The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 16, 19 January 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1870.

Resident Magistrate's Court. — John Curless, charged b}*- Jonathan Levick. with wilfully committing damages to his property at tho Albion Wharf, was fined £1 and costs, and ordered to pay 35., amount of damage doue, and in default of payment 14 days hard labor. Mr. G. Bennett, of the firm of Nath. Edwards and Co., left for England, via Melbourne, in the Claud Hamilton, with his family on Sunday evening last. The wharf was literally crowded with friends and well-wishers at the leave-taking. Mr. Bennett, we understaud, will remain in England about a year, after wliich we may again expect him among us. He sails from Melbourne by the Lincolnshire. Thatcher's Entertainment at the Masonic Assembly Rooms, iu spite of the unfavorable weather last evening, was crowded. Small's " Scrip " song was deservedly encored, and "Not for Mo " was equally comic. Mr. Daniels is an excellent barritone, and sang well, and with great care and precision. Thatcher's " Wangapeka Dispute " was pregnant with very 1 ard hits, and names were mercilessly haudled. The whole thing, however, was a most decided success for Thatcher, as was instanced by the vociferous applause of the audience. Odd -Fellowship. — The annual District Meetiug of Oddfellows was held yesterday at Richmond, when the follow- ' ing officers were elected for the ensuing year, viz.: — PP.D.G.M. Brighton, Prov. Grand Master ; P.G. Ruffell, DeputyGrand Master ; C. S. Edwards, Corresponding Secretaiy ; P.P.G.M. Jennings, Distiict Warden ; P.P.Q.M. Armstrong, Relieving Officer and Treasurer ; and P.P.G.M. Graham, Examining Officer. After the business of the meeting was O I over the officers and delegates sat down to a very excellent dinner, provided by j Mrs. Kite, of the White Hart. The Timaru Ilerald states that about thirty of Robinson and Co.'s reaping machines have been sold in tliat district, this season, thus showing its growing importance agriculturally. Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary. — This anniversary was biought to a close yesterday by a children's treat and a public tea-meeting. On Sunday last two sermons were preached in aid of the above — one by the Rev. W. G. Thomas, the other by the Rev. J. Crump, the school children singing appropriate hymns in a very pretty style. Yesterday, the children's enjoyment must have been much marred by the wet, dull weather, I which entirely prevented their going early to the paddock as intended, and the continuous rain, no doubt, had also the effect of preventing the usually good attendance. at the public tea and meeting. The tea-room, however, was comfortably filled, and after doing justice to the manygood things provided, the public meeting was held in the Chapel, and presided over by Mr. Boundy, the re-elected Schoolsuperintendent. The Rev. J. Crump, in the absence of the Secretary, read the Report as follows : — " The Committee of the Hardy-street Wesleyan Sunday School, in appealing to the congregation for a good collection, would state that, after paying the expenses of the school for the past year, they are indebted to the Treasurer in the sum of £l 17s. 9d., which, with the expenses of this anniversary, they hope to be able to clear off. Number of boys in the school 73, girls 61, total, 134 j average attendance, 104. Number of teachers, male 11, female 9, total, 20; average attendance, 15. Superintendents: Messrs. Boundy aad Campbell. Subject of instruction during the year : The life of Daniel; the Life of Moses." The meeting was addressed by the Revs. J. Crump, W. G. Thomas, and Messrs.

Boundy and Fairey, the children singing as on the previous Suuday. The total collections were announced to be £9 18s. 4d„ aud a prayer for the general welfare of Sunday Schools generally, and tp;.c!i'7-s and rhiMivn <if' this in particular, closed the proceedings of tbe anniversary of 1870. Postal. — In n circular is«npd from the General Post-office, and dated Jan. 1, post masters are informed that, in future, correspondence for the United Kingdom may be forwarded "via Brindisi;"' and any letters or newspapers specially directed "via Brindisi" will be forwarded by that route in a mail addressed to London, with the words "via Brindisi" very legibly marked on it. The postage on letters for the United Kingdom "via Brindisi" will be: — When not exceeding half an ounce, Is 3d; when exceeding half .an ounce and not exceeding one ounce, 2s 6d; when exceediug oue ounce and not exceeding two ounces, os; and so on increasing at the rate of 2s 6d for every additional part of an ounce or fractional part of an ounce. Newspapers will be liable to a charge, of fourpence for every four ounces. The postage on letters and newspapers must be paid in advance.