The Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 60, 10 March 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1880.

The Hon. Mr Oliver, the Minister for Public Works, arrived from Wellington and Picton by the Stella last night, and will today take a trip by special train on the Foxhill line. To-day will be observed as a public holiday in all '_. Government offices, except I the Telegraph aud Post Offices, and as a special railway time table has been announced there will, no doubt, be a large number of visitors to Richmond, where the cavalry tournament will be held in the morning, and the presentation of prizes to the successful competitors at the Rifle Association meetiug will be made at halfpast two in the afternoon. The citizens' ball to the Volunteer representatives will be held in the Provincial Hall to-morrow evening, and promises to be a great success. Tickets are obtaiuable at all the stationers' shops. The representatives will leave for the north and south by the steamers on Friday. The election of office bearers and members of the Committee of the Nelson Institute will take place this eveuing at 8 o'clcck. The follow are the candidates propoeed : — As President, Dr. Irvine and Mr Acton Adams ; as vice President, Dr. Irviue, Mr Acton Adams, and Mr D. Burns ; as Secretary, Mr John Percy, and Mr F. Healy ; as Committeemen, Messrs O. Curtis, J. Percy, Greenfield, W. C. Hodgson, D. Burn, J. K Dodson, J. R. Mabin, G. Hodgson, J. T. Catley, John Graham, C. J. Chepmell, W. j

;r . \ Clarkson, C. Scholefield, J. W. Tatton, and A. Robinson. The ten first named are members of the old Committee. The tiiany friends of Dr Gillon (says the N Z. Timet) will regret to learn that he has resigned tbe appointment of Hospital Surgeon, which he has so ably -filled for sOme time in tbis city, and that he is oh the eve of takiog his departure for Nelson, where he will take up his residence. We learn that Dr Gillon was offered, and has accepted, a practice in that city which is likely to prove more satisfactory to him iv every respect. He will take witb him ilie hearty good wishes of a large section of (he community, and especially of a'l those who, either through connection with the Hospital as office-bearers, or through other circumstances, had occasion to see him daily. His place will be temporarily filled by Dr Leatham, who haß only lately arrived from Home. The following letter has been addressed to the N.Z Times by Mr 11. Hounsell who was a passenger ou board the Charles Edward: — Sir, — As one of the passengers ou board the Charles Edward placed in such jeopardy through so nearly coming into collision with the Waitaki on Thursday night ia the French Pass, I would strongly urge through your columns the importance of the heads of the Marine Department giving strict orders to all masters of steam vessels to blow their whistles before arriving at that dangerous spot; better still would it be if no vessels were allowed to enter either way against the tide. Had we been two lengths only further a-head nothing could have saved Us from a watery grave. I would beg also to testify to the great promptitude and coolness displayed by Captain Whitwell on so trying an occasion. Taken, as he was, so completely unawares, the slightest hesitation on bis part, and the least delay on the part of the engineer, and our doom would have come. ■ 1 "<