RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 8, 10 January 1870, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Before J. Sharp, Esq , R.M., This Day. William Fox was charged by his wife .Rachel Fox with threatening to shoot her. Complainant stated that she was afraid to live any longer with her husband who, she was certain, would do her some bodily harm. Prisoner, on consenting to a separation was discharged. John Burt was charged with stealing a ' pair of trousers from the shop of Wilson and Richardson. Prisoner, who is an old offender, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor.

Vanguard Street.— The strong gang of prisoners now at work in filling up this street, are making considerable progress, and it will not be loug before the road is available for traffic from the Post-office to the Post Boy Hotel. Watering the Streets. — The Board of Works have this year substituted the water cart for the hose in watering our streets, and it appears to be a vast improvement, as the rush of water from the hose inflicted considerable damage upon the roads, whereas the cart is quite as i efficacious in laying the dust without the drawbacks of the previous system. The barrel which holds 350 gallons, is filled as often as required from the fire plugs, an operation which occupies less than one minute. Fatal Accident. — We regret to learn that an accident has occurred at Wakefield, whereby Mr. Daniel Clark, a wellknown settler, has lost his life. It appears that Mr. Clark with one of his sons was engaged in cutting down a tree which, in falling, took a contrary direction to that which was expected. The unfortunate deceased .seeiDg that it was coming his way endeavored to escape, but was prevented from doing so by a fence, and one of* the branches struck him on the back breaking his spine. Mr. Clark was one of the oldest Nelson settlers, and has for a long period of yeara resided in the neighborhood of Wakefield, where he was much respected. In all the principal towns in New Zealaud we find that Christmas Eve was celebrated by the performance, by the respective Harmonic Societies, of the " Messiah " before crowded aud appreciative audiences. We wish that the same could have been said of Nelson, where, however, the greatest apathy has always been shown with respect to this the mostsublimeof all musical compositions : The Auckland Herald's notice of the Christmas Eve oratorio in that city commences as follows : — " The performance of the * Messiah ' has gained the high place of being acknowledged, in every part of the world, the most fitting inauguration of the festivities which at once close and open the Christian year." Apparently Nelson is quite out of the world.