The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 259, 1 November 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1877.

There is at present to be seen in the window of Mr H. D. Jackson, of this city, a fine specimen of coal from the Koranui Company's lease on the high levels at Westport, which augurs well for the future welfare of that district. Up to this time the only coal shipped from Westport has been obtainable from a level not many feet above the sea line, and is of bad quality, some samples being full or sulphur, and others soft and smutty, something similar to black lead, but being obtainable without much outlay the exportation of it has been considerable, and has done more injury to Westport than is generally known. The coal obtained from the high levels is of good quality, suitable for steam or any other purpose, and the extent of the field is practically unlimited. It reaches from Mount Rochfort to the sNgakwhaosNgakwhao river, a distance of some fifteen miles, and the seams vary in thickness from seven to thirty feet. That from which the abovementioned specimen was taken is eight feet six inches thick. The quantity exposed by erosion of creeks is enormous, and there are English colliers resident on the spot who say they never saw so much coal. Within a distance of thirty one chains from the head of the incline where the Koranui Company will begin work, ifc is calculated that there is enough coal to last for over nine years if produced afc the rate of 200 tons a day, and beyond that there is an unlimited supply. When the fact is borne in mind that there are eight or ten other leaseholds, some about as good and some better, it seems a matter for regret that the Government should have done so little to develop these fields, while thousands of pounds are yearly going out of the colony, literally " bringing coal to Newcastle." The Korauui Company will be the first to bring the good coal to the market, as their tramway will probably be finished by the middle of next year. The great drawback to a large and regular exportation of coal from Greyrnouth is the absence of a harbor which can be entered at all times, aud where vessels can lie in safety. Westport, on the other hand, being sheltered by Cape Foulwind, has generally and deep water, and the shipping of coal will be greatly facilitated by the special arrangements for that purpose now being made by Government. We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mrs Townsend, the well-known greengrocer in Bridge-street, of a dish of early potatoes and another of green peas, to the excellent quality of which we are glad to be able to testify. Mrs Townsend informs us that she was tho first this season to supply green peas for the Governor's table, having sent a dish over to Wellington on the 23rd ultimo. Oor readers are reminded of the dramatic entertainment to be given afc the Oddfellows' Hall to-night by the men of H.M.S Sappho in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund. A cricket match, commencing at twelve o'clock, will be played in Victory Square to-morrow between a scratch team from the Town Club and an eleven from the Sappho. A rifle match was fired yesterday afternoon at the Maitai Butts between six of the Stoke Rifles, aud a like number from H.M.S. Sappho, when the former scored 236 and the latter 166. The ranges were 200, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each range. The natives of Tanna Island do not appear to understand the value of silence. Our telegrams tell us that H.M.S. Beagle was sent to punish them for the murder of several Europeans, got them on board by stratagem, then pinioned them, and hung one of their number from the yard arm because, while admitting that a brother of his had committed one murder, he added that had his brother missed his aim he himself would have fired at the victim. We shall be curious to learn what the British Government has to say to the commander of the Beagle for executing a man on so slight a pretext. The first annual meeting of the Rechabites of Nelson was held afc fche Temperance Hall yesterday evening, when, after the tea, to whi«h a large number sat down, was over, fche chair was taken by Mr W. T. Bond, and addresses were delivered by several of the members, and Mr Sinclair of H.M.S. Sappho. Readings, recitations, and music both vocal and instrumental combined to make up a very pleasant evening's entertainment. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning Harry Inman alias Collingwood wa3 sentenced to three months' imprisonment for vagrancy. " The weak eat herbs," says the apostle, and without denying the efficacy of mineral medicines in certain cases, it may well be doubted whether those remedies which are derived from the vegetable kingdom are not the most efficacious as well as the safest. Certainly the astonishing cures of dyspepsia, kidney diseases, rheumatism, and of the numerous maladies in which tonic medication is serviceable, effected by Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, whose constituents are vegetable, argue strongly in favor of botanic treatment. — Advt.