The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 23, 26 January 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1878.

The Customs receipts for the week ending this day amounted to £346 17s Bd. Alfred William Avery was this morning charged at the Police Court with stealiug from the person of Charles P. Kearns, of Waimea East, a pocket-book containg one £5, two £1 notes, aud several documents of value. Four witnesses were examined, and the prisoner was then remanded until Monday. Mr Pitt, who appeared for the prisoner, asked that the bail might be made as light as possible, as so far as the evidence had gone there was nothing whatever to connect the accused with the robbery. The bail was fixed at the prisoner in his own recognizance of £50, and one surety in a like amount. At the request of the Bench we refrain from publishing the evidence until the close of the case. The aunual meeting of the members of the Nelson Club is advertised to take place this evening at 8 o'clock. A correspondent writes from Takaka: — A stack, containing from 16 to 20 tons of new hay, belonging to ",Mr William Baird, of Clifton, Golden Bay, fired from over-heating at eight o'clock on Wednesday morning last. The rick was covered in by a temporary wooden building, but all soon became a charred mass, and the fodder looked totally unfit for provender. A water race was speedily cut from a good stream in the neighborhood, and strenuous exertions were made by the hearty co-operation of the residents of Clifton, and Mr Burt from Motupipi, to get the fire under. " Fatigue parties " were stationed at each corner of the rick to pass and throw buckets of water on the burning heap, and some, regardless of personal danger, placed themselves atjpoiuts that wonld scarcely have been enviable even in a firemau's dress. The fire was got under by noon, and although the rest of the day was spent in cutting but and carting away the best, it is feared there is but very little fit for use. I hear that there had been no insurance effected, consequently the loss is, or will be, heavily felt by the owner of this selfdependent homestead.