The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 136, 8 June 1875, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1875.

Miss Kay Howard and Mr Collier appeared at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, when the audience, we are sorry to say, was but very limited . The acting of Miss Howard, espeeially as ' " Lady Isabel," was most charming, and it is to be regretted that there were not more present to witness it. The. Company left for AucMand in the "Wellington immediately after the performance. Es Excellency the Governor may be looked for here on Friday next, a telegram having been received from him stating that he will leave Wellington in the Luna on Thursday, His private secretary has telegraphed to secure rooms for the Governor and suite at Panama House, where he will reside during his stay here. Arrangements are being made, we understand, for a parade of tbe Volunteers to receive him on the wharf, and it is to be hoped that they will muster in farce, and also that the people of the town will turn out in large numbers to meet him, and so to some extent wipe off the disgrace now resting upon us in consequence of the disloyal sentiments expressed in the Provincial Council by one of its members, and suffered to pass in silence by the others. It is in the power of very few among us to entertain his Excellency, but all can unite in giving him a hearty welcome. An address, we presume, will be presented to bim by the Mayor on behalf of the City Council. Tbe Marquis is said to be very fond of shooting, and we understand that Lr Renwick's farm at Stoke has been preserved for the purpose of supplying him with a day's sport. The Marchioness wiil not accompany the Governor on his visit. Masonic Hall. — Ad entertainment was given at the above Hall last night by the St. Vincent's Gem Concert Comjany which comprises Mr aod Mrs St Vincent, who appear on the stage and curry on a half conversational, half musical dialogue, in which the former sings well, and the latter shows shat aVci ; a pftew.'fful'voiegr*^^ J'^acity who makes a capital nigger miostre.j Mr Charles, a baritone; and Madame Montebello, who performs a number of sleij_ht-of-band tricks. There will be another entertainment this 'evening. Andrew Turnbull, Esq., who has been appointed to the offices rendered vacant by the death of the late Mr. Bunny, commenced his duties to-day. Prebbytbriaw Church — We are requested to remiod the adherents of the Presbyterian Church, that the annual meeting of the congregation will take plaoe to-morrow (Wednesday), in the Masonic Hall, at 7 p.m. The tea meeting will be held at 6 p m. Licensing Court. — The Licensing Court for the Waimea was held at Richmond yesterday, when all the old licenses were renewed with the exc?ption of that of R. M. Sib ith, of the Forest Inn, against whom certain grave charges were made in open Court. The application was adjourned for a fortnight. — Three applications for new licenses iu Waimea South were refused, the Bench intimating that unless a very strong case was made out they did not intend to grant any new licenses. — J, Jervis'a accommodation license for the Foxhill Inn was renewed with the further condition that be should run a conveyance, when the railway wbb completed, to meet every train, at a charge of not more than sixpence for eacb passenger. A Cheerful Neighborhood. — The Magistrates' Court at Richmond, yesterday, was occupied for sometime with the cases of M'Kay-y. Tomlioson, and Tomlinson v. M'Kay, in which there were four cross Summonses for assault and appiyiug for sureties of the peace. The evidence showed that a regular free fight had taken place, and all the partiee concerned were bound over to kpep the peace for twelve | months. Provincial Politics. -— Next to Auckland, Wellington may be regarded as the hotbed of Provincialism, but even there the interest that is takep in local politics does not appear to be excessive. The election of a member of the Provincial Council for the City in the place of the late Mr Borlase, took place the other day, when Mr Gillon was the only candidate who presented himself. His hustings speech having been made, the after proceedings were but verv Bhort. They are reported as follows by tbe N. Z. Times-.—Mr Maginity : Mr Returning Officer, before you close the proceedings,.! wish to ask Mr Gillon a question.— lfrr Gillon: I shall be most happy to answer any question any elector may choose to put. — Mr Maginity: Are you going to " shout?" — This sally was followed by a roar of laughter, during which the proceedings were brought to a conclusion. Sie James Fergusson, our late Governor, recently gave a lecture oa " New Zealand," at Ayr, in. the course of which he said : — " For • the last twenty-three years New Zealand had enjoyed a constitution — two Houses of

Parliament and a General Government. Each.' province, 'however, had its own government, such : as Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, &c..- While admitting that these little governments had <lone very much in the way of planting the colony, and much good in many other directions, he thought that provincialism had had its day, and that these petty parliaments ought to be abolish- d. Referring to the great question of the expenses of the Government of New Zealand, he said their debt at present was about eighteen . millions. Ten millions had recently been voted for public works, roads, &_., which were being carried on vigorously, aud, he believed, when constructed would be a great benefit to the whole colony. Between December, 1873, and December, 1874, eighty-two ships had conveyed 29,975 persons i'rojn this country to New Zealand. Se: spoke of, the great tranquility tbat prevailed where formerly there were wars and discords, and said that the forts were now being allowed to fall into ruins. 'In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the Government would go on with courage and confidence, and he sincerely believed that with prudence and economy they would accomplish results' which would build up the best interests of this country, and redound to our own. fame."