The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 68, 22 March 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1870.

We are requested to state that a telegraph station has been opened this day at the Hiifct, Province of Wellington. A Government Gazette announces that the firing for the colonial prizes will take place at Dunedin on the 29th and 30th of •■ April. Wangapeka Eoad. — No less than fiftyeight tenders have been received at the Superintendent's office for the works on the road to Wanjrapeka. The Glassclowers offer strong inducements to the public to pay them a visit to night, wheu the entertainment is to be for , the beuefit of Mrs. Woodroffe, and the presents to be given away at the end of the eveuing of unusual value, including, among many other works of art, _ a case of works ■ valued at £10, a full rigged ship, valued at £6, and a beautiful pipe worth £5. These additional inducements will no doubt \ secure them a crowded house. Lancashire Bell Ringers. — We are glad to welcome back to Nelson this talented company who are to give two performances on Thursday and Friday next, at the Oddfellows Hall. The bellringers alone is sufficient inducement to attract a large audience, but in addition to 1 this we notice that we are to have the pleasure of hearing once more that charming vocalist, Miss M. A. Liddle, who crei ated so favorable an impression on her last visit here. Mr. Hilton also is to sing a 1 number of comic songs, so that altogether a capital evening's entertainment may be expected. Fire. — About nine o'clock last night the fire bell souuded the alarm, and a strong glare in the direction of the Christ Church Parsonage, set every one running in that direction, when it was discovered that the high gorso hedge was again on fire, for the second time withiu the last few weeks. ' The fire brigade was soon on the spot, and after some little delay, caused by thebursting of the hose, completely extinguished the ■ flames, which had been partially beaten out before the water played on them. In con nection with this subject we may state that the Trustees of the Parish are at present • engaged in raising subscriptions towards meeting the expenses that have been incurred in repairing the Parsonage House, . and also to enable them to remove the hedge which lias proved to be such si source • of danger. We trust that the parishioners, after the repeated warnings that have been given, will readily come forward, and give • their aid in providing funds for the eradication of so dangerous a nusiance, as, if it is allowed to remain, they may be invited ■ ere long, to assist in the much more expensive undertaking of erecting a new Parson--1 age House. Commercial Gold-Mining Company. — A meeting of the shareholders in this company was held last night, when Mr. Drew,who had just returned from Collingwood, gave an interesting account of his visit to the mine, to which he went a stranger, and prejudiced against it. He found that a drive had been made into the side of the hill to the extent of 95 feet, principally through black sand stone. On arriving at the end, the reef, which was ' well defined, was visible on the roof. The stone was roughly tested, being washed without being crushed, and several small pieces of gold were taken out. The quartz in the reef appeared to be in all stages of preservation and decay. Snow. who was superintending the works, had made a very correct calculation as to the probable length of the drive, as was proved by the reef being struck within about afoot of where he expected. Another drive, 140 feet in length, had been made further on, aud it was expected that after driving 25 feet more the reef would be struck again, and prove to be better and richer thau in the first drive. The men were exposed to much danger in working, as had been shown the other day when a charge of powder sent a large stone the whole length of the drive, breaking a pick handle at the mouth of it. Mr. Goulstone and Mr. Smith, who had also visited the mine, fully corroborated what had been said by Mr. Drew, and both appeared most sauguine of success; the former gentlemau stating that he believed that if ever there existed ground for hope, such was the case with this mine, with which he was most agreeably surprised..