Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SKP I EMBER 10, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 305, 10 September 1874, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1874.

CorßT3Hip and Marriage. — A lecture on tho rather attractive subject of "Courtship and Marriage," will be delivered at tbe Wesleyan Church, Richmond, this evening, at 7 o'clock, by the Rev. T. Buddie. The proceeds are to be devoted to fencing ths Richmond parsonage site.

Citt Council Election.—Considerable interest appears to be taken in tbis election, which is now proceeding, a considerable number having recorded their votes. As it will take a long time to ascertain tbe result, owing to tbe number of voting papers, we are unable to-day to give the names of tbe successful candidates.

H.M.S. Blanche arrived at the outer anchorage last night, and entered tbe harbor tbis morning. She carries six guns, all muzzle loaders, two weighing seven tons, and carrying 120lbs shot, the other four being 64-pounders. Her tonnage is 1800 tons, and her engines 350 horse-power. When at full speed 6he can steam 15 knots an hour, but having been so long in commission her boilers are worn, and cannot be worked up to fnll pressure. Projecting from ber bow at a few feet under water is a steel ram eighteen feet in length, and she is so arranged tbat in tbe event of the ram breaking off after striking a vessel tbe water could not enter, a watertight compart* ment being placed behind it. She will remain here a week or ten days, and then proceed to Port Chalmers via the West Coast, calling in at Mtlford Sound. She will not be open to the public before Sunday, as she is now coaling.

Preskntation to the Rev. J W. C. Heinb. — There was a large assemblage of Germans at Ranzau on Sunday last, the occasion being the presentation of a silver tea and coffee service, and a purse of sovereigns to the Reverend J. W. C. Heine. About 130 sat down io luncb, after which the following address was read:— "To the worthy Pastor Heine. — > Twenty-five years ago, when the colony of New Zealand was etill in its infancy, and after two ships with German immigrants bad settled down in Nelson previously, you, respected Pastor, were requested to temain amongst us as minieter, instead of going to the natives, with which intention you came out to Nelson. Many of us remember how many difficulties you bad to contend with at tbat time* and we wish to express to you our hearty and deepfelt thanks for tbe blessing and spiritual welfare which you have worked amongst us during tbe last twenty-five years through your preaching of the gospel. As a small token oi our love and esteem, we beg you to accept from us this tea and coffee service and purse of sovereigns. May it please God Almighty to grant you many more pleasant and happy years in tbe midst of your family, and of blessed spiritual labors amongst us. This is our fervent wish and prayer on this 26th anniversary as our minister of the gospel/'— Mr Heine having returned thanks, a congratulatory address waa presented to him, signed by tbe Lord Bishop of Nelaon and the clergymen of the Church of England residing in the district.

Mr. John R. Mabin reports sales of National Bank shares at 68a,

H.M.S. Blanche steamed from the harbor yesterday morning about 10 o'clock, for Nelson which port it is intended to reach on Monday, the time

meanwhile to be spent about the Sounds between here and Nelson. The Blanche will remain about a month at Nelson, when she will leave on a cruise round the West Coast.— Times, Sep. 5.

A Horticultural Show was held at WelliDgtou on Friday last and was most successful. Tbe exhibition of cut camellias, says the Times, was perhaps the most attractive part of the show, while the exhibitors io the vegetable department were numerous, and the display they^ made was very good in itself, and remarkably so when the character of the season is again considered.

" The N. Z. Times, of the Sth instant, says ;— « lt is to be hoped that the football match with Nelson will not fall through this year, as the Nelson players have twice paid us' a visit, without Wellington returning the compliment." But it bas fallen through.

The English Opera Company, wbo are now performing at Napier witb great success, will arrive at Wellington towards the close of the week. The Company will begin a short season at the Theatre Royal on Monday night, the 14th instant, with " Satanella, or the Power of Love." The season will probably laßt a fortnight.

The gentlemen who lately arrived in Wellington as a deputation representing the inhabitants of Greymouth, the proprietors of the coal-mines in that vicinity and the interests of those coal-mioee, waited yerterday upon the Hon. Mr Richardson, the Minister for Public Works. They were accompanied by the Hon. Mr Bonar (Superintendent of Westland), the hon Mr Lahman, Mr Cortis (Superintendent of Nelson), and Mr Harrison, M.H.R. Mr Cooper, surveyor, and Mr Johnson, town surveyor of Greymouth, were also present. At a later hour in the day, the same deputation, accompanied by the same gentlemen, waited upon the Premier. In each case, we understand, the objects of the deputation were explained by Mr Curtis and by Mr Smith, the Mayor of Greymouth, and others wbo formed or introduced the objects which they had in view. It has nof, as yet, been the practice in Wellington to have reporters of the Press present at such interviews, although interviews with members of the Ministry, wben tbey visit other parts of the colony, and interviews with Superintendents of provinces, are usually recorded, according to the estimate formed by those interviewed as to the propriety of tbe proceedings being published. We cannot, therefore, publish what may have passed between tbe deputation and the Minister for Public Works, but the understanding is tbat the deputation will submit to hira in writing what they desire to be effected with regard to the improvement of the river Grey, and that they will receive, in reply, a memorandum from bim before their departure for Greymouth. The impression is that, while tbe Government may reserve for consideration the proposed work of forming a breakwater at Greymouth, they will continue to carry out the present work of improving the navigation of tbe river ; but the resolution of the Government will, no doubt, be explicitly stated in the answer to the representations which are now on behalf of the deputation being reduced to writing.— Times.

The information that tbe Californian mail was despatched from San Francisco on the 17tb ultimo is at least pleasant news. The Macgregor, we presume, is the vessel which will bring tbe mail, and Captain Granger would, no doubt, find instructions from Mr Hall awaiting him at Honolulu as to whether be should proceed from that port to Fiji or to Auckland. The proper dace for the Macgregor's sailing was the 15tb, so that she was only two day 8 late. If the vessel takes Fiji in her course she should be due in Auckland on the 13th instant, but if she comes direct from Honolulu she may reach New Zealand about the 10th inst. — JV. Z. Times.

They are constructing some giant ocean steamers in America. At Chester, Philadelphia, on the 18th March, the City of Pekin was launched, and on the llth of May a sister vessel, the City of Tokio, first entered the water. They were both built for the Pacific Mail Company, and are stated to be the two largest iron steamships afloat in the carrying trade. Tbe New York World gives the following as the dimensions of the vessel recently launceed :-"The City ot Tokio, like her sister ship, when loaded to the water-line will displace 8000 tons of water. Her carrying capacity is 5500 tons, with space also for 150 cabin and 1500 steerage passengers. She is 423ft long by 48ft wide and 38ft deep, and bas four decks and six water-tight compartments. Her total cost, exclusive of stewards department, is 1,025,000 dols, and her speed will be nearly 19 miles per hour."