The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 259, 8 November 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1878.

Tin-; largest undertaking ye I; etitefed into in Nehou hi trie shipbuilding Hue is about to be commenced by Messrs Moutray & Crosbie, of the Soho Foundry, who have entered into n contract to build for Messrs Cross and Franzen, a steamer for the Colliugwood, West Wanganui, Wanganui, and Patea trade The following details will give a general idea of the vessel, which will be built near the Post o filed, and is to be ready for sea by the lsfc of June next. Her length will be 100 feet in the keel, and 105 feet overall; beam, 17 feet; depth of hold, 7 feet; tonnage about 90 tons. She will-be supplied with compound engines of 25 horse power nominal, and high pressure cylindrical multitubular boiler with two furnaces. She is to be provided with a powerful steam winch for working the cargo, which will also work the windlass for lifting the anchor by ineaus of a " gipsy " and endless chain. The cabin, which will be on deck amidships, will be fitted up to accommodate fourteen passengers, and the steerage, below deck, will contain eight berths. She will bo rigged as a fore and alt schooner, and will be specially drafted to suit the Straits and bar harbor trade. The contract price is close on £6000. That she will be a credit to her owners, to her builders, and to the port from which she will hail we have no doubt whatever, judging from the specimens of workmanship that have hitherto been turned out by Messrs Moutray & Crosbie. There has been a considerable amount of anxiety in Wellington with regard to the Government steamer Stella, which left Westport for Wellington via the Farewell Spit on Sunday, and up to a late hour last evening had not been heard of. The Ilinemoa was despatched in search of her yesterday afternoon immediately on her arrival at Wellington from the South, and a great deal of alarm was felt there with regard- to the missing boat. We are glad, however, to learn from a telegram received to-day that the Stella arrived at Wellington last night, having been lying for some days at Totaranui waiting for the weather to allow her to laud stcres at the lighthouse. Had the telegraph to Collingwood been in existence, as it should be, all this anxiety, alarm, and expense in sending out a steamer to look for the missing vessel might have been avoided. This is but one of hundreds of instances that occur every year of vessels running to Totaranui for shelter and lying there for days and sometimes weeks, while their owners and the friends of those ou board are in ignorance of their whereabouts, and in alarm for their safety. The last Gazette contains a notice that the lease of the Government Wharf at Nelson for one year from Ist December, next, will be put up to auction at the Government Buildings, ou Wednesday the 20th instant, the upset rent to be at the rate of £000 per annum. The regulations by which the lessee will be bound are published at length. In response to invitations issued to attend a meeting in the Fire Brigade Room for the purpose of considering the desirability of forming a Salvage Corps, thirty gentlemen assembled last night. The chair was taken by Captain Lightfoot. A resolution to the effect that a Salvage Corps should be established was proposed by Mr Stautou and carried unanimously, and 26 of those who were present signed the rules. Mr 11. V. Gully was appointed Treasurer, and Mr Clarkson Secretary. The following >ere nominated as officers: — For the [captaincy, Messrs Fletcher, Moutray, Trask, Wix, and Wymond. For the lieutenancy, Messrs Crosbie, Pratt, and Eoberts. The meeting then adjourned until Thursday next, when the election of officers will take place. The nomination !of candidates to represent the Kid ing of Motneka in the Waimea County Council took place yesterday at the Institute Lower Wakefield, when Mr Joshua Bird, being the only candidate, was declared by the Returning Officer to be duly elected. There was a fair attendance of ratepayers present. Mr Bird addressed the meeting at some length, reviewing the past and referring to the future. He also expressed the pleasure he felt in being returned without opposition, which showed that the electors stili reposed confidence in him which he hoped they would continue to do, as it was his intention to do his best for their interests and also to advance the welfare of the county generally. At the monthly inspection of the Town and Port Volunteers, held last evening, there was a fair attendance. In the Botanical Reserve the different Companies were put through a number of manoeuvres by Major Pitt, in all of which they deported themselves creditably. They then marched through the town and back to the Drill Shed, where they were dismissed. We regret very much to announce the death by drowning in the Wairau river of Mr Wiliiam Newman, an old and respected settler of thirty -six years standing. Mr Newman was a farmer residing at Spring Grove, and last Monday he started via the Top House for Blenheim to see his wife, who had been in ill-health and had gone there for change of air, and of whom he had recently received unsatisfactory accounts. There was a fresh in the river at the time, aud although there was no witness of the melancholy accident it is clear that ho attempted to cross at the Manuka Island ford, as ou the next day his horse with (the saddle on was found on an island some little distance down the river, the saddle being covered with sand Information was at once forwarded to the police at Blenheim, and a strong search party was sent out from the Birch Hill station, who yesterday succeeded in fiuding the body in a very bruised condition about six miles below where the deceased is supposed to have entered the river. Mr Newman leaves a widow and large family, with whom the deepest sympathy is felt in their affliction. This adds another to the melancholy list of those who have lost their lives at this spot. Mr Dillon, Mr Otterson, Mr Bird, and three others, whose names we cannot now call to mind, were all drowned in attempting to cross this fatal Manuka Island ford. A public Temperance meeting, to which all are invited, will be held in the Wesleyan Church this evening, when addresses will be delivered by the Rev Messrs Bull, Buttle, and others who are now in Nelson attending the district meeting.

Mr R. RaY, the owner of Templeton, is said to have pocketed £4000 by the old horse's victory in the race for the Cup. The following special London telegrams appeared in last night's Post :— October 30: The Roumanians in strong force have entered Dobrudscha. — Peace is seriously iai perilled. The Russian Press defies Europe, and urges that the San Stefhano Treaty should be reVeitfed id. The JiUssian papers also advocate direct assistance being given to the Afghans.— Knglaml, Austria, and France are acting unitedly.— The English Cabinet has resolved upon a vigorous policy.- October 31 : The position is very critical.— An urgent meeting oHhe Euglish Cabinet has been summoned. — Austria actively co-operates with England in calling j Russia to explain her recent military movements. — The Russian ships of war are being heavily armed aud furnished with torpedoes.— The situation is exceedingly anxiou.^— November 1 i The Russians are preparing to go into winter quarters in Turkey. — An American steamer has sunk the coast-guard Cruiser Fanny off (Juensland. Seventeen lives were lost.— November 4: An attempt made by Russia to float a new loan has proved a total failure.— The various native tribes on the Indian frontier are flocking rapidly, and in large numbers to the English camp.— The Afghan airriiy is preparing to Jit tack Quettah.