The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 265, 9 November 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1871.

Bijou Dbamatic Company.-- We would" remind our readers of the dramatic entertainment to be given at the Oddfellows' Hall to-night by this local company of amateurs. The programme promises plenty of amusement, and should draw a crowded audience. Wednesday Lectures. — The first of the series of Wednesday evening lectures, advertised by the Bishop of Nelson, on " The History of the Manuscript of the New Testament," was given last night, and it must have been gratifying to his Lordship to find that the large amount of trouble to which he had gone in preparing his lecture was appreciated by the Nelson public, the Assembly Room being well filled with a most attentive audience, who displayed the greatest interest in the subject, which was handled in such a manner as to rivet the attention of those ■who heard it from the commencement to the end. Public Holiday.— lf to-day's holiday is not thoroughly enjoyed by all the pleasure seekers of Nelson, it certainly will be no fault of the clerk of the weather who has graciously vouchsafed a thoroughly Nelson day — more in its favor, it is impossible to say. Plenty of amusement is offered in tbe Maitai Valley, where the athletic sports are taking place under tbe supervision of Messrs. Austin and Edwards, but in addition to this we hear of numerous picnic parties being spread over the country in all directions, from Wakapuaka to Foxhill. A Close Shave.— Mr. Robert Levien has for some days been anxiously expecting a brigantine laden with breadstuff's from Australia. "When it is remembered tha| after 12 o'clock to night, a duty of £1 per ton will be imposed upon imported flour, '• it would not surprise " us to learn that he was highly delighted this morning on seeing a vessel of that rig signalled. We have not yet heard whether it is really the looked-for vessel, but presume it is, as none other of that description is expected. Thames Goldfields. — The far-famed Caledonian appears to be yielding as handsome returns as ever. A correspondent of, the Auckland Herald wrote on Saturday evening last :— -The Caledonian have lodged 21480z. for the week, making a total in hand of 4164 oz. retorted. This morning the, .specimen leader opened splendidly on "the* Otago side— eight feet of gold. Altogether 14 cwt. of rich

specimens have been taken out since yesterday morning from specimen leader and main run. The main run is openiug very rich again — better than for many weeks past. — The All Nations will huve 1000 ozs. from the stamper boxes. — Eighty tons from the Golden Crown gave 119 ozs. — The Kuranui have lodged 111 ozs. for the fortnight. The Murder of Bishop Patteson. — We had expected to receive full details of the murder of Bishop Patteson by the mail, but it appears that very little moje is at present known in Aucklaud than here. The following is the fullest account we have been able to obtain. — On 20th September the vessel arrived at Nukapu, one of the Islands of Sania Cruz. Bishop Patteson went ashore in a canoe rowed by native chiefs on account of the inability of ship's boat to cross the reef. The ships boat with Rev. Mr. Atkin and the three Melanesian boys remained outside the reef. The Chief in one of the canoes stood up when one of them asked " Hare you anything there ? " and immediately they fired their arrows into the boat, wounding the Rev. Mr. Atkin and two Melanesian boys. The boat returned about I*3o to the vessel. After the boat returned, saw a canoe adrift and sent the boat after it, when they found it contained the body of Bishop Patteson frightfully mutilated, being stripped of clothing with exception of hoots. It was tied up in a mat and laid by the natives in the bottom of the cauoe. The body was brought on board the vessel, and they then set sail immediately afterwards, and the Bishop's body was committed to the deep at 7-30 on the following morning, September 21. On the 27th the Rev. Mr. Atkins died from the wounds received from poisoned arrows, and was also buried at sea. Steve, one of the Negro boys, died of his wounds on the 28th. Some Men show most wisdom in making blunders. A Western journalist seems to have been wiser than he knew, when, drawing upon his memory for poetical quotations about women, he delivered himself in his newspaper as follows : — O, woman, in thine hours of ease, Uncertain, coy, and hard to please : But seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.