The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 282, 2 December 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1869.

College Sports. — The sports at the College came off yesterday in the' presence of a large assemblage of persons. We are unable to give the particulars to-day, but shall report fully to-morrow, i I Erratum. — In our leading article yes- j terday, in speaking of the dimensions of tbe claims at the Thames goldfields, in- . stead of "50 yards along the reef, and 150 ou either side," it should have been "50 "and 1 50 feet respectively." Accident. — A little boy the son of Mr. T. Hovendeo, of -Motueka, met with a serious accident yesterday ; he was sitting on a roller, and by some meaiis or other his leg was caught by it., and broken in two places. We are happy to hear that the sufferer is progressing favorably. Provincial Government Gazette. — Yesterday's Gazette contains a proclamation by his Honor the Superintendent, notifying that, after the Ist January next, the Rules and Regulations of the Southwest Goldfields shall be in force in the Golden Bay Goldfields. It is also notified that leases are to be granted within the district of the Southwest Goldfields to the Sunrise, Band of Hope,' Coal Gorge, Heart and Hand, aud Dunera Mining Companies; also, to the Persevere Steam Sluicing Company. Dioesan Synod. — The Synod was opened yesterday afternoon by the Bishop of Nelson, who delivered a long address in which he touched upon most of the topics that are now agitating the religious world. A hearty vote of thanks haviug been passed to His Lordship for his interesting address, the Synod proceeded to elect a Standing Committee and officebearers for the year. The Standing Committee brought up their report which was partially considered, and several notices of motion having been given, the Synod adjourned until this day at half-p.-fSf three. Mr. Cottrell's Entertainment. — Our readers will, we are sure, be glad to welcome Mr. George Cotterell again tomorrow evening. To those portions of his entertainment which we have already seen, there is no occasion for us to refer, and wiih regard to the new features in his programme, we will merely quote the opinious of the press in other provinces. " The second part," says the Marlborough Express, "introduced Lady Ciaijp, Trimbleton ; this was a perfect gem, and quite convulsed the audience. , The dress and manner of an old and faded belle was admirably depicted, and was forcibly suggestive of Mr. Charles Matthews, in " He wouid be an actor,' in which he .sustained the part of a French lady. Lady Cl-ira sings ' I remember how my childhood fleeted by,' and the imitation of the affected and wiry voice of the old lady was. much applauded." So generally acknowledged is Mr. Cotterell's talent for acting, that we have ,no doubt whatever that thero will be a bumper house tomorrow. . " Our notorious Land-office scandals," observes the Gipps Land Times, " are now to be probed and inquired into by a Royal Commission, who will take evidence on oath, -and institute, let us hope, a thorough and searching investigation. If the serious charges so authoritatively brought against Mr. M'Culloch- and his colleague Mr. Grant are, as they allege, untrue, then they have everything to gain and nothing to lose in giving a willing assent to the proposed inquiry. If on the other hand, these charges; are true, no effectual remedy can be applied to guard against their repetition in future until ifc is known exactly what is the real nature of the ' proper representation;' .78ystemi7under which the patronage and ppwerjof .astrong Government havie;been 7shamefully7^u^ '■;-;otli(j^ continuance in office of a Bham Liberal