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

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 16, 18 January 1878, Page 2

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

An inquest was held at the Nelson Hotel yesterday on the late fire in Alma-strret. Nothing new was brought to light by the witnesses, and the old verdict of ao evidence to show the origin was returned. About £10 in addition to the sum mentioned yesterday has been subscribed for Mrs Piper, who was burnt out on Monday night. Owing to a large number of advertisements coming in at a late hour we are compelled to hold over until to-morrow a report of Mr Gibbs' meeting at Takaka which we had in type. Thk Town Volunteers mustered in good force last night in the Botanical Reserve, and went through battalion drill in a very creditable manner, after which, headed by tho Band, they marched through the main streets back to the Drill Shed. Faoir our telegrams it will be seen that the Australian Colonies are rid, for a time at least, of one of the biggest scoundrels unhung in the person of Sullivan, the Maungatapii murderer, who contrived to sneak on board a homeward bound ship from Melbourne, his identity not being discovered until he had been a month at sea. As unoccupied and uninsured six-roomed cottage near Richmond, the property of Mr Frederick Tietjen, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday last under the following circumstances: — Tietjen, who was at work close by, lighted his pipe and threw the lighted match on the grass, suppasing it to be out. After going a little distance he turned round aud saw the gorse hedge, under which he had struck the match, alight. The house was within six feet of tho hedge, and there being no water at hand, it was impossible to save it, and in ton minutes it was completely destroyed. The building was old and decayed, and its estimated value djd not exceed £'25.

Mr. Bright delivered the first of his series of three lectures to a rather limited audience at the Masonic Hall last night. The subject, which was "Materialism, Positivism, and Spiritualism," was handled by the lecturer in his usual able and pleasing manuer. His imagery was at times beautiful, and numerous well-chosen selections from the works of those who had devoted their attention to the subject were produced. Whether or not he was successful iu convincing his hearers we are not prepared to say, but there can be no doubt that he succeeded in deeply interesting them for the hour and a half occupied by the lecture. To-night the subject will be "Sabbath Observance," and at the close of the lecture Mr Bright will be happy to reply to any questions that may be put to him. The chair will be taken by Mr Rout. We call attention to the reports which appear elsewhere from the Directors and Mining Manager of the Golden Ridge Quartz Mining Company at Anatori. From these it will be seen how successful this small but persevering aud eugergetic Company has hitherto been, and what is even more satisfactory that their prospects are so good as to justify a further expenditure upon enlarging the works. We heartily wish them the success they so richly deserve. Mr Hodder retiring from the firm, T. R. Hodder and Co., have decided to relinquish the Trafalgar House Business, and to reduce the stocks in their general stores at Richmond and Spring Grove— to effect this they will offer immediately the whole of their varied stocks at very greatly reduced prices. This sale is exclusively for cash.— Advt. A biuddy brain is the usual concomitant of a disordered stomach. Life's cares are quite enough for the great thinking organ to to bear without being plagued by the demons begotten of indigestion, constipation, and kindred ailments. But don't imagine you can drive away these plagues by violent purgation. The one thing needful is an alterative that will restore the regular action of the internal machinery without irritating or weakening it. Udolpho Wolfe's Schikdam Aromatic Schnapps.— Advt.