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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 277, 22 November 1877, Page 2

The Express reports the discovery of a two-foot vein of anthracite coal in Shakespeare Bay, near Pictoa. It is situated close to the water's edge so that vessels could load with very little difficulty. Firewood has advanced to £2 per cord in Blenheim in consequence of the increased cost of conveyance owing to the collapse of the Opawa bridge, and other articles of consumption such as butter, eggs, vegetables, and butcher's meet are likely to be similarly affected.

The arm of Mr Stent, of Ruatangata, is stronger than his collar-bone. In felling a bullock the other day Mr Stent broke his collar bone with the force of the blow. From a private source the Express learns that a few gentleman residents of the Empire City, who have still faith in the Wakamarina, have despatched a party of prospectors with a view to discover an adequate water supply, to be utilised in the development of mineral resources believed to exist in that neighborhood.

A portion of a most imposing semi-military spectacle (says the N. Z Timea) came off on Thursday, ffor the first time since their incorporation with the Armed Constabulary, the Wellington Police were ordered to parade for inspection. The parade ground is situated at; the rear of the Police Station, and in size and general appearance is not unlike the Champ de Mara on a very reduced scale. It is abonfc 30ft x lOft, i a bounded on the north by a corrugated iron fence, on the south by a water tank, on the west by a gorse thicket, and on the east by the Insolvent Court. At the hour appointed for the parade there were present BrigadierOreneral Moule, Colonel Shearman, Major Atcheson, Captain Smith, Lieutenant Farrell, two corporals, four privates, and the cook. The band consisted of two small boys with tin whistles, who, out of compliment to the Colonel, played the " March through Georgia." The parade ground was in excellent order, owing to the exertions of two gentlemen committed for twenty-four hours for drunkenness, aided by a garden rake and a wateringpot. The troops having come to attention, one of the corporals said: " There'll be no mspiction to-day, bekase the Suprame Coort is aettin', and yez might disturb it." The parade was then dismissed. The whole proceedings passed off without a hitch, if we except a couple of slight accidents. One private sat down on a bayonet, and the legs of the Major had a difficulty with his sword, which caused him to try how far he could dig , hi 3 rose into the earth. The services of three eminent medical men, however, pre- | vented any serious injury.