The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 233, 13 October 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1879.

From a report published elsewhere of a meeting of Waimea electors held at Spiing Grove on Saturday night, it will be seen that a petition couched in terms of a very unambiguous and uumistakeable character, was adopted, which will, when a sufficient number of signatures have been appended, be forwarded to Mr Shephard at Wellington. It will also be seen that Mr Joshua Bird, the chairman of Mr Shephard's election Committee, has published a caution to the electors against siguing this petition until they have heard what Mr Shephard has to say in his defence. We quite agree that no man should be condemned unheard, but at the same time, it must be remembered that the reason why Mr Shephard's defence has not been heard is solely because he has not, up to the present time, thought it worth while to make one. He must have remembered perfectly well that he had distinctly pledged himself not to support any Ministry of which Mr Maeandrew was a member, so that when he voted in favor of the late Ministry it must have been clear to him that he was doing that which rendered an explanation of his action an absolute necessity. Even had this not suggested itself to him, Mr Shephard must, with the frequent communication there is between here and Wellington, have seen the expressions of dissatisfaction that have from time to time appeared in the press since the division took place on the 3rd inst., and we do not hesitate to say that it was his clear duty to give an account of himself to those who had placed him in the position he holds. But he has made no sign, and the members of his Committee and others who supported him at the election are unable to give any answer whatever to the complaints that are dally being made, or in any way to excuse him whom, we have no doubt, they would loyally defend if he would but give them the opportunity of doing so. Mr Shephard, in fact, appears to ignore his supporters and his opponents alike. A lecture will be delivered in the Choral Kail, Wakefield, on Wednesday evening, by Mr Hindmarsh, the Government Insurance Agent, on Charles Dickens, concluding with an address on Life Assurance. Mr Hindmarsh is a very pleasant lecturer, and the residents in Wakefield are fortunate in having an opportunity of hearing him. The following interesting telegrams from its London correspondent appeared in the Post of Friday :— Advices from Afghanistan state that the advaLce column, under General Roberts, was attacked by a large uumber of Afghans, who massed on the hills between Chavasiats and Cabul to obstruct General Roberts' advance. They made a desperate attempt to surround the British force, and annihilate them with their superior numbers. After a desperate engagement, in which the Afghans fought with great bravery, the enemy had to succumb to the superior discipline of the English soldiers, and were completely driven off the field, taking refuge in the hills, from which they were subsequently driven by the British, who thoroughly cleared the heights, and forced the Afghans to seek safety in a headlong flight. The British troops captured two standards and 12 guns belonging to the Afghans. The British casualties killed and wounded amounted to 80 ; the Afghan loss has not been fully ascertained, but is 13 believed to be considerable. The British advance continues. General Roberts is sanguine that he will be able, in a very short time, to completely crush the mutiny, and he entertains strong hopes that once' the rebellion has been put down, peace may be concluded on a firm and lasting basis. The Ameer, Yakoob Khan, remains with General Roberts. A kind of surveillance is maintained over his movements until the whole of the circumstances connected with the outbreak shali have been cleared up. He professes the strongest desire to see the rebellion crushed, ami gives General Roberts iuformation as to the nature of the country and probable movements of the rebels. He watched the battle from one of the hei"hts in the vicinity, and expressed the warmest pleasure at the decisive victory gained by the British. The attack on Cabul is now believed to be imminent. It is feared that the mutineers have possession of the citadel of Bala Ilissar, in the east quarter of the city, which is very strougiy fortified. In that case a protracted siege may have to be made before they are reduced to submission especially as they are believed to be well equipped with provisions. Liquidation.— Being about to realise on my stock I have re-marked the whole at prices that ought to effect a speedy clearauce. The stock is very large, which most of the Nelson people know, and one that the drawing room as well as the kitchen may be furnished from. This i3 an absolute clearing sale, and no reasonable offer will be refused John James, Liquidator. — Advt I