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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 92, 17 April 1878, Page 2

As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Bishop Selwyn (says the Wellington Post) the Anglican Churches in this city yesterday were draped in black, and the musical accessories were of a special character, funeral hymns being sung by the choir, and dirges played on the organ, while funeral sermons were preached by the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, the Rev, B. W. Harvey, and the Rev. R. Coffey at the respective Churches. A severe accident happened to Mr Wilmot C. B. Cave on Monday lasfc. He was about going for a ride on a horse he had purchased a day or two before, when the animal began bucking, and threw the rider with great force. When picked up he was insensible, and blood was flowing from one of his ears. Being carried to Allport's boarding-house he received every attention, but the exteut of the injury sustained could not at once be ascertained, and for several days he remained in a very precarious condition. We learn he is now recovering as quickly as could be expected. — ficton Press.

His Honor Mr Justice Johnston (says a Dunediu paper) is of opinion that when a man pleads guilty- to an offence character is of very little account. Yesterday, in a case of forging and uttering, in which James Charles Crane pleaded guilty, Mr Cook, counsel for the prisoner, wished to produce evidence as to character, and was about asking His Honor to defer sentence till the following day for that purpose, when His Honor broke in with the remark that he could not see the advantage of calling evidence as to character. The better the character was, the worse he thought the offence. It was only when there was a doubt in a case that evidence of character was of uae. His Honcx* ho , ye /er, deferred sentence, as he did not wish to have it said that he acted harshly. Nearly 4000 people attended Cooper and Bailey's circus and menagerie in Wellington on Saturday night. The N. Z. limes says: When the circus was as full a* it was fair to the spectators to crowd it, the doors were closed, and many hundreds who intended to pay a visit had to go away disappointed. Of these a good many patronised what is called a "side show," where there were several curiosities, including the learned pig, who rather astonished the beholders by playing and winning a game of euchre, its opponent being one who was deemed an expert. The immense body of people grouped round the arena in the large tent had an imposing effect, and it may be safely said that many of those present had never iv their lives seen so large a number assembled together. Young Wellington was greatly astonished, and old people could not but regard the gathering as a strikiug proof of the rate at which the population here has iucreased of late. The performance commenced with the usual cavalcade, and the horses and riders, all gaily bedecked, looked as usual picturesque. The appearance of the trained elephant Titania and the tricks it performed afforded surprise to those to whom such a sight was a novelty. The huge ungainly animal proved its docility, and (if the term may be used) its agility, by waltzing, walking on its knees, balancing on a pedestal, and by various other tricks, all of which were gone through with ponderous deliberation. The act concluded with a sensational scene. Mr G. Johnson, the trainer, stretched himself on the ground and allowed Titania to step over him twice. One of the best things done was the leaping from a spring board by Mr W. Batchelor. who after some preliminary jumps, in which he was accompanied by other members! of the company, gave an Jastonishing proof of his skill. Next to the spring board thero were placed three elephants Bide by side, then four camels and one dromedary, and over these sprang " the champion leaper of the world," as the bill styled him, turning two somersaults as he went flying through the air. This was sensational, but that which followed was more so. Martinho Lowande, after doing all sorts of things on a barebacked horse, had handed to him. his son, a tiny little fellow of four years, and after several proofs of the baby's skill and coolness, the child stood on his father's head, and kept his balance there without any assistance, the horse cantering round the ring all the time. Then Tony, a few years older, eclipsed this feat by standing on his father's head with one foot, while holding his other foot in oue hand.

Munich doesen't seem to care much for the withering scorn of this world. A statue has just been unveiled in that city to the memory of Lenef elder. Who was Lenefelder? Why, he waa the mau who invented chronios " ;

The Cheviot Seat (says the MairlboroUgb. Eiprhss) is not to be given away to Sir Crafcrbft Wilson; although he managed last Wednesday to get & uniinirfxous vote ot cotffidence, whatever that meiih's & appfied to him, from an enthusiastic meeting of twelve persons I During this week Mr W. Gibson has been asked to stand, but declined on acetfurit of ttia Inability to Spare the necessary time. Mi 1 Hen'derao.tt of Blenheim was also asked but also declined. Thefe is now a talk of Mr Alfred Sauuders, once Superintendent of Nelson, a large souled and popular man of liberal principles. Should he consent we are inclined tq think that the Nabob will have more trouble than' he counted on when he made his ridiculous speech ai Ikftoura. The Canterbury Press has the following}— Some amusement was caused iv Court yeatetday during the trial of the case of Regina r: Henry Richardson; in which' the prisoner was charged with two eases of forgery and uttering. In the course of the evidence of the prosecutor, Mr F. H. Brittan, he produced a letter from a gentleman in Ireland stating that he considered the prisoner would prove a very desirable colonist. How far he redeemed this prediction may be judged from the fact that shortly after his arrival in the coJony he committed two forgeries. Iri & fecttfre recently delivered by Mr Charles Bright, he said that he gave Father Henneberry credit for sincerity and for his efforts to suppress intemperance, although he did not himself put much faith in emotional conversions, but at the same time the revgentleman must be regarded as a shocking example of what dogmatic teaching and religious bigotry may produce. He next referred at considerable leogth to Dr. Soraerville, who, as a revivalist, was simply endeavoring to perpetuate religious blindness, and impede the progress of unfettered thought, scientific research, and human intelligence.

A Rangitikei corresponded writes to a local paper :— "All who have fruit trees will be glad to know that the little silver eye, or blight birds, have got foul of the pest that destroys the foliage of the cherry, the pear, and the plum trees, and are devouring them rapidly. In my orchard they began and in about three days cleared the whole of the fluke or slug away, not leaving a single one to be seen.

Our Maori friends in this district (says the North Otago Times) are evidently determined not to be behindhand in the race of progress, aud contemplate the establishment of a newspaper of their own, to be published in Maori and English, at Moeraki. They have purchased a small printing press and a font of type, and advertise for an editor who understands both languages.

Something new in photographs has been introduced in Australia. The portraits are little larger than postage stamps. On the top margin are the words " Yours truly," and at the bottom is a foe simile autograph of the person represented. This style of photograph has been in use jor some time on the Continent, and is found convenient to stick on letters or in hats, &c.