The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 257, 30 October 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1877.

With to-day's issue of the Mail we publish a supplement containing the Bishop's address at the opening of the Diocesan Synod in its late session.J The Customs revenue collected at the Port of Nelson for the week ending Oct. 27 amounted to the respectable sum of £1285 13s sd.

A cricket match between the Town Club and the Sappho's is to be played in Victory Square on Friday afternoon.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon upon the late fire, whereby Mr Harley's stables afc the Raglan Brewery were destroyed on Thursday last. The evidence was strongly in favor of the presumption that the fire was occasioned by sparks from the chimney of Mr Baigent's engine, but was not sufficiently clear to justify a verdict to that efEecfc The jury found that it was not shown how the fire originated, and added the following nder:-Thafc the attention of the City Coun-

cil of Nelson he directed fco'the necessity that exists for taking steps to compel Mr Baigent to adopt precautionary measures fco secure property adjoining his furnace from fire through sparks from the chimney of his (Mr Baigent's) furnace. The adjourned meeting of the Southern Star Lodge will he held afc the Masonic Hall this evening afc half-past seven. The amateurs of H.M.S. Sappho, who have already proved themselves before Nelson audiences to be capital actors, will give two entertainments, ou Thursday and Saturday nexfc, for the benefit of the Indian Famine Relief Fund. The programmes, which hold 1 out the promise of plenty of amusement, will be found elsewhere. At fche request of several residents in Nelson the Rev. Mr Whyte has consented fco repeat in town fche lecture delivered by him afc Wakefield last Friday evening, in which he describes the incidents of an overland journey which he accomplished from Pekin to St. Petersburg. The lecture will be given in the Provincial Hall on Monday evening, and a small admission fee will he charged, the proceeds to be devoted fco the Indian famine relief fund. The public meeting held last nighfc in the Wesleyan Church was well attended, especially by young people — all congregations being represented. Addresses were given by the Revs. Mr Fee (Chairman) and Beckenham, Messrs Hill, Boundy, Campbell, Hadfield, Worley, Packer, and Rose on Sunday School work, exhorting teachers to go forward and apply themselves to this great work of the spiritual education of their scholars, the belief beiug that good results would follow this large united gathering of Sunday schools. The number of those present at tha Drill Shed on Sunday afternoon on Sunday afternoon was erroneously I given by us yesterday as 500, whereas it should have been 800. I We direct attention fco fche sale by auction I by Messrs W. Patterson and Co. afc 11 a.m. to-morrow afc the residence of Mr Southern, Waimea-sfcreet, of his household furniture. A company of Christy Minstrels has recently been formed in Nelson, and will occasionally give entertainments for charitable jiurposeg. They had a practice afc fche Masonic Hall la3fc nighfc which is said fco have passed off moafc satisfactorily. They will make fcheir firsfc appearance in public afc an early date, when the proceeds will he handed over to the Indian Relief Committee. The Rechabites will hold their firsfc meeting in Nelson afc the Temperance Hall tomorrow evening iv aid of the widows' and orphans' fund. The proceedings will open with & tea meeting, commencing afc half past six. On two or three occasions of late the Government Meteorologist has issued warnings to fche effect thafc "bad weather" is approaching, but unfortunately it has nofc yec reached Nelson, at least in the shape of rain. A couple of days' steady downpour would be hailed by our farmers just now with delight, and would be regarded aa fche very besfc of weather thafc could possibly be experienced, for the long absence of rain, and the drying winds thafc prevaiied during last week, have prodaced a most lamentable effect upon tho crops, which will be very fight indeed if fche drought continues many more days.

The costume cricket match was the means of attracting a large number of sightseers to fche Botanical Reserve this afternoon, and a handsome contribution to the Indian famine fund should be the result. Shortly after one o'clock the players, accompanied by the Artillery Band, started from Bridge-street in two four-horse coaches steered by postilions in female riding costume, who looked remarkably uncomfortable seated on side saddles, and having driven through the town proceeded to fche cricket field, where they were photographed in a group by Mr Butler, after which play commenced. Some of the dresses were exceedingly good, and the characters those who wore them were supposed to represent were well sustained. The game commenced by a Fire Brigade man and a groom going to tha wickets to the bowling of a gorgeously dressed clown, an < 'jibbeway Indian being afc point, Suliemau Bey at midwicket, a very dissipated looking 'bobby" at long field, and a charming young lady in long flaxen ringlets afc longstop. The skirts which the latter wore were found to be very useful for stopping the ball when the wearer was attending to her duties whicb, however, was but very seldom, she beiug too busily engaged the greater part of her time in flirting with the bystanders. Once she was successful in saving a bye, for which she was rewarded with a hug of which a bear might have been proud, from the gallant Sulieman Bey. We have nofc time to-day to give a description of all the dresses, but it musfc be sufficient to say thafc by their aid the cricket ground presented a very animated appearance, and thafc the by-play of the "outs " while fche game was going on afforded immense amusement to fche onlookers.