Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 242, 3 December 1880, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1880.

A presentation of a very handsome gold Albert chain and locket was made in the Drill Shed last night to Lieutenant West by his comrades of the H Battery of Artillery, of whom there was a full muster, 55 being on parade. The Bishop of Nelson, the chaplain to the corpß, Baid that he had been invited "by Major Pitt to request the acceptance by Lieutenant West of the accompanying articles as an indication of the respect and esteem in which he was held by the officers and men of the Battery, and it afforded him very much pleasure to accept the duty, for he was sure the expression of approbation of the diligence and devotion displayed by Mr West both as Lieutenant and Secretary was no more than he deserved. A lieutenant was a locum tenens, and a great deal of the efficiency of a body of troops was generally due not only to the officer in command, but to the loduta tenentes, and in that responsible position Lieutenent West had performed bis duties most faithfully, as he had also done in the civil position of Secretary, an office which in a Volunteer corps involved a large amount of unpaid work and the giving up of a considerable portion of his time by him who held it. He could see that in the future it would require all the zeal and devotion of such men as Lieutenant West to keep the Volunteer movement alive, and he thought the Battery was to be congratulated upon having so painstaking an officer and Secre-

tary. His Lordship then presented Mr West with the chain and locket, and read the following address, which was neatly engrossed and illuminated by Mr Stanton, jun. !— " To Burton West, Esq., Lieutenant H Battery New Zealand Artillery Regiment, — We, the officers, non-cotnmksioned officers, and gunners of the H Buttery N.Z.A. Regiment, deßire your acceptance of the accompanying souvenir as a mark of our appreciation of your services as an officer of the Battery, and also as Honorary Secretary, which latter position you have so ably and energetically filled during a period of five years, and further to testify to the high esteem in which you are held by every member of the Battery. We sincerely trust that you may long continue to be associated with 'us as an officer of the Regiment to which we belong, feeling sure that you will always maintain your present well-deserved reputation as an efficient and zealous Volunteer officer. (Signed on behalf of the members of the Battery) Albert Pitt, M H.R., Captain commanding. Nelson, Dec. 2, 1880." Three hearty cheers having been given for Lieut. We9t, that gentleman said that he did not know how to thank his comrades for their handsome present, or the Bishop for the manner in which he had spoken of him, nor was be aware what he had done to deserve it, for he had merely tried to do his duty, as he was sure every man in the Battery had done. The Secretary's duties, he admitted, were occasionally irksome, but they would have been far more so had it not been for the willing assistance reudered by the non-commissioned officers, and especially by Sergeant-Major Wimaett. He felt that be held a very responsible position during Major Pitt's absence, and he desired to thank the whole battery for the regularity with which they had attended drill during that time, and also for the manner in which they had volunteered their services at the time when an outbreak was threatening in the North Island. He never felt so proud in hia life as when, in response to his question how many were ready to go if necessary, they all stepped forward to a man. He wished again to express his gratitude to them for their very handsome present. — Cheers were then given for the Bishop of Nelson, for Dr Rogers, the newly-appointed surgeon to the corps, and for Major and Mrs Pitt, and this concluded the ceremony. Owing to the rough state of the weather the Wakatu was unable to leave Wanganui yesterday, and the Comedy and Burlesque Company have consequently been compelled to postpone their opening night until Monday next. ' The Naval Brigade and Artillery will fire for ordnance prizes to-morrow afternoon, the former from their guns on Haulashore Island, and the latter from the north end of Colling, wood-street. Masters of vessels and others are warned not to cross the line of fire.

A very painful ac ident occurred at the Anchor Foundry yesterday afternoon to a young man nnroed John Brown, one of the employees in the establishment, who was engaged in removing a heavy iron wheel from a portable engine, when it fell over on his left toot, completely crushing the whole of the four smaller toes. He was at once removed to Dr. Rogers' surgery, and it was found necessary to amputate all the damaged portion of the foot. Mr Brown had recently been on a trip to England, and had only resumed work at the Foundry on Monday last. We are glad to learn that he is progressing favorably. The return match between the Nelson and Wakefield Cricket Clubs will take place in the Botanical Reserve to-morrow. Considerable interest is taken in tbis match by the public, and it is probable that the anticipations of a close game and good cricket will be realised. The two teams will leave the Masonic corner by coach at 9.20, and play will commence at 9 30, The following players will represent the Felson Club : — Askew, Balmain, Barnett, Boddington E., Boddington H., Firth (captain), Greenfield, Halliday, Holmes, Lawry, and Naylor. The Wakefield Club will be represented by the following:— Arnold, Bird, T. Eden, W. Eden, G. Fowler, L. Fowler, S. Fowler, W. Fowler, Knapp, Silcock, and Waclsworih. Cole's Circus was unable to open at its advertised time in Wellington on account of the gale that was blowing, for which the tents were no match, one of them being rent in several places and the others having to be lowered. In reporting the circumstance tbe Post naively remarks: — "Ifc is singular that whenever a large circus come to Wellington the wind nearly always mars its opening."

The profits of the Victoria Racing Club by tbeir last meeting amounted to the large sum of between £1 1,000 and £12,000. Ihe club, having this large sum in hand, will no doubt still further increase the value of the Derby and Cup. Writing of the murdered Miss Dobie the Auckland Star says: — She was about 20 years of age, and in her family and amongst ber friends 'bad tbe reputation of being a plucky and courageous girl — one who would readily undertake adventures and run physical risks which would unman many of the Bterner Bex. She was one who would not be terrified into hysterics at the sight of a ruffianly assailant, but one who would resist desperately and with all her might any attempted assault. It is this determination, doubtless, which has cost her her life. Some time ago Miss Dobie with several friends was sojourning at Fiji. They became very friendly with tbe natives, and although all the rest of the party mistrusted them and were loth to venture far from the haunts of civilisation Miss Dobie never shared their timidity. She was brave unto rashness. The young lady was an enthusiastic aketcher, and whenever she travelled it waß alwajs a primary consideration with her that her portfolio and drawing materials were bandy and ready for use. Special attention is called to the pricelist of the Rodanow Manufacturing Co., of Boston, U.S.A., published in these columns. All those wishing to secure an excellent and correct timekeeper are recommended to address themselves to this old and reliable firm. No further evidence of the invariable good quality of their manufactures will be required beyond the following facts: The firm was established in 1849, and siDce then has gained prize medals at the Exhibitions of London, Paris, Vienna, etc., for excellence of manufacture. They are appointed, by, warrant, watchmakers to the Queen of England , Prince of Wales, the Emperor of Russia and the Bey of Tunis.