The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 173, 23 July 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1874.

The Murray with the San Fruncisco mail should arrive here early to-morrow morning; Narrow Escape from Fire. — Yesterday afternoon Mr,. Freeman's house at the Port narrowly escaped being burnt dowo. Mr Jones, a cabman, who happene 1 to be passing, saw smoke proceeding from the open window, end on entering found tbe blind aod curtains burnt, and also a cane rocking chair, while in the floor, carpet and ceiling there were also large boles burut. The Port Brigade were soon on the spot, but before their arrival Mr Jones had succeeded in extinguishing the fire. Nelson Grown Oranges;— ln Mr Burrell's window are to be seen some fine oranges grown in the open air near Brook-street Valley. The tree from which they were plucked is of some years' growth, and bas how on it several dozen oranges, Motueka Road Board. —At a meeting of the Board held on the 15th inst , Mr Coppins was re-appointed Chairman, Mr F. D. Greenwood Treasurer, and Mr . Tarrant Secretary, Inspector of Works, and Receiver of Rates. It was resolved that tbe Secretary should summons all ratepayers who are in arrears. The Secretary was instructed to prepare an assessment of the rateable property io the distriot. The Board then adjourned until Thursday, the 20th of August. Waimea West.— A full meeting of the Vestry of St. Michael's Church was held on Tuesday to consider the state of the church. After a careful inspection it was decided that the whole body of the building would require to be battened, sills to be attached to tbe windows, and tbe tower put in thorough repair. It was unanimously resolved that an estimate of the probable cost should be obtained, and a subscription list opened for the purpose of raising the necessary funds. Our Australian telegrams inform us that the prospectus of a Company, to be called the Pakawau and Victoria Coal-Mining Company, has been issued in Melbourne. The capital is to be £30,000, in £1 shares. We most sincerely wish that the Company may be formed and tbe work commenced without delay, for it is generally felt that a start is all that is wanted to make the Collingwood district one of the richest in tbe colony. A late number of the Welliogton Post says : — " Last year the Assembly passed a Factory Act, for the purpose of preventing women being overworked. It is rather singular that the provisions of this Act are habitually set at defiance by the Government itself under the pretence of consulting the convenience of the Assembly. If any inquisitive member will look into the Government bookbinding establishment, he will find women and girls at work night after night, in a manner that would not be tolerated in any private establishment. ■■ ■ <