The Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 131, 3 June 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1879.

An election, which excited very little interest, took platie yesterday, namely, that i of two auditors for the City. The result ' was as follows : — Percy 75, Scaife 43, H. D. Jackson 32. The total number of those who voted was 105. A proclamation in the Gazette summons the Parliament to meet for the despatch of business on the 11th of July next. The following is from the Evening Post: — " Dr. Farrelle, the well-known medical practitioner of Nelson, is about to commence practice in Wellington, and has taken rooms over Messrs M'Dowell Brothers' shop, at the corner of Willis-street and Lambtoa Quay. Dr. Farrelle's partner will carry on the Nelson practice of the firm." The doctor will be greatly missed io Nalson, whence he will j carry with him the good wishes of a very large circle of friends. To those of our readers who have correspondents in China or Japan, the following circular addressed to the postmasters of the colony may prove of interest: — " Postmasters are informed that correspondence for Japan and China, including Hong Kong, uuless specially addressed for transmission via Galle or Torres Straits, must, for the future, be sent by way of San Francisco, in the mails for the Marino Post Office. The rates of postage will remain as at present. This alteration in the route of correspondence for the above places has been decided on in consequence of representations which have been made to this office to (he effect that letters, &c, for China and Japan will reach their destinations much more expeditiously if sent via San Francisco than by the routes hitherto adopted." Mitchell's English Opera Company made their first appearance in Nelson last night before a large and highly appreciative audience. The opera selected for the occasion, Maritana, is always a favorite, from the fact of its containing so many popftlar airs that are always welcome and are listened to with pleasure, and that this was the case last night was shown by the hearty applause and demands for encores with which many of them were greeted. The two principal ladies' parts of Maritana and Lazarillo were taken by Madame Le Couteur and Miss Florence respectively. The latter possesses a very pleasing voice, which was heard to great advantage in the beautiful aria " Alas, those Chimes, 1 ' and in the ever favorite duet "Sainted Mother." Her low notes were especially good ,and called forth the most vociferous applause. Don Jose (Mr Browning) has a deep bass voice, which he uses with good effect, and he was loudly encored in the song "Now my courage." Mr Florence, as the jovial, creditor-hating Don Caesar de Bazan, was a great success. His acting was good, and his 9inging of " Let me likeasoldier fall '* and " There is a flower that bloometh " was moat enjoyable, and called forth repeated rounds of applause. The choruses were well performed and given with a good deal of spirit, and were evidently highly appreciated by the audience, who expressed their approval in an unmistakeable manner. The orchestra was not up to the mark, the violin, piano, and harmonium, and occasionally the double-bass, being the only instruments that appeared to give forth any sound. The company is certainly not equal to others , that have visited Nelson, but those who do not expect too much, and are not disposed to be hypercritical, may enjoy a very pleasant couple of hours. The opera selected for to-night is La Somnambula, by Bellini. It is a very favorite opera, abounding in good music, and should be the means of attracting a large audience. A meeting of the Waimea Eifle Volunteers for the purpose of electing officers will be held at the Spring Grove schoolroom tomorrow evening. The Volunteer Ball, which was to have been held to-morrow night, is postponed for a time, until some further intimation of the Governor's movements has been received. Messrs. Sharp and Pickering hold an auction sale of stock at Jervis' Hotel, Fox Hill, at noon to-morrow. Those desirous of being present can leave town by the 9-30 train. The usual Quarterly Cattle Fair will be held at Richmond to-morrow. A meeting of the Athletic Club will be held at the Gymnasium at eight o'clock this evening. The Zulus have scored another success. A special telegram to the Post dated London May 30, says:— lntelligence has been received from the Cape by telegraph from Madeira of a raid made by the Zulus on an unprotected portion of the Province of Natal. Taking advantage of the absence of Imperial troops, they made a sudden descent over the mountains into the Province. They were opposed by a number of natives friendly to the British Government, who hastily turned out in defence of their kraals. Taken by surprise, however, and overmatched by their assailants in point of strength and numbers, they were defeated, and many of them were left dead on the ground. The raiders then retired in triumph, taking with them a number of cattle which they captured. • The following New Plymouth telegram . appeared in last night's Post :— The natives resumed ploughing on Mr Courtenay's farm yesterday. The Hinemoa is still at anchor here. His Excellency the Governor is out shooting. Colonel Whitmore visited Oakura and Okato yesterday, and Ministers have proceeded in a special train to Inglewood today. Volunteer companies are rapidly forming here, 56 names have been received at Inglewood, 75 at Waitara, and 40 at New Plymouth. • The Government will accept short services, without uniforms.