The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 289, 7 December 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1871.

Scientific Association.—The monthly meeting of the Association was held last evening in the Government Buildings, Sir David Monro, president, in the chair. • There was a good attendance, and two new members were proposed for ballot at next' meeting. The secretary read a paper by i Mr. A. D. Dobson, Provincial Engineer,' on " The destruction of land by shingle bearing rivers, and suggestions for protection and prevention," which gave rise to considerable discussion ou a subject of aome interest to jfmost New Zealand settlers. ~x^fT Italian Company.—A rich musical treat, such as we "could scarcely have hoped would be placed within our reach, is offered to the people of Nelson by Messrs. Cagli and Pompei,,who propose to give.one performance in this town with their company that has for aome weeks been nightly Jdelight'mg Auckland audiences. As, however, an entertainment of so _gh a a considerable Amount of ex pen!? it is necessary that at i least £100 should be guaranteed to them, and it may be as'well to remind those who intend to take tickets that they should do so at .once, as Mr. Stanton will have to, communicate to the manager of the com-,

[•any, by the steamer going North on Saturday next, the result of his endeavors to obtain the necessary guarantee. Seven years ago the music-loving portion of the community flocked to hear the Lyster Company ; and there ran be little doubt that they will assemble in still larger numbers now that an opportunity is offered them of hearing artists of a still higher class in such an opera as // Barbiere di Siviglia. Murder will Out.—The trial ot Patrick Geary for the murder of Thomas Brookbouse in the year 1854; is one that will long be remembered in Victoria. On the 17ib anniversary of the deed, Geary was arrested in New South Wales, and last Monday the man who has carried the burden of his guilt so many yews was to pay the penalty of his crime. It is seldom that the police" are able to,.produce such convincing evidence as they ilid in this, case after the lapse of so long a time. The man's own confession to one or two people places the matter beyond a doubt, but without this there was a chain of circumstantial proof, which would probably have been sufficient to procure a conviction. A more brutal murder we neverheard of. The unfortunate man was thrown into the fire, and burnt about the head and face, when Geary sssi 1 to himself that "he was not sharp enough to make away with him." So lie pulled him out of the fire and followed him nut of the door, when he got an axe and " finished " him. Anything more atrocious, coldblooded, or revolting, it is impossible to conceive. No punishment that could be inflicted would be too severe for a monster who was a libel on human nature. The Capture or Kereopa.—We gave recently a sketch of the progress of the search after Te Kooti nud his fellow rebels up to the 4th instant, the date at. which Captain Porter left for Wellington. Ropata, as it will be remembered, was then continuing his search in the neighborhood of Ruatahuua. The general impression was that Te Kooti and Kereopa, were in the hands of an TJrewera chief, named Keruru. This man had always kept aloof from the Government, though, at the same time he had never, so far as we are, aware, beeneDgaged in actual hostilities with them. He is said to have expressed himself long ago to the effect that be would have nothing to do with them, neither would he deceive them by professing; friendship which he did, not feel. The lapse of time and the change*''in the circumstances of the case, however, in the end appear to have altered his views. A few weeks va n „,sy?£ftr' _Eflf r - desired through him to represent to the Government his willingness to submit. Ropata immediately taxed'him with harboring the two principal rebels. Kereru replied in the enigitnatical. suggestive manner characteristic, of his race, " Well, you are sending your kokiris (search parties) through the bush in all directions, why do you not send one down the track of my w/iare ? " This meaut either "if you find no one there, you will see the injustice of your accusation;" or, "if j'ou find the man you arc looking for there, that will satisfy you as to the bona fide character of my repentance." Ropata took the hint— using at the same time nil due precaution against treachery. He summoned Te Whiu, till lately au arrant rebel, before •him and said to him : "Here is a chance for you to wash out your past crimes. Lead this koJiiri to Kereru's kainga at Mauawarna, and catch Te Kooti and Kereopa." At the same time he sent other kokiris in the same direction, which might be made available in case of need. Immediately that Te Whiu's parly reached Mnnawarua, Cthey commenced jto search the whares there. They were not long in finding the one where Kereopa , was in hiding. As soon as he saw them he /'rushed out and took to his heels with all his speed. Three men started in pursuit of him, among whom was Te Whiu himself, who also was successful in catching him. After a sharp struggle, in which both combatants fell, the two Ngatiporous came to their comrade's assistance, and the prisoner was secured. Kereru, it is said, is now desirous of going to Wellington to give in his allegiance at head-quarters, He is a relation of Kereopn's, and now that the latter has been taken, he considers that the last tie which connected him with the rebels has been dissolved. This circumstance augurs well for the ultimate capture of Te Kooti.— ll. B. j Herald.