The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1579.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 21 February 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1579.

It has been said that a man is never so black as his enemies paint him, nor so virtuous as his friends would have believed. At all events, without going into the latter portion of this remark, it is perfectly plain to those not actuated by feelings of malice or jealousy that Sir Julius Vogel, although frequently made the subject of hostile criticism is as a benefactor to this colony to be ranked second to none. Upon his retirement from the Government and acceptance of the office of Agent-General it was asserted by many that it was a first step towards throwing over the colony, and it was hinted at that ambition on his part pointed to the acquirement of a position in the Imperial Parliament. However, his conduct till the present time has been a complete contradiction to such ill prophets. Sir Julius Yogel appears to have continually devoted his attentions to the welfare of this colony, not a single charge has been brought against it, but he has sought to refute in the English Reviews and Journals, and in a more direct method of benefitting New Zealand, our Agent-General has done his utmost to advance our interests. Amongst the last of his actious in this respect is an attempt to give an impetus to the exportation of sulphur from White Mand, and our telegrams yesterday related an instance that more closely affects us in Nelson. The formation of an English Company to work the mineral deposits of hematite iron ore at Para Para, and to convert it into rails, for our New Zealand lines cannot fail to be of|immense advantage to the colony, and, with proper management, the undertaking should prove highly remunerative to the English speculators. A large number of citizens assembled at the port this midday to bid adieu to Inspector Kiely who departed tor Hokitika by the steamer Kennedy, and amongst those present may be mentioned, his Worship the Mayor, Mr A. J. Richmond, M.H.R., Councillors Cfewdson, Cross, and Trask, Captain Lightfoot, and many of the members of the Fire Brigade as well as many mercantile and other gentlemen. Unaminous expressions of regret at Mr Kiely departure were passed and there was not one present but had something to say in favor of Mr Kiely's actious as chief of the police department here. The Fire Brigade men of his conduct at fires,' and the others of actious that bad come within their knowledge. It had been felt that to offer Mr Kiely a testimonial would be somewhat against the spirit of the civil service regulations, but the subject of doing so was again reviewed to-day, and we shall not be surprised to see it taken up and a presentation sent to him. Last night at the Loyal Marine Good Templar Lodge it was resolved to take fifteen shares in the Port Public Hall Company on behalf of that Lodge. The Provisional Directors are only waiting for a few more of the promises of support to be fulfilled before they call for tenders for the building. We understand that Messrs Sharp and Pickering have disposed of the whole of the unsold portion of the estate of the late John t Poynter, Esq., comprising a large quantity of land on the Port Hills, and sections in Washington Valley and Stanley Crescent, lbe price realised has not transpired. The Athletic Sports which are to take place at the Botanical Reserve to-morrow afternoon should attract a large number to witness the several events. The various races will afford a splendid opportunity for comparing our amateurs with two of the fastest short distance runners who have ever | visited the colonies, and in fact Mr Goodfellow, as an amateur, has attained the | position of Australian champion. At the

J termination of the other items on the programme, a race between Mr Goodfellow and the Canadian champion will take place and it is confidently anticipated that the fastest time on record in the colonies will be made. A feature in these sports is that where either Mr Goodfellow or Mr McDonald may win a race it is promised that the trophy shall go to the second man they contenting themselves Avith the honor. The members of the Young Men's Christian Association are reminded that a general meeting of all the members of this Association is announced to take place at 8 o'clock this evening in their large meetiug room. A most interesting address was given by tbe llev 11. Bavin in the Wesleyau School Room last evening, the subject being singing by the Tonic Sol-fa method. The rev. gentleman very pleasantly related the origin of this system, after which he proceeded to show the advantages of Sol-fa in preference to Hulhhs system asa means of teaching singia?, quoting some of hit own personal experience as an example. At the conclusion of his address Mr Bavin very cordially invited any of those present to become members of the class, which he is reorganizing. Fifty-two persons gave iv their names, many of whom are well-known local musicians. A code of rules was then considered and adopted, and the Secretary of the old class Mr F. House re-elected when the meeting was brought to a close by heartily singing the National Anthem. We may add that any who wish to join the class can do so on the payment of a very small fee, as the class will not commence until next week, and it is intended to allow the members' roll to remain open for a week or two. By the kindness and courtesy of Mr Tucker, the officer in charge of the Telegraph Department in Nelson, we have been enabled to witness the action of the new patent Electric pen, which he has just fiuished setting up. This pen was imported by Mr W. M. Stanton per Tongoy, and a specimen of the first attempt at writing with it lies in our office where it maybe inspected. The pen consists of a tube about four inches long, on the top of which is affixed a small electro magnet and wheel. By passing a current of electricity through the electro magDet by means of what is technically known as a make and break connection, the wheel is made to revolve with immense velocity, estimated at from six to ten thousand revolutions per minute. On the axis of the wheel is fixed a fine vertical shaft working inside the tube and ending in a needle point. The tube has much the appearance of an ordinary drawing pencil pointed for use and in passing it over the paper to be written upon the needle is projected sharply through the point of the tube at the rate of from six to ten thousaud times per minute. A very finely perforated paper is thus produced, making in fact a paper stencil, from which some thousands of fac simile copies can be made at the rate of 200 to 300 per hour. The writing closely resembles the ordinary handwritiug of the operator, whilst drawings of great fineness and a curacy may be made by a draughtsman after a little practice. Ilaviug obtained the stencil, copies are produced by passing an ordinary inked roller over it. The management of the pen seems easily mastered, and with moderate care the appa rat us cannot get seriously out of order. The pen is worked by a two cell Bichromate battery, which is supplied with it, and which with ordinary care will last six months by occasionally adding a little sulphuric acid tc the solution.