The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 24, 27 January 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1872.

Great Woeld Circus. — Mr. Murray's famous company is cow performing every evening in the tent in Hardy-street. Dick Turpin'a celebrated ride to York on his mare Black Bess -will be represented this evening. Richmond Institute. — The annual meeting of subscribers is advertised to take place at the Richmond Institute on Monday evening next, at 7 o'clock, for the purpose of electing a Committee, and the transaction of other business. Mr. Bent's Entertainment. — Mr. W. H. Bent, who has always been such a favorite actor with the play-goers of Nelson, advertises a performance, in which he will be assisted by the clever pianist Master Searell, for Monday evenirjg next. The programme is a most promising one, and we- shall be glad to fiod that Mr. Bent has a bumper house. Wesleyan Sunday Schools. — The anniversary of these schools will be celebrated to-morrow, when sermons will be preached in the church in Hardy-street in the morning aud eveniug by the Rev. J. B. Richardsou of Blenheim, and an address delivered at three o'clock by the Rev. W. Cannell. On the following Tuesday there will be a tea and public meeting, at which Mr. Drew will preside. Collections will be made in aid of the school fund. A. S. N. Company. — The West Coast Times learns that the Australasian Steam Navigation Company have given up, for the present, lhe idea of re-opening steam communication between Sydney aud the southern ports of New Zealand.- TJie Company desire to cuter upon this trade, and will do so the moment a reasonable amount of eucouragement offeis •, but at present the inducement is insufficient to justify the Compauy in iucuniug the expense involved iv placing one of tbeir first-class steamers oo the line.

Amateur Dramatic Entertainment — We understand that a few ladies and gentlemen, members of the Harmonic Society, purpose giving a dramatic entertainment at the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday evening next, the funds then obtained to be devoted to the purchase of a new piauo for tho Society. The pieces chosen aro The Wife's Secret, the plot ol which is laid in the time of Charles 11, and the farce entitled Wooing in Jest and Loving inEarnest. Tbelittle company have been at work for some time iv getting up their parts, and the rehearsals, we are told, hnve passed off most successfully, so that a pleasant evening's entertainment I may be looked for oa Wednesday. Persons desirous of obtaining tickets may do so on application to Mr. Stanton. Caledonian Society. — The annual dinner of this Society took place at the Trafalgar Hotel yesterday evening, when about thirty were present. Tlie chair was takeD by the President, Sir David Monro, and the vice-chair by the Hon. Dr. Reuwick. There were also present the Rev. P. Calder, the Hon. E. VV. Stafford, Dr. Hector, and several other gentlemen who take an interest in the welfare of the Society. Several very excellent speeche? were made, including*: one by Sir David Monro to Mr. John Kidson the Lighthouse Keeper, to whom the Society intends to present a medal for his courageous exertions in saving the lices of some of the passengers by the boat from the French Pass on the occasion when Mr. Webber and Miss Reynolds were drowned. On the whole a most pleasant evening was spent, and the party broke up a little before midnight, general satisfaction having been expressed with the catering of Mr. and Mrs. Disher. Greymouth Races. — The programme of the Greymouth Jockey Club Annua! Races, to be run ou Monday and. Tuesday, the 18th and 19th March, is oow published. Five races will be run on the first day, viz., the Trial Stakes of 30 soys, Lottery Plate of 25 soys, Jockey Club Handicap of 200 soys, Hurdle Race of 50 soys, aud the District Plate of 40 soys. On the second day, the Greymouth Jockey Club Hurdle Handicap of 70 sove, Town Plate of 100 soys, Selling Stakes of 20 soys, Hack Race of 10 soys, Goldfield Hsndicap of 100 soys, and Consolation Stakes of 20 soys. Total 670 soys. The following are the declared weights for the Handicap to be run on March 19 : — Peeress, lOst 71bs ; Yatterina, 9st ; Slander, Bst lOihs ; Misfortune, Sit 31bs ; Laceufeed, Bst ; Economy, 7st 6lbs ; XXX, 7s t 2<bs ; Hatred, 7st 2lbs ; Black Eaule, 7st ; Why not, 6st lOlbs; StockroaD, 6st 71bs. The Dkoitgiit and Bush Fires. — The Grey Hive?' Argus of Thursday last contains a series of telegrams from all parts of the colony telling of damaged corn crops, and serious bush fires. The first is from Port Chalmers, und says that a large fire was raging at Blueskin on Wednesday last. Mr. Hitchcock's premises had been destroyed, and his wife and daughter were carried through the flames ia a most exhausted state. In Christchurch the drought has lasted "nine week?, and great damage has been done to the crops by grass fires. The Little River bush had been on fire for several days. On Tuesday iho thermometer stood at llOdeg. in the shade (?). Auckland advices, dated Monday last, state that a heavy bush fire at Coromandel had destroyed part of the Tokatea tramway, several diggers' huts, butcher's shop, a store and other property. The drought is said to be very severe, and water is being sold ih Auckland, where tube wells are now beiDgsunk in order to secure a supply. StraDge to say, notwithstanding the dry weather, the harvest is reported to be satisfactory, the wheat crop good, and farmers holding at 7s. , ,_