The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 91, 19 April 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1871.

Peace ! In this one word is summarised the whole of the most important news •brought by the mail just received. The awful war storm that has recently swept over France has at last subsided, and the proverbial .calm, which follows the storm is about to set in. In this distant land — free as we are from the sound of the strife,. and with our interest iv the stirring events that have taken place, naturally toned down by the knowledge that the news we receive from mouth to mouth is thirty days old by the time it reaches us, | and that such chauges may have occurred iv the meantime as to upset all our calculations and speculations — we are quite unable to fully appreciate, or'to thoroughly understand the full import of that one little word, Peace, but to those who have for tb.6 last eight months been undergoing all the horrors of w:ir ; to the besieged Parisians ; to the frightened peasantry who have been driven from their homes ; to the anxious wife and mother whose husband or sou was daily exposed to the shot or shell of the enemy ; to all these, the little insignificant looking monosyllable will convey such a meaning as we, who have not experienced the miseries of war, are quite unable to extract from it. But now that peaceful times are oace more returned, and there is no longer the excitemeut of sorties, and battles, or the painful suspense in which the mothers, wives, and sisters have been kept with regard to the fate of their relatives on the field of battle; now that quiet ottce more prevails -where lately all the din and excitement, of war reigned supreme, the mind will be able the more readily to comprehend the amount of suffering ami ruin that have been created by the late struggle, aod to understand the terrible contrast between the present state of France aud that in which it was eight months ago. A visit I to Germany, too, would reveal such an amount of misery as it is difficult to ' conceive without really witnessing it, and if a warning were ever required against the wickedness, the folly, the madness of rushing unadvisedly into war, surely it might be furnished by a contemplation of the present condition of two of the most |.. civilised nations in the world.

The Canterbury Press meutions the death of a boy four years old at Mount Grey Downs, from profuse inflammation, arisiug from a scratch on the heel, caused by wearing a new boot. Coastal Pilot. — We are informed that Captain Johnson of the Marine Board will undertake the pilotage of the American steamers on (he New Zealand coast for the first three months. Assault. — John James Bennett was this morning charged in the Resident Magistrate's Court with assaulting, beating, and using threatening language to Anne Mag.uire. The offence was admitted and defendant was bound over in his own recognisance of £50 and two sureties of £25 each, to keep the peace for six months. Sale of Steamers.— The steamers; Wellington and Ahuriri were sold yesterday at Wellington by public auction. The former was purchased by the Wreck I Recovery Company, and will for the . future be commanded by Captain Kennedy. The Ahuriri was bought by Mr. John . Martin. The Phcebe and Taranaki were not offered for sale, but it is proposed to form a company in Wellington to run the latter boat. Nelson Football Club. — A general meeting of the above, club was held last evening in the Volunteer Fire Brigade Room (kindly lent for the occasion) Mr. H. Goulstone in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected as a committee : Messrs. Kempthorne, Monro, Tennent, • Adams; and Otterson. Mr. R. C. Tennent was unanimously re-elected secretary. It :.was decided that a uniform dress be adopted for the club, to: consist of black velvet cap with red tassel, white flannel knickerbockers and white jersey, red belts, and brown stockings; This, however, need only be worn by the fifteen who 'will • play in . any outside match. The .subscription' for the season., was fi^edat half-a-crown, and it isj hoped' that all the Nelson youths will avail themselves of the chance of joining in this manly game. < A r .votei of. thanks to the secretary isfor hisr Services for the 1 past; year, -and to ihe , was' xjajfried' utiabiiridu J sly, ; dud "'ihe meeting ' separated. ! en