The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 32, 8 February 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1870.

Theatrical. — At the Oddfellows' Hall last night the audience was delighted with the drama of "Lady Audley's S'-cret," the personation of the different characters, especially by Mrs. Harry Jackson and Mr. Eayner, who took the leading parts, being really excellent. The two farces which followed, "To Oblige Benson," and "Did you ever semi your wife to Camberwell," were played with great spirit and kept the audience thoroughly amused from beginning to end. We observe that the company have advertised another performance for to-night. Twelve o'clock. — From all sides we hear complaints of the want of punctuality with which the gun was fired on Saturday last. lastead of noon, it was twenty-five minutes past twelve when the report was heard, and great was the confusion caused thereby, particularly in the country where there was no public clock to rectify the error. From the gay appearance presented by the flagstaff on Saturday, we are justified iu supposing that certain festivities were going on, which, for once, might be pleaded as an excuse for the signalman's forgetting to fire at twelve o'clock, but, having omitted to do so, would it not have been better had he left it undone i altogether ? The Wangapeka. — As the proclammation extending the boundaries of the South-West G-oldfields is to be published to-morrow, the Government have sent to the West Coast for Dr. Giles, who is expected to arrive iu the next steamer, and will act temporarily as Warden until Mr. .Kynner^k-j-, whose porvicfs ihe tin} ciiuteiidcnt is desirous of obtaining, has been communicated with. As that gentleman arrived in Melbourne some three weeks ago and proposed to proceed to New Zealand with as little delay as possible, he may be expected any clay, and it will, we are sure, he satisfactory to all parties concerned if he consents to accept the office of Warden at the Waugapeka. Mr. Blackett, we ;ire informed, will be despatched to that district on Thursday for the purpose of examining the roads and making arraugeinen's for having them placed iu passable order at once. Pioneer Gold-mining Company. — A meeting of the shareholders was held at the Trafalgar Hotel last evening, when a report was read from Captaiu Cock, who, at the lequest of the directors had been over to examine the company's leasehold. With regard to the auriferous qualities of the land the report is not very encouraging. Captain Cook says : — "Three openi ings have been nride in the hill side, but as yet no regularly defined vein has been found. On further exploration more specimens containing gold have been found, but not sufficient to induce a belief of profitable results from this source unless something better be opened up." The prospects as regards the copper lately discovered are far better, and on this subject the report says : — " Nearly half-a-ton of ore has been Iroken out of an opening about two feet deep. Specimens broken by myself from the deepest part rival in quality and character the best productions of British mines in that kind of ore, but so little work has been done upon this vein that it is impossible at present to pronounce decidedly upon its merits. At a later date Captain Cock writes : — "I have assayed a picked stone of the copper ore and find it to contain 28| per cent, of pure copper. Another stone from the same place contained 20| per cent, of copper." The Secretary's report was then read and adopted, and it was decided to make a further call of £2 per share, payable ou or before the 22nd instant, for the purpose of immediately proceeding with the works. The Regatta, — Notwithstanding the short notice given there are likely to be some splendid contests at to-morrow's regatta, and as the day is to be observed as a general holiday at all the banks and public offices the attendance will no doubt be very large. The Murray is to leave the wharf every hour carrying passengers round the harbor and occasionally during the sailing races going outside to the flag boat.

Fires. — The premises of Mr. Good iu Selwyn Place had a narrow escape from being destroyed by fire this moraing. It appears that at about 8 o^clock, while Mr. Good was at breakfast, the alarm was given and it was discovered that ten bales of flax which had been brought there to be pressed wereou fire. Some persons who were near the spot at once rendered every assistance, and by dint of hard work iu beating out the flame?, and pouring buckets of water ou them, the fire was at last subdued. The outermost portions of the flax were all burnt, and the whole of it will have to be reopened and dried. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Between three and four o'clock this afternoon, the fire-bell once more sounded the alarm, when it soon became kuown that Newstead, the residence of Sir David Monro, -was on fire. The brigade tvas quickly on the spot, and succeeded in extinguishing the flames which were bursting forth from the roof of the kitchen. Ou the fire first being discovered, some persons who happened to be near at the time rendered every assistance in their power, and by pouring water in the roof succeeded in keeping under the flames, which, however, were fast gaining on them, and but for the timely arrival of the brigade, the house must have been destroyed. Lancashire Bell Ringers. — This celebrated troupe gave an entertainment at the Assembly Rooms last night to a well-filled house. A good deal of disappointment was felt at the paucity of performers as compared with the number that Were in the company oo the occasion of their last visit to Nelson, the decrease in numbers having, of course, a corresponding effect on the souud produced, which at times was very scanty and defective. The different pieces were, however, very correctly rendered, and no one can deny that the music was exceedingly pretty, and that some of the selections were very well and cleverly played. But whatever shortcomings there were in this portion of the entertainment were amply atoned for by the delightful singing of the charming Miss Liddle who not only possesses a rich mezzo soprano voice butsings with the greatestexpression and good taste. The pretty little ballad "Love's Request " was given in such a manner as to fairly entrance the audience, and we do not wonder at the loud demand for an encore which followed, and was good-naturedly acceded to, the sparkling little Irish song "Katey Malone" being substituted for the original one. We must express an opinion that a little toning down of the accompaniment would at times have been an improvement, as the piano was occasionally so loud as to drown the voice, but this fault will no doubt be remedied as vocalist aud accompanyist become more accustomed to one another. A Mr. Hilton who was to have sung some comic songs failed to put in an appearance, thus creating considerable disappointment; and throwing an immense deal of work upon Miss Liddle who had to supply the blank caused by his absence. Before concluding our notice of the eutertainraent we must refer to a somewhat unpleasant subject. In every Nelson audience we have observed that there are some few persons who appear to think that a pedal accompaniment is essential to the success of any musical entertainment ; this was carried out to a really painful extent last night, and we trust that these amateur leather-aud-timber performers will accept this assurance that the clatter of feet upon the floor in beating time to the music, is, to say nothing of the bad taste of such a proceeding, exceedingly irritating to the large majority of the audience who fail to appreciate the beauty of such impromptu accompaniments. The Bell Ringers are to give another entertainment with an entirely new programme this evening, and we observe that a day performance for the convenience of children and schools is advertised for to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock. Stamp Duties. — The following notices has been published by the Commissioner of Stamp Duties : " All instruments liable to stamp duty should be written on parchment or paper previously stamped by the Commissioners with an impressed stamp ; but the instruments undermentioned, and no others, may instead be stamped with adhesive stamps by the persons makiDg or signing such instruments ; provided the stamps are affixed at the time of making or signing the instrument, — Agreements under hand only ; Agree-

ments comprised in letters ; Bills of lading* Cheques on banks or bankers ; Draftß of orders for payment of money, when liable to the duty of one penuy only ; Policies of insurance ; Receipts for money paid* None of the iustruinents above specified can, after they, are made or signed, be stumped by the persons making or signing them." Greymouth Races. — These races are to take place ou Thursday and Friday, March 17th and 18th, and should prove exceedingly interesting, as we observe that nearly £700 of public money are to be run for, the principal event being the Greymouth Handicap of £225, three miles. There are also two races of £100 each.