The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 6 February 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1878.

The Telegraph and Post Office at Richmond, together with the railway station buildings, had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire on Friday afternoon last, when a spark from the engine ignited the gorse and dry grass in the station ground. The fire obtained a good hold before it was discovered, aud the safety of the buildings is due to the prompt assistance rendered to Mr Petrie, the station master, by Messrs Canning, Hodder, and others, who happened fortunately to be in the immediate neighborhood at the time. As a rule it requires a serious calamity to effect a reform, and in accordance with this it may be assumed that when two or three families are rendered homeless by sparks from the Kingfish or Trout steps will be taken to stop their fireraising propensities, In the meantime we can only advise settlers near the line of railway to iusure their properties for their full value, as remuneration is far more easily obtained from insurance offices than compensation from the Government. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before Oswald Curtis and J. R. Dodson, Esqs., J J.P., the following cases were heard and determined :— Stanton t. Dorant. A fraud summons to compel payment of £3 18s 9d and 9s costs. Defendant did not appear, and an order was made that the amount claimed must be paid on or before the 20th day of February, or in default defendant to be imprisoned for fourteen days.— C. M'Gee r. H. Williams. A fraud summons to compel payment of £10, money lent. Judgment for the amount having been previously recorded. Defendant was ordered to pay the full amount b within one month from date, or in default to be imprisoned for four weeks. Mr Bunny appeared for plaintiff. —Lock v. J. Eden. A claim of £18 10s for services of entire horses at various times. Defendant filed a set-off for £17 18s for services rendered to plaintiff's horses a3 veterinary surgeon. Mr Pitt appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Acton Adams defended. Evidence was taken at length in. support of the claim and set off, and after counsel on both sides had addressed the Court, the Bench gave judgment for the plaintiff for £10 and costs. Mb. Clapcott's lecture and readings, we are requested to state, will be given to-night, notwithstanding the somewhat unsettled state of the weather. As the subject of the lecture is of such great social importance, and as Mr Clapcott's powers as a reader hare been so highly spoken of throughout the colony, there is little doubt but that there will be a large attendance at the Provincial Hall this evening at eight o'clock. As the lecture is regardiug the Government Life Insurance there is, of course, no charge for admission. We notice ladies are particularly invited — an invitation hardly necessary, as Mr Clapcott's readings are quite sufficient inducement to secure a large attendance. We understand the pieces chosen for tonight are Sergeant Buzfuz's speech from Dickens, the Natural Bridge of Virginia, Beautiful Snow, and two scenes from The Rivals, introducing Mrs Malaprop, Sir Anthony Absolute, and Captain Absolute. As the lecture is short we are requested to beg that those interested will be punctual in their attendance at eight o'clock, at which hour His Worship the Mayor will take the chair.