The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 124, 24 May 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1873.

Monday Next will be observed as a public holiday in celebration of Her Majesty's birthday. Mr Killing's Meeting.— -Mr Kelling invites ,the electors of Waimea East to meet him at the Star and Garter, Richmond, this evening, when he will explain his reasons for retiring from the late' election contest. . Excursion Tkip,-— Those who are fond of oysters, — and who is nojj ; ?™will have an opportunity of securing a large supply at a 'small cost on Monday next, an. excursion trip at low rates; to the oyßter beds being advertised by the owner of the Lady Barkly. Harbor Board.— A petition has been set on foot, and is, being largely signed, requesting the Superintendent to constitute a Harbor Board for the port of Nelson. This is a move in the right direction, and we. ; trust that no obstacle will be placed inthe way by the provincial Council. Star Combination Company. — This Company gave 'another entertainment at the Oddfellows' Hall, last night. The audience, unfortunately, was very limited in. number, but both the, acting and singing were very good, and called forth con-; siderable applause. They will perform again at the same place to-night, and at Richmond on Monday evening. Inland Communication Committee. — A special tneeiing of the Committee will be field at the usual place and hour on Monday evening next for the purpose of taking into consideration the proposals of the General Government; A full attendance is requested. In another column will -be found the memoranda that passed between Mr Yogel and the deputation. Resident Magistrate's Court. — Charles Bath and Henry Tribe, of the barque Echo, were, charged with, disobedience of lawful commands, in refusing to work on board their ship to-day, Defendants* pleaded that they were entitled to a holiday, it being the Queen's birthday. On their still declining to resume work to-day, they were sentenced to 48 hours' imprisonment and to forfeit one day's pay-' „ According to a Wanganui paper, it is reported that the National Bank intends .opening _ branches .at Wanganui, Q^ a^ Bull's, Rangitikei. _ : . • The Provincial Council of Canterbury has recommended the Superintendents© set apart 101,000 acres of waste lands as nn endowment for a bcliooJ of : Agriculture; and an equal area for the promotion of superior education. . ' ' ' Mr Turnbull has tabled a resolution for dischEsion in the Otago Provincial Council, to the effect that the Standing Orderß should be altered so that the time allowed to. each 'speaker on aoy pnp subject shall lopt exceed- 10 minuteß. Jltis^to jbe hoped that none of our members will think of tabling so heartless a motion in the Nelson Council.

The Mokihinui reefs are causing some little excitement. Some more stone, about 201 b weight, haa been 'brought down from the prospecting claim, richer even than the first specmiens. Two more nuggets have beeu also found there in about the same locality as the large pne recently brought to light. They weig(i together about eighjt : ounces, are rauch water worn, and nearly pure gold. The lucky finder was the ferryman, J. Anderson, and he picked them up in or near the creek. The precise spot, of course, he does not disclose, but expresses an opinion that plenty more may be found if lookedfor. There are now about forty men on the reefs, and the population, there and at the township, is.. daily increasing. Australian Mutual ,Soc;iety.— -We clip the following from the Australasian : — There \A justnow a ; capital example of the prevalence of Australian thrift and foresight afforded by, the affairs of a purely Australian Life Assurance Oorhpa'ny. According to the. latest . published balancesheet of English life companies only three of the great companies had issued policies exceeding a million sterling within- 12 months. The Australian Mutual- Provident Society has also passed that gigantic limit. And it may probably surprise a good many persons to learn that in its total new premiums/and number of new policies last year.it; wa.sonly surpassed by one company in Great Britain. Here is the comparison : —

New Policies New Prema

To stand second amongst British Companies is something of which the Management of this Australian Society may well fettl proud.

'.*£.* TheGresham ... 3,081 ... 46,524 ', The Australian Mutual Provident ... 2,926 ... . 42,270 The Scottish Widows 1,867 ... 37.639 The Standard 1,810 ... 36,368