The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 88, 15 April 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1871.

Waimea Volunteers. — EUab Baigent has been gazetted captain of this company, vice A. M. Wix, resigned. Robbery. — A robbery was effected at Corrigau's Hotel, last night, by some person who went upstairs while every one was asleep, took the' clothes of some of the lodgers down below, and then emptied the pockets of the contents. One man, we learn, lost in this way two £l notes, some few shillings, and 8 dwts. of gold. It is hoped that the police may be successful in their efforts to arrest the thief. Aktizans' Association. — As is invariably the case when the Nelson artizans give one of those entertainments which have become so highly popular, the Oddfellows' Hall was last night crowded to excess, and over a hundred persons had to be refused admission. The Prologue which was writteD for the occasion having been spoken by Mr. J. Graham, the real business of the evening commenced with the comic drama entitled " Watching and Catching," but ia this the acting did not come up to the usual standard, there being a decided tameness about it that had its effect on the audience. The second part was without doubt the best of the entertainment, some of the songs beiDg really excellently sung, aud the choruses rendered with au amount of precision that could only have been attained by constant practice. We have before this had occasion to remark on the very capital manner in which some of those who take part in these entertainments give their readings and recitations, and on the present, occasion there was no falling off in this portion of the performance. The entertainment was brought to a close with the laughable farce of " Binks the Bagmao," which, like the majority of farces, is quite indescribable on paper. It is quite sufficient to mention the effect, which in the present instance was to convulse the audience with laughter. The whole affair was a decided success, so much so indeed, that we are given to understand that it will in all probability be repeated very shortly. One word before closing this notice. Could not the Hall be furnished with a largo and additional doorway, not for ordinary use, but one that might be opened in a case of emergency. In the event of an alarm of fire having been given last night who can tell what fearful results might have accrued ? We trust the Hall Committee will see the propriety of acting upon our suggestion. Harvest Home. — In celebration of the close of the hop gathering, Mr. Thomas Harley last night entertained those who had been employed by him during the season, in his large malthouse in Bridgestreet, which was gaily decorated for the occasion with flags, flowersu and evergreens. Shortly after T^'clock. about a hundred persons sat dj4pr to a table laid the whole length of to supply which all the farmyards in the neighborhood must ha-MWoeen laid under contribution, for such a show of poultry was surely never before seen in Nelson, while as for hams, tongues, and such like adjuncts, their name was certainly Legion. Nor must we omit to mention a lamb roasted whole, which occupied a very conspicuous position on the liberally furnished table, while in front of the chairman, Mr. Charles Harley, the respected father of the giver of the feast, was a huge pie, which was cut into under the impression that it contained some savory ingredients, but which when opened created as much surprise as the "Four-and-twenty blackbirds" of the nursery rhyme, for it was found to he filled not with giblets^ nor with beefstakes, nor with birds, but with some noble specimens of Nelson grown hops. Tbe supper having been done full justice to, and the healths of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harley, and Mr. Harley, senior, drunk with all the honors, the decks were cleared for action, and the band having struck up, dancing was commenced and carried on into the small hours with immense spirit, the ball being opened by Mr. Barnes who, we omitted to mention, had acted as vice-chairman during the feast, and who led put our good old friend Mrs. C. Harley whose dancing days we are delighted to find are not over yet, and we were also pleased to find that Mr. Harley, senior, had still left in him tbe freshness and vigor of youth as was shown by his participating in a fast and furious galop with a lady who has been but of her "teens" for some years. , Between two and three, . o'clock some of those who , were returning home from the race ball heard the strains of "■ God Save the Queen " by the band, <

followed by a ringing cheer, which iutimated the close of the hop-picking season of 1871.