The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 57, 6 March 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1880.

One of those stupid coroner-and-jury enquiries into the cause of a fire, at which atl the evidence that the police hare been able to scrape together is made public, and the criminal, in a case of incendiarism, is shown the cards that arc likely to be played against him, was held yesterday afternoon upon the recent fire in Bridge-street, and the appearance of the room in which it broke out was considered by the jury, as it would be by atiyoue who had visited the place, a sufficient justification of a verdict to the effect that the premises were wilfully set on fire. Now would it not have been far better for the police to have prosecuted their enquiries secretly than to make public the whole of the evidence, together with the conclusion arrived at, and so to set the criminal, if criminal there be, on his guard ? It may not perhaps be generally known that there is a standing reward of £500 offered by the Government, and another of £200 by the Insurance offices for anyone giving such information as shall lead to the conviction of an incendiary. The Customs receipts for the week ending this day were £791 11s Bd. At the meeting of the subscribers to the Irish Relief Fund it was announced that £317 8s 9d had been received, and resolved that £300 be forwarded to the LoreL Mayor of Dublin by cable, and the balance, with any further subscriptions, by mail. A complete list of the subscribers is to be printed. Harvest Thanksgiving services will be held in the various Wesleyan Churches in the district to-morrow, and on Monday there will be an open air festival on Messrs Snowden Brothers' property at Brightwater, the proprietors having kindly placed their grounds at the disposal of the Committee. Tea will be provided on the grounds at five o'clock, and the after-tea meeting commences at six and closes at half-past seven. Special trains have been arranged, leaving for Brightwater from Foxhill at 1-15 and from Nelson at 2 30, and leaving Brightwater for Nelson and Foxhill at 8 p.m. The last festival of the kind, which was held at Richmond, was a complete success, and there is every reason to believe that this one will be equally numerously attended. Mr Blower, Sheep Inspector, is instructed to carry on the duties in the Nelson district during the absence of Chief Inspector Canning, who has been directed to take charge of the Napier district. Inspector Pasley, from Waiau has been appointed Chief Inspector of Napier, and on bis arrival in Napier, Chief Inspector Canning will return to his duties in the Nelson district. The vacancy caused by Mr Pasley's removal will be filled by the transfer to the Waiau of an Inspector from another sub-division thereby affecting a reduction of expenditure, j The Carandini concert last night was, without exception, one of the best that \re have had the pleasure of listening to for a long time. Madame fairly took the house by storm with her singing of "Sweet Spirit, hear my prayer/' and delighted her audience with the ever favorite "Home, sweet home," which she gave as an encore, and which, when sung as she sings it, never fails to create a most pleasing impression. Miss Marie Carandini and Miss Deakin were both in fine voice and sung with exquisite taste, and Mr Gordon Gooch, as be always does, delighted his hearers with some of his beat songs. This and Monday night will be the last occasion on which this talented little company will appear in Nelson. A harvest thanksgiving service will be held in the Theatre Royal to morrow morning, conducted by the Rev J. BeckeDham. The evening service will be conduct ed by Rev J. W. Pell, a visitor from the old country. It is also notified that the enlarged Church will be re-opened on Sunday week, 14th March, to be followed up by the anniversary tea meeting on the Tuesday following. Twenty Wanganui tradesmen have combined to adopt the system of Btrict monthly accounts from the Ist inst. In future all current monthly accounts not paid by the 10th of the followiug month, will be stopped. A telegram has been sent by the Government to the Agent General impressing on him the urgent necessity of his causing all intending emigrants to New Nealand to be fully informed as to the Bevere depression now prevailing in this colony. Sir Julius Vogel is also to be intimated to diacour&ge so far as possible the migration to New Zealand of all persons without capital, so long as the present dulness continnes. Arrangements have been made by the Government to keep the Agent - General thoroughly posted up in the state of affairs in this colony and all the Government emigration agents at Home will be cautioned against inducing people to leave for this colony unless thev possess adequate capital. The action of the Government will meet with general approbation. — Post. The Hawke's Bay Herald haa been examining the list of bankrupts who have filed in Napier during the last three years. The number of bankruptcies and assignments amounted to 150, and our contemporary estimates the toll thus levied by the credid system on the trade of Napier during the period named at £200,000 I Dividing the loss by the population it gets about £13 per head for every man, woman, and child, as the amount absolutely and irretrievably lost in three years by the credit system ! >The Herald adds — " Well may we have cause to talk about * bad times.' When the real cause of these ' bad times ' is acknowledged — when the credit system is reduced to more reasonable and safe proportions — it will be a grand day for the honest people in Napier." The following items of European and Indian news are by the Suez mail :— ln the distressed districts in the West of Ireland, constant apprehension exists that some sanguinary conflict may occur. The lawless movement which followed the land agitation shows concert and design. Large masses of men and women collect from remote localities and meet at appointed times and places. The position they take up and the tactics they follow (the women being placed in front) are proofs of a systematic plan arranged by leaders, who do not themselves appear. Lawlessness is increasing rather than diminishing, and is spreading southward. Great riotß have occurred in Cork.— lt is stated that the British Government has decided to make advances on loan in distressed districts in Ireland, at a nominal rate for two years, bearing interest afterwards at one per cent The Hon W. H. Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, in a speech, said it was the desire of the Government to avoid annexation so far as possible in Afghanistan. — Germany is narrowly watching affairs in France, in view

of possible warlike aspirations of Gambetta's party. — General Roberts is re-occupying Cabul, and offers pardon to all offering submission, except ±or those principally concerned in the late disturbances. — Mahomed Jan, assisted by Cholam Hyder, is expected shortly to attack Cabul, the latter supplying 12 regimeuts of infantry and 12,000 horses. The British forces have been largely reinforced, and troops are. continually going forward from Bombay to the front. The total force in Bombay to be ordered on service for ■ Afghanistan, if necessary, amounts to 15,000 men and 63 guus. Road making and other works to facilitate British operations are in progress.