The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 302, 22 December 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1871.

Z KILGOTJK AND OTHERS V. SYMONS.—In this action the role nisi -wm argued this morning, and eventually discharged with costs. The verdict for the plaintiffs therefore BtaDde. We hear that the Energetic Quartz^ Mining Company, at the loaogohua, vyhile sinking their shaft, have struck the reef eight feet thick, and the gold in the stone js visihle to the naked eye. Y^-Yfi. . '■;;-,. ;y rl; '.•:-*•» ■ ; '

Town Improvements. — Under tins head we may safely classify the exceedingly tasteful iron railing and gates that have been recently erected in front of the Wesleyan Church in'Hardy-street, which are the morewortbyof notice from their being the production of a local manufactory, the whole having been turned out by Mr. Moutray of Bridge-street, iu as neat a style, and quite as cheaply as it would have been done in England or in any of the older coloniul towns. ' Resident Magistrate's Court. — George Potter was this morning brought up before Lowther Broad, Esq., R.M., charged with having yesterday attempted to set fire to his stables at the Coach and Horses lun. There being reason to suppose that he was of unsound mind, Drs. Williams aud Farrelle were called in to examine him, and upon their certificates he was committed to the Lunatic Asylum. The Regatta Day. — The resolution arrived at by the Board of Works at their last meeting to the effect that they would not, after the decision of ibe Resident Magistrate in a certain case last year, undertake to erect a barricade aeross the Fort Road at the Custom House on the day of the regattn, is very much to be tegretted. as, should no precaution of (he kind betaken, there is every probability of one or more accidents of a serious nature occurring, indeed, so likely is it that such will be the case that, we believe, the fact of the whole road beyond that point being left open to vehicles will seriously . affect the success of the day's sports, as people -will not cave to risk their lives aud limbs for the sake ot being present at the proceedings. The placing of such au obstacle hctoss the road will meet with the approbation of the whole public, while the neglecting to take such u precaution will be universally condemned, and it is to be hoped that the Board may see their way to making this provision for the public '"safety. Inancaiuja Reees. — A private letter has been received in Nelson from a gentle■""raan residing at Greymouth in which he says that news of a startling nature had reached there from Reefton, some patties '"wlio had just arrived from (hence stating tlxttt a new reef had been found on Shiel's claim, samples from which had yielded at the rate of 74 to 78 ounces to the ton. A sixteenth share in Shiel's had just been sold for £1040 cash. The ordinary yield from the first discovered reefs, says tbe same correspondent, ranges from 1-| to 4 ouuees to the tou. We sincerely trust that this news is correct, as if so there is every prospect of a goldfield of far greater I richness than the Thames being opened up in this province. Italian Opera. — Rossini's sparkling buffo composition "II Barbiere di Siviglia" was produced at the Oddfellows' Hall last night by the Opera Company, before a crowded audience. The overture and orchestral accompaniments throughout the evening were a great treat, as was the graceful and lady-like actiug of Signora Cortesi, who took the part of Losina. Her singing was less pleasing, as. although her voice was evidently highly cultivated and most thoroughly under control, it was not so powerful, nor indeed so sweet as we had been led to expect. Of the other characters, Figaro, and Dr. Bartolo were by far the- best. To Mr. Sianton the thanks of the community are due for the immense of trouble he had taken in procuring for them so high class an entertainment; at the same time it canuot be concealed that, although both the singing aud acting of the Company were far superior t'o*any thing of the kind since the Lyster Company visited us, a vague, indefinable, feeling of disappointment was experienced by the audience, arising, possibly, from the fact of their having expected too much. Motueka Government Schools. — The annual examination of these schools | took place on Wednesday, the 13th inst., and was conducted by W. C. Hodgson, Esq., the Inspector. A public meeting was held in thp' evening, aud at the request of the Education Committee the Bishop was called to occupy the chair, and to present, the prizes to the successful competitors, who were as follows :— -First Division. Class 1., Upper : Elizabeth G-ellett, S. Buchholz, B. Wilson (Beading). Lower : Isabella Wilson, W. Rumbold. Class 11., Upper: Margaret Crightou, W. Parker, Ellen Staples. [Lower : W. Giblin, J. Ryan. Cluss 111. : M. Oaseidy, J. Myers, Amelia Jones (horj. taention). Class IV. : Isabella Wilkie, C. Cook. Class V. : F. Wiae.— Second Division. Class I : Louisa Moore, Mary Cook. Class II. : Jessie Cousins, Heury Deblois. Class III. : F. Boyce, Alice Giblin. Class IY. : Phoebe Myers, Sarah Egginton. In the needle work department under Miss Gray, prizes were presented by Mrs.. Suter to the following "girls : 1 . Mary Jones j 2. F. Giblin; 3. \ Kate ; Myers ;4V Mary -Gook. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Mr. Thomas, |

David Jennings, Esq , and Rev. S. Poole. Mr. Buchholz called upon the children to join Lim in three hearty cheers for the Lord Bishop and Mr. Inspector Hodgson, which were most enthusiastically bestowed by all present. Racing in Otago. — An Olago exchange points pnt that the amount of money to he run for at tie Lake race3, as advertised, is £310; atMouut Ida., £465; at the Dunstan, £440; and the Tuapeka Jockey Club has just come out with u programme of £405. * At Dunedin £1000 of public money is to be given.