The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 223, 20 September 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1871.

Mining Shajkes. — H. J. L. Augarde quotes Collingwood Coal Mining Shares, £120 paid, at £70 per share. Business done this day. Concert at Richmond. — We remind our country readers of the Tonic Sol Fa ' Concert which is to take place this evening at the Wesleyan Church, Richmond, at seven o'clock. The Ltell Reefs. — Some excellent specimens from the Alpine Claim have been exhibited by Mr. Grove, who arrived in town this morning. The quartz is of a \very hard nature, but the gold appears to plentiful and of an exceedingly rich qua^y. The specimens may be seen at the onV»e of this paper. We haxe been requested to state that, for the convenience of Artisans, Mechanics, and parties engaged in trade, Masks & Co. will re-open their premises from 7 to 9 o'clock on Wednesday and Saturday. Tlwj f premises will therefore be open as above this (Wednesday) evening. — Advt. The Ret. Father Moreau. — The Dunedin correspondent of the G. R. Argus writes:— "An old resident of Dunedin, the Rev. Father Moreau (who is also well known in Nelson) left us this week for Wellington. He is one of the few Roman Catholic priests who has the .good word of everybody, no matter to what sect : they belonged. He was . presented with a small piece of plate, and apurae/of sovereigns oby a few of bis friends of - all . denominations '• prior .to leaving.'"' I . ; ;" ■ ,-■„ ' . ..„. .... .: .. . r ; RiBFEBBiNG- to New Zealand flax, the Home flews toys ie'no doubt

whatever, that the ropetnakers have takeu a liking to this fibre, and that Manilla hemp has suffered from the competition; but it is to be regretted that supplies are likely to fall off. The Education Bell.— The Lower. Moutere Local Education Committee held a meeting on the 13th inst., to take into consideration the Education Bill, now before the General Assembly, when the following resulution was passed : — " That this Committee unanimously endorses the resolutions passed by the Central Board of Education on the nth inst., believing that as the Nelson Provincial Act gives such universal satisfaction throughout the Province, it would be inexpedient to thrust an Act on the people that might be productive of I much inconvenience and annoyance." The Motueka Petition. — The Evening Post of yesterday says : — The Motueka Election Committee sat to-day. A decision had been arrived at, we understand, but of course we can state nothing certainly on the subject. We may say, however, that, if rumor is not at fault, our anticipations of Sir David Monro being unseated will prove correct. Ii is said, though we are not prepnred with authorities, that four of the Committee were in favor of the ejection of the sitting member and three against. The Committee will meet again to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. It is at least singular that just at the very time that the witnesses in the Motueka election case, adverse to Sir David Monro, have finished their business, and want to go back to Nelson, that the Government steamer Luna requires scraping, and consequently, will proceed to Nelson for that purpose. It is no doubt merely a coincidence, but it is fortunate for the Ministerial journalist and others that it should occur at such an opportune time. Should report be correct as to the decision that the Committee have come to, Nelsonians, on the arrival of the Luna, may well strike up the old air in reference to the conquering hero. The Inspector of Volunteers on the Nelson Force. — The following is an extract from Col. Harrington's report to the Defence Minister: — The movement iv the Province of Nelson has been gradually declining for some time, and I cannot say that I observe any improvement since last year. On the 31sfc of March there were one corps of Artillery, two ot Rifles, and 3 of Cadets. I must here remark that the latter are more nominal than real; for, of 155 enrolled, only 20 received full, and 59 half capitation allowance, showing that their attendance was anything but regular. The muster of the Wakapuaka Artillery was unsatisfactory, and I felt it my duty to recommend the corps to resign its services, if they could not induce their members to be more attentive. This has since been done. The " City Rifles,'' which were lately formed from the old Company and City Artillery, do not appear to have made much progress, nor had they attended any parades for two months prior to my inspection. I was unable to see the (i Waimea" Company or "Motueka" Cadets, as, on the days I visited those places, the severe weather quite prevented any attempt at a muster. On inspecting the books of the latter, I found their attendance had been very small. On the whole, I regret to say that my inspection of this district was anything Tmt satisfactory, and unless some marked improvement takes place during the ensuing year, I should feel it incumbent on me to recommend the disbandment of all the corps. There was no class-firing, but there are some good shots in the district ; as will be seen on reference to the district firing in the Gazette, two representatives were sent to Auckland, one of whom won an extra prize with a good score. Wanganui. — The Chronicler informed that letters have been received from the Rev. Mr. Nevile, stating that he will not be able to be in Wanganui before Christmas next. As another local item of news, the same paper states that the Provincial Government has received a counter petition to the petition praying that Wanganui should be constituted a municipality. The Agent-General. — Writing in anticipation of the arrival of the AgentGeneral of this colouy, the European Mail Bays '.—-" The arrival of the hon. Dr. Featherston, the new Agent-General for New Zealand, is looked 'for by the bow overdue San Francisco mail, and he is likely to be cordially welcomed by the leading political men of this country, as well as by the New Zealand . colonists. Dr. Feathers ton's mission is a difficult one, but that be will succeed in establishing a satisfactory system of immigration for the whole colony up one, appears !to doubt. At present New Zealand seems scarcely known in the rural districts of England, and this is ichief r-eason why so few English iiamigrftnts find their way to r the; colony; ' : r yDiV; Te^Kerston^ jp6|efesses^&e; •advantage of ■a ? lotfg ', and'J'mqatf . infimate

personal acquaintance with the colony and its requirements, and it is to be hoped all sub-agents may, if possible, possess similar qualifications, for by such means only will New Zealaud really be made properly known to the emigrating classes.