The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 106, 4 May 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1880.

The English mail via San Francisco arrived at Auckland early this morning. The Taiaroa, with the Southern portion of the mail, leaves Onehunga at three o'clock this afternoon for New Plymouth, and will arrive here early on Thursday morning, as she proceeds from the latter port to Nelson direct. We are unable to lay before our readers any further information relative to the extension of the main Trunk Railway beyond Bell Grove. Several rumors have been circulated regarding the cause of the Government haviDg failed to accept any tender for the work, but ifc appears that some day or two, at all events, must elapse before we can expect to receive any definite reason for the delay. In the meantime, however, there are a large number of unemployed iv our midst, and for these work must be found. In town some 40 men have waited upon the Mayor and also upon Mr Alfred Greenfield in order to represent their case, and solicit employment, and both these gentlemen have made representations to the Government, and it is to be hoped that these will lead to employment being found for those willing to work. In addition to these 40 however, fully another 100 are encamped on the site ofthe expected railway work, and thus the number of unemployed is swelled beyond anything we have hitherto experiend here. The Railway Commissioners, who are now sitting at Greymouth, are expected to arrive at Nelson on Friday night, and remain till Saturday evening. At tbe Resident Magistrate's Court today, but one case was called on, and that was adjourned for a week. The action was one brought by Mr Balme against Mr Kenning, and was for the recovery of £97 10s, value of a wagonette. Mr Fell appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Pitt for the defendant. At the Magistrates' Court the presiding Justices were T. Mackay and P. Donald, Esqs., J.J.P. Thomas Jones, whose case was reported in our Saturday's issue, and who was on that day remanded on a charge of begging till this morning, was then called for, but he was not forthcoming. It appears that whenever a prisoner's sentence expires on a Sunday, he must, by law, he dismissed on the previous day, and as Jones was sentenced to 24 hours imprisonment for drunkenness on Saturday last, the gaoler on receiving the prisoner at once discharged him. However the Magistrate had also ordered that 4 _ e _ def o e _ ld .- nt should be ke P fc iQ custody -of Mr Shallcrass, the keeper of the Nelson gaol, till this morning on remand for the charge under the Vagrant Act, but it appears that the gaoler not having received a warrant although the Magistrate had made the order' &c, under the Justices of the Peace Act, and i bad alio endorsed it on the charge sheet, re .

fused to take the man and he appears to have gone on his way, no doubt, rejoicing afc his good fortune. Probably the matter will be referred to hereafter, but at Court this morning their Worships confined themselves to making an entry on the charge sheet to the effect that the gaoler failed to produce the man. Mr. C. Hill, of the Wellington Hat Factory, has opened a branch in Nelsou in the premises lately occupied by Mr J. S. Jones, stationer, Trafalgar-street, where hatß and caps of any description will be made to order. A lecture on " Life Assurance " will be delivered by Mr Kenneth Campbell, the travelling agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, in the Masonic Hall tomorrow night. The lecture will be illustrated by diagrams. A meeting of those interested in the advancement of the Nelßon Horticultural Society was held at the Court-house last night, when the attendance was good. Dr Irvine was voted to the chair, and after some few things had been discussed the following officers were elected : — Judge Bioad, President ; Mr C. Y. Fell, Treasurer ; Mr A. Greenfield, Secretary. It was then resolved tbat in addition to these gentlemen the management of the Society should be deputed to eight other members of the Committee, and on a ballot the following Committeemen were elected :— Messrs Catley, Gully, Parmenter, Dr Irvine, W. Oldham, Epps, Budden, and Bolton. It was decided that three shows shall be held during next season, the first and last to be held as in years past, and the extra one to take place at midsummer. A vote of thanks to [the Chairman closed the proceedings. At the meeting of the creditors of A. W. Carkeek, whose liabilities are stated at £303 12s, and whose assets are set down at £317 6s, Mr J. Smyth was elected Trustee. The bankrupt was asked some questions, and the meeting was then .djourned for three months. Mr Bunny appeared for the bankrupt. Sharp & Pickering hold their first fortnightly sale at the White Hart Hotel, 1-ich-mond to-morrow, Wednesday, on arrival of the train from town at 2.30 p.m. The yards will be well supplied. We learn that for the future the Chief Post Offices will be opened every Saturday eveniug between half-past six and aquarter to eight, in order that deposits in the Post Oflice Savings Banks may be then lodged. This step has been taken in consequence of representations being made that by opening the various branches of the Bank ;a great convenience would be given the public for taking advantage of this valuable institution, and now that the suggestion is to be acted upon it is to be hoped that sufficient advantage will be taken of the concession that the Government will be induced to make the arrangement, which is for the present merely made in order to test the matter, really permanent. The Nelson Chief Post Office will be opened under this system on and after Saturday evening next, and during the hours mentioned. Sums of one shilling to £200 may be deposited, but fractions of a shilling will not be received. It may be here remarked that the rate of interest paid by the Post Oflice is 4£ per cent, and this is given on each complete pound deposited. The attention of our readers is drawn to the sale by auction to-morrow by Mr J. R. Mabin of piano, furniture, &c, at the residence of Mr Mauton, Haven Road.