The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 149, 24 June 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 24, 1872.

Amateur Theatricals. — A dramatic entertainment, in aid of the fund for the tew piano ordered from London by the Harmonic Society, will be given by a number of lady and gentlemau amateurs, at the Oddfellows' Hall, on Thursday evening next. The programme will include Charles Dance's comedietta " Ambition," and the popular farce entitled " Romance under Difficulties." Twenty Pounds Reward. — We cail attention to the advertisement, offering on behalf of the Government snd the Acclimatisation Society, a reward of twenty pounds for such information as will lead to the conviction of the person or persons who shot the stag which was found in the Maitai on Saturday last. A conviction in this case would probably have the effect of checking the wholesale destruction of game that is said to be going on in the Province. The Brunner Mine. — A correspondent who signs himself " Truth " writes to us refuting certain statements made in a recent letter by Mr. Frank Guinness. " Truth " says that Mr. Guinness must have been under a mistake in stating that he saw three boats return from the Brunner Mine because there was no coal at the pit. He denies that the owners ever told him that that was not the only instance of their being disappointed in getting cargoes, and he asserts that the present price of coal at Greymoutli does not prove the justice of the charge made by the Argus. s!LMr. O'Conor's Reception at Westpoet. — An unusual excitement prevailed last evening on the arrival of the Charles Edward from NelsoD. It was known that the Buller Representatives were on board, and one of them at least met with a reception the reverse of flattering. A large crowd of people had collected and on Mr. O'Conor stepping ashore h-3 was greeted with expressions of public disapproval. The " rogue's march " was played by the Brass Band, and a clamor arose from a beating of kerosina tins, and the sound of many voices. Whether it would have been more politic and in accordance with strict ideas of justice to have first given Mr. O'Conor a hearing, is a question that did not seem to trouble either electors or non-electors. They gave him a hot and lively teception. The San Francisco Mail Service. — The news received by telegraph on Saeurday last shows that New Zealand is to be left to support the present mail service entirely single-handed. Australia, as we know, decided two or three weeks a;*o that she would have nothiug to say to it, and now we learu that America has refused to vote any portion of the subsidy. There can be no doubt whatever that at no very distaut date there will be regular communication between the Australian colonies and San Francisco, but surely New Zealand is not in a position to maintain a line of boats at her owq expense, particularly such boats as Mr. Webb as been kind enough to palm off upon her. When Victoria can make such arrangements as will suit her convenience we may hope to get our work done by branch steamers connecting us with the main line, but until then we had far better he content to awallow our pride, and not attempt to maintain gigantic mail services that are out of all proportion to the means at the disposal of the colony. The Collins, Carroll, and Bent Troupe have sailed from Auckland for Newcastle. The tradesmen of Oamaru have agreed to stop work at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoons. It is intended to stretch another telegraph wire between Auckland and the Thames, the great pressure of business making such an addition necessary. The Canterbury Press of June 13 says : — Several specimens of a second crop of strawberries have been exhibited lately in Christchurcb. As another proof of the mildness of the weather during the past autumn, we may mention that an apple tree in Mr. J. L. Wilson's garden at St. Albans, has a second crop of fruit upon it.

Snow has been falling throughout the up-country districts since Monday morning. On Tuesday and the following night it snowed continuously, and on "Wednesday morning the whole couDtry was covered for nearly a foot deep. This has been the heaviest suow storm sinco the goldßelds opened on the Coast, and heavy floods may be expected when a thaw commences. — G. M. Argus, June 15.