Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 167, 14 July 1880, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1880.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St Barnabas, Stoke, was held last night in the vestry of the church. Messrs Naylor and C. Saxton.were elected Churchwardens, and Messrs Marsden, Giblin, B. Saxton, Chisnall, and Allport, Vestrymen. Three beautiful memorial windows will shortly be erected in this church, having recently arrived from England by the Cuaudiere. The Rev W. A. Whyte will, in the course of a few weeks, take up this district in conjunction with Richmond and Appleby. We regrot to have to annouuee the death of Mr R. Hadfield, chemist, which occurred shortly before one o'clock this afternoon, after a long and very painful illness. The deceased was an active and zealous member of the Wesleyan Church, and his loss will be severely felt by that body. Much sympathy is felt by a large circle of friends and acquaintances with his widow and young family.

A serious accident occurred this morning to Judge Broad, who had just mounted his horse for the purpose of riding out to the Brightwater Court when the animal set. to bucking, and eventually threw him to the ground with such force as to break his noae, and otherwise severely injure his face. The concert given at the Theatre Eoyal a few weeks ago iv aid of the Lunatic Asylum Eecreation Fund will be repeated at the Asylum to-night, when admittance will only bo granted to those supplied with tickets. The Theatre last night, on the occasion of the musical and dramatic entertainment in aid of the Hospital convalescent fund, contained one of the largest audiences that has yet assembled in it, the whole of the front seats and gullery being crowded, and ihe back seats well filled. The first part of the programme consisted of a conceit, in which several well-known amateurs took part, and Master Hill, who has thoroughly established himself as a great — if such an adjective may be applied to so tiny a performer — favorite with Nelson audiences, played a solo on the cornet, which was loudly applauded and encored. A pianoforte solo, consisting of selections from *' II Trovatore," called forth very hearty approbation, but the gem of the concert— and we feel quite sure that we shall not give offence to the other ladies and gentlemen who so kindly rendered their services on the occasion in selecting one item of the programme for special mention — was, beyond all doubt, the difficult but beautiful song " Vashti," which waa sung with great taste and expression by a lady who possesses a rich and sweet soprano voice. An interval of ten minutes at the close of the concert was followed by the farce, " A Regular Fix," which had been prepared by a number of amatetirs, most of them novices appearing on the stage for the first time, under the management of Mr F. W. Thompson, a gentleman who is on a few months' visit to Nelson from Canterbury. The farce, in one respect, resembles the solar system, iv that there is one conspicuous centre around which all the minor planets, be they of greater or lesser magnitude, revolve. Mr Hugh de Brass, represented by Mr Thompson, is the prominent character of the piece, indeed, with the exception of about a couple of minutes, he is never off the stage during the hour which elapses between the rise and fall of the curtain, and nearly all the time he is either speaking, or by his by play materially assisting in keeping up the life and spirit of the farce. To do this successfully, the individual who undertakes the personation of this exceedingly unfortunate but remarkably cool and self-possessed character must not only possess considerable ability as an actor but must also have a very good memory. Mr Thompson last night gave very clear proof that he was wanting in neither. The other parts are, as we have said before, entirely subordinate, and but few opportunities are afforded the actors for the display of their dramatic powers, but of what opportunities there were they very readily and successfully availed themselves, and to the young ladies a special meed of praise is due from the fact that, owing to the indisposition of one who was to have taken an important part, the whole cast had to be re-arrauged on Saturday, and one of those who acted last night had to assume a dual part. The whole entertainment may be said to have passed off most successfully, and we are glad to hear that it is proposed to place another of a similar character before the public in the course of a few weeks. The fund, in aid of which the performers last night gave their invaluable services, will, we are glad to learn, receive a very handsome accession as the result of ihe entertainment, the gross proceeds having been about £55, which will leave a balance, after paying all expenses, of close upon £40 for the assistance of those who on leaving the Hospital, where they may perhaps have been confined a long time by a tedious and debilitating illness are penniless and homeless, and not knowing where to go for a day's work.

A numbek of civil cases were set down for hearing at the Magistrates' Court this morning, but whether the parties concerned were oblivious of the fact that this was the weekly Court day ; whether the plaintiffs did not think that in tbe present depressed times a judgment was worth' gettiug ; whether the defendants did not trouble themselves to appear, because conscious that, if ordered to pay, they had not the wherewithal) to satisfy the demand runde upon them, or whatever might have been the reason, the Bench, the Clerk and the messenger had the Court house to themselves and nothing was done, because, apparently, nothing had to be done. The following telegrams dated Calcutta July 3 and 5 appear in the Melbourne papers:— The British cavalry have defeated the Afghaus at Yarmatt and killed 200 of the enemy. — The Gnilzai tribe are again evincing active hostility. Theyat'acked a convoy conveying supplies to the Cabul army, aud were beaten back with a loss of six British troopers. A recent London telegram to the Melbourne Aye says: — A terrible catastrophe is reported from New York. The excursion steamer Sewanhaka, running between New York and Brooklyn, took fire yesterday while crowded with passengers. An attempt was made to beach the steamer on Long Island, but without success, and the vessel burnt tp

the water s edge. On the alarm of fire being given a pam'c ensued among the passengers, many of whom jumped overboard and were drowned.

Hall op Commebce Clothing DepartSient. — T. S. Wymond & Co. are showing special lines during this week in Men's Heavy Tweed Suits, 305.; Men's Tweed Troweers and Vests, 15s lid ; Men's Tweed Trowsers, 9s 6d ; Men's Tweed Vests, 5s lid; Tweed Coats, 15s 6d ; Men's White Mole Trowsers, 5s lid ; Men's Pelt Hats; fts lid j Men's Collars, 4d per box.— Advt.