The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 232, 26 September 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1873.

Fire Brigade Dinner. — We remind all thoao who owe their security from fire, to this useful body— that is to say all residents in the town— that the members hold their annual dinner this evening, at which they hope to see a large gathering of the general public. Hitherto the agents of the various insurance offices have been conspicuous only by their absence on these festive occasions, but it is hoped they or their representatives will muster in force to-night. Nelson Loan Bill — There has been some misunderstanding about this Bill which it has been difficult to clear up, private telegrams informing us that it was to empower the province to raise £l 10,000, and the Press Agency telling us that £55,000 was the amount. Our Wellington files, however, contain an explanation of the mutter- It bad been decided by the Government that the sum to be raised by the provinces up to December 31, 1874, was not to exceed £386,000, so that each claimant had to be satisfied with permission to expend only a portion of the amount asked for up to that date, the share allotted to us bein^ £55,000. The question of establishing a code of storm signals has been urged upon the Government by the managers of the South British Insurance Company, A reply has been received which intimates that the subject will receive atteution. — Star. The immigrants by the Berar to Auckland hit on a singular method of wiling away the tediousness of the voyage. Having on board a retired naval lieutenant and an experienced sergeant of the army, they formed a regular volunteer company, numbering 35 rank and file. They are said to have acquired great proficiency in drill, and, unless scattered too much after landing, intend to offer their services to the Government. They are wonderfuly fond of law in Wangauui. On the slightest provocation an appeal to the Courts is threatened. The latest instance is that the Wanganui ' Chronicle,' disgusted at not being informed by telegraph of the Auckland fire, threatens an action for obtaining money under false pretences against the AngloAustralian Telegram Company, for receiving payment for the supply of news, and then not fulfilling its part of the contract. The ' Chronicle ' gives the Agency another chance, but says it will try the case if thiDga don't mend soon. — Post, The Wellington Independent says :— Although horses generally are good swimmers, they are not often known to swim very long distances with apparently little or no object beyond a desire to change their pasturage ; yet a few days | ago several horses which had been grazing in the neighborhood of the Pilot Station took it into their heads to swim off to the 'lighthouse. They landed upon Barrett's Reef, where they rested a short time, and then started again on their natatory journey, which they completed without much mishap. The next thing heard of the horses was that they were grazing at the Hutt, where their owners had to go for them. The young persons who dispense nectar ami ambrosia at 6d per sip across a bar counter are often obliged to liaten to much insipid inanity. This is, perhaps, to them as trying a portion of their duty as the pouring out aod glasa-polishing branch. Now and eguin it must be quite a relief to be enabled to say something pert aad incisive. A dark-complexioned man (who doesn't mind repeating a joke, even when its point is aimed at himself), having shaved off a somewhat thin moustache, said to Hebe, "Do you observe any change in me ? " To which, with commendable presence of mind, she replied, "Well, yes, dow that I look at you— you've waahsd youraeli'."— "JSgle»."