The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 96, 22 April 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1880.

The outward San Francisco mail will leave here by the Wanaka on Saturday afternoon. It will be due at London on June 8. A correspondent telegraphed this morning from Wakefield as follows:— " Melville Sellon was found dead in Gibbs' Valley last night. An inquest will be held to-day at three p.m." We hnve since learned that Mr Sellon had left Wakefield for his home on horseback, and it is supposed that the horse must hare stumbled and thrown him, as he had a cut on his forehead, caused, no doubt, by the fall. ' We understand that Mr Percy Adams has sent in his resignation as Lieutenant of the City Rifles to the Under-Secretary .for Defence, stating that it is utterly impossible for him to serve under Captain Bunny in future, after recent events. To-aromtow being St. George's Day, the Banks will be closed. A large finback whale was seen sporting about near the Lighthouse yesterday afternoon by a party who were out fishing. It is not often that whales are seen so close to the shore. The anniversary tea and public meeting held at Richmond yesterday in connection with the Union Sunday School passed off most successfully. The Baptist Church in which the after meeting was held, was well filled. Mr T. Field occupied the chair, and several addresses, bearing on schoolwork, were delivered by ministers and friends present. Mr Arthur Sketchley gave his second drawing room entertainment at the Masonic Hall last night, when there was a good attendance. "Mrs Brown" was again the subject of the lecture, and as we gave a brief notice yesterday of the doings of that lady on her travels, it only remains for us to say that during the two hours which the entertainment lasted Mr Sketchley kept every one present in one continual roar of laughter. In the official list of awards at the Sydney Exhibition for wines, spirituous, fermented, and other drinks, published in the Morning Herald of April 12th, we find the names of George Dixon, Wellington, pale orange bitters— 3rd, and James Smith, Nelson, charrade '76— 1st, charrade '77— 2 ad, ch'arrade '78 — 3rd, charrade '77— 3rd. The Oriental Exhibition arrived by the Hawea this morning, and will open at the Masonic Hall on Saturday morning. The proprietors are Messrs Nachley Kaurt and M. AH, of Jerusalem, who have attracted some attention in town to-day on account of their being dressed in the Eastern garb. The exhibits consist principally of articles to which special interest is attached on account of their association with places famous in the infancy of Christianity. There are quantities of olive wood from the Mount of Olives, balsam wood from the banks of the Jordan, oak wood from Mount Hebron, and almoud_ wood from Bethany. These are carved into all sorts of quaint nicknacks and little useful articles, such as mautel ornaments, cups, boxes, jewel casas, walking sticks, cigar boxes, egg cups, candlesticks, card trays, paper weights, book racks for the drawing-room table, photograph frames, ladies' satchels, Bibles in polished olive boards, &c. In addition there are scent bottles in pearl shell, jewellery in silver filagree and mother-o'-pearl, gorgeous pipes, cards of real flowers from Gethsemane, dried, pressed, and arranged by the nuns of a neighboring convent, desert roses (the curious plant that expands and becomes as green aa ever wheu placed ia water), crowns or thorns made from similar thorn bushes to those used for the brow of Christ, together with many other curiosities, all of which will be offered for sale. There will be a charge of one shilling for admission, but in return for that every visitor will receive a prize. Posting boxes have been placed on board the Anchor Line steamers, and letters can now be posted in them up to the time of sailing of each steamer, providing that such letters bear a late fee of twopence each. The Georgia Minstrels performed at the Theatre Royal last night to a fair house. To-night Hosea Easton and Billy Wilson take their benefit, and in honor of the occasion a handsome silver cup will be given for the best local conundrum. An attractive programme, which will be found in another column, has been prepared, and as this will will be the last appearance of the Georgias in Nelson there will no doubt be a large attendance.