Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 187, 10 August 1868, Page 2

At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning, George King was fined £1 and costs for allowing the chimney of his house in Bridge-street to take fire on Thursday last. It was stated by Mr King that the chimney was of peculiar formation, having an -•elbow,' and it was to this cir- ' cumstance that he attributed the fact that it had taken fire more than once, the soot collecting in the "-elbow,' and igniting easily, especially when Australian coals are used. The Fire Brigade had their monthly practice on Friday evening last, when several experiments were made with a view to test the efficiency and extent of the appliances now at the command of the Brigade, which have been still further increased by the recent arrival of a new branch from Melbourne. Five branches were played at the same time at the hy- ; drants. situated near the Nelson, Trafalgar.

and Commercial Hotels respectively, each of them throwing a steady and copious jet of water, and.it is stated that, with an adequate number of hydrants, a still larger number of jets might be thrown simultaneously, if required. We are informed that ou each successive practice of the Brigade siuce the inauguration of the Waterworks, the service has been found to work more and more satisfactorily. A dramatic performance takes place this evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, for the benefit of Mrs VV. Ryan, under the patronage of the Licensed Victuallers of this city. The programme comprises a comedy 'The Countess, or Summer and Winter,' the amus'tug farce of 'The Rough Diamoud,' with other entertainments. We have been requested by Mr J. H. Cook who had been anuounced to give some illustrations of his powers as an electrobiologist on the occasion, that on reconsideration and from conscientious motives he has declined to carry out his original intention, being reluctant to mix up the science of which lie is a professor, with other matters. An -inquest was held on Saturday last, at the Bridge Hotel, before the Coroner, Dr. Squires, and a jury, on the body of a man named Albert Robinson, who had been living for some time past near the Wairoa Bridge, and who had lately been suffering from delirium tremens. It appeared that he had been carefully watched for some days previously, but on Thursday last he contrived to escape and drowned himself in a deep pool in the river above the bridge, where the body was found, after some search had been made, on the following day. A certificate was handed in from Dr. Man-, proving that on the day previous to his death he had been under treatment for delirium tremens, and the Jury brought in a verdict to the effect ' that he had drowned himself whilst in a state of unsound mind.' The ball, in aid of the Widow and Orphans' Fund, given annually by the Order of Foresters iu this city, takes place tomorrow evening at the Provincial Hall,. and is, we understand, likely to be very numerously attended. A general meeting of the members of the Young Men's Christian Association is announced for this evening at their Room, Bridge Street. We believe that the primary object of the meeting is to arrange for the holdiug of periodical meetings, and for the organisation of classes for the members of the association. The drawing for Mr W. Davis's Arfc Union takes place to-morrow evening, at the Harmonic Society's Room, Trafalgarsquare, and it will be seen from our advertising columns, that, with a view to insure success, he guarantees that each member shall obtain the full value of his subscription, independently of the chance of winning still more valuable prizes.