The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 61, 12 March 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1874.

Processor Bavan gives bis first entertainment this evening at the Masonic and not the Odd-Fellows' Hall, when the "Prince of Wizards" will perform a number of astonishing feats of magic. - The Alhambra's Telegrams. — We publish to-day English telegrams by the Albambrs. The Australian did not reach us until too late for to-day's issue. Mammoth Troupe. — Owing to some delay in the movements of the Omeo, this troupe will not perform in Nelson until Saturday evening, instead of Friday as previously advertised. The Executive. — The Greymoutli Star of Friday last says : — *• Messrs Greenfield, Provincial Secretary, A. Pitt, Provincial Solicitor, and Shapter, Goldfields* Representative, accompanied by Mr Dobson, Provincial Engineer, have partially completed their tour of the Nelson South-West Goldfields, having visited the Lyell, the Inangahua district, and all the chief centres of population in the Grey Valley. They arrived here last evening, after visiting No Town, where they discussed local matters,. and were received most favorably. Along the whole route deputations have waited on them, and in every case where substantial causes of complaint have been brought forward they have promised, redress, and to recommend what is necessary. As a matter of course, they have been welcomed everywhere, and their trip is likely to be productive of the best results. The change in public opinion during the last few months has been most striking, and this shows, if the Nelson Government are willing to concede bare justice to the goldfields, that no change of Government will be asked for." A correspondent of an Otago paper, [ writing from Christchurch, says : — "You would scarcely credit the statement that the other day a man went to a well at midnight, overbalanced himself, and fell down a distance of 54 feet into eight feet of water at the bottom, and succeeded in getting up again without sustaining any material injury. Ytt such is a fact, nevertheless. " Some mineral specimens, apparently copper ore, have been brought into Westport from the Mokihihui, and the discoverer saYs there are thousands^ of tone to be found -without difficulty. It is stated in the Dunedin papers that one of the immigrants sent out by our Government in the Mongol was a well-to-do actor, engaged to play in Melbourne. This valuable acquisition to the Colony will be landed free in Wellington, and then he will, regardless of expense, take a steerage passage to Melbourne to fulGl his engagement. In very deed thiß man has " travelled," for he has found out the way to voyage from London to Melbonrne, with the option of visiting New Zealand for the sumof £5 The Inangahua Herald states that a local miner, working by himself, has ; successfully combined the two industries of gold and coal mining. The ground he at preseot occupies he has been working for the last twelve months ; it contains a fine seam of coal five feet in thickness, on the top of which there is a bed of gravel about a foot thick, with a very fair prospect. This is driven out, harrowed to the creek, and cradled. The seam of coal its turned to advantage by supplying the various claims with it for forge purposes, but considering that the owner has to carry it on his back a distance of two miles over some " beautiful " ranges, to supply his customers, he fully earns the price obtained. That Buoh is the case ie best proved by the fact that as yet nbnci

have atfemj tel to compete with him in the business. The Greymoutb Star of the 3rd inst says :-~We understand thnt the telegraph line tp the Lyell from Reef ton was completed yesterday. N Tbe operator and his instruments are not however ready, and communication must be necessarily delayed till these important aide to its accomplishment are sup- • jjlied. The Westport Sear says:— " The high rate of wages ruling has induced the line men and others employed in bush clearing on the Westport and Ngakawhau railway survey to strike for higher wages. Th(y have hitherto been paid ten shillings per day. They now atk twelve shillings, and in the present scarcity of hands are likely to ob am it. The committee appointed to collect subscriptions for Captain Johnson, of the Surat, are stated by the Otago Times to have purchased a draft on London in favor of Mrs Johnson, the late master's wife, for the sum of 12s si. Excepting one contribution^ the whole of the money was subscribed by roasters of vessels now, or lately, lying in the Port; and, excepting a few of the small craft, we believe that every master connected with tbe fleet now lying in Fort has subscribed to an afflicted, if erring, brother tar. The Westland press comments unfavorably on the resolution adopted by the new Provincial Council that the Speaker shall he permitted to take part in the debates he is supposed to preside over. It is condemned as a piece of folly which will make the Council a laughing stock throughout New Zealand. The Star says: — Were Mr John White, the new Speaker, the most silent member in the world, the very sanction so given is contrary to all usage, precedent, and common sense, but the very reverse being the case, and Mr White being the most irrepreesibly loquacious member in tbe new Council, the entanglement and confusion that will arise can scarcely be imagined. The gale of Saturday last appears to have extended to the West Coast, as will be seen by the following extracts from Westport papers: — "The high gale on Saturday, besides blowing down severs! buildings in course of erection, knocking down a few chimneys, and detatching a few sheets of iron, did no damage to signify. In Charleston some fluming, about 40 feet in length; across the Darkies Creek was blown down. Some parts of the beach presented a most extraordinary spectacle, large stones were cnnght by the wind and rolled along with great force, and in several places the beach is covered with shell- fiah."—" The, gale blowing from the north-west on Saturday afternoon did some damage in Palmerston-street: About 2 p.m. Ihe framework of Mr James Powell's new store, just above the Times office, suddenly gave way, Collapsing like a house built of cards, the whole structure giving way, leaving not a "solitary stick ..standing."— " Several large trees were blown down on the track between the cemetery and the junction, about four chains of fluming belonging to Biding and party was also destroyed, and about three chains of fluming in Hume and party's claim. Hoofs, chimneys, and fences were also damaged." . . . ,