The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 219, 15 September 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1871.

We are requested to state that as the Jewish new year commences to-morrow, all places of business belonging to the members of that community will be closed. Pedestrianisbl,-— Our sporting ; men are all looking' forward to the performances of Austin and Edwards, on Monday next, when we believe there will be a very large attendance, so pleased were all who witnessed the running and walking on Saturday last. Messrs. Austin and Edwards, we understand, have kindly consented to attend the gymnasium tomorrow evening, when they will run and walk mile heats round the shed, and will give gratuitous instruction to all who are willing to take lessons in the arl of pedestrianisra. Bijou Dramatic Company.— This company gave a dramatic entertainment at the Oddfellows' Hall, last night, before a large audience, including several of the officers and 'about 40 of the crew of H. M. \S. { "?Bi«i|ißkv' ■..'; Owing ;,to our.' reporter;! having to attend the public meeting at the/. J>rqVinpial Hall, we are unable to give a apliiled-nptio^ipf the performance! ;n6r*^|f j . : .we''oxipre^to,;<|p|injott;of " ita^merits fron^

personal observation, but this we can say that, judging from the remarks we "have heard to-day, it appears to have been a^ most successful entertaiujnaent. " : K. Meeting A.r:RANZAk|.-pA well-amended meeting of householders^ of^'the "tlistricfe^ took place, on^fthe 12th inst., at the Ranzau School, to consider the General Government Education Bill. F. foiling, Esq., M.P.C. being called to the chatty stated the object of the meeting, and in,a very lucid speech compared the present \ Nelson Act with that . proposed by the General Government, showing that the latter was both complicated and expensive, while the former had been tested for the last fifteen years and had worked well. The meeting was also addressed by Messrs.. W: P. Smith, C. P. Kearns, R. J. Malcolm, T. R. Combes, and others, all of whom condemned the General Government scheme, particularly the introduction of the political element by the appointment of a Board of Education by the Provincial (|rj|y)cil instead of the method ly which ouiPown Central Board is elected. The following resolution was proposed by Mr. Kearns and seconded by Mr. Tieijen, and carried unanimously " Tbat this meeting entirely concurs in the memorial of the Central Board to the Honorable the Legislative Council and House of Representatives. A vote of thauks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.. ; Fatal Accident. — A most melancholy accident occurred in the harbor at a little after 7 o'clock yesterday evening. A boat belonging to Mr. Arthur Elraslie, of the French Pass, in charge of Mr. Webber, assisted by Mr. Hamilton, arrived &t about that hour off the Lighthouse, having passengers, cargo, and several pigs on board, the passengers being Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Leaver and infant, Miss Caroline Reynolds, daughter of Mrs. Reynolds of this town, and Mr. Watson. The tide being at the flood Mr. Webber, against the wishes, it is said, of those on board, determined to take the channel across the Boulder Bank, but there not being sufficient water the boat grounded, when the four men got out and attempted to drag her through, and in doing so got her broadside on to the rollers, when a wave came up and capsized her, and the passengers at once found themselves in deep water. Fortunately the boat drifted after them and Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Watson and Mrs. Leaver contrived to lay hold of her, the two men managing to keep her keel uppermost, and Mrs Leaver holding on to the centre. While in this position Mrs. Leaver saw her husband drifting past supported by an oar, and her child was also washed within her reach and she contrived to seize and retain her hold of it, although it must have been dead at the time. Their cries for assistance being heard at the Lighthouse, Mr. Kidson pnt 'off to their assistance and succeeded in rescuing all but Mr. Webber and Mies Reynolds, who have not since been seen, Mr. Leaver at the time he was picked up being in a most exhausted state. The unfortunate people were taken to the $hip Hotel where every care was taken of them, and Drs. Vickerman- and Farelle were soon on the spot, as also Dr. Haynes of H.M.S. Basilisk, who kindly offered his services. The pilot boat at once put off to endeavor to find the missing persons but without success. Several of the animals tbat were in the boat have been found, but up to the time of our going to press nothing had been seen of Mr. Webber or Miss Reynolds. .