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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue XVI, 28 July 1881, Page 2

Oub Moiueka correspondent telegraphs that Fowler'a Traveller's Rest lan at Riwaka was burned down at one o'clock this morning, nothing being saved but a few pictures. The building was insured in the National for £400. It is with great regret that we announce the death of Mr Charles Watts, which took place at 9 o'clock this morning after a protracted and painful illness. He was one of the pioneers of the Nelson Province, where, alternately with Marlborough, he has resided for more than, forty years, and there are very many, especially among the older settlers in these two districts, who on reading this announcement, will feel that they have lost a trua, a valued, and a warmhearted friend. The debate on Mr Ormond's amendment, which is becoming somewhat wearisome from bsing spun out so long, is likely to be brought to a conclusion to-night, and the result of the division will be known to-mor-row. The Parliamentary telegrams, which are shorter than usual on account of the House adjourning at a comparatively early hoar, will be found on the fourth page. We have much pleasure in learning that another of the scholarships at the Canterbury Agricultural College has been awarded to a Nelson youth. At the first examination for these scholarships Master Rogers a pupil &*j the Ricbniord Boys' school was a successful candidate, and today Master Harold L. Ellis (son of Mr Stead Ellis, Secretary to the Education Board,) until recently a pupil of Mr Chepmell's at the Town Boys' school, and who was a candidate at the recent examination, has received an intimation that a School cf Agriculture Echolarßhip has been awarded to him. A keeting of the creditors in the estate of Dr Monckton was held at the Court House yesterday afternoon, Mr John Graham in the chair. The statement of resets and liabilities showed the former to be estimated at £250, besides half an acre of land at Riverton mortgaged to the Building Society for £250, and a stable on the property rented by the debtor iv Nelson. The liabilities were stated to be £603 4a lid, divided amongst 36 creditors iasunis varying from Is 6d up to £100. The debtor, under examination, said that his present position wai brought about through want of work, he having been deceived as to the opening which existed in Nelson. Mr Scaife was unanimously appointed creditors' trustee, and the meeting terminated. It may interest barley shippers to know that the price for Australian in London last month was 33s per 4481b5, New Zealand oats, goad heavy quality, 30s per £841bB, lighter sorts, 23s 6d per 3201b5. From a list published in the N.Z. Times showing the annual and total amount of pensions pail by the colony, we learn that the yearly charge ia no less than £26,204, and the total paid up to the end of last year reaches the enormous sum of £169,065. The following appears in yesterday's N. Z Times : — The Affirmation in Lieu of Oattis Bill, introduced by Sir George Grey, and passed in the Lower House, was thrown out by the Council. ' Sir George Grey gave notice yesterday of introducing a second Bill to . the same effect. This is somewhat an unusual course, so far as parliamentary practice in this colony is concerned, but is, we understand, justified by House of Commons precedent. Sir George Grey's determination on the matter is shown in the following correspondence : — " Nelson, July 25, 1881.— From Mr Chas. Schoefield to Sir George Grey. ' Can you do anything more with Affirmation Bill 1 Kindly reply.' — Wellington, July 26, 1882. — From Sir George Grey to Mr. Schoefield : * I will never rest till Affirmation Bill becomes law. This can be carried out if those who prize freedom of conscience and thought aid me. That men, nominated and not chosen by their fellow-men, should have the power for their lives of keeping us bound in fetters, which compel us to do what we may abhor, or forfeit our dearest rights, makes us bondsmen. That we should be forced to pay them £200 a year each during their lives.to enable them to exercise such tyranny, if they please to do so, appears degrading to us.— G. Grey." Wk regret to learn that Mr Collins, M H.R. for the suburbs, has been unwell for some time, so much so as to he unable to attend to hirParlianientary duties. We understand that he purposes returning to Nelson for a few days to recruit his health as soon as the divison on Mr Ormond's amendment is over. The Post of Tuesday says :— Up to this afternoon there is little sign of any cessation in the continuous wet and boisterous weather wb : sh has prevailed during the last ten days. Tbe rain which has fallen in that period, i.e., since lait Friday week ii more than three incheß ii excesß of the average fall for the whole mtnih during tbe previous sixteen yearß. The total rainfall from the 16th to the 26th amounted to no less than 919 inches, and in addition to this large quantity, 0.94 inches fell in the first four days of the month, thus bringing up tbe total bo far to 10'lS inches, the July average for 16 previous years being 610 incheß.