ago. A correspondent of the Register thus describes Mr Pigdon's disagreeable experience: — This is the third time he has been, bitten by snakes, and, strange to say, each time on the same finger, which is now reduced to a stump. On 7th March, 1862, Mr P. received a bite on the point of the little finger of his ,left hand; and beiug at some distance from help, he cut the finger off:, at the

first joint with a common axe. The second bite occurred 11th October, 1860, when the same means was resorted to, and the finger was shortened by another operation similar to the former — he cut it off at the second joint with a pocket-knife. The third bite was inflicted a few days ago, when he again used the knife — but this time he only cut off the flesh arouud where the suake had inserted its fangs. In neither case did the sufferer avail himself of any professional man's skill. He is now quite well. A despatch from Ottawa, dated April 21, stales that Whelan has been committed for trial for the murder of Mr Darcy M'G-ee, It is reported that evidence has been discovered which proves that the inui'<l«r was planned by forty Fenians, that lots were east as to who should execute the deed; aud that the lot fell to Whelaa. The Volksfreund gives the following account of the marriage of the Archduke Henri with an actress. On the day of the marriage the senior „ clergyman of Botzen was invited to the archducal chateau. So little did he know what was in preparation, that he thought he was invited to dinner. On arriving at the palace he was conducted to a room where were the Archduke with Mdlle. Hoffman the bride, and two gentlemen. Without any preamble, the Archduke said unexpectedly : — ' I declare at this moment, in presence of the cure aud two witnesses, that I take the young lady here present for my wife.' Mdile. Hoffman made a similar statement, and so the marriage was duly celebrated in conformity with the civil law.