The Nelson EVening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 52, 2 March 1875, Page 2

The Nelson EVening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1875.

The Phoebe having been detained in Wellington until an early hour this morning wiil uot leave Nelson for the North until to-morrow afternoon. Battalion Drill.— The city companies will assemble in front of the Police Station for battalion drill this evening at 7 o'clock. Christ Church. — Tenders for groining the tower of this church are to be sent in to Mr Scaiffc's office by 3 p.m. to-morrow. Richmond Cattle Fair. — The quarterly fair will be held at Kichmond to-morrow. Licensing Coubt.— Owing to there not being a quorum of Commissioners this morning, the sitting of the Court for the transferof licenses was adjourned until to-morrow, at two p.m. Supreme Court. —It has been officially notified that Mr Justice Gillies will arrive here at the close of the present vacation, which terminates on the 10th insr, when he wiil commence his duties ns Judge of the Supreme Court. Houseb rearing. — A man named Newberry has been brought into town on the charge of breaking into the house ot Mr Bateman, of Spring Grove, arid stealing five pounds therefrom. He will be brought before the Resident Magistrate to-morrow. Addbess to Mr. Lowe. — In Mr Hariing's window is to be seen an address that is about to be presented by

the Artillery' Company to Mr Lowe, in acknowledgment of his services on the occasion of the theatrical entertainments given by that Company. The address ia very neatly engrossed and beautifully illuminated, and, both in design and execution, does great credit to Mr Wix, the artist. Tiie Regatta. — Several protests were heard last night in connection with the regatta, and the following were allowed : — Hecond class sailing boats : The Bonita was disqualified for not rounding the second buoy, and the Grst prize awarded to the Rosella, and the second to the Ado. Volunteer Whaleboat rnoe : The protest against the Colonist for two fouls was allowed. The prizes were then paid to the various winners. Yacht Race. — An interesting yacht race is likely to come off shortly, as a gentleman in Nelson has offered to back the new iron boat, the Star, for £10, to race the Minnebaha and Claymore from Nelson round Tonga Island and back. The offer has been taken up on behalf of ihe Minnehahn, and will prchably be so by the Claymore. Horticultural Show. — The aututrn show will be held at the Provincial Hall on Thursday next, and although bo large and varied a display of flowers as greeted the eye in the spring can scarcely be looked for at this season, yet those which are shown may be expected to be very choice. The fruit and vegetable department ia likely to be well stocked, and tbe show, on the whole, to prove a complete success. There is an omission, we think, in the list, which does not include a prize for samples of hops, which should, be shown,, not" only. in the blossom "but in the plant itself, as a few of ibV latter' would, if tastefully arranged, add very much to the appearance of the roorr. Should the Committee deem it advisable to offer such a priza, their decision should be made public at once, but as it could scarcely be advertised in time to come to the knowledge of the country people we would recommend those who have hops to show to bring them in on the day, as, even if no prize be offered, "the ;'Conji'cn£tte,e -will yjdoubfcle&s. be most willing toj-findVs'pace for such ' exhibits. :..' ■'_ ~ ■■■ .' ; The Hop Crop. — Hop picking is in full swing, and large numbers of men, women, and children, are finding profifcable employment in gathering tbe abundant crop with which growers are this year favored. In the Wood between thirty and forty acres are devoted to ihe cultivation of tho hop, and the area planted in the country districts is very considerable and is yearly on the increase. From all quarters we hear that the yield this season is more than usually prolific, and with the satisfactory prices ruling, those of our farmers who have devoted a portion of their land to this particular description of agriculture should find themselves in a better position than they have done for years past. We understand that some of the growers have forwarded samples to Melbourne, the quotations for which they hope to hear in about a fortnight's time. This industry is slowly but surely assuming large proportions, and it is a pleasure to learn that the prospects of those who are pursuing it are so bright this year. . l • ..- •„ v '- ' ' •. ..■ ' -./ ■'* ■ < The Hon S. D. Hastings obtained permission fo preach in tbe Wesleyan Church at Christchurch on Sunday last, but read a temperauce lecture, and many of the members of the church are greatly irate at him for doing so. Work on tbe first section of the railway line is now steadily progressing towards completion, the steam pile driver in use at the Orawaiti bridge having enabled the contractor to make good work with pile driving. The contract for the second section is signed, the price being £9005 12s 6J, and the distance, including sliding, is about four miles. The price is higher in proportion per chain than on the first, section, but the quantity of "muck work," as it ia technically termed, on the second contract is within three thousand yards of the quantity on the first, and thus the apparent advantage is reduced. The culverts on the new section will probably be of stone, such work having been tendered for at a price as low, if not lower, than for timber. The one mile section leading up the Waimangaroa gorge to Roche's coal lease has been pegged off, and it is probable that tenders will be soon called for the work. Iv such case it will be possible to lay down coal at the wharf for shipment within seven months. Tenders for the first section of the stone wharfage works will also be shortly called for. Tbe she for the railway station ia now cleared from timber, and the work of levelling will be commenced forthwith. The finishing touches are being giveu by the builders to the station-master's house. — Westport Times, The Greymouth Star of Thursday eaya: — Quite a crowd collected on the wharf about one o'clock to-day, to watch t' e landing of Yatterina from the Charles Edward. This was accomplished successfully, although it was a task of some difficulty on account of the rotten state of the wharf, temporary gnngways being laid over the whole. structure to prevent accidents, and the disembarkation was effected under the personal .supervision of Mr Walters and Freoch, assisted by the Harbor Master, and most of the sportiDg men of Greymouth. The mare looks as well as ever, and handled by French, will doubtless be in first class trim before the 17th of March.