The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 56, 5 March 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1873.

Holiday.— -The Banks and merchants' offices will close to-morrow, at 12, noon. Sweepstakes. — The sweepstakes on the Colonial prize firing will be continued at the Masonic Hotel this evening, when the drawing for those subscribed for last night will take place. Mesmerism. — Dr. Carr proposes giving another of his highly popular entertainments this evening, at the Masonic Hall. Hitherto he bas always succeeded in attracting crowded houses, and there can be little doubt tbat such will he the case again to-night. Bishop Moban arrived by the Charles Edward yesterday morning. His Lordship proceeds to the country to-day, returning at the end of the week. His formal reception by the laity will take place at St. Mary's on Sunday morning, at 10 o'clock, when an address will be presented to- hira. The Bishop will most likely preach at 11 o'clock mass in the morning and also at vespers in the evening. Acclimatisation — By the Tararua yesterday Mr. Huddleston, the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society received two - more hares which were at once taken up to Richmond by him and turned out on Mr. Wither's farm at Richmond. Some of those previously liberated have been seen on various occasions in different parts of the Waimeas. We are glad to learn that the trout are breeding, seventeen young ones about three inches in length having been seen yesterday in the Brook Street stream just below the dam when tbey were caught in a net and removed higher up the stream. The Superintendent. — Two deputations waited upon tbe Superintendent yesterday (February 28) upon public matters. Tbe first from the former holders of freehold sites on the Native Reserve, urging upon His Honor their claims to share in the allotment of sections, upon equal terms with those who had obtained freeholds direct from the Province. His Honor, we believe, promised tbat the matter should be reconsidered. The second deputation was from residents in the Mohikinui district, pleading that some easier means of access might be made from the mouth of the Mohikinui river upwards, towards the quartz reef lately opened there, and to facilitate further exploration in that direction. His Honor promised that Mr Dobson should be at once instructed to visit and report thereon and that, supposing bis report should be favorable, and the necessary money for the work could be obtained from tbe Provincial revenues, such work should be at once proceeded with .— Westport Times. The Hon John Hall was recently invited to a public dinner to be given to him at Christchurch . in recognition "of the eminent services rendered by him to the colony and the zeal and ability be ' had displayed in public affairs for nearly twenty years," Owing to the state of his health Mr. Hall was unable to accept the invitation. The New Zealand Herald says : — From what we have heard at various times from correspondents in different parts of the province, and especially up North, we are led to believe that at the present time illicit distillation will be carried on to a very conßiderable extent. The many intricate bays, and- almost inaooeaai-

ble coves along the coast, present great facilities for the erection of illicit stills. In many of the country stores and hotels, or grog-shops, as they are called, we are informed tbat spirits are sold which bave never paid duty, and that some of the mountain fastnesses, generally in the vicinity of navigable rivers, are perfect nests of distilleries. ■ ■ ■ =-