The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 117, 19 May 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1871.

The Suez Mail. — The Rangitoto with the Suez mail arrived off Hokitika early this morning but just too late for the tide, and consequently will be unable to communicate with the shore until this evening. It is doubtful whether we shall receive any later European news by her than that already to hand. Public Meeting. — It is scarcely necessary to remind our readers that a public meeting will be held at the Provincial Hall at 8 o'clock this evening, to take into consideration the question of raising a loan for gas and extended waterworks iv the town. His Honor the Superintendent has, at the request of the conveners of the meeting, consented to take the chair. Journeymen Councillors. — A most amusing discussion, half serious, half bantering, took place in the Council last night, arising out of a resolution emanating from the fertile brain of that distinguished statesman, Mr. Wastney, to the effect that £150 should be placed on the Estimates for the purpose of defraying the expenses of such of the Councillors as should wish to visit the West Coast duriug the recess. A report of the proceedings will be found elsewhere. Here is a hint for our volunteers. \ At a recent rifle match at Heniy-on-Thames, the following item was in the programme: — Fourth prize — "A gold wedding-r ing and half a dozen silver tea-spoons, to.be won by a single jnjffo, but not to be retained by the winner unless he shall get married within the year." We should imagine that the young ladies of Nelson might with little difficulty, and great propriety, offer such a prize for local competition. The Post gives the following as the latest bulletin received from the Hutt : — " The blessed punt is quiet again, there being too much water to work it. Rather Warm.-— The Wellington Independent is always prepared to turn every little incident to account in favor of the, present Ministry, as witness the folloyiug on the new method of heating the Houses of Parliament :-\-\The whole apparatus is strikingly illustrative of the practical, diffusive, and salutary policy of the present Government. Not to spin too fine an analogy, it may be described as resembliug that policy ia its main features, of successfully achieving with English aid, objects greatly desired for many years, of diffusing its blessings equally on all sides, and substituting for an atmosphere vitiated by stagnation one more healthful and more invigorating. Let us hope that as this improvement is certain to be greatly valued by the new Parliament, so the policy of which it is the type will also meet with as ready and as general an appreciation. " The following fine score has been* made by 10 members *of the Dufledin Volunteer Artillery, iv a\natch with the Honorable Artillery Com pany, ~p{ London. The conditions were : 7 shots at ranges of 200, 500, and 600 yards;' Wimbledon targets; Hy the position throughout; no sighting shots :— -Sergeant Muir, 66 j Gynner Turton, 62; Captain M'Farland, 59; Gunner Reid, 59; Gunner Pell, 52; Corporal Ogilvie, 50; Gunner Henderson, 48; Gunner Lambert, 46; Gunner Hislop, 39. This gives a total of 530, or an average of 53 points. Last year the Dunedin men, beat their London opponents with a score which only, gave an average of 42 points. The > Marlborough Express of^Saturday, says that after, an enquiry lield "with reference to the fires on board the Malay, now lying in Port Underwood, Mr. Barleyman, Principal Officer of . Customs \ , at, „B|©naeim, has reported • ,as ■ fp^owi |— - "Thftt after: a most.,caVefui .eiftmitt»tion"of

the persons present at the time, T can discover no trace of the cause of the fire. Good discipline wag maintained on board the Vessel, and all ordinary precautions were ]t»ken;.for the safety of the 6hip and c'ai'go; especiail}-" the prohibition of saiok-, ing during work, or in the hold, and on both occasions tlie officers and men acted with judgment, promptitude, and energy." The total amount of gold lodged in- the Bank by the Caledonian up to Friday last was 10,984 ounces.