The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5. 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 261, 5 November 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5. 1869.

, Diocesan Synod. — The next session of the Nelson Diocesan Synod is to commence on Tuesday ihe 23rd inst. Boakd op Works. — Our at.ent.iou has been called by a correspondent to the danger and inconvenience of a thorn bush overhanging the palings of a house in Col-lingwood-street. Cullplford Gold -mining Company. — We have heen requested to correct a stiatemenfc which appeared in this morning's Colonist, to the effect that 70 shares it. the above company had beeu reserved, such not being the case as all the 1200 shares were sold to the public before 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Acclimatisation.- We understand that intelligence was received by the last English mail that a laree number of hares and partridges were about to be shipped on board the John Bunyan, which was to sail from London for Nelson, about the end of September. Meeting- op Shareholders. — We notice that a meeting of the shareholders of the Culliford Goldmining Company is to be hold at the Masonic Hall on Friday afternoon next. Telegraphic Extension. — Our telegraphic shipping intelligence to-day contains for the first time a report from Wanganui, the line having been opened to that town yesterday. Provincial Council. — We are glad to learn that Mr. A. S. Collins has, at the request of a large number of the electors, consented to offer him.elf as a candidate for the representation of the town in tbe coming election of members of the Provincial Council. Circus. — The circus still appears to prove a great attraction, as a large audience attends every evening. The farfamed " Dick Turpin's ride to York," is to be represented to-night, and to-morrow night, while to-morrow afternon. there is to be a grand midday performance to enable children, schools, and countiy people to attend. Christ Church Organ. — We are glad to find ihat a number of ladies and gentlemen io Nelson have kindly consented to give a vocal and instrumental concert in behalf of the organ fund, on Friday next. The programme, which appears in our advertising columns, is one of the most attractive that has ever appeared in Nelson, and we sincerely trust that the excellent music that may be expected, and the good cause in aid of which the concert is to be given, will draw a large audience to the Provincial Hall on the evening in question. We are requested to state that should the sum of £50 be realised by the concert, the committee will be able to send home for the organ by the jiext outgoing mail; it is hoped, therefore, that all those who nre interested in the matter will uot only take tickets themselves but induce their friends to do so as well. Fire. — Loss op Life. — About ten o'clock last night a strong glare was visible from the town in the direction of the Port, but it was generally supposed to be some one burning gorse, and it was not until some little time after the light had died away, that it became known that it was caused by the burning of a house, as proved to be the case. It appears that Mr. Lowe, the second pilot, who. was at ihe time near the Old Custom House, first discovered the fire which appeared to burst, forth from a cottage occupied by one Margaret Herdman, usually known as " Old Margaret." He at once gave the alarm, and sent off to the police stutiou near the wharf, for assistance, which was soon at hand, by the time they arrived at "the burning house, however, it was found that the fames had gained too complete a mastery to leave tbe slightest hope of saving it, and Mr. Wm. Morrison and another, who attempted to /enter it were compelled* to give up the

) attempt ; their efforts were therefore devoted to saving the adjoining house, in which, thanks to the plentiful supply of water, thoy were successful. After the fire had been got under, it got abroad that old Margaret was missing, and ou search heing minle, the body of the poor old woman, who was about 80 years of age, was discovered, charred and mutilated, and presenting a most horrible spectacle. It is supposed thut tha fire was caused by the upsetting of a candle, tbus setting, fire to the bed curtains, as Mrs. Morrison had been down to the house shortly before to 6ee Margaret, whom she found lying on her bed partially undressed, and that before leaving tbe house she placed the candle on the middle of the table near the bed. and there seems to he uo doubt that the fire originated in the bedroom. The remains of the unfortunate woman were carried to the Pier Hotel, where an inquest will be held. Collingwood Quartz. — About a hundred weight of auriferous quartz has heen sent over from Collingwood to Messrs Curtis Brothers by tbe Perseverance Gold-tniuing Company who have for some time been at work in the Bedstead Gully, where, we are informer!, they have be'-n making good wages by simply crushing the quartz with a sledge hammer and thus extracting the precious metal. The specimens which are to be seen .t Messrs. Curtis' office are of great richness, the gold being in some of them plainly visible to the naked eye, whilst in all it is to be detected with the aid of a magnifying glass.