THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 290, 18 December 1879, Page 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1879.

We publish to-uay a letter addressed by Mr Llair C. E., to the Nelson members, in which he enters in detail into the reasons which have influenced him in selecting the Roundell route for the railway, and he puts in so strong a light its superiority from an engineering point of view that, disappointing as it will be to those who would have been so largely benefitted by the line being taken through Motueka Valley and the Hope, it must, we fear, be accepted as inevitable. The Parliamentary telegrams of this morning's business did not reach us iv time to appear in to night's issue. It was reported at the Police Station this morning that the body of a woman hail been seen lyin N - at the bottom of a hole in the Maitai, near the Trafalgar- street crossing, and constables were at once sent down, and the body, which proved to be that of Mrs Louisa V/ilkins, was taken out and removed to the Conch and Horses Hotel, where an inquest will be held at 530 this afternoon. The deceased, who was about 43 years of age, was the wife of a journeyman baker, living in Harley street, and the mother of five children, the youngest being about thirteen years of age. She has been missing since Saturday afternoon, when she wasseeu walking down Trafalgar-street north with a handkerchief bound round her eyes, but, being of eccentric habits and giveu to drinking, little notice was taken of her actions. It would seem, however, that she must have met with her death shortly after, aa, v/hen found, the handkerchief was still round her eyes as when she was last seen afire. The body was discovered by two boys who were on their way to school. The sale of work at the Wesleyan schoolroom, Hardy street, was well attended last evening. The Christmas Tree proved as attractive a5 on the former evening, and the distributing of the prizes by the Key R. Bavin created much amusement. At nine o'clock Mr Mabin appeared on the scene and disposed of the balance of the goods by auction, so that a complete clearance was effected of every article. The total receipts for the two days amounted to over £70 This, added to the amount the Ladles Committee bad in hand previous to the holding of the sale, will pay off the debt remaining on the schoolroom, and liquidate the balance due on the parsonage improvement account. The Committee are certainly to be congratulated on the Buccess of their enterprise. " 11. M.5. Pinafore " was performed at the Theatre Koyal last night, when there was a foirly filled house. It is unnecessary to speak of Miss Leaf, Miss Hunter, Mr I lardiDg, or Mr Cram, for they ma<ie fur themselves a name when here with the Company two months ago, and last night they fully maintained their reputation. The character of Sir Joseph Porter. X.C.8., was taken by Mr A. M'Kellar Wix, who, however, had not had eufficient time to get the words by heart, a defect that was unfortunately perceptible in the Firsc Lord's principal song, but notwithstanding this disadvantage be acted the part well throughout, and displayed no small amount of ability in doing so well under such adverse circumstances. Dick Deadeye was capitally represented by Mr Briggs, who was with the Company before as scenic artist, but we missed the jolly old boatswain who was the life of the piece, though the amateur who so kindly took the part did his best to prove himself a worthy successor of Mr Love, who acted it on the last occasion wo saw the piece in Nelson. The choruses were weak throughout, but the only wonder is that any singing at all could be done to the miserable accompaniment that was provided The look of disgust that was so frequently to be seen on the faces of the singers was still more noticeable on that of the gentleman who kindly volunteered a hornpipe, but was all through the dance put out.rather than assisted, by tbe music. If he did not more than once "use a big, big D" while undergoing what must have been a severe trial to him, his countenance strangely belied him. We are requested to state that to-night he will dance to music supplied by the String Band. At the close of the performance Mr Cram came toward and expressed the thanks of the Company to Mr Wix for having undertaken so difficult a part at so short a notice, and announced that the entertainment would be repeated this evening. A special meeting of the Naval Brigade will be held at the Nelson Hotel to-night at half-past seven. The distribution of the Town echools prizes will take place at the Provincial Hall to morrow afternoon at three o'clock, when the Rev. R. Bavin will preside. A presentation was made this morning by the girls attending the Hardy-street school to Mrs Sait, who for many years past has been the head mistress of that establishment, and has invariably won the affection and respect of all who had the good fortune to be her pupils. The testimonial was accompanied by the following note :— -Dear Madam— We, the undersigned pupils of Hardy-street school, desire your acceptance of this small present, as a testimony of our goodwill towards you. Your kindness and courtesy during the past year has been fully appreciated, and we feel we cannot let this opportunity pass without making some acknowledgment of the services you have rendered us. We trust that the reciprocal feeling which ha 3so long existed, between Mistress and pupils, will be extended to the future, as well as it has been in the past. We remain, your affectionate pupils. (Signed by 43 pupil*). A rRESEXTATiON of a handsome Electroplated Cruet stand was made thiß morning to C. H. J. Chepmell, Esq., by the pupils of the first division of the Boy's Town Schools, ft was accompanies by the following : — " We, tbe undersigned scholars of the first division of the Bridge-street Boy'a School, under your care, beg that you will accept or this trifle as a token of our esteem and respect for you." (Signed by 30 scholars.) An inquest was held at Collingwood on Monday on the body of Mr W. C. Smith, who had been on his way to the township to attend the Court, when he was taken ill at Mr Boggis' house and was unable to proceed. Mr Boggis went to the Court to explain the reason of Smith's non-attendance, and on returning home he, to his horror, found him lyiug dead with a wound in the neck, and in bis band, which was blood-stained, a clasp knife with which the injury appeared to have been inflicted. He had been much depressed of late, and n verdict was returned of temporary insanity. •