The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 309, 28 December 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1872.

Dr. Cask, who is j ust now at Blenheim, is drawing crowded houses at his mesmeric seances. Outward English Mail. — A telegram has been received from Wellington by the Postmaster stating that the Pbcebe was to leave Port Chalmers for the North to-day, and that if such was the casß she would probably be in time to convey to Manukau a mail for the Nevada. A Paragraph appeared in our yesterday's issue which has given rise to some misapprehension. It was stated that the Mutual Life Association of Australasia had withdrawn from New Zealand. This has been interpreted by some to mean the Australian Mutual Provident Society, which is a totally distinct institution. Fatal Accident. — We regret to learn that Mr John Haycock, an old Waimea settler, who for some years has been the lessee of Mr Charles Watts' run in the Clarence, has met with his death at Kaikoura, by a fall from his horse. The telegram received merely states the fact without giving any particulars. Boat Race. — A match, over a course of about five miles, was rowed last night and created considerable interest among boating men. The competitors were a professional crew in the Tito Kowaru, and a crew of amateurs in the Phantom. The race, which was a very well contested one, was won by the Tito which came in 20 seconds ahead of the Phantom. Time, 36 minutes. 'Erratum.—^An error, which was not discovered until too late for correction, has occurred in the cricket score which appears in the fourth page of to-day's issue. The total made by the Wellington men in their second innings was 44 and not 47, although the total of the individual scores as published amounts to the latter number. Since discovering the mistake we have not been able to obtain the score-book to see where it has occurred. Harmonic Society's Concert. — We were glad that the Committee of the Harmonic Society decided on following the time-honored custom of giving, this season, Handel's sublime oratorio The Messiah, or at least such selections from that great work as, in the present circumstances of the Society, were practicable, and still more so that the effort was successful. Although the benches of the orchestra were not so well filled as on the last occasion, none present went away regretful at having attended. The choruses were well and steadily sung, and notwithstanding that from the absence of some good and familiar- voices, (which we could not but regret) the balance of the harmonies was somewhat .deranged , there •was 'no great faulttp find. Glory, to , God was very effective ; : Unto us a Child, is born yrs.& spirited, and Bis Yoke itfyedsy} B "^ B P^ c '^?y -well ;suojg,( and : the J2^&#^^ <?°»l3 be desired. Such of the solos as were selected

were very creditably rendered, nnd among these may be particularly mentioned, I know that Thy Redeemer liveth, and Be shall feed His flock, as also Thy ' rebuke. Our limited space in this issue will not admit of further details, but we may repeat (hat the audience could not regret having availed themselves of so good a concert as was presented on this occasion. The demonstrative applause, which occasionally asserted itself in certain parts of the hall, to say nothing of the new feature of encoring sacred music, was somewhat out of place at an Oratorio, but was at&Dy rate (although too outspoken an expression) indicative of approbation. We trust the Society will continue the good custom of affording us a Christmas concert of the Messiah as worthy of their best efforts.