The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 173, 20 August 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1878.

The agitation of which we have heard so much of late in connection with the construction of a railway between the east and west coasts of this island seems likely to hear fruit, the latest telegram on the subject stating that it is thought the extension may he carried out, though it is feared that Mr Macandrew wili work against it in favor of Otago. We shall say nothing now of the undesirability of a Colonial Minister opposing a great national undertaking because it ia not so much for the advantage of the district in which he is specially interested us for that of auother part of the colony- from Mr Macandrew nothing else will bo looked for. We desire, however, to point out to our representatives tbat the present seems a time when the claims of Nelson to be included in the scheme of railway extension may be advantageously urged. The Nelson members might well give a general support to the Amerbley - Ahaura line on condition that the Canterbury members reciprocated by aiding in obtaining the extension of the line from Ahaura to Reefton and thence up the Buller Valley via Hope and Upper Motueka to Nelson. It is very clear, unless Nelson makes a very strong effort to reap equal

advantages with other parts of the coloti.y from the public works seiietiie, that she will be left out in the cold. We shall have one line running from Christchurch b ia Amberlly to the West Coast, and another up the east coast having its terminus at Pictoli; -Mile betweeu the two Nelson will reirkin isolated and deprived of latid communication with the other parts of the colony. We trust tbat our representatives will see their way to taking immediate action in the niattet.'jind if they shonld feel it necessary to have their hands strengthened by itn expression oi public opinion from the town and suburbs of Nelson, they have but to say so and we have no doubt that it coukl be" very easily obtained.

_ A peculiar accident occurred *t_ia jnorriing at the colder o*i fi'elwvn Place aud Col-ln-Twoo'd-ltreet to one of Mrs Bird's butcherboys, who was riding at a steady canter when his horse shied aud rolled over on his back into the large open ditch, about which there is so much spasmodic talking in the City Council. The boy fell betleath, And those who responded to his cries for assistance were at first fearful that he nlnst be seriously hurt, but on his being extracted from his exceedingly unpleasant position, which was ndt effected without considerable difficulty, it was found that he had sustained no "more serious injury than a badly bruised leg. The horse had to be dug out; and it -.Vas a long time before it wils released froni its naf row prison

Tub Post is advocating the passing of a Colonial Wine License Act under which licenses may be issued at a moderate fee, enabling Australian and home made wiaes to be sold by keepers of refreshment rooms, fruiterers' shops, aud such like places. Our contemporary argues that it is very desirable that Australian wims should come into more general consumption, that this cannot be until they are retailed at sixpence the tumbler, and that this low rate cannot be reached unless special Hceuses to sell at ; e issued at small prices. The publicans, we imagine would have something to say on this matter.' Ix the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning the only cas3 was that of Lind*av and Hill, trustees in the estate Mrs Towers, v Goodall, an action to recover £30 rent of certainjproperly in Motueka. Mr P. B. Adams appeared for the plaintiff for whom judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs £3 17s.

After much and careful preparation the fine melo-drama " Don Csesar de Batfan " will be put on the stage at tile Theatre Royal to-night by Mr Thornton and a very able Company of amateurs. There will be new scenery of a very beautiful character, specially painted for the occasion. The entertainment will conclude with the amusing burlesque "The Belle of the Barley Mow." Tjie first of a series of lectures in connection with the Young Men's Christian Associ ition will be delivered at the Provincial Hall to-night by the Ucv. J. Beckenham. The subject will be " Uncle Tom."

A discussion, the subject of which will be found elsewhere, will be held at the All Saints' Church Institute to-night. The Raphael Family of gymnasts, whose performances are of a very startling character, will give the first of two entertainments in the Masonic Hall to-morrow evening, when the Battalion Band will be in attendance.

An address will be delivered by Mr Phillip Lloyd this evening to the members of the Normanby Lodge, 1.0. G.T.

A meeting was held at the Star and Garter Hotel Richmond for the purpose of forming a Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mr J. M. Croucher having been voted to the chair] called upon Mr E. S. Fairey to state the object of the meeting, after which it was decided to form a Fire Brigade to be called the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade. Twentyone names were enrolled in the room, and it is expected that iv a few days the number will reach forty. Mr John Lammas and Mr TV, D. Harkness were appointed to canvas the district for subscriptions, and we have no doubt they will meet with success, as great interest, is being taken iv the matter. The meeting was adjourned to ihe 22nd inst. after appointing the following officers :— Captain, Mr C. Gapper; Lieutenant, Mr E. S. Fairey; Foreman of Hook and Ladder Company, Mr M. W. Lammas; Foreman No. I Hose Company, Mr 11. Webb; Foreman Fire Company, Mr T. J. Gibson; Secretary, Mr G. B. Hurst; Treasurer, Mr J. M. Croucher. We wish the new brigade every success.

The following special telegram to the Posi is dated London, August 16: —In view of the Austrian occupation of Herzegovina, an agitation has been commenced in Italy, with the countenance of Signors Corti and Crispe, for a rectification of the frontier, f Albania has been offered to Italy, but refused, a demand being made for Trieste and the Istrian Peninsula.— The Turkish officials are unable to maintain order in Canea, a fortified seaport in the Island of Candia, and the safety of the Christian population is threatened —Two Turkish men-of-war, with some English and French gunboats, have entered the harbor of Canea to prevent an outbreak. Prince Bismarck has sent an ultimatum to Turkey to the effect that the Porte must comply with the Berlin Treaty, and withdraw its support from the insurgents in Bosnia.— Turkey shows signs of yielding.— There continues to be hard fighting in Bosnia between the Bosnian insurgents and the Austrian army of occupation.— The English Government favors the establishment of a large arsenal in some inland town in the colony of New South Wales as the only effective means of Australian defence.