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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 136, 8 June 1880, Page 2

There was a large attendance of the friends of ■ the late Mr John Jervis afc his fuuera!, which took place at Kichinond yesterday, the procession extending a considerable length along the main street of the Tillage. About sixty Masons were present, and the Church of England service was read by the Rev C. Moon, and the Masonic service byP.W.M. Stanton. The Rev W. Rowse pronounced the benediction at the close, and Brother W. Scaly presided at the harmonium. The deceased was a general favorite, and many were the expressions of genuine sorrow from his numerous friends as they looked their last at the coffin which contained his remains. The Debating Association will open their season at the All Saints Church Institute this evening, when the subject for discussion will be, " Is total abstinence preverable to a moderate use of alcoholic liquors ?" Next Friday is gazetted as a Bank holiday in Nelson, when the prizes so liberally contributed by residents in both town and country will be competed for by the Volunteers and others. The competition is to commence at 8.30 a.m. with the Citizens' Match, in which Volunteers will not be allowed to take part, which will consist of five shots at the 200 yards range. This will be followed by matches open to Volunteers armed with carbines, exclusive of Cadet corps, to whom a proportion ot the prizes given has been specially allotted. On the arrival of the country corps, the rifle competitors will take up the firing together with the carbines. The following additional prizes have been given, and most of them, together with those the list of which has already been published will be on view at Mr J. Hounsell's until Friday : — Bag of sugar, Mr Franzen ; A horße, Mr Haycock ; A new "wheelbarrow, Mr Paaps ; a parcel, Mr J. G. Harkness ; a driving whip, Mr G. B. Hurst ; bag of swedes, Mr T. Brown ; half a dozen of ale, Mr H. Ruffell ; smoking cap, two young ladies ; two smoking caps, a young lady ; a lamb, Mr Trasker. Messrs Brock, Eden, and Gapper also give five shillings each. The distribution of the prizes is to take place in the Drill Shed on the following Monday evening. . Bad news for smokers is 'contained in a telegram by the last mail, "in which it is stated that the tobacco crop in Virginia will fail this year owing to the ravages of the fly. A Wellington telegram to the Auckland Herald of Wednesday last says that notwithstanding the action of Sir George Grey in reference to the property tax, the Opposition members still disclaim any fixed intention of a trial of strength with the Government unless a very tempting opportunity should offer. They profess their willingnesn to let the present have their turn, looking forward to a speedy general election on the passing of the Eedistribution of Seats Bill. It is understood that a desperate struggle will be made in favor of having all seatß single ones, that is, none returning more than one member. The following tenders have been received at. the Public Works office for road contracts in Pelorus district :~ Haveldck to Wairau River-bank, Contract No. 1, Hughes and Hippolite, Havelock, £1,445 (accepted) ; John McLean, Wellington, £1,578 (declined); John Hippolite, Havelook, £ 1,662 15s ; John \ Daniells, Havelock, £3,137 8s 6d. Contract No. 2, Williams and Alexander, Havelock, £803 8s 3d, (accepted)' ; John Hippolite, Havelock," £1,169. 17s 6d, (declined) ; John McLean, Wellington; £1,260 ; -John Daniells, Havelock, £1,628. Contract No. 3, Williams arid Alexander, Havelock, " £606 93 Id (accepted) ; Brown and Nesbit, Havelock, £1039, (declined) ; John McLean, Wellington, £1,132, ; John Morris, Tuamarina, £1,437 ; John Daniells, Havelock, £1,513. For No. 4 contract no eligible tenders were j-eceived.

The new Commission of the : Peace is published in the last Gazelte and contains l!? 2 names. This seems a large number, and yet in some of the country districts great inconvenience is frequently caused by the difficulty that is experienced in finding a Justice before whom to make a declaration. Of the 1122 whose names appear on the roll sixtytwo are residents in tho Provincial district of Nelson which, of course, includes the Buller Valley and Amuri. The Parliamentary rep.orts appear this year in a riew- guise. The familiar bliio wrapper has given piace to one of straw color hue, and which ia utilised for advertisements of Government publications, including Parliamentary papers and bills of the present session, and a list of authorited agents for the sale of Hansard The Ota go Daily Times of May 29 says that if the Government intend reimposing the tea and sugar duties they should act promptly, or they will find the revenue of the next lew months forestalled. During the last few days there baa been quite a rush to the Custom-house to pay duties, as we understand, chiefly on these articles. On Tuesday the duties collected amounted to £3057, on Wednesday to £3478,.0n Thursday to_ £4431, and on Friday, to £SQQ4, making a total of in four days. This will v mean a considerable " rise " to somebody if the duties are reimposed, but if not, the persons who were, so eager to contribute to the revenue willibe sold. .. ;