The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY,MARCH 14, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 73, 14 March 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY,MARCH 14, 1876.

The Lady Barkly sails for the Clifton .Flower Show at eight o'clock this evening. In the fourth page of to-day's issue will be found the half-yearly report and balance sheet of the Union Bank of Australia, from which it will be seen that that institution is doing a most flourishing business. A avoed of warning to our hopgrowers may not be amiss just now. We have been shown to-day a memorandum received by a gentleman, through whose hands large quantities of hops pass every year, from a firm in Christchurch to the following effect : — "We have found several pockets of Nelson hops of last season quite perished, apparently through being packed in a damp otate." It would be greatly to be regretted if an article of export which is grown to so large an extent in Nelson should get a bad name through carelessness in packing, and we call the attention of growers to the complaint that has been made, in the hope that they may be induced to take every precaution this year.Those popular favorites the wellknown Lynch family of bellringers, instrumentalists, and vocalists, have again arrived in Nelson, and will give the first of a short series of three performances at the Masonic Hall this evening. The popularity of the troupe is undoubted, and their name as genuine caterers of amusement has become a household word throughout the Australasian colonies. Since their last appearance here the company have travelled extensively, and, of course, have added considerably to their repertoire. The new members of the troupe comprise I Mr Charles Keeley, a first-class comique and comedian of great reputation in London and other large centres of population in Great Britian, and MiAlfred Statham, pianist. The reputation, however, of the Lynch family alone is quite sufficient to attract a large audience in Nelson, and a full house may safely he anticipated to-

night. The programme is a lengthy one, and will comprise selections on the bells, comic trios and quartettes by the Messrs Lynch; comic songs characteristic impersonations and eccentricities by Mr Keeley; overtures by Mr Alfred Statham; and concluding With the farce of "Mr Johnson in want of a Coachman," the principal characters of which will be sustained by Messrs Harry and "Willy Lynch and Mr Keeley. As we noticed in our yesterday's issue, the costume cricket match at Taranaki, in aid of the hospital, was a great success, and a source of much amusement to the onlookers. The originator of the affair, Mr Harry Lynch, has offered to help in a similar match here should the amateurs, of whom there are five required to complete the team, come forward and render the necessary assistance. The bellringers do not leave before Saturday, so that there would be ample time to make arrangements for the game to be played on Friday next. It would be a great novelty here, and sure to attract a very large gathering. The low charge of sixpence might be made, as at; Taranaki, and the proceeds given to the Hospital fund. "We commend the matter to our cricketers. A subscription list for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Nelson cricketers on their visit to "Wellington this week, is being taken round the town, and we are glad to learn that a considerable sum has already been raised. The return cricket match between the town and country butchers will be played in the paddock belonging to Messrs Primmer Brothers, at Richmond, to-morrow, when the Artillery Band will be in attendance. The public meeting in celebration of the "Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary was held in the Hardy-street Church last night, the chair being occupied by the Rev. T. Buddie. Interesting addresses were delivered by the Revs. Keall, Dolamore, and Beckenham, and by Messrs Price and Rose. The report which was read showed that there were 181 scholars, 95 girls and 86 boys, and 13 female and 11 male teachers. The collections at the Sunday services and the meeting amounted to £8 lis 9d. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Superintendents, Messrs Webley and Boundy; Secretary, Mr J". H. Boundy; Librarian, Mr J. Thompson. Mb, Maxwell Bury, yesterday afternoon, met Messrs. Curtis and Sharp, M.H.R.'s, by appointment, and laid before them a plan for extending tbe railway to the Port. This, we understand, met with their entire approval, and they purpose bringing it before the House as early as possible next sessioo. It would seem tbat unless the Nelson people stirred in this matter there is little chance of this necessary addition to the line being carried out, so disinclined do the General Government appear to be do anything for this province. The bonus of £10 offered by the Directors of the Savings Bank for the best design for a building adapted to their wants has been awarded to Mr C. Moore, and tenders will shortly be invited for its construction. The new Bank will be erected on the vacant space next to the house recently occupied by Mr J. H. Levien in Tra-falgar-street. It will be a two-storeyed building with a frontage of 27 feet, and a depth of 40 feet.