The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 34, 11 February 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1869.

A shock of earthquake, noticeable more for its duration than its severity, was felt this momiug at about 20 minntes past 10. The vibration which was travelling in a southerly direction lasted for nearly a minute. We are informed by Mr Pike that a pair of black swans, which, according to the last accounts received of thero, had taken up their residence near Blenheim, have put in au appearance at Tarndale, where they have bred, and there are now to be seen on the Lake the old birds and four young ones. We are indebted to Mr Norris, the purser of the Alhambra, which arrived this morning from Melbourne via Hokitika, for a Melbourne Argus, of 2nd inst. We find no mention made of the reported failure of Captain Robert Towns of Sydney, nor do we see any reference made to it in the Sydney papers, cur latest date being 25th uit. We are, therefore, in-' clined to doubt the authenticity of the report, as there can be no doubt that a failure on snch. a gigantic scale as two millions, would have created great excitement in the commercial world. We are informed that a testimonial in the shape oi a handsome writing-desk was presented on Monday last to Mr J. T. Smith, schoolmaster, at Stoke, by a number of working men resident in the district, to whom he had for the past 12 months been giving gratuitous lessons in singing, on the tonic sol-fa sy tem, as a mark of their esteem aud appreciation of his services. Our correspondent is desirous that ' publicity should be given to this little incident, to show first that woiking men are nofc unmindful of those who strive to pro- . mote their happiness, aud secondly, to encourage others who may have the ability and a little time to spare, to exert themselves on behalf of those who have little or no money to spare to pay for teaching.' An accident of a serious nature occurred a day or two since to a little girl of the name of Hargreaves, who in crossing the street near the Fleece Hotel was knocked down by a man, who was riding at a great pace round the corner. It has often been, a matter of surprise to us that occurrences of this description are not more frequent and we trust, that this accident will prove a warning to both riders and drivers who are in the habit of turning the corners of the streets, at such a pace, that should a foot-passenger happen to be in the road at the time it would be impossible for him to escape. We are glad to find tbat the little sufferer oa the present occasion, though seriously injured, is in a fair way for recovery.