The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 213, 8 September 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1871.

H.M.S. Basilisk left Pictonfor ISlelson at 4 o'clock this morning, and may, therefore, be looked for at any bour. Kegatta Club. — A meeting of tbe members of the Nelson Regatta Club is called for this evening, at the Custom House Hotel. Flax Manufacture. — A number of door mats, as well as a quantity of rope and twine of all sizes, are now on view at the shop of Mr. Jackson in Trafalgarstreet, to whom they have been sent to be forwarded to the Flax Exhibition to be beld at Wellington. Arrival or the " Beautiful Star " at Geavesend. — Messrs N. Edwards and Co. are in receipt of a telegram notifying the safe arrival of this ship at Gravesend on the sth July, after a passage of 105 days from Port Underwood. Winter Evening Lectures. — A lecture which may be expected to be of unusual interest will be delivered this evening by the Bishop -of Nelson on " The Manuscript sources of the New Testament," to be illustrated by fac-simile drawings of some of the ancient manuscripts. Pedestrianism.— The novelty of the entertainment advertised to take place in the Botanical Gardens to-morrow afternoon, will, doubtless* attract a large crowd. We do not remember th&i Nelson has ever before been visited by professional pedestrians, certainly not by one who can run his ten miles in less than an hour. The Nelson Band is to be, we believe, in attendance, and we are also requested to state that the ten-mile race will be run in the Sydney Albert Costume. Motueka Election Committee.—. The Committee met yesterday, when Mr. Allan, in opening the case, said that Sir D. Monro's election was protested against on the grounds of bribery and personation, ' the former charge resting on the fact that twelve Germans received Bs. a day for two days in order to enable them to attend the -polling place, and 'the latter being to the; effect that one Hagan had voted in his father's name, and that another man named Tomlinson personated his cousin. The evidence of Williamßell was. taken, in which he stated that he gave the n&ney and breakfast to the Germans withoa

demanding any conditions, but that the men said they wanted to vote for Sir David. The two days' wage 3 for the men he believed to be the amount of their travelling expenses. He had received no instructions from Sir David or his agent to provide refreshment for .them, but it was his own idea and that of other members of the committee. Buotr Dramatic Company. — This company of local actors gave its first appearance last night, before a not very large audience. It is not, perhaps, fair to criticise too keenly an amateur performance, but we are unable in the present instance to say much in favqr of the acting, which, with one or two exceptions, was lamentably deficient in spirit, the words put into the mouths of the various characters being correctly recited, and that was all. The female characters in "Jocrisse the Juggler," one of them especially, were altogether too manly in their voices and gait to allow of the piece going at all smoothly. We are quite aware of the great difficulty experienced by members of the other sex in representing lady characters, but this is all the greater reason why it should not be attempted except it can be done really well, unless, indeed, the object be torepresent a complete caricature. If this was what was desired last night — though we can scarcely believe such to be the case — the object was most thoroughly attained. A comic song by Mr. Graham was very favorably received, and called forth a hearty encore. The farce which followed, " The Virginian Mummy," was very well played, and atoned for some of the shortcomings of the first piece, and the incessant shouts of laughter showed that the audience were most thoroughly amused. Another performance with, we believe, the same programme will be given this evening.