The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 62, 13 March 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1877.

The present Licensing Act is continually, revealing some new absurdity. The latest brought to light is the inability ofthe Bench to grant a license except at stated times three months apart. An application was ' made yesterday afternoon to Mr Broad by Mr Green, of Waugapeka, for a license to sell liquor at the Tadmor,. and the reply perforce was that none could be granted before June. Now in a very few days there will, in all probability, be at least 300 men on the new rush, and if anyone believes, that, because it is impossible to sell grog legally, the diggers will therefore go without it, he must be a very near relation of Mr Verdant Green. Of course the liquor will be sold, and the Government will lose a quarter's license. That in a country like this there should be no provision made in the Licensing Act for dealing with an emergency of this kind does seem the height of absurdity. The firing for the District Prizes for the City Cadets will take place to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock sharp. The monthly competition for the Medal presented to the City Cadets by Captain Godfrey took place at the Maitai Butts on Saturday last, when it was won by' Private T. Kitching for the third time. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, Arthur Lindsay was charged with stealing a watch and chain, the. property of Captain Thome of the Planet. ' Mr Bunny appeared for the prisoner, who, on the application of the Inspector of Police, was remanded until Thursday, bail being allowed,-:-himself in .£SO, and two sureties in .£25 each: No more wicket-keeping for a time for Pooley, who, whenever his name is mentioned in the telegrams, is referred to as " one of the English cricketers," thereby, involving, an unnecessary charge for five words, and no more money-taking for a few weeks for Mr Bramhall. In England the one leagued to play cricket, and the other to look after tlie' business part of the matches. Having come" to New Zealand fchey are likely to have their attention directed to another branch of learning — how to behave themselves. Such at least we gather from our telegrams, which inform us that fchey are committed to take their trial at Christchurch for malicious destruction of property. A public meeting will be held at the Ranzau Institute to-morrow evening for a purpose which will be found specified in the advertisement calling the meeting. The tents for the Easter Encampment are on their way up iv the Beautiful Star which left Hokitika to-aay. The camp will be pitched in Mr Hives' paddock at Allington bordering on the river, aud visitors to it by railway will be landed afc a temporary station to be erected for the purpose at the cross road immediately opposite Allington. On the j Saturday there will be races for untrained j horses, athlelic sports, and other amusements ! that are likely to attract a large number of visitors, and on Easter Monday the review will take place. Wis understand that the thorough bred horse Oon Juan has been sold to Mr Fleetwood of Wanganui, where he will be used for stud purposes next season. Don Juan has a pedigree that is not surpassed by that of any horse in the colony, and he should prove a profitable speculation to his new owner. We would call attention to the advertisement of the Coal Pit Heath Coal Mining Company, who notify that on and after the 31st instant they will bo prepared to supply shipping lying in Greymouth with coal of a superior quality at reduced rates. Any company that helps to do away with the necessity of sending to Australia for our coals, aud thereby assists in retaining within the colony the money that would otherwise find its way out of it, is a puhlic benefactor aud deserving of public support, and this we hope to see accorded to the Company referred to above. Those who elect to "come aud trip it as you go on the light fantastic toe " are reminded that a quadrille assembly will take place afc the Masonic Hall to-morrow evening. Dancing will commence at eight o'clock.

A correspondent of the Aucklaud Herald, in his account of the recent excursion trip in the Wanaka, refers to Nelson in the, following terms:— Nelson was in an excited state on the evening of our arrival, that is, the portion of Nelson which resides at the port, . It. was the evening of Regatta Day, and a good many people appeared to. have been out boating, at any rate they walked unsteadily as though they had lost their shore legs. There was much noise, and anybody Avho had seen the port in its customary state of quietude would hardly have known it again. In Nelson city everything was cleau, decorous, and prim as ever. Most people say that Nelson is a pretty place; one seldom hears it disputed iv fact; but if anybody wants to be convinced on the subject, let him stroll along the pretty suburban lanes and see the neat villas, and well-kept lawns aud trim hedges; or walk up the valley leading to the reservoir, 'tis a pretty walk. Higher up is one of those beautiful spots characteristic of NewZealand scenery. A deep gully shaded by countless ferns and shrubs, which grow in luxurious profusion, and no wonder, for they are watered by the clearest and brightest of mountain streams. This is the stream that supplies tbe town, aud as it flows along its pebbly bed, pellucid as crystal; one caunot but regret tbat other towns iv the colony are not equally fortunate id the possession of such a supply. But to see Nelson to perfection one must ascend the "zigzag "leading to the top of a hill, 4_5 feet high, which overlooks the town. The view from .here is one of the best in the colony— pretty villas, perfectly-kept haw-' tljorn hedges, cleau white roads, hop gardens, vineries, nursery gardens, rows of trees in every direction, and the rapid little Maitai River running through the midst of it all, making up such a peaceful tranquilisi'ng scene ,•; I lie tourist will look for in vain in any other part of the colony, if I except the charming little town of Akaroa. How Nelson lives and flourishes is somewhat puzzling — f-no one looks anxious, nor is any one in a hurry; there is little traffic in the streets save that of the buggies and carriages of tbe residents, every house is kept wel! painted, one sees no policemen, nor any "loafers;" that hurry-skurrying high-pressure kind of existence observable in one or two of the other New Zealand towns is altogether out of the question here. And yet there are evidences on all sides of general prosperity. Certainly the residents are kind and hospitable, and if a visitor's credentials are such as to entitle him to social confidence, he may be sure they will do their best to make him carry away pleasant recollections of his visit. The General Synod opens to-morrow (Thursday), and wbat with bishops, clergymen, cricketers, and pilgrims to the Sounds, hotel and boarding-house keepers are having rosy times, and Nelson shop-keepers have their energies severely taxed to provide for this unusual strain upon their resources.