Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 301, 22 December 1870, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1870.

The aspect of affairs in Europe at the time of the departure of the recently received mail was such as may well give rise to the gravest apprehension and anxiety in the minds of those who are watching the progress of events. It might have been supposed that the hideous slaughter, the indescribable misery, and the widespread ruin that have marked the progress of the terrible war now raging in France, would have had the effect of inspiring the nations with a horror of such scenes as have been only too frequent during the last few months, and of inducing them to beat their swords into ploughshares, but the contrary appears to be the case, acd, instead of teaching them to appreciate the blessings of peace, it seems to have created an appetite for war, as we find the whole of the powers, I both great and small, arming themselves for a deadly struggle. And here we may remark that the manner in which the news has been received by a large number of people here shows that they are not disposed to give credence to it, but are rather inclined to look upon it as exaggerated, by the American press through which it has to filter before reaching us. If it were placed before us merely as the opinions of the correspondents of that press we might be justified in doubting its correctness, as we have before this had some experience of the unreliability of the information contained in the San Francisco papers, but we must not lose sight of ; the fact that it is fully borne out by extracts from speeches and articles of seme of the leading men and journals in Eng-| land, and therefore cannot be viewed! merely as the emanations of an imnginative correspondent's brain. In addition to this there is an air of probability about

the statements made that fully justifies us in believing that such events are in store as the world has never yet witnessed. The attitude assumed by Russia, can take no one by surprise. Sixteen years ago she endeavored to obtain possession of Turkey, but was frustrated in her design by the combiucd action of Euglaud and France. Since then she has' been quietly biding her time, and the present moment, when one of her late opponents is so exhausted by the struggle with Prussia, seems an auspicious one for carrying into execution her long cherished idea, and by allying herself with the victorious Germans she hopes to grasp the coveted prize. But, assuming that such are her plans, it is by no means certain that ihey will be crowned witb success. Fiance is still far from being conquered, and should the alliance between Russia and Prussia take place, she will, with tbe assistance of England and Austria, who are likely to unite against such a combination, be very shortly in a position to turn the tables upou her invading foe. In addition to the large force within the walls of Paris, she ha?, we are told, six armies, comprising nearly as many hundreds of thousands of men, in the field. They are said to be well drilled and effectively armed, aud if reinforced by the armies of a friendly nation would have no reason to fear defeat at the hands of those who have hitherto proved their conquerors. Besides this, they have a powerful ally that silentlj I*,1 *, and slowly, but none the less surely, lias even now commenced its work of death in the Prussian- lines. The inclement weather, and the mortal diseases to which it gives ris;', are euemics against which even You Moltko, eminent strategist and tactician as he is, caunot successfully contend, and they are foes that have already assumed the offensive as the Germans are beginning to learn to their cost. If then the combinations that are spoken of should be carried into effect we may expect to see the siege of Paris raised and the German army in full retreat toFor remainder of News see Fourth page.

wards the Rhine before the end of the year. Meantime the allied fleets of England and France could once more sweep Irom ihe eeas the Russian navy, or lock it up in ignominious inactivity as was the case in the days of the Crimean war. Austria and Italy, who it is stated, are likely to unite with England and Frauce, have not been weakened by such a struggle as that through which Prussia is now passing, while Turkey, in addition to her poweiful little navy consisting often iron clae's, is said to be able to bring 600,000 men into the field. Such are the forces against which Russia and Prussia would have to contend, aud when we consider tbe lem per of thu English nation at the present moment, and how thoroughly their sympathies with the jFrer.cli are aroused, v.c may be sure that in the event of the enemies of that nation aiding Russia in her designs upon Turkey they would spare no effort, nor think any sacrifice too great to carry through to a j successful termination tbo dire struggle that must inevitably ensue. Most earnestly is it to be hoped that those with whom it rests to shape the course of events will pause aud weigh well the consequences before entailing upon Europe the horrors and miseries of such au awful w>;r as that which now looms on the horizon.

Mixing Sharks. — Mr 11 . J. L. Augarde j quotes Sutherland Gold mining Company's paid-up shares at par, £1 paid; busiuess dove this day. Public Holidays. — We notice by advertisement that all the principal places of busiuess are to be close 1 on Monday and Tuesday next, the 26ih and 27th iust., aud also on Monday the 2nd of January. Motueka Cadets. — The following are the number of points made by the •compel itors on the 17th inst., for the Champion prize of the Provincial Government of Nelson : — 100 yds. 150 yds. 200 yds. Total. Lieut. Parker 16 1. 19 49 €pi. Wilkie 17 17 11 45 Pr. Wilkie 15 16 8 39 New Steamer for the Wairau. — The Auckland Herald of 17th inst. says : The fine steamer Go-Ahead has changed hands, Mr Paul of Nelson having purchased her for the Wairau Steam Navigation Company. The Go-Ahead will leave for the West Coast in a few days. Collingwood District. — A requisition, with a sufficient number of signatures to frighten Mr. Gibbs out of the field, has been addressed to Mr. A. S. ■Collins from the electors of the Collingwood district inviting him. to allow himself to be nominated^ ior re-election. Mr. Collins has. consented.. to accede. to their request, and stands every chance of being returned unopposed. Mr. Akersten's new Boat. — Quite an excitement prevailed in town yesterday eveniug on the occasion of. Mr. Akersten's new boat being conveyed from the building y&rd, in Bridge-street, to the Port. A large crowd consisting at the very least of thirty small boys, two velocipedes, and a policeman, accompanied the vessel to its destination near Messrs. Morrison and Sclanders' old stores, where it was Bafely lauded from the trucks and now awaits launching. On Friday last a flight of twenty -six black swans passed over Christchurch, followed in about an hour by another flight ot ei<*;ht. From the Auckland Herald of M-nduy last we learn that Mr. James Mmkuy, jun., has notified his ink-nth. r. ot con test ing the election of the East Coast. Horace Baker, who was found guilfy of losing Coinn.-ndore Lambert's endorsement, to n bill of Exchange, bus had sentctice t'o«t* oned, as seven 1 points of law were n-served for the decision of the Court •of Appeal. In reply fo an invitation from the inInihitfliits of Westland to pay them a visit, -Mr. Voyfl has replied that he regrets it is impossible ior hint to do so a 8 he is alu'Ut lo proceed to England, whence, linwi-ur, he purposes returning in a few ■month*. fc-OMK fine specimens of galena, lead ore. vviib ;. ppm i-iu<-f- ol silver, are siatcd h\ lie Caiitdbuiy Jrrss lo have bein oliiineo' Irom a ceniiniititiou of ihe Wek.-i I J *.--s ranges north ol the Waipaia, jnst •wi'.l, in (},e JSel.-on Piovinee. Similar 6j < < in cm.-t, ii-gelLer villi rich sper-iim ns ot £r»»ri e-.ih-'!,aU* of ci-j-.jx r, have been tiiki n in in the Fame locality in the I Province of Canterbury. '

A HUMOROUS COKHESFONDENT of the Canterbury Press, in repot tin;: upon the Chinese giant Chang, say**: — While admiring Chung's watch the other day, a seedy looking man, who "in other days and happier hours," had been :i pick])- ckef, was heard to say, "'Veil, I could never have carried that, 'un, let alone nailed it." The nut ur-il inference* is that there are advantages connected with gigantic stature which ordinary mortals do not. possess. The pay men r, of members question is revived ;i_{iin in Victoria, and a bill is to be brought into Pa Ibiinetit by a ptivuie member for eom|.en.«aii!ig legislators at the rate of £300 per annum. The Sydney Herald, wiititi;. of the trade r- turns of New Smith Wal-s, sm'.s: — Our intercolonial trade with New Zealand is pretty nearly hai. need, as last \ car we sent lliere products worth i' 320.000, awl received in retuiu to the vt.lueol £300,000. The Ci'-r.'iiidiiii Family, with Messrs. Siiei'uin and Soinil, have In en • ivating guile a furore in Honolulu. Tht; Ha ivaiian Times says that the people are thrown into a " torpor ol enchiMilment" by ihe Carnuditiis, irom which they are "shaken np" by the funny songs of Mr. Small. The Loan. — We copy the following fiom a pnviite letter : — What, a nice mesrt,he colony will bo in in a few \ears, if the present. Ministry icmnin a couple oi yoais longer in power ! Tin* best plan wiil lie to "make hay while the sun (<d the loan) shines" ard skedaddle when the tin runs onfc and the i\ny of Pckoniii-. conies. May both of ns have a, chance of shari'ii*; in the plunder — indirectly, and get safe di with the loot. From Hobarfc Town we learn iln.t a sovereign was unearthed in Bathuiststreet, by a pig rooting up the giound. This ltd to the discovery of forty sovereigns, which are supposed to have been a plant connected with seme lohhery. They were Sydney sovereigns dated 1868. American Grazing. — Since the completion ol the railway across the American coutioenfc, large tracts of prairies arc being enclosed for grazing purposes, by wire fences. The materials cost haif-a--dollar a rod. The western pi airies, in all probability, will soon be-jin to compete with (he Australian plains in the food and wool maikets of the world.