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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 169, 20 July 1868, Page 2

We lately mentioned that an amateur concert had been given at Blenheim in aid of a charitable object, which, had passed off very successfully. We find that an appeal is being made with the same view — by the Committee of the Presbyterian Church in this city — to raise funds in aid of the widow and children of the late Rev. A. Russell, the Presbyterian Minister at Blenheim, whose melancholy decease, about a month ago, from diptheria, after only a few hours illness, will be fresh in the memory of our readers. Mr Russell was a Wge-hearted man, and had made himself universally popular in the community among which he labored, and many will, doubtless, gladly avail themselves of this opportunity of showing their sympathy with his widow and six young children, for whom he had not been able to make any provision. Subscriptions will be received by Messrs Black, Campbell, and Black, Trafalgarstreet. Amongst the passengers who arrived yesterday by the Airedale, was the Chief Justice, Sir George Arney, who had been prevented landing at Taranaki, by the tempestuous state of the weather. Sir George, during his brief stay in this city, was the guest of his Honor Mr Justice Richmond, at St. Margaret's, and left this morning for Wellington. We believe that it is no longer a secret that Mr Kynnersley has resigned his appointment as Commissioner of the Nelson South West Gold Fields. It is well known that the state of Mr Kyanersley's health has for some time past been such as to cause serious apprehension to his friends, and the arduous duties which have devolved upon him, especially within the last few months, have, we understand, necessitated his resignation. It will be seen that the monthly inspection of the No. 1 City Rifles and Artillery Company takes place to-morrow evening. Our Wellington files contain no more recent intelligence from Patea. Telegraphic communication was resumed with all the stations on Saturday morning. The line was opened from Wellington to Napier on the 13th inst. The entertainment to be 'given by Mr Charles Russell, at the Provincial Hall, in aid of the funds of the Nelson Institute, is fixed to take place on Wednesday next, and will consist of a lecture on the music of Ireland and Wales, illustrated by songs. We have no doubt that a crowded and fashionable audience will reward Mr Russell for his generous intentions on behalf on our local institutions. We learn that letters were received yesterday from Mr Huddleston, who was then in Melbourne, stating that he had been enabled to secure several Angora goats for the Nelson Acclimatisation Society, together with hares, sparrows, &c. Mr Huddleston, who was about to leave for Tasmania, states that he has met with a most cordial reception at the hands of the Victorian Acclimatisation Society, who have shown every possible disposition to further the objects of his visit. We have to acknowledge the courtesy shown to this journal by the RegistrarGeneral, in forwarding a Parliamentary Paper, containing abstracts of the results

of the Census, taken in -December last, the contents of which we purpose presenting to our readers at the earliest possible opportunity. The first number of * Hansard' for the present session of the General Assembly has also reached us. The Rev. F. Simmons, Head Master of Nelson College, accompanied by Mrs Simmons and their family, arrived yesterday morning, by the Alhambra, from Dunedin. The New Zealand Government Gazette of the 11th inst. contains the following appointments in the local Volunteer Force : Nelson Artillery Volunteers ; William Henry M'Cabe to be Second Lieutenant. Date of Commission, June 15, 1868. No. 1 Company Nelson Rifle Volunteers ; John Sharp, to be Captain. Date of Commission, July 8, 1868. Motueka Rifle Volunteer Cadet Corps; Charles Herrick Thorpe, to be Honorary Lieutenant, and Edmund Parker, to be Honorary Ensign. Date of Commission, June 19, 1868. We learn that on the receipt of the inteliigence of the escape of tLe Maori prisoners from the Chatham Islands, the Government immediately dispatched H.M. s,s. Rosario, to Poverty Bay, another steamer being sent to the Chatham Islands, to ascertain the fate of the guard stationed there. Dr. Hector is expected to visit Nelson by the next steamer, for the purpose, we believe, of classifying the contents of the Museum of the Nelson Institute. Mr Haughton M.H.R. has moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Gold Duty Act, -with a view to the immediate reduction and gradual extinction of this tax