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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 302, 22 December 1868, Page 2

A Wellington telegram states that the Airedale, with the Euglish mail for Nelson, would leave that port at one today, calling at Picton. She may therefore be expected here to-morrow morning. Such of our readers as are interested in astronomical phenomena will thank us for informing; them that an eclipse of Jupiter's first satelliie will take place to-morrow evening, at a time, too, which will be very favorable for its observation. At 7 minutes and 38 seconds after 9 o'clock, (Nelson true time), the satellite will emerge from Jupiter's shadow. Those of our readers who possess good telescopes should look a little to the right of the planet, and at the time mentioned they will perceive a sa'ellite suddenly start into vi'pw. This satellite is named 10, and is 2440 miles in diameter, and situated at a mean disrance of 278,542 miles from Jupiter. Eclipses must be very ordinary occurences to the inhabitants of Jupiter, if such exist, as the solar and lunar eclipses to which it is subjected, amount together to about 9000 in a Jovian year. It may be remembered that it was from observations of Jupiter's satellites that Eomer discovered the progressive transmission of light. According to some drawings made by the eminent Jesuit astronomer, Father Secchi, the third satellite has occasionally presented some most extraordinary and unaccountable appearances which have entirely altered their character in two or three hours. There are in fact few objects in the celestial regions more interesting than Jupiter or his satellites, and we strongly recommend our readers to scrape a telescopic acquaintance with him on the present opportunity. 'A Supporter of Mr Edwai'ds' expends a considerable amount of virtuous indignation on this journal, because, in our summarised report of that gentleman's speech to the electors in the Provincial Hall ou Friday last, after stating his opinion that the native rebellion should be stamped out at any cost, we omitted to specify the means by which he proposed to raise the 'sinews of war' for this purpose. We beg to assure our correspondent that the omission was wholly unintentional on our part, and we gladly supply the deficiency. Mr Edwards stated his belief that the cost ot such a war could only be met, not by a local, but by a general income and property tax, which wouli bear upon all according to their ability to pay it. We regret to announce the awfully sudden death lasfc night of Mr Charles Bray, senior, a long and much respected resident in this district. It appears that Mr Bray and his wife retired to rest at an early hour last night, and shortly afterwards Mr j Bray complained of a slight pain iu the region of the heart, to which it seems that he had lately been subject at intervals, and which he attributed to indigestion, His wife then recommended him to change his position, and whilst in the act of turning round he fell senseless on the floor, breathed heavily once or twice, and then expired. An inquest will be held on the body to-morrow, at the Wakatu Hotel. We regret to state that intelligence reached town yesterday that a rather serious accident had, occurred that morning to Mr Frank Boltoo, whilst riding a half- broken Arab, the property of his grandfather, Mr Eedwood, of Stafford Place. Ifc appears that he had scarcely mounted the animal when it threw him with great violence on the paved court yard at the back of the mansion, causing, it is feared, some internal injury, the extent of .which cannot yet be ascertained. Medical aid was at once summoned from Nelson, and we are glad to hear that the sufferer is going on as well as can be expected. We need hardly remind our readers that the lecture on the Geology of New Zea- , land, especially as regards this province,

which the Government Geologist, Dt Hector, bas kindly undertaken to deliver^ under the auspices of the President and Committee of the Nelson Institute, takes place this evening at the Provincial Halh Dr Hector's reputation as an eminent savant is so widely spread in this, colony that it requires no recommendation on our part to induce a very numerous attendance on the occasioa, Our contemporaries in Dunedin* Christchurch, and Wellington unite in characterising the performances of Messrs Lenton and Smith's Japanese Troupe* who nre expected to arrive here to-morrow by the Airedale, as amongst the most extraordinary ever witnessed, . ; pf wTiieh the tricks exhibited by the Ja^pghese Troupe that visited us some time since were but miserably clumsy imitations. The Japanes3 give only one entertainment, tomorrow night, at the Oddfellows' Hall, The Westport Times of the 15th inst* says that, in terms of the writ issued by his Honor the Superintendent, the Returni ing Officer at that place, Dr Giles, has I appointed the nomination of a member for i the Euller District in the Provincial Council, in the room of Mr G. V. Smith; resigned, to take place on Saturday the 9th of January the polling, if any, to take place on the 13th. The Times adds that it cannot at present quote the name of any individual likely to become a candidate on the occasion, but that there is little fear that, before the day of nomination, there will be more than one in the fields.