The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 300, 27 December 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1878.

Theiie is no telegraphic communication with the West Coast to-day, the lines beiDg laid low by last night's storm Yesterday was a most fatal day to feathers and finery generally. In the morniDg the weather did not look more threatening thau it has done for some days past, and picnic parties started lu all directions, those who took part in thein looking bright and happy, and being thinly clad. To enlarge upon their return through the pitiless driving rain would be the refinement of ctuelty. It is quite sufficient to state that she metamorphosis was so Complete that the enterprising pleasure seekers were scarcely recognisable by their most intimate friends. Boxing Day, 1878, was a day to be remembered by many.' Owixg to the unfavorable state of the weather Mdlle Charbonnet's concert did not take place last night. She and Miss Neville will make their first appearance on Monday night. We are informed that a large number of reserved seats have been applied for. A considerable number of passengers, including 500 children, availed themselves of the railway yesterday as a means of getting out into the country. The receipts for the day were close upou £90 To-day being the festival of St. John the Evangelist, the annual installation of officers of the Southern Star Lodge of Freemasons will toke place at the Masonic Hall at. 5-30 p.m. At half-past seven there will be a full choral service at All Saints' Church, which will be attended by the members of the Lbdge in full regalia. ' The sermon will be preached by the Rev J. A. Newth. The Lady Barkly and Aurora, the former of which left here yesterday morning with excursionists for Motueka and the latter on Christmas afternoon with members of the Naval Brigade, returned to Nelson shortly before noon to-day, having been detained there by the unfavorable state of the weather. It was raining so heavily at Motueka yesterday afternoon that tbe sports had to be postponed. Gordon Forlong, Esq , will give a Bible reading to-morrow evening at half-past seven in Mr Short's large room, College Messrs. Sharp and Pickering report the sale of 130 acres of land at Ranzau together with dwelling house, stable, and outbuildings for £1300. Thk annual match match between the Wakefield and Brightwater Cricket Clubs was played yesterday on the Wakefield ground, but owing to the rain coming on heavily in the afternoon, the game was not played out, but was decided in favor of Wakefield by the first innings. The Brightwater men were the first to take the bat and were disposed of by their opponents for 32 runs. Wakefleid succeeded in topping the Brigbtwater score with the loss of six wickets when the rain put a stop to further play and the game wa3 decided as stated above. The sixth annual conference of Christians of all demoninations, will take place on New Year's Day as heretofore, at the residence and grounds of Mr B. Short. Clergymen and Ministers of the various Churches are expected to take part, and we are informed the Conference is to be favoured with the presence of Gordon Forlong Esq., whose addresses and lectures were so deservedly esteemed on the occasion of his last visit to Nelson. Henry Varley, the well-known Evangelist, has also promied to be present. The morning meeting will be held in the large room in the house afc 11 o'clock, and the afternoon and evening meetings are to take place in the large tent. A very cordial and general invitation is given to all who wish to attend. Visitors are invited to bring their luncheon and picnic on to the grounds. Tea will be provided at 5 o'clock, no charge whatever being made —Communicated. The Wesleyan Sunday school annual treat took place yesterday at Foxhill. The party, numbering about 250, leffc town by the 9 30 train, and arrived at Foxhill about 11 o'clock, and proceeded to Mr Watson's farm, where games, &c, were started, but the raia coming on about three o'clock put a stop to all amusements, and the party adjourned to a large barn, which was well packed, tea being served oufc in the besfc manner possible under the trying circumstances to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Negotiations were entered into for a train to leave earlier than the hour fixed, and Mr Haddow, kindly acting for the school authorities, was successful in getting the manager (by telegraph) to allow it to leave at five p.m. instead of 6-30 p.m., and arriving in Nelson about seven p.m., most of the party heing very wet, but by no means dissatisfied with their day's outing. The big gun competition between the Wellington and Nelsou Artillery Cadets will take place at the Drill Shed at 8 o'clock this evening. The Wallace waa crowded with excursionists yesterday morning, about 120 availing themselves of the very reasonable fare charged to pay a visit to Durville's Island and the French Pass. Leaving the wharf shortly after eight o'clock, she reached the Island at half-past twelve,, after a pleasant passage, the water being as smooth as the proverbial looking-glass the whole of the way down. Only a few persons went ashore to inspect the mine, and after landing them on the primitive jetty constructed near it, the steamer proceeded, through . the Pass to Emahe's Bay, Very soon the excursionists were landed and scattered in all directions, a number of them wending their way to Mr Emslie's house, where they received every attention. Fishing parties were formed, and several fine rock cod were caught. About half-past three the sun, which had been shining brightly for three or four houra, became obscured, and black clouds were seen to the northward;- Captain Dillon, seeing that a storm was approaching, blew the whistle, which caused a stampede among the passengers, as the captain had stated his intention of nofc leaving until five o'clock. Shortly after four the excursionists had embarked, and the Wallace steamed to the Island, where the passengers leffc there in the morning were picked up, and at five o'clock she left for Nelson. Until nearing the Croixelles smooth water was met with, but here signs of a heavy sea ahead were visible. This proved to be the case, for a little further on a nasty sea was experienced. Then ifc was tbat a number of the sterner sex who had been doing their uttermost to cheat Neptune began to show signs of suffering from that dreadful malady mai Uemer, and very soon they were lying prostrate in all directions about the deck. As the steamer approached Nelson the sea became heavier and when off Wangamoa the foresail was set! This, in addition to keeping the steamer sieady, helped her along wonderfully, so much so that she reached the wharf before nine o'clock, the passage having been made in ten minutes under four hours. A heavy rain set in afc six o'clock, and continued until reaching home. This somewhat marred what otherwise was a most pleasant trip. Intending competitors in the New Year's j Handicap at the Athletic Club's sports next ! Wednesday are reminded that the nomina-

tions must be sent in to the, Secretary afc the lrafelgar Hotel before riiue ; o'clock this everfftig. Thehandicap will be 'published in to-morrow night's mail, and acceptances will be received up to 9 p.m. on the 31st instant. The prizes were distributed at the Lower Wakefield schools on Friday last, the following being the successful competitors :— Girths' Sciiool, —First Class: Ist prize, Bertha Baigent; 2nd, Emily Desaunais; 3rd, Mary Prestidge. Secoud Class: Ist prize, Frances Kinzett; 2nd, Emily Fairhall; 3rd, Clara Gapper. Third Class: Ist prize, Martha Anstice, 2nd, Mary Shea; 3rd, May Fairhall. Special Prizes — Good conduct, Edith Best; attention to studies. Annie Fairhall; geod conduct, Margaret Eden. Sewing Prizes— Ist, Emily Desaunais; 2nd, Emma Gibbs; 3rd, Edith ;Best. Bots' School.— Firat Class: Ist prize, Martin Smith; 2nd, George Baigent ; 3rd, Leonard Fairhall. Second Class: Ist prize, Edward Hunt; 2nd, Charles Faulkner; tfrd, Francis Baigent. Third Class: Ist prize, Walter Baigent; 2nd, Percy Baigent; 3rd, Charles Best. Fourth Class: Ist pri_e, Alfred Plank', 2nd, Francis Birdj 3rd, W. Chubbin. We understand that a cricket team to be picked from clubs between Wanganui and Otaki has challenged the Wellington Cricket Association to a match to be played shortly. As it is the intention of this team, which will be an unusually strong one, to pay Nelson a visit also, we advise our local players to keep up their practice.