CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 242, 13 October 1870, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE

To tiik Editor of the Nklson Evening Mail

g m — To comfort yonr correspondent "Abracadabra pray allow one behind the scenes to assure him, »nd all nervous citizens, that the advenistnieni in question portends no great evil, it is simpl> an invitation from Mr. William Moses Stanton, though signed -Stanton W M," to his friend, the Resident Magistrate, to lum-h, it is hardl) necessary to inform >ou that Mr. W. M. entertains no thought of chopping i.fl liis friend's head, but only that of providing a dehcims tender chop for his honors' chops— a totally jifferent £hing Mr. Editor. Ihe variety of X's. I presume, simply implies beers of all strengths at the option of his visitor. I am &c, Cbyptogkaph.

The steamer Stormbird, whilst ciossing the Westport bar inwards last week, drawing eight feet four inches, touched lhe ground; while her way was slopped, she was struck by a sea, which broke on board aft, carrying away part of her steering gear, binnacle, &c., and hurting oue of tbe crew, who was thrown over the wheel ; luckily the following sea carried her over into deeper water, when the deck was cleared of water ; and Captain Doile brought his vessel to anchor ofi South Spit, where her cargo of cattle and sheep were landed durning the course of the forenoou. TnF Next General Census. — It has been the custom hitherto to take the census of the colony every third year, the hist having been taken in 1867. A short Act was passed during the recent session of the Assembly, in which power is given to the Governor if so advised, to appoint tbat, the next general census shall ba taken iv 1871 instead of 1870 In addition to the information which the enumerators have hitherto beeu required to obtain, the new Act provides that they shall ascertain, in each case, the quantity of wheat, oats, and barley, remaining on hand when the form is filled up. The new Act also provides that if any person objects to state whether he belongs to any or what religous denomination, the word "objects" may be written in the form opposite the name. Wieemu Hokitoni Taipari has declared himself insolvent, with liabilities said to be nearly £20,000. He owned land at the Thames, and when the goldfields broke out was joined by Mr. Mackay, who resigned au excelleut appointment (Native Commissioner) for the purpose. By leasing his land, he established the town of Shortlaod, from which he drew ground rents at the rate of seven thousaud a year. He had a splendid establishment, exercised a wide hospitality, and speculated largely in scrip. Owing to the growth of Grahamstown, Taipari's rents fell, while his calls on scrip were presented with relentless regularity, and a declaration of insolvency became inevitable. Among his creditors one of the Banks figures for £9000, lent on security of rents, find a private individual for £3000 on the same security. He offers a composition of los in the pound. German Enthusiasm. — As the tide of battle (Forbach) rolled away, writes the correspondent of tbe Times, many instances occurred of that loving sympathy of the German people for their wounded kindred, which promises to be the bright, redeeming spot of this most hateful and wicked war ! If aught were wanting to show the utter hopelessness of this attempt of Frauce to trample Germany under foot, this would alone suffice. A military correspondent writes : — I saw whole waggons full of women and girls moving on the battle field, heedless of the bullets still dropping around, busied in refreshing the wounded, and iv assisting to help and to bind up their wounds. The Opposing Generals. — The King of Prussia commands the whole Prussian force. His major-general of the staff is M. de Moltke, the real general-in-chief of the army. M. de Moltke is reputed one of the first, if not the first tactician in Europe. lie alone directed the operation of the campaign of 1866 against Austria. And now again lhe Prussians trustfully rely ou him in the present campaign. M. de Moltke has not only a great military reputation, but he is looked upon as a straightforward, honest mau. Strong with his brain, and still of his tongue, it has been said of him, that " he knows how to hold his tongue in seven languages." The head of ihe French staff speaks only one language, but his language is plain and distinct, with a smack of humor which does not ill suit the soldier ; as you will think when you read his little speech to the six young men of the Garde Mobile who havo been appointed liis secretaries during tbe campaign : — " Gentlemen, we start for the war ; we'll have as good cheer as we cau, wind and weather permitting ; but when there is nothing fo be had — aud the thing may happen — we'll tighten our bells. You will have much to do, and but lit'le rest ; but you will have my good opiniou, and the certainty that you are useful to your country ; and, at the least indiscretion, a bullet through your head. And now, gentlemen, to the right-about." To which our six volunters answered with one voice and the same enthusiasm, " Hurrah for Marshal Lelceuf." — Paris correspondent of the Australasian.