NELSON REGATTA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 35, 11 February 1870, Page 2

NELSON REGATTA.

To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir — In your report of the " Amateur Whaleboat Eace" in last night's Mail, there seems to be a doubt as to whether the crew of the winning boat, the "Favorite," was composed of amateurs only. Now, for general information, I must tell you that the crew was made up of the following charming variety : a butcher, a confectioner, a digger, a coalmerchant, a paperhanger, and a gent, with a broken arm. Now, if the above are not considered amateurs, I should like to know who are. I am, &c, The "Confectioner." P. S. — I have since heard that one of the above crew followed the sea in his early youth, being once a cabin boy, but was dismissed the service for falling down the main hatch with some crockery, since which he has turned his undivided attention to geology and the profitable use of the pick; perhaps some may consider this quite enough to constitute him a professional puller.

Gold Eeturns. — By a return of the quantity and value of gold exported from New Zealand for the quarter ending 31st December, 1869, we find that during that time the Province of Nelson exported 35,121 ozs., of the value of £140,484, of which quantity Nelson contributed 3208 ozs. ; Westport, 15,919 ozs. ; and Greymouth, 15,994 ozs. For the same period the exports from other parts of New Zealand were as follows : — Auckland, 40,557 ozs,, "of the value of £139,083; County of Westland, 41,309 ozs., viilue £165,236; Otago, 40,826 ozs., value £163,304. The inferiority of the Auckland gold as compared with that of the Southern Island is

shown by the above returns, whereby it will be seen that although Auckland exported some 5400 ozs. more than Nelson, the estimated value of her gold . is £1400 less than that of our province. The total export of the precious metal from New Zealand up to the 31st December last, amounts to the enormous quantity of 4,997,969 ozs., of the value of 19,407,894 pounds sterliug.

GOLDFIELD IN WELLINGTON. The Post says the reward for the discovery of a goldfield has been claimed by a Mr. George Billmau. In his letter to the Provincial Secretary, dated February 4, he says : — " The situation is the Harbor District range of hills between Ngahauranga and the Hutt. I have had the gold tested by a first-rate Melbourne analyst, aud I am prepared to shew you, at any time, on the ground (section No. 11, Harbor District), from 1 ton to 20 of gold-bearing quartz."

The fire-bell at Wellington rang out the alarm on Monday last, and several members of the brigades donned their uniform and rushed to the engine house. They were not wanted, however, as the alarm turned out to be a practical joke by some tars belonging to the Challenger. Passing the fire-bell, they heard eight bells struck on board their ship, and the idea of repeatingthe performance on slioreiustautly suggested itself to Jack's mind and was as instantly put into practice.

We {Post) have been favored with the lollowing extract from a private letter just received from Napier. The position of the writer is a guarantee for the correctness of the information : — " Branigan's new regulations have been received with great satisfaction by the men of the force. The reason is that one of the rules allows auy man to leave on giving three months' notice. This is an unhoped for boon, and upwards of two hundred of the best men in the force have eagerly seized on the •chance of quitting it, and have sent their notices of resignation to head-quarters. Our Superintendent Ormoud is in a great state of dismay at this, and it is reported that an express has been sent for Mr. Branigan in order that a consultation may he held, and some remedy devised. The native allies have not been paid for some months, aud are growling about it.

A Melbourne paper says that the appeal made to the public on behalf of the family of the Eev. Mr. Hill, murdered while discharging the duties of his office, has been nobly responded to. By the exertions chiefly of the Ministers of the Wesleyan body, the sum of £2819 9s. lOd. has heen realised by contributions made all over the colony. This sum, together with the £2500 voted by the Parliament, will he handed over to the trustees, and invested in colonial securities. The interest will be devoted to the education of the children, among whom, when they come oj age, the principal will be equitably divided.

A shipment of English birds, by the Warrior Queen, has arrived at Dunedin in capital condition. There were landed alive 32 partridges, 66 pheasants, 71 starlings, 50 goldfinches, 31 skylarks, 60 blackbirds and thrushes, and one hare.

The Flying Squadron arrived at Auckland on Wednesday, the 2nd inst., after a passage of six days from Wellington.

The Bishop of Auckland. — Dr. Cowie, the new Bishop of Auckland arrived in his diocese by the City of Melhourne from Sydney, on the Srd inst. He was accompanied by his three daughters, and arrangements are being made to give him a public welcome.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Pkesents. — It is stated that the Indian office haye sanctioned the expenditure of £10,000 to cover the costs of presents to be bestowed by the Duke ©f Edinburgh on tLe native princes of India, One-half of this sum ■will be expended in England, and one-half in India.

What we mat Expect. — The Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil says that when the " good time coming " comes, announcements like, the following will be frequeut : " Died, in the 35th year of his age, Mr. John Smith, husband of the Hon. Jane Smith, at her residence, in Nashua, this morning, at six o'clock. Mr. Smith was a meek and quiet husband, beloved for the graces of a cultivated and trained nature. He excelled in the" domestic virtues, washed and ironed his own linen ; as cook he was surpassed by few ; as nurse equalled by none."

Friday Feb. 11 ... 4.30 520 Saturday „ 12 ... 5.50 6.30 Sunday „ 13 „. 7.0 7.31 Monday „ 14 ... 7.54 8.17 Tuesday „ 15 ... 8.40 9.4 "Wednesday „ 16 ... 9.26 9.48