The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 33, 7 February 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1874.

San Francisco Mail. — The outward mail will be despatched hence on Wednesday next in the Taranaki to Wellington, where they will be transhipped to the Mikado, which will sail from there on the 12th instant.

Wesleyan Church. — Divine service will be conducted in this Church tomorrow, by the Rev W. Cannell in the morning, and by the Rev W. B. Marten in the evening.

Church Parade.— The members of the City Companies of Volunteers are ordered to meet for Church parade at the Drill Shed to-morrow morning at half-past ten.

We understand tbat Mr and Mrs Hoskins are expected here by the Lady Bird to-morrow, and will probably give an entertainment on Monday evening.

Representative Fibjn^. — The firing for Colonial Representatives for the Nelson and Marlborough district, took place at the Maitai Butts this morning, when the following members of the City Rifles qualified, with the following scores : — Private Crossman, 99 ; Private C. Moore, 95 ; Sergeant J. A. Burn, 88. As there ia only one Representative paid by the Government, it is intended to raise a sufficient sum to send the otber two, and it is to be hoped the public of Nelson will come forward in a liberal manner, so that Nelson can be well represented at the Colonial Firing in Napier. Gorse Fire. — The alarm was rung last night about nine o'clock in consequence of a great glare that was visible in the direction of Toi Toi Valley. The brigade, who were at practice at the time, immediately started off, and tendered very efficient service in extinguishing tho .fire, which but for the assistance rendered by them and many others must bsvo extended jfco the cGJtage of Mr Gillett,

Volunteer Inspection. — The City Rifles, 40 strong, were inspected by

Major Gordon last night. After the parade, the Inspecting Officer said: — Nelson. City Rifles — I have every reason to be well satisfied on the whole with the manner in which you have conducted yourselves on parade to-day. Your march past was all that could be desired, and was as well done as anything I have seen during my tour of inspection. In the other manoeuvres, however, including the skirmishing you did not acquit yourselves so well, but this I attribute in a great degree to the want of the necessary knowledge on the part of your sergeants. Now, a sergeant when he is invested with tbe Btripeß should take- pains to make himself acquainted with the duties of the office he has assumed, and unless be is prepared to do co he should not occupy a position that might be more satisfactorily filled by a better man. lam given to understand that your captain has been absent for some months, and is likely to be so for some time longer. This is most irregular, and, whatever may be the personal feelings entertained towards him by those whom he is supposed to command, they should call upon him to place his resignation in the hands of the Company. It may be inconvenient to him to attend the paradee, but he has no right to continue to bold his commission after he has ceased to be able to attend to the duties it entails. I shall on my return to Wellington recommend the Government to insist upon his tendering his resignation, and thus making room for the appointment of a captain, such as a company as yours deserves to have. I have noticed that your appointments are not in the condition in which they should be, some of the bayonets being so rusty that they will scarcely draw from their scabbards, the belts too of some of the men require to be attended to. With regard to your rifles I may say that, like many that bave been served out to tbe volunteers, they are of little use. The Enfields were called in after doing service in the North, and browned over so as to give Ihem a presentable appearpearance outside, but in very many instances the grooves are completely worn out. After my report is sent in to the Government I believe that considerable reductions will be made in the volunteer foree — though neither you nor the Company I inspected yesterday have anything to fear in this direction — and thus a large number of Snyder rifles at present in the possession of sedentary volunteers will be placed at liberty, by which means all those who are really efficient will be provided with reliable weapons. I may conclude by saying that I shall feel myself in a position to report very favorably of this Company. — The parade was then dismissed.