FIRE BRIGADE DINNER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 235, 3 October 1868, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE DINNER.

The anniversary dinner of the Kelson Volunteer Fire Brigade, took place on Thursday eveniug 1 at the Trafalgar Hotel, H. Adams, Fsq., Provincial Solicitor, occupying the chair, and Mr Mirfin, the Captaiu of the Brigade, being Vice-chair-man, About 43 persous eat down to table, including the Provincial Engineer find a few other invited guests. The dinner fully sustained th© reputation which mine host Disher has established in connection with such occasions, and gave general satisfaction. Afc its conclusion, the chairman called upon the company present to drick the health of her Majesty, which was given witli all the honors, including the Natioual Authem, and this was followed by ' The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family,' the chairman observing that hia Royal Highness was evidently identifying himself with the affections as with the paetiroes and pleasures of the people, and in referring to the approaching visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, expressed hie assurance that he would receive no more enthusiastic welcome in the colony than in Nelson. Next came the health of his Excellency the Governor; and the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, responded to by Captain Wigeell on behalf of the latter force. The Vice-chairman proposed the healths of the Superintendent and the Executive, acknowledging the obligations under which the Brigade lay to the Government, to

which the Provincial Solicitor replied, expressing his regret tlmt^the absence of the Superintendent at Wellington had prevented his taking the chair. Mr Luckie gave ' The Provincial Council,' observing that the Brigade was indebted to that, body primarily for the assistance which they had received from the Executive. The Provincial Solicitor replied to the /.oast, and said that it was not known whether Provincial Councils were to be done away with or not, but he certainly thought that the Brigade would not have obtained such an amount of aid from the General Government as they had done from the Provincial Council. The toast of the evening, 'The Fire j Brigade/ was given from the chair, the Provincial Solicitor bearing cordial testimony to the readiness ever displayed by ' the members of that body on any occasiou j when their services were required, which, he sail, had given rise to the expression in seme quarters that they must sleep in their uniforms and use their helmets as night caps (laughter). He also referred to the efficiency they had displayed at. the last, fire near the Institute, which had been so curiously and satisfactorily exhibited ou that occasion, and announced that the Government hnd ordered an additional Lumber of hydrants, (hereby adding to the moans at the disposition of the Brigade. He concluded by expressing his opiuion that the Brigade hnd conferred benefits on the city as well as the province, which laid the community generally under the greatest obligations to its members. The toast having been given with all the honors, aud drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, Captain Aiurfiu responded in appropriate terms and at considerable length, expressing his intention to do his best to sustain the reputation of the Brigade, while under his command. This wus succeeded by 'The Police,' accompnuied by complimentary allusion to their general efficiency aud to the valuable assistance rendered by them to the Brigade at fires, which was responded to by Mr Inspector Shallcrass in a neat speech. ' The Trade and Commerce of Nelson,' was proposed by Mr Graham, of Melbourue, who stated that he had ever found Nelson a very healthy commercial town, the merchants always Al, aud but few bad debts, to which MrNehse replied in a humorous speech. Mr Lightfoot then gave 'The Pi ess of Nelsou,' acknowledged by Messrs Lnckie and Merewether respectively,* 'Friendly Societies,' being entrusted to Mr Bastard, who treated the subject in a very effective and comprehensive manner, to which Mr J. Harley replied, enlarging on the benefits accruing from such institutions. Mr Manson Sinclair proposed, and Mr L. Gully responded to' the toast of 'The Ladies' in equally elo quent and sympathetic terms. The Captain of the Brigade then gave the health of the Chairman, with thanks for his presidency on the occasion and for the warm interest he had ever shown from the initiation of the Brigade in its welfare aud progress. The toast was very warmly received, and the Provincial Solicitor acknowledged the compliment, apologising for his interference on some critical occasions, when perhaps spectators were the best judges of what was right to be done, and expressing the pleasure he felt in presiding on the occasion, especially as it afforded him an opportunity of expressing hie sense of the uniformly admirable conduct of the Brigade, as well as hip friendly interest io it 3 welfare. The healths of ' The Host and Hostess/ duly honored, was .followed by that of the Provincial Engineer, proposed by JVlr J. Wigzell, who acknowledged in grateful terms the many important services rendered by that officer to the Brigade. The toast was drunk with very great enthusiasm, and Mr Blackett replied, acknowledging the compliment, and expressing his satisfaction that he had been enabled to render some service in aiding to bring the body into its present efficient state. The health of the Captain, Mr Mirfin, having been given, ' and replied to, the chairman retired at midnight, his place being ably supplied by the Provincial Engineer, and we believe that the party did not separate until some time afterwards. We must not omit to add that some capital songs, excellently sung by Messrs White, Graham, Scrivener, C. Bird, Dickens, and, several other gentlemen, tended materially to enliven the proceedings of the evening, which passed off most pleasantly and satisfactorily.

As the Gothenburg had not arrived in Wellington when we went to press, it will be vaio to expect that our Pauama Mail will reach us before Monday next at the earliest, instead of to-morrow, as stated in our last issue. No further intelligence has been received from the Front, since the date of our last telegram. A debate took place yesterday afternoon in the House, on a proposition originating with Mr Stafford, and seconded by Mr Fox, that the services of the regiment now in tbe colony, and under orders for Australia, should' be retained. Mr Stafford having waited on the Governor in reference to this subject, announced that his Excellency concurred in . the proposition, and had expressed his willingness to accept the responsibility of at once removing the two companies of H.M. 18th Regiment now stationed in Wellington. •An EyewitneHa' complains that, whilst much public indignation has been very justly expeuded upon the case of inhuman. treatment of his horse by the mau Gilson another instance of certainly equal atrocity inasmuch as the sufferings of the unfortunate animal were still further prolonged, has been allowed to pass altogether unnoticed by the public prints. Our correspondeut states that a horse, the property of an innkeeper in this city, whilst being driveu with others near the Gaol, stumbled and fell, breaking one of its legs, nearly opposite to Mr M. Lightband's residence in Sltelburne-streefe. The man in charge of the animals immediately fetched the owner, who shortly afterwards returned, and putting a halter upon the maimed horse, it was led, or rather driven, down to the stockyard adjoining his premises. There it remained fora considerable period (heing dinner-time), until it was ultimately driven do«vn to the Port, the animal going on three legs, quivering with agony at; every step, and evidently suffering the most excruciating pain, for its whole frame was bathed in perspiration. On reaching the Port it was towed into deep water, and its throat being cut, the poor creature's sufferings were at length terminated. Our correspondent adds that the scene was witnessed by a large number of spectators, who did not hesitate to express their opinion of this brutal conduct in very unqualified terms. Tbese outrages on decency and humanity would seem to be on the increase, but we trust that the most stringent measures which the law permits will be enforced against such offenders, and that this severity may at all events tend to prevent their repetition. A public meeting of the electors of Grey mouth took place on Saturday last, for the purpose of considering the conduct of the representative of the Westland Boroughs in the General Assembly, the Mayor in the chair. A resolution afSnniDg the confidence of the electors in their representative was carried, which has been transmitted to Mr Harrison at Wellington, accompanied by a substantial testimonial, which is still more significative of the feelings of his constituents* An inquest was held on Wednesday last at Spring Grove before Dr Squire 3 and a jury, of which Mr R. Fowler was foreman, on the body of a child, named Eliza Neumann, aged five years, who had met her death by drowning on the previous day, having fallen into a claypit nearly opposite to her father's house. The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death,' with a rider finding fault with tbe insecurity of the fence surrounding the pit, to which the attention of tbe proprietor Mr Andrews, was directed. A meeting of the members of the Nelson, Cricket Club is called for this evening at the Trafalgar Hotel, for the purpose of makiug the requisite arrangements for the the opening match of the season, which it is intended shall take place on Wednesday next. Tne information which has as yet reached us from the Wakamarina is very meagre. We have however learned that a second company is being formed for the purpose of thoroughly prospecting the locality, the company originally formed being at present engaged in sinking a shaft now about 20 feet deep, on the face of the reef, so as to enable them to prospect it, and ascertain whether it be payable or not. We understand that very sanguine anticipations are entertained as to the probable results. An 1 advertisement io another column announces the opening to the public, free of charge, of the Eeadingroom of tho Young Mea's Christian Association, in Bridge-street (except Sundays and Mondays and every alternate Tuesday), fron?

7 till 9 o'clock, from this date. We cannot doubt that so acceptable a boon will meet with large and ready recognition. The latest news as to the escaped prisoners from the Chatham Islands is to the effect that they are occupying strong fortified positrons, forming a half circle, in an almost inaccessible hill, and are quietly planting potatoes. The bodies of Captain Carr and Lieutenant Canning are still lying uiiburied. Much alarm prevailed at Wairoa, and many were leaving the district. A seizure of an illicit still was mai'e near Hokitika, on the 24th ult., by Mr Patten, t.iie Collector of Customs, assisted by Inspector Broham aud two police constables.. The still was about two miles up the Teremakau, and about 150 yards in the bush, on a creek leading into the river. Besides the plant there were seized about 100 gallons of material ia a state of fermentation, preparatory to distillation, and about 30 gallons of distilled spirits. The man who was found in the place admitted ownership, and was arrested and brought ,down> to Hokitika. His name was Robert Simpson. He was brought before a bench of Justices at Hokitika, and pleaded guilty to having been iv possession of an unlicensed still, and fined £lUO aud costs, or six months' imprisonment with hard labor. As some evidence of the state of political feeling in Auckland, we quote the following from a recent Auckland paper . — A general election will soon be here, in which the issue will be — Proviucialism, ■with all its jobbery and corruption, against local self-government. The centralism of the Provincial Government is the worst of all centralism. What, the settlers of this province want is local self-govern meet, and that will never be secured as long as Provincialism exists. All have read the Btory of the Russian mother who threw her children one by one to the wolves to save her own life. That is the case of the Provincial Government to save their salaries: first, they threw over the school-teachers and all the children of the province; and then at last, when driven to desperation, they threw over the sick aud destitute. A partial Ministerial crisis occurred at Sydney on the 17t.1i ultimo. Ameetiug of the Executive Council was held to take into consideration the case of Mr Duncan, Collector of Customs, now under suspension. The meeting was uot very harmonious, Mr Parkes, the Colonial Secretary, being in favor of reinstating Mr Duncan, but a majority of his colleagues decided ou his dismissal. Mr Parkes thereupon resigued his office of colonial secretary, and his example has been followed by Mr Byrnes, another member of the Ministry. An invention for the extinguishing of fires has been recently shown iv Melbourne. It is self-acting and is portable. It consists of a tin vessel, about 2^ feet high, and a foot in diameter, with a small hose attached. A large fire was raised on purpose to test its efficiency, and the new invention put the fire out after the lapse of a few minutes. James M'Ewan & Co., of Melbourne, are the agents. The captain of the Glasgow Fire Brigade testifies to its efficiency. It has often been stated that large quantities of gold are lost in the tailings; here is a proof of the correctness of the assertion. There is now at the Bank of Victoria a bar of gold weighing about 4070z5. which has been obtained entirely from the waste tailings of the Good Hope mine, Gipps Land, This company has obtained nearly lOOOoz. of gold from pyrites alone during the last nine months, which has left a clear profit of over £3000 to the shareholders. The trip of the s.s. Albion to Japan is the subject of a paragraph in the China 1 Mail of July 10, under the heading of Japan news: — The steamer Albion has arrived from Australia with about 18 passengers, who fancied that Japau was an Eldorado, and had left employment in the colonies to seek a fortune there. The Yokohama papers comment strongly on thiß event. The Gazette says: — ' We cannot too strongly urge upon our brethren of the Australian press to do all iv their power to counteract the false impressions the letters have given rise to, and prevent colouists leaving their shores, however dull the times may be with them, for the certainty of disappointment here.' A lady was urged by her friends to marry a widower, and as an argument they spoke of his two beautiful children. * Children,' • replied the lady, * are like toothpicks: a person wants her own.'