The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 30, 4 February 1875, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1875.

Amongst the visitors at present iu Nelson is the Hon. Thomas M'llwraitb, late Minister of Public Works for Queensland, who this tnoruing drove out to see the reservoir, in Brook-street Valley. Good Templabs. — The officers of the Loynl Marine Lodge will be inStalled this evening. A meeting of the three city lodges will be held in the Tetnperauce Hall to-morrow evening, at eight o'clock, to arrange for the reception of the Hon. S. D. Hastings. Breach of the Scab Act.— An information has been laid against Mr Henry Knyvett for driving 250 sheep over the Woodburn ruu in Motupiko Valley, the property of Mr Holland. The case will be heard on Monday. Tiie Regatta Holiday. — We are glad to find ikat we are to hove a«a influx of visitors from Wellington on the regatta day, a telegram which will be found elsewhere informing us that a cricket team, and one or more boat's crews, intend coming across. It is to be hoped that the cricketers will be prepared to remain at least two days, as there might be soraj difficulty in getting together an eleven to meet them on the regatta day. Paea Para Company. — As a proof that this Company are in earnest in the work they have taken in hand, we are glad to notice that Mr Webster, the secretary, advertises for tenders, to be sent in before MondayV-fhe 22nd inst., ! for the construction of a wharf. The Collingwood dietti'jt is said to have assumed quite a new aspect since the commencement of the Company's operations. The Rev. Charles Cla^k. — Those who were present in the Provincial Hall last night eDJoyed a rare treat in the lecture — if so it may be called — delivered by Mr Clark upon Charles Dickens. The word "lecture" appeared to ub to be scarcely applicable to what was in reality a short biographical sketch of the great novelist, interspersed with lengthy quotations, not read, but recited and acted, from j some of his most popular works. Dickens* boyhood j was perhaps dwelt upon at rather too great a length, although the object was plain, namely, to trace the connection between the individuals with whom he was brought in contact iu his youth, and the characters afterwards depicted in his works. Having done this, the lecturer proceeded to quote extracts, and in doing so he displayed a marvellous memory, whole pages being recited without the slightest hesitation. Of these, the first was the account of the inimitable Bob Sawyer's supper party. Jack Hopkins was delightful in the narration of his hospital experiences to the credulous Mr Pickwick, as was that worthy gentleman's astonishment on hearing of the difficult operations that were occasionally performed, and the intricate cases that had come under his voluble friend's notice. We really were quite sorry, and felt a genuine sympathy with Mr Sawyer in his troubles, when the tyrannical landlady appeared on the scene, and brought the pleasant party to so abrupt a termination. The eyes of Mr Clark's audience that were moistened with the effects of excessive laughter at his humorous rendering of Mrs Raddles' wrath, were scarcely dried when tho tears once more stood in them, this time from a different emotion, for they found themselves standing by the death-bed of "Little Nell," acd the exquisite pathos with which this scene was depicted was quite a sufficient excuse for the chaDge that came over the mood of his hearerp. Iu a few minutes another change had been effected, and the Hall once more rung with laughter as " Sairey Gamp" and " Betsy Prig " stood before us, the former lady pouring forth her volumes of words, the meaniug of which "could only be arrived at by the assistance of a special Providence." Mr Clark then went on to say that he considered that the hold Dickens had obtained upon the English reading public waß entirely owing to his sympathy with human life in all its phases, which enabled him to entertain, while he had the power oi expressing, a /ellow feeling with his brother men in all their various moods. He then proceeded to repel the charges of irreligion which had more than once been raised against the subject of his lecture, charges that were based upon the fact that he had satirised those busy bodies, such as Mrs Pardiggle, who were libels on the religion of courtesy and charity, whose apostles they professed to be. The Mrs Jelly by s, too, had fallen under his lash, people who were ready : to open their arms wide enough to embrace the whole external world, while they would not deign to

attend to the duties that camo immediately tinder their hands, but, while such as these, he displayed that reverence for truth and real goodness, which was the Bign of a gentle, pood and Christian heart. Ho satirised ihe individuals and their foibles, but didn*rtrtnvent the evil of which they wtfre the representatives. A«;ain, who /was there who had not met a Chadbaud, a StiggiDß, or even that astoundiug moralist, Mr Pecksniff ? Surely he who had cibbetted men like these was entitled, not to be upbraided, but to be reverenced by all whose religion U-as real, ahd not merely that of outward show. Throughout the whole of the two hours that were occupied by the lecture, Mr Clark was listened to with the deepest interest, and he certainly had no cause to complain that be was addressing an unappreciative audience. Tonight we are to be introduced to Oliver Goldsmith, who, we understand, forms the favorite subject of Mr Clafk's lectures, and we can honestly recommend all who desire to spend a really pleasant couple of hours to be present. They will not regret the expenditure either of their time or their money. GATHERING AT COLLEGE HILL. On Monday, the first instant, a second annual gathering took place at Mr Short's residence, at College Hill, and was one of the most successful and happy meetings of the kind. At eleven o'clock, Mr Short's spacious drawiuer room, which had been emptied of all furniture but seats, was literally crowded to overflowing with an eager audience, every available inch of space being filled, and the adjoining room and corridor being also occupied. It was calculated that at least 200 persons were present. After a few words of loving welcome from Mr Short, an hour was spent in prayer, interspersed with singing, and then another hour and a half were occupied, by short, earnest, and practical addresses from the Revs. Leighton, Moon, and Myers, and Mr. Hodder, on 1 Cor. xiii., which had previously been chosen as the subject for the day. The meeting was then closed with prayer, and the party dispersed for a short time, hpving- realised abundantly the fulfilment of Christ's promise to be present with those who meet in His name, and prepared for and expecting still further blessing during the day. The time had now arrived when the body needed to be refreshed as the soul had been, and it was soon a pretty sight to see scattered over the grounds the small pic-nic parties, enjoying the good things they had brought with them, while others who were not so provided were hospitably entertained in the house. About three o'clock the party, which had now largely increased, and numbered over 300 adults and about 100 children, were again gathered together, the adults in a paddock, and the children in the garden near the house. In the paddock, an address was delivered on the subject of the day by Mr Short, after whfrh, in consequence of the large number of newly arrived immigrants who were present, the character of the meeting was changed, and words of welcome were spoken to them, and invitations to the unconverted to acoept the gospel were given by Messrs Daniel, Hodder, and Hill. While the older persons were thus occupied, suitable addresses were given by the Rev. C. Moon, and by Messrs Talbot and Haselden, to the younger portion of the assembly. After tea, which was provided out of doors soon after five o'clock, for all present, the se.its were rearranged in another part of the grounds, and short, earnest, and pithy gospel addresses were delivered by the Revs. Moon and Dolamore, and by Messrs. Spear, Piper, Wilson, Haselden, and Harkness, after which, Mr Short brought the meeting to a close at dusk with an earnest appeal to all to escape from the wrath to come, and to flee for refuge to Jesus. The majority of the assembly then left for their homes, but an invitation having been given by Mr Short to any anxious souls to adjourn to the house for prayer and counsel with such of the Christians who were able to remain longer, about forty persons gathered together and spent a delightful time in prayer, singing, and exhortation, during which several professed to have then and there accepted Jesus as their Saviour. This last meeting closed a happy day spent with pleasure and profit by a large number of persons, all of whom it is to be hoped left with feeliugs of gratitude to the Giver of so much blessing and to His servant who had been the means of gathering them together. All the meetings were enlivened by singing, a nice selection of hymns having been printed specially for the occasion. — Communicated. The Southern Cross reports that several cases of sunstroke have occurred in Auckland lately. Magistrate Broad, says the Times differed from the man called " Happy Moments," who was charged with stealing a watch, and who asserted that Professor Chapman must have put it into his pocket by process of hocus pocus. Magistrate Broad e;ave " Huppy Moments" six months of unhappy ! moments. We {Taranaki News) are glad to learn that tt considerable amount of capital has been introduced by the arrivul of the immigrants in thu Avalanche, sums having been deposited in the Banks here iu various amouuts up to £600 each. It ia objected to by the Agent-General that these parties should not have free passages. Wo think, on the other hand, that whoever likes to put bis pride in his pocket, and come out in the steerage, is as much entitled to a free passage as any other."

The following, from the Melbourne Argus, will be of interest to our five Brigade :— " A number of gentlemen connected with the Insurance Companies of Melbourne assembled the other day, at the Fire Brigade Station. Little Collins-atreet, to witnes3 a trial of a new fire-escape ladder which has just been imported by the City Corporation at a coat of £180. The inventiou ia an Italian one, the patentee being Signor Portn, of Milan, his agent in Australia being Signor Palmieri. These ladders have been in use in the chief cities of Europe and America for some years past, and have been found of great service not only for fire-escape purposes, but also for builders and contractors, as by means of them a considerable amount of exterior work can be done to lofty buildings without the erection of costly scaffolding. The ladder is 75 feet long — there are some in use 125 feet long — and is in Beven lengths. These are rapidly fitted together in a horizontal position by means of wooden keys und iron guys, which latter can be used as handrails by those ascending or descending. By means of a small winch attached to the carriage of the ladder, and heavy counterpoise weights, the ladder is uext raised to a verlical position, and can then be ascended. It is so weighted that, without leaning against support, it will allow seven men to ascend it at the same time. The trial was very successful. Mr D. M. Luckie, in addressing the gentlemen assembled at the Templnr Conference last evening, in the course of some remarks, in which he admitted and deprecated the evils arising from the drinking customs of society, stated, among other things, that he felt a deep interest for the temperance movement genernlly, and io Auckland especially, as he had made this locality his home, and intended to remain in it, notwithstanding a very stupid canard to the contrary had been recently published. If those who appreciate tragedy, or Good Templarism, or both, desire to have their tastes satisfied, let them read the following from the New Zealand Times'. — "Au inquest was held at the Martoo Hotel on the 11th iust., hefore A. Roes, Esq., coroner, on the body of \ Patrick Birrins, schoolmaster, Upper Tutaeuui, who died on Saturday evening from injuries received by falling from his horse on the night of the fifth . inßt. The evidence was that the deceased had spent his Christmas holidays in indulging too freely io drink, ; and wus not sober when he left tho White Hart Hotel a few minutes after ' ten o'clock. Shortly after that time he ' was found lying bruised and bleeding ' on the road in front of the Marion , Hotel. He was carried in and placed on a eofa in a back room, from which place he was taken next morning at 6 o'clock and put in the stable, and shortly afierwarda into the yard. About 8 , o'clock Dr Taylor was called in, and the unfortunate fellow waY put to bed, . but he gradually sank, expired at 6 in the evening of Saturday. The verdict was 'accidental death.' The foreman of the jury protested against that verdict, and refused to sign tho inquisition. Tho deceased was a sou of the late Colonel Smythe, of the Bengal Native Infantry, aud formerly held u commission, which he lost. He theu enlisted in an assumed' name into the 57th Regiment, in which he was schoolmaster." The story is brief, but , the manner of telling it appears to be truthful, and it is too truo to fallen i nature — too often true; and <: pity 'tis/ 'listrue." / "The theory advanced by some that thistles destroy the soil," observes the Gipps Land Times, ' has received direct contradiction in the experience of Mr A Robertson, of the Square Forest Farm, near Sale. The land, which had been alldsvad^to lay fallow for some years, and>^at tfi*ly use/I for grnzing purposes, wasyfyuite overrun with thistles, but on being broken up and sown has this year yielded a magnificent crop, the wheat being nearly as high as tho 'ence, and having large full ears. Though this does not » prove tho theorists wrong iu the main, it still goes far to show that others who contend that thistles eradicate themselves in a few years, and add to (lie feri ility of the soil by their roots rotting, and keeping it. open while spreading, have good grounds for their opinion." We (Otago Guardian) have been shown some samples of slate of excellent quality for roofing purposes — equal, in fact, to the beet Welsh slates . —said to have been obtained in Otago. / Tho discoverer, of course, refuses fo' disclose the locality at present, merely stilting thnt it is within six or seven miles of a i ail way. He sayß that he has been searching for it for twelve months, and that any quantity can be obtained without difficulty. " Atticus," the well-known contributor to i-he Leader, wants to rudely disturb Levukan society. He says: — " I wonder whether Captain Staudish would mind taking h hint from a humble broker who has suffered in bis time. Fiji was for many ywars a sort of Australian PatmoB — a place of refuge for all persons to whom Victoria was not a aaffl residence, ofcing to their peculiar notions about the laws of property. Would it not be just as wel' if a little intimation were given to those gentlemen — now that Fiji is a British possession — that their presence is urgently required in Victoria. A smart detective despatched to Levuko, ; ; with a bundle of warrants in his pocket, tbight pick up a great mnny persons who are wanted at Melbourne, Sandhurst, and

The survey of the extension of the Ngakawhau line, from the termination of the preseut contract at Fairdown to the Waiman§aroa, has been com« meuced. It was stated by the Lyttelton Times that, last week, 259 trout were diatributed in the Waiki, Kakaha, and Opihi rivers. Their removal from the gar- 1 ' dens was accomplished without a single loss, although several fish of a large size, from those hatched out the season before last, were included in the lot. Pilchards abound in immense numbers ou the coaat of Cornwall, and of late a manufactory of "Cornish Sardines" has been established at a place called Menagisseh, in Cornwall, where f pilchards are preserved in oil and prepared for market aftsr the Italiap fashion. They are said by experts fcoj be equal in quality to tjie great bulk; or the imported t aW"d*ines. •, .. i ' y / A malicious perso<^ays <tihat fccrtto/ sheets and newspaper sheetsiarai 5 alik4, in respect that a great mpny people/lie in them. \ /