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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 187, 10 August 1870, Page 2

Supreme Court. — The Court is still occupied in the trial of the case Atwood v. Redwood. There is some probability, we understand, of its coming to a termination this evening. Steamer Lord Ashley. — Considerable anxiety was felt in Auckland when the Phoebe left with respect to the Lord Ashley which was then seven days out from Wellington and had not been heard of since her departure. The Suez Mail. — The Tararua, which should have the Suez mail on board, was expected to arrive at Hokitika last night or this morning, but unfortunately the line is down between Christchurch and the West Coast, so that we can gain no information as to her movements. Begatta Club. — We are glad to learn that the Nelsoa Regatta Club is showing

some signs of vitality, a meeting being called for to-morrow evening, for the purpose of making arrangements for the annual regatta. Winter Evening Entertainments. — The most sanguine of the Christ Church Organ Committee could hardly have anticipated so great a success as has hitherto attended their efforts to advance the object they have in view. Last night the Assembly Room was even more crowded than on the previous Tuesday, and a number of persons had to be turned away from the doors. The proceedings commenced with a highly interesting and entertaining lecture from Captain Rough, the subject being "The Islands of the South Pacific." This was followed by readings, a comic song from Mr. George Cotterell, which, of course, was loudly encored, a set of quadrilles, played by the Harmouic Society's Band, and a chorus, and we may safely venture to assert that there were few present who did not feel that they had speut a most pleasant and profitable evening. It will be seen by advertisement that at the next entertainment, which is to take place on Tuesday, the 16th inst., the Bishop of Nelson has kindly consented to exhibit some beautiful dissolving photographic views of Venice, which he has in his possession. Freemasonry. — A largely attended meeting of the Brethren of the Southern Star Lodge No. 735 was held last evening when after the usual business concluded, P.M. Scaly. on behalf of the Lodge, presented P.M. Percy (the present Secretary of the Lodge) with a P.M. Jewel lately belonging to P.M. T. Sullivan; and the present W.M., T. Younger also, on behalf of the Lodge, presented P.M. W. W. Squires with a Past Master's Jewel especially procured from Australia. The brethren thus honored made suitable replies, and after business, sat down as usual to an excellent supper provided by Host C. McGee, after which success to the Southern Star Lodge, the Lodge of Unanimity Blenheim, Visiting Brethren, and other toasts were most enthusiastically given and responded to. Several visiting brethren were present, including oue from Taranaki and two from Blenheim, and the Brethren separated at a late hour. ! Nelson Patent Slip Company. — As some misapprehension may exist on the part of the public as to the probability of the Provincial Government being able to fulfil its promise of a guarantee to the above Company in consequence of the disallowance by the Colonial Government of the renewal of the Nelson Patent Slip and Dry Dock I Acts of 1867 aud 1869, passed in the last session of the Nelson Provincial Council — it being ultra vires, or contrary to the enactment of (l The Consolidation Loan Act, 1867," we are glad to be in a position to state that the powers conferred by the first mentioned Acts on the Provincial Government do not expire until the 30th of October next, and that if the Company can before that time satisfy the Government of its ability to carry out the intended works, the lease and guarantee will be executed as matters of course. The Provisional Directors of the Compauy have already given much valuable time to its organization, and, through the assistance of some of their members and the secretary, they have arranged all the preliminary details of lease and guarantee with the Government, and only await the receipt of the draft of that document from the Provincial Solicitor — who has it in hand — to take energetic measures for the furtherance of the undertaking. We trust therefore soon to hear that the necessary capital for this highly important work has been fully subscribed, both for the sake of the large employment its construction would afford, as well as for its ultimate usefulness to the trade and shipping of our port. Captaih Palmer, of H.M.S. Rosario, describes the Bounty Islands as a wild, rugged, and inhospitable group, the land being low and barren, without the least sign of vegetation." Mr. John Alloo, Chinese Interpreter, has informed the Dunstan Times that six hundred of his countrymen are on their way to this Colony, and may be expected daily. The majority of these are new chums, just arrived in Melbourne, aad they re-chartered the vessel for Otago. Owing to a prolouged drought, considerable distress recently prevailed iv West Australia. The Perth correspondent of the Argus states -that " within the radius of a mile round a well-knowa pool at least a hundred carcases of horses or cattle were to be seen."