The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 38, 13 February 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1879.

The Australia, with the San Francisco mail, arrived at Auckland shortly after 9 o'clock this morning, and the Hinemoa left at noon for the South via the east coast. Yestkrday afternoon the Railway Vigilance Committee met at (he Couucil Chambers, when his Worship the Mayor, Messrs Curtis, Acton Adams, and Shephard were present. The Committee having obtained certain information since their previous meeting and having learned that the Minister for Public Works would shortly be iu Wellington, resolved that a deputation should wait upon him there on his return with the object of urging the immediate completion of the Port line and the commencement of the Bell Grove and Motueka Valley extensions. In consequence of the action of this Committee and of the Waimea County Council a strong deputation will wait, upon the Minister, the town being represented by its members Messrs Curtis and Acton Adams, and the country by Messrs J. Rarnicoat and J. Shephard, members of the Waimea County Council.

A cakhine match between eight men of the Nelson Naval Brigade and eight of the Wellington Artillery will take place in Wellington next week. As there are some exceedingly good shots in each of the corps a close competition is expected. The Xavals will probably leave by the Murray ou Monday next.

Last evening about dusk a trap belonging to Mr Thomas, in which were some young ladies, was being driven up the College Hill in the direction of the country, when a horse ridden by Mr Wells dashed into the trap, breaking a shaft and so frightening the ladies in the trap that one of them fainted away. We are not aware that any blame is attachable to anyone, the horse which Mr Wells was riding being very fresh. We learn that the owners of the p.s. Lady Barkly have generously promised to lay their steamer on for a moonlight excursion trip at an early date, and to devote the proceeds to the building fund of the new Tort Hall.

The Local Committee of the New Zealand Rifle Association finally arranged yesterday the site for the butts and camp for the forthcoming meeting in March. The raDge will be across land, part belonging to Mr Newth and part to Mr Hill, which they have consented to the Association having annually for shooting purposes at a nominal rental. The targets, 30 in number, will be upon land owned by Mr llarniann, who has agreed to the Association using it on the same terms as those arranged with Messrs Newth and Hill. The camp will be pitched about ;jO yards from the railway station in a position in every way convenient for the competitors and the public. Arrangements are being made for having the telegraph line extended to the range, and there will be a temporary office there during the shooting On the whole the meeting promises to be a most successful one, and, if the weather continues fine, will be thoroughly enjoyed, not only by visitors from other parts of the colony, but also by residents in Nelson and the Waimeas.

The Christmas Tree at Waimea West last night was the means of attracting a large number of visitors from the surrounding districts as well as several from town, in-

deed, there were a good many more than the room, would hold, and there was quite a little 6ro<vd outride waiting for their chance of entering. Tlio irhrjle of the tickets were speedily disposed of, the great regret <if the sellers being that they had not a larger stock, and the prizes, which gave very general satisfaction, were distributed, after which there was music and singing until p.i3t. 10 o'clock when the dnofa ttefe closed. The nett receipts amounted to over £12, a resnlt with which the promoters were well satisfied. It is repotted from Gore that Mr Conyers has improved so much that the doctor reports that, he will be able to leave for home about the middle of the week.