LOCAL NEWS. The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 81, 8 April 1869, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS.

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1869.

PAitise of All SAiNrs. —We are requested to remind our readers that a meeting of the parishioners of All Saints is to be held at the Bishop's schoolroom this eveniug at half-past seven. The Duke of Edinburgh's Ball. — We have been requested to remind our readers that those who intend being present at the Ball, must procure their tickets on or before Saturday next, after which date none will be issued. Thatcher's Entertainment. — A farewell entertainment is to be given at the Odd Fellow's Hall to-night by Mr aud Mrs Thatcher prior to their leaving Nei on iu the Alhamhra. There is, we understand, to be a new local song entitled the Artillery and the Coal Hulk. Mesmerism:. — Dr Carr advertises that he will to-night and on Saturday night lecture on this subject at the Temperance Hall, when several well-known gentlemen have volunteered to be mesmerised, and volunteers will have their characters phrenologically delineated. Several medical gentlemen have, we observe, been invited to be present. Statistical Tables. — We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Registrar General's office of the Statistics of New Zealand for 1867, including the results of a Census ofthe colony taken iu December of that year. Accompanying the Tables is a circular stating that the delay which had occurred in their publication was occasioned by the pressure of work entailed by the Parliamentary Session on the Government Printing Office. Waimea Toll -Gate. — As will be seen by an advertisement which appealed in our yesterday's issue, the Turnpike Gate on the Waimea-road which on previous years was let. for £600, has this year realised the sum of £720. There were 13 tenders sent in, two of them being for the amount accepted by the Road Board. No doubt, tha increased traffic tbat there will be on the road during the visit of the Duke has something to say to this large advance in the rent. Old Ben and his Little Ones — We observe that the indefatigable " Ben " intends to marshall his enormous family in front of the Temperance Hall on the morning of the Prince's arrival, whence they are to march in procession to the Port to welcome H.R.H. A gratuitous lunch is to be provided for the ladies and children in the afternoon, and in the evening there is to be an entertainment for the benefit of the Band of Hope, to consist of singing and recitations. A very tempting programme is published, and as the charges

for entrance are very trifling, we expect to see a large party assembled. Our Nelson Patriarch also invites the childreu to meet at the Temperance Hall on Saturday evening next, for the purpose of practisiug the National Anthem. Parish Meeting. — A meeting of the parishioners of Christ Church was held last night, for the purpose of electing churchwardens, passing the accounts, and discussing other matters connected with tbe parish. Dr. Sealy was nominated by the Rev. G. H. Johnstone, and Mr. Lee elected by the meeting, as churchwardens, and the same vestrymen were appointed as acted in tbat capacity during the past year. The estimates for the current year, showing probable receipts, £520 1 45., and estimated expenditure, £480 4s. were passed, and the question of the desivaVul ity of procuring an organ for the church was then discussed. A very general feeling seemed to prevail that the time had arrived when the Cathedral Church of the diocese should be provided with some more suitable instrument than that with which it is at present disgraced, and the following resolution was carried with but one dissentient voice — " That this meeting recognises tbe necessity of obtaiuing an organ for Christ Church, aud that a committee be appointed for the purpose of procuring the necessary funds, such committee to consist of Messrs. Pitt, Percy, Mabin, B. Jacksou, BlundeU, Sharp, Scaife, and A. J. Richmond." We are very glad to find that this matter has been (aken up iu so hearty a manner, and sincerely trust that the committee will spare no pains, and that the public will liberally assist, in the good work of providing such an instrument as shall invest the musical portion of our beautiful Church services with that air of devotion and solemnity, which, under present circumstances is so unattainable.