The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 34, 10 February 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1870.

The Wangapeka. — Considerable excitement was caused last night, and continues to exist to-day, owing to a rumour which has been spread abroad to the effect that on surveying the line from the westernmost and highest peak of the Mount Owen group referred to by Mr. Marchant, in his report to the Government, which we published ou Mouday last, the purchased land has been found to be without (he South-west Goldfields. On miking enquiry.', we find that no authent'c information has been received on this head, but that a, gentleman who arrived from tbe Waw«apeka yesterday state i that a rumour exists among those on tbe ground that there is every probability of such being the case, and this, no doubt, has given rise to the reports now in circulatiou. As Mr. Marchaut did not expect to complete the survey until yesterday, it is scarcely probable that any reliable iuformation as to its result will be received in town before to-morrow morning, or this evening at the earliest. GOLDMINIKG AT COLLINGWOOD. — We. notice that Mr. Washbourne, of Collingwood, has called a meeting for this evening at 8 o'clock, at the Masonic Hotel, of persons interested in goldmiuing, when he proposes to explain the remarkable deep sinking operations which he has commenced in that district to reach the old bed of tha Parapnra river supposed to be rich in gold. The Weather. — The rain which commenced at 11 o'clock this morning will prove most acceptable to our farming population, whogp meadows present a most parched appearance owing lo the long; continued drought. The whole of the harvest, with the the exception, or a few acres of barley, being safely housed, four and twenty hours of soaking rain will give unmixed satisfaction to farmers and gardeuers, and in fact to everyone, as the hot dry weather which we have experienced of late has proved most oppressive, aud injurious to health. Lancashire Bell Eingers. — Another performance was given at the Assembly Rooms last night by the Bell-ringers, and we may safely assert that never did we see a more enthusiastic, and, shall we say exacting audience. The numerous encores which were demanded, especially of Miss Kiddle, must have been somewhat trying to the performers, but they were nevertheless responded to in the most willing and good humored manner. Tho beautiful music of the bells, and the charming sing-ing of the lady by whom the company is so ably assisted, formed as delightful an entertainment as could possibly be wished for ; indeed there was something really exquisite in the rendering of the vocal part of the performance, more particularly •of the favorite song, " Sweet Spirit Hear my Prayer," in which Miss Liddle fairly surpassed herself, the beautiful manner in which she softly breathed forth, and dwelt upon, some of the notes, producing such an effect upon the audience that, for the time being, they appeared to be fairly spellbound. Another performance is advertised

for to-night, when we can honestly recommend such of our readers as have not yet attended this enterfainment to be present and judge for themselves whether or not we have exaggerated its attractions. Theatrical. —A crowded house was assembled at the Oddfellows' Hall last "night to witness the play of " The. Lady of Lyons," and none of them could have, beeu disappointed iv the entertainment provided for them. G-iviug precedence to the ladies, we cannot too highly a pp]aud the acting of Mrs. Harry Jackson in the part of the attractive heroine Pauline, nor of Mrs. S. Howard as the haughty and purse-proud Madame Descbapelles. Mrs. Joyce, too, as the Widow Meluotte was, in her more humble sphere, all that could be'desired. The acting of Mr. Rayner iv impersonating Claude Melnotte was perhaps, a little overstrained, but it ' was evident that he fully entered into the spirit of the part he was taking. Mr. Sam Howard played well the part of Colonel Dumas, but in our estimation he is far more at home in such a character as Captain Copp iv Charles 11. The crafty and revengeful Beauseant was. well renderod by Mr. J. Joyce, as was the- wily accomplice, Glavis, by Mr. Simmonds, The absurd farce of "A Kiss in the Dark," was provocative of the usual amount of laughter, an J the "audience left at its conclusion .apparently well pleased with the evcniug's entertainment. The same bill of fare is, we see, provided for this evening. j j

We are indebted to Mr. Pringle, the purser of the Lord Ashley, for Aucklaud and Taranaki files. The native news is far from satisfactory, as the King natives at Tokangamatu are said to be arming, apparently to prevent Colonel M'Donnell from following Te Kooti into their territory Tawhiao is said to be quietly waitiog for the next move on our part, and the friendlies living in Waikalo have received warnings from their friends at Tokaugamutu to come out from from amougst the English settlements, in order to save themselves from the pakeha's impending fate. The account of the stopping of the survey at Ohinemuri will be found elsewhere.