Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 263, 29 December 1880, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1880.

Our cricketers have fully maintained their reputation at Wanganui, where they have inflicted a severe defeat on their opponents, winning the match with the loss of only a single wicket in the second innings. The bowling of Burns and Fowler appears to 'have been irresistible, while the email number of byes scored by the Wanganui men show that Halliday must have been quite up to bis usual form as longstop. It is to be hoped that the injury to his hand sustained by Firth is not sufficiently Berious to prevent his playing at Wellington where the match commences to-morrow morning. The result will be anxiously looked for here, where the wishes for the success of our representatives are as numerous as they are sincere. Our correspondent telegraphed from Wellington this morning as follows: — The Wakatu arrived this morning at seven o'clock after a most unpleasant passage. After leaving Wanganui a heavy westerly gale sprung up which continued till after

r J»&Bsing C«pe Teraw .::■ " (the team suffered considerably in consequence. They practise thia afternoon at the Basin Reserve. The Nelson men after their victory at Wanganui arc the favorites in the betting. The following players will represent Wellington : — Armitage, Blacklock, Brown, Francis, Hick eon, Knapp, Kennedy, Kuchen, Marchant, Page, and Salraond. The shifting of the Post office and office of Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages from the present building to the Telegraph office is to take place a little earlier than wns originally intended. The change will bo effected early to-morrow morning, and the office will be open to the public at nine a.m. The posting boxes are in front of the building, and the private boxes will be accessible from a side entrance at the south end The Franzini Company appeared at the Theatre Royal last night for the second time to a limited, audience. It ia matter for regret that they did not produce tho programme selected for that emersion on their first appearanfß here, as it was in every respect 51 great improvement on its predecessor, and gave the Company a better opportunity of showing of what they are capable. Every item on the programme appeared to be highly appreciated, and the upp'ause Was loud and frequent, Madamo Franziui caused both astonishment and delight by her wonderfully clever performances on tho bicycle. Mr Hollister was in flt:e voice, and sang the ballads entrusted to him with great care and effect. Mr Richards was also in capital voice, and sang his poition of the music in n very credllable manner. Mr George Masters' Dutch and Irish eccentricities created great amusement. The songs and dances by Mr Harry Hunter were well received, while the comic songs in character by the same gentlemuu gave rise to great laughter. The performance concluded with some choice selections from " Pinafore " (in character) by the Company, which were most enthusiastically received, while the dresses and general make-up were alike handsome and appiopriate VYe understand that the same programme will be repeated thia evening. It is said that the ballot upsets all calculations as to the result of an election, but it is a singular fact tbat Mr Graham's Committee yeßterday, after keeping tally of the ratepayers wbo went to the poll, set down the number of votes recorded in his favor iv precisely the same figures as those announced by the Returning Officer. Whether every one voted as was expected, or whether they were disappointed by some and agreeably surprised by others, can of course never be known, but the fact is one that is wbrihy of being recorded. The Bports to be held in the Botanical ReEei-ve on New Year's Day under the auspices of the Tradesmen's Athletic Club are likely to prove a great success. The programme is a mo3t liberal one, comprising as it does nineteen events, including three for the New Tear's Handicap, the Tug of War, a bicycle race of two miles, the Biby Show, which always attracts a large number of visitors, a mile race, and a variety of other minor events, all of which, however, will possess a co«flidGt'able amount of interest for the spectators, aud especially for the friends of those engaged iv them. The Band will be in attendance throughout the day, and there will be a dance in the large booth in tbe evening. Should the day prove fine, as New Year's Day in Nelson usually does, there should be a large gathering The following nre the distances declared iv tho New Year's Hanclicapof 100, 300, and 300 yards: — For the 100 yards: T. A. Askew, scratch; A. Lines, lyd; F. Smith, 3yds; A, Bird, fcyds; C. Maxted, 4ydßj G. Bell, syds; J. Ooleman, 4yds; E. Arnold, 6yds; B. Arnold, 6yds — For the 200 yards: Askew, scratch; Lines, scratch; Smith, syds; Bird, 5 yds; Coleman, 6yds; Maxted, Byds ; Bell Byds; E. Arnold, Byds; R. Arnold, 3yds— For the SOOyds: Askew, scratch} Lines, Bcratcb- Smith, oyds; Bird, 6yds; Coleman, '6yds; Bell, B.vdß; K. Arnold, 10yds; Maxted, 10yds; R. Arnold, 12yds. The festival of St. John the Evangelist was celebrated by the Southern Star Lodge of Freemasons last night, when there was a large attendance of members and visitors. The following officers were installed for the ensuing year t—W-.MjiJrd. G. Naylor ; S. W.. Bro. Captain Webb ; J.W., Bro. Bolton; W.T., Bro P.W.M. Dr Scaly j W.S , Bro T. Scott ; S.D., Bro. Pratt ; J.D., Bro. B»innehr ; J G., Bro. Lightfoor, After the installation between 50 and «0 But down to a capital supper provided by Host Tregeu, which was followed by music and singinß, lasting until an early hour iv the morning.