The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 103, 3 May 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1877.

of the pleasantest dinners of its kind ; ever given in Nelson was that which took place at the Nelson hotel last night, and to which between forty and fifty of the City Artillery Company and their friends sat down. The chair was taken by Captaiu Pitt, at whose right was Captain Marshall, and at his left Mr Stanton, who ;has frequently rendered valuable assistance to the Company by assisting at their dram :tic ent3itainiuents. The vice chair was taken by Lieut. West. Dr. Boor aud Captain Bunny were also present as guests. When Mr M'Gee takes a dinner in hand he invariably does it well, so that it is needless to state that the table was loaded with good things. On the cloth being removed the usual loyal toasts were done honor to, and Captain Marshall then proposed the health of Captain Pitt aud the officers of the battery. The cheers that followed, and the heartiness with which " For : they are jolly good fellows" was sung, testified to the good feeling that prevailed between officers and men. Then followed a 1 long list of toast's, interspersed with songs ■ sentimental, and- songs comic, those with ' rollicking choruses being decidedly the favorites. During the evening certificates : of efficiency were; presented by Captain Pitt "to Sergeant-MajOr Wimsett and Qr.-Master Sergeant Armstrong/the -former of whom was described therein as " a most zealous, efficient, ?and invaluable s officer,"^ ancu the latter as most attentive to the interests of the battery. ! The health o|f these t*so oncers was of course drunk On the occasion with a rattling three times "three. The party broke r up 'shortly* before imdnighTafter spending a most pleasant evening, ithe Artillery {Baud ; having contributed much to its enjoyment. Mb.; Fitzroy, M.H;R., for Sel wya, addressing his constituents recently, said "The Wellington Artillery are "second tanone in the) colony." He should have Vidded "with the exception, of the Nelson Company," to whom.:the Wellington men had to succumb in the competition that took place here two years ago.". V ;-. r We are informed that the owners of the. ' yacht Secret have .decided npt to proceeel . with the raffle on account of the opposition offered by the police. Subscribers will receive their money back on application to the local agent. At the monthly meeting of the Education Board held this morning,. Mr H. C. Daniel was appointed Under Secretary. There were no less than twenty-one applications, and the appointment was made by. ballot, Mr Daniell receiving a -large majority. The following tenders have been accepted fbr building teachers' houses :— Foxhill, Joseph Price for £125 10s ; Ngatimoti, G. F. Bensemann for £172 10s; East Takaka, H. Baigent , for £165 ; Motupiko, H. Plank for £159. ,• ! Next to the ringing of the firebells; a trap accident provides about the most efficacious means of giving the streets a lively appearance, as- a .crowd invariably gathers on such occasions in au incredibly short space of time. Such wals the case between one and two this afternoon when as 'Dr. Squires' was driving round; the corner of ' Bridge and Trafalgarstreets, his horse became disagreeably playful and commenced ..performing . some extraordinary feats with his heels,- ending by kicking over the shafts and falling ou his side. Fortunately no one was'hurt, and the offending animal ongetting on to his legs again looked excessively frightened and virtuously repentant. The manufacture of baskets from the withy has, we notice, been commenced in Nelson, Messrs Gilbert and Gay having turned out some very good samples of a strong and useful description. The Caledonian Society's annual dinner takes place at the Trafalgar Hote 1 this eveniug. , A plethora of entertainments and amusements is tb follow the dearth which has so long prevailed. The celebrated Davenport Brothers will make their first appearance to-morrow night- at the Oddfellows' Hall, where. they will also perform on Saturday night, when the Chicago Minstrels, who have established a reputation for themselves wherever they have appeared, will make their introductory bow to a Nelson audience at the Masonic Hall, continuing their performances on Monday and Tuesday evenings. On Monday Mr Severn will commence a series of lectures to continue throughout the week, at the Provincial Hall. - We understand that the tender of Mr Biown for erecting a new Court House afc Wairoa,for.£l7s has been accepted. The building which will be on the railway reserve will comprise a court house 25ft x 14ft, a | magistrates' room 15ft x 14ft, and a lock-up ! 10ft xV 14ft. On the completion of the building the Richmond and Spring Grove conrts will beJabolished,.and one central cou^t i for the 'Waimea districts will he held at j [regular intervals at Wairoa. '""'.'