NELSON BORD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 73, 25 March 1872, Page 2

NELSON BORD OF WORKS.

Friday, March 22' Present: All the members but Mr. Hounsell. An application was received from Mr. Carter for the sum of £60 on account of bricks delivered at tbe yard. It was agreed to pay him £30, and the following resolution on the motion of Mr. Fell was unanimously adopted : — " That having regard to a recommendation of the Public Works Committee, the Board of Works is prepared to pay Mr. Carter 75 per cent upon the value of the bricks now delivered at the yard of the Board, but without prejudice to the strict performance in future of tbe terms of the contract with Mr. Carter under which he is not yet entitled to any payment whatever." A letter was received from the Provincial Secretary stating that, instead of £250 the balance of the vote of the last Council, the Government would only be able to hand over £50 to the Board of Works. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Superintendent representing the great inconvenience that would be caused by this unexpected falling off in their estimated revenue. The Board then adjourned until Friday, April 5.

The notorious highway robber Robinson, who is under sentence for 16 years, has escaped from Mount Eden gaol, Auckland, It is believed that there are now moie than three thousand people in the vicinity of Reefton, and the population is increasing daily. No less than four hundred business licenses have been taken out there. The opinion is that the district is now overrushed for twice present prospects. The Government organs (says the Utago Times) are beginning to make game of each other. The Wellington Independent holds up to scorn the Nelson Colonist's grammar, and the Lyttelton Times accuses the Independent of writing " sensational trash." The hawks are apparently going to " pike out " each other's " een." Sale of Land by Natives. — "The Parae Karetu Block," says the Wanganui Herald, having a frontage of 18 miles to the Turakina River, and containing nearly 50,000 acres, was legally conveyed and sold to the Queen, on Saturday, by the owners thereof. The purchase money, about 4s. per acre, was paid on the spot, The Scandinavian Immigrants. — The Wellington Independent says : — " The official reports from Soatnes' island speak in a manner which justifies us in stating that the probabilities of any further appearance of disease are at zero. With a view to keeping the people in healthful exercise they have been told off in subdivisions and placed under the charge of responsible persons for the purpose of carrying on excavations and improvements in all parts of the island. On the whole, the prospects of immunity from further outbreak are most assuring." The Released Maoei Prisoners. — The Otago Daily Times says: — " Dunedin had throughout yesterday what might be called quite a 'North Island look,' every street corner being able to boast of an exMaori prisoner or two. The natives seemed to enjoy their release immensely, as they paraded the streets in all the glory of new felt hats, bran new moleskin inexpressibles, and coats ala mode. Here and there an exquisite might be seen twirling about, after the most approved fashion, a smart little walking-cane, while nearly every one of them, old and young, were puffing away most vigorously with the darling 'dudeen.' In the evening they were marched two deep through Princes-street, up to their new quarters at the buildings formerly used as police barracks, surrounded by an admiring crowd of Pakelias, with whom they appeared to be on the friendliest terms possible. — The Lyttelton Times of March 21 says :—Yesterday, the Luna, with the Otago batch of released Maori prisoners on board, called in at Lyttelton, and they availed themselves of the opportunity to visit Christchurch; Somewhat over 50 came through by rail, and, their appearance in such strength in the main thorough-

fares caused considerable speculation amongst the citizens until the matter was explained. The Maoris appeared to thoroughly enjoy their visit, and made the most of their time in satisfying their curiosity respecting the more notable establishments in the city. More than one shopkeeper was startled by a sudden influx of twenty or thirty stalwart uafctves into his establishment, and had it not been for the modern civilian attire worn by them, it is difficult to say what surmises might have been induced. The Maoris, wore, however, perfectly harmless in all their actions, and curiosity being once satisfied, did not give any further trouble. The whole of them returned to port in the evening and embarked on board the Luna, which vessel is to take them to the North Island.