The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 282, 9 December 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1879.

Uxdek the heading of " Rumors of war " a somewhat sensational article appears in last uight's Chronicle, in which it is stated that very shortly after the prorogation the Government intend to send a military force to make a raid on Parihaka with "a view to securing the murderer Jliroki. Our contemporary urges, and very fairly so, that in so important a matter as this— for if an attack were made on Parihaka the whole of the Waikato would probably be in a blaze at once — the Government should not act without consulting Parliament. We can scarcely believe that the rumor is true for the very reason that nothing has been said about it in Parliament, but it will be satisfactory to receive a re-assuring answer from the Government m reply to the question that the Chronicle insists should bu j,ut to them on the subject. The annual College sports will take place on the afternoons of to-morrow and Thursday. The latter day will be devoted to gymnastic competitions, and the visitors, for seating whom to the uumber of 140 urrangements have been made, will be surprised as well as pleased to notice the progress that has since the last sports day been made in thi3 particular branch of atheletic exercises. At the rear of the College is a loftv verandah, some fifteen feet in width, which has been converted into a gymnasium with all the necessary appliances, the floor being covered with tan so as to prevent any injury resulting from a fall in practice. There is a horizontal and au inclined ladder, para! lei bars, horizontal bar, Sec, and a certain time is regularly devoted to practice, which is carried on in a thoroughly systematic manner and under the control of one of the masters. The result is that a considerable amount of efficiency has been attained by the bov6, and the development of the muscles is in some instances almost incredible. We had an opportunity yesterday of seeing them at practice, and were as much pleased as we feel sure all the visitors will be on Thursday afternoon, on which day the competition on the horizontal ladder will be open to all comers. It is understood that the Public Works Statement, which is looked for with much interest, will be delivered to-night. A pbactick of " The Messiah " will be held at the Harmonic Society's Hall this evening. A tdrlic meeting has been called by the Mayor for to-morrow evening for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion upon the proposed property tax. Dr. Irvine delivered the first of his lectures on " The Great Pyramid and its teachings " to a large and attentive audience in the Wesleyau schoolroom last night. The second part will be delivered this evening, when the attendance is sure to be large, lit Irvine having succeeded so completely in interesting those who heard him last night, not only by the information ho had to give them, but by his pleasant way of imparting it. The whole of the dissolving views in connection with the lecture will be exhibited tonight. In our telegrams will be found the names of the Wellington cricketers from whom will be selected the team that ia to play against Nelson on Boxing Day. The list is a formidable one, and our local players will find all the practice they can find time for between now and the day [fixed necessary to bring them to the level of those they will have to meet. The bazaar in ail of the Port Hall building fund was opened this afternoon, when there was displayed a large collection of both useful aud ornamental articles. This evening the Hall will be open at seven o'clock, and in addition to other attractions there will be some music and singing. The Troubadours are still attracting good audiences to the Theatre Royal, and to-night they advertise a capital programme, consisting of "Milky White" and "Patchwork," in the latter of which their versatile powers of acting are shown to verj' great advantage. They leave here for the North on Friday. ° Messrs Sharp and Pickering advertise a sale of fat cattle at Richmond at '2-.10 p.m. to-morrow. A Renter's telegram, says the Chronicle, announces that the Bank of England had issued the whole of the New Zealand Five Million Loan at a minimum of 97.}. This intelligence is a the mostly gratifying aud satisfactory. It practically means that the whole of the loan will certainly be taken up, as its being issued under the auspices cf the' Bank of England is a substantial guarantee to that effect. This is good news for New Zealand. With wool up iu price, excellent rates obtained for grain exported, and the certainty of the Five Million Loan being floated, a commercial revival may be looked for. Mr John R. Mabin reports the sale of the Bauk of New Zealand shares £16 123 fid; Colonial Insurance 8s Gd; National Mot tzage 193. A London telegram to the Melbourne Aigus says : — The recent speech of Mr Bourke (Foreign Under-Secretary) at Lynn announcing that the Government were

negotiating with the Great Powers in the interest of the peace of the world, has caused much comment His remarks are now understood to refer to England and Germany arranging with France and Austria for acquiescing in a political scheme pecurin<r the control to Britain of Asiatic Tnrlcey. an increased seaboard for Germany, and the complete isolation of Russia. The continued collaps-e of Turkey has hastened the (Vn utmenc. The first step will probably he the Austrian occupation of Stamboul. A Loxi-on telegram to the Chxtnide says: The Times, in an article on the New Zealand ban. questions that the progress of the colony, founded so exclusively on borrowed money, is good —Sir P. .lulviin has resigned the office of Crown Agent for New Zealand Considering the unfavorable conditiou of the market, he advised floating only half the loau at present, Hii'i the balance* in twelve months. To this proposal the New Zealaud Government demurred.