The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 15, 17 January 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1878.

Tins is tbe day appointed for the opening of fche British Parliament, which is this year summoned to meet about thres weeks earlier thsln usual on account of the aspect of iiffairs in the East. The Queen's speech, for which we may look about Saturday next, should contain matter of more than ordinary interest, on this occasion. Mr Bright arrived from Auckland by the Taranaki this . morning, and will deliver his lecture on " Materialism and Spiritualism " at the Masonic Hall "to-night. Since he was jla's't here Mr 'Bright has visited Syduey and Auckland, afc both of* which places he has lectured to large audiences. , A sum of money, amountingtoaboufc £20, , has been raised for Mrs Piper, who lost her aU in the fire on Monday night. In addition :to this, parcels of clothing have been for- ; warded, which will doubtless prove most ! acceptable to the distressed family. Telegraphic communication north of Wellington is interrupted. Mksses. Sharp and Pickering disposed of the privileges at -the Foresters' Fete^ this morning,- when the* total sum revised .'was [ £56 15s 6d. The* following were'£isjpp^tfcipal purchasers :— Licensed Victualler^' Booth * No. 1, Mr Parmenter, £18 10s; ditto Nos. 2 an__, Mr Stallard, ,£lO and £8; -Refreshment Booth No. 1, Mr Stevenson, £5 10s; • ditto No- 2, Mr" Donaldson, £4; all games ! except "Aunt Sally," Mr Stallard,, £9 10s. An inquest iipon the recent fire in "Almastreet was being held as we wenfc to press. The verdict may be safely predicted, I. ' This monthly inspection of the Town and 7 Port Volunteers will take place this evening , at balf-pa3*fc'seveu. A correspondent writing from Motupipi •sm's:— A game of cricket* was played on New 'tjr. ar's Day between the married and -single ■•'men. of Takaka and neighborhood, restating ' in a victory for the latter by two runs, the scores being: -Married Ist- -innings 31, 2nd innings 50. Single, Ist innings -36, 2nd innings 47. Roth players and-visitors appeared to.consider ifc a baldly contested game, and, many expressed a hope that the return match might be played on tbe-annivdfcsary pf fche province of Nelson, when the popple w*ill again have 'the opportunity of spending a j holiday according to their many aud varied inclinations. Taking pic-nics aud other that have just been enjoyed, few ' were as popular as the game of cricket, AH appeared to be of one mind fco begin they-e.^r ; heartily, and with good will one towards the : other. , - , v «*.'■'-- c