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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 244, 14 October 1880, Page 2

There was a large muster of the Volunteers at the monthly inspection parade last night, the total number present being 344, distributed as follows:— Stnff, 2; Band, 14; Artillery, 56; City Rifles, 33; Stoke Rifles, 56; Waimea Rifles, 43; Naval Brigade, 40; Artillery Cadets, 43; College Cadets, 25; City Cadets, 32. After an inspection of the arms had been made by Major Pitt, the several companies, headed by the Battalion Band, proceeded across to the Botanical Gardens, where they were put through a number of manoeuvres by Captain Webb, District Adjutant, the majority of which were performed creditably The Volunteers then marched back to the Drill Shed, where they were dismissed. The country corps, numbering 99 strong, came to town by train at a quarter past seven, and returned home at half-past nine. It is intended to have battalion drill on Monday night. The second of the series of centenary services was held yeßterday evening in Christ Church, which was thoroughly well filled in all parts, many being present who had not heard the Church of England service for years The service was choral, the number of hymns being unusually large, aud the organist and choir are to be congratulated upon the very successful and spirited manner in which they led the singing, which waß very heartily joined in by all present. The prayers were read by the Rev J. Lelghton, the Incumbent, to the end of the third collect, and thence by tbe Rev T. A. Bowden, aud the lessons by the Rev T. S. Grace and the Yen. Archdeacon Mules. An earnest and impressive sermon was preached by the Right Rev the Bishop of Nelson from the striking text Genesis xliv., 34, " Ifor how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me ?" From this he deduced the principles upon which Sunday school work should be carried on, namely, the Fatherhood of God in Christ Jesus extending to all the children, the desire of God that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth, and the anxiety necessary in those who teach for the welfare of the young, the work being one of life aud death. At one part of the sermon a pause was made for silent prayer, when all teachers werfe invited (o make a re consecration of themselves to their work. At the close of the sermon the, hymn " Saviour, Bleesed Saviour" was sung after which the Bishop read the words : — "Peace I give unto you ; my peace I leave with you ; not as the world giveth, give I unto you," and the service was then brought to a termination with the beautiful hymn " Peace, perfect peace in this dark world of sin," from the " Hymnal Companion." Tonight a public meeting commencing at seven o'clock will be held at the Theatre, at which Sir William Fox will preside, and appropriate addresses will be delivered by several of tba clergy and others. His Worship the Mayor has received from the Colonial Secretary a parcel of seeds of the wild vine of California, which possesses tbe peculiar recommendation of being proof against the ravages of the phylloxira. The seeds were sent to New Zealand from San b rancisco by Mr Creigbton for distribution through the colony, and anyone desirous of experimenting with them in Nelson may obtain a few on application at the Town Clerk's office. An extract from Mr Creighton's letter which accompanied the seeds will be found on tbe fourth page. The Suez mail, which arrived at the Bluff last Sunday, will be brought to Nelson by the Wanaka to-morrow. Sir William Fox, who is one of the pleaßantest lecturers to whom we have ever listened, has kindly consented to give a short narrative of a trip made by him through America at the Temperance Hall to-morrow night. The receipts will be devoted to the Temperance Hall fuud. The N. Z. Times notes it as a curious fact that the conveyance of the Suez mail from the Bluff to Wellington invariably occupies rs much or more time than its transit from Melbourne to New Zealand. Mr Proctor's astronomical lecture at Dunedin on Tuesday night was attended by 2000 persons. "H M.S. Pinafore," says the JV. Z. Times of yesterday, will veritably be a real ship on Thursday next, for the operetta will be produced on board the St. Leonards, now lying at the Queen's wharf , Captain Todd having generously placed his vessel at the disposal of the company, and the City Council having granted the necessary concessions to charge admission to the wharf while the performance is in progress. The St. Leonards will, for the nonce, be the "Piuafore," the operatic story will be told or sang on her quarter-deck, Sir Joseph Porter, with his numerous female relatives, will embark in liia barge, and will be rowed to thn vessel, bis movements being heralded by discharge of cannon and flights of rockets. The vessel will be decorated and illuminated in proper style, and the whole affair will be carried out with minute attention to vraisrmblance and realistic effect. In anticipation of a great rush of patrons every possible precaution will be taken to secure their comfort, and freedom from annoyance, the services of the police, and also the fire police, being secured as a cordon of sentries to prevent any crush- ! ivg, or the presence of interlopers who may attempt to witness the spectacle and performance without disbursing the necessary coin. The smaller ports which are immediately to cease to be pone of entry ore Wnngarei, Foxton, Taurangn, IlAveloc.-k, and Kuikoura. The closing of the Customhouses at these places will enable the services of fourteen officers to be dispensed with, resulting in a saving of over £3000 a year to the Government. It is the intention of tbe Customs Department, under the powers given by the Customs Act of last session, to authorise tbe establishment of bonded warehouses at the five places named, so that practically no inconvenience will be caused by the closing, and the amount above stated will be saved. — N. Z. Times* The Post of Tuesday says : — A rumour was prevalent to-day that one of the Government measures in the direction of retrenchment would be the dismissal of all the Commissioners of Crown Lands in. the colony and the abolition of their office. It is hardly necessary to say that this is a mere canard, as the office of Crown Lands Commissioner is required by law, and could not be dispensed with unless by authority of fresh legislation. Even this, we believe, is not in contemplation, but we umiexfltand that

in cases where.the Commissioners' duties are very light, an effort will bo made to economise by transferring to them the charge of other public departments in conjunction with their other functions. In fact, by amalgamating several offices and placing them under the care of the Commissioners of Crown Lands.