Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 310, 30 December 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1881.

, The concert at the Theatre last night was in every way a great succes?. The front seats were literally filled to overflowing, as the barrier, bet ween them and the back seats had to be removed several rows back in order to accoramodite ticket holders. The gallery was also largely patronised, "W. the bacK seals, were not so full. The programme was alm-lst too' liberal, comprising a3 it did no less thantwenty-three item's, two or three of whicb, however, from one cause or another had to be omitted. Mrs George Cotterell was put down for two songs, but it is scarcely necessary to say that so great a favorite with the oublic was encored on both occasions. Mr Walcot, once to familiar to to Nelson concert goers, but who haß now been absent for eight years, -was received with a storm of applanse and waa heartily encored after each of his songs. Madame Summerhayes' performances on the piano \ elicited unmistakeable demot-Stratioos of approval, as:did also Mr Bat nett's playing on the violin, to listen tb which is alwaya a treat Several other ladies and gentlemen gave their assistance, and what witb encore* and the original length of the programme, it was past eleven before one of the pleasantest concerts we have been present at was brought to a close. The financial result cannot be otherwise tban highly satisfactory to tbe lady for whose benefit it was given. A goodlt number of visitors attended fche Exhibition yesterday, iadeed it appears to be becoming day by day a more favorite place of resort for those who hava an hour or two to dispose of. Last night tbe Naval Brigade Fife and Drum Band played at intervals, and were occasionally relieved by two young ladies on tbe piano. It is proposed, we believe, to close the Exhibition aboufc the middle of next week. Me Mabin reports the sale at auction of fat cattle from the Pelorus at prices ranging from £6 15s to £7 per head. We understand tbat Madame Summerhayes was last night appointed organist at the Wesleyau Churcb. The southern electoral district from whence the writ has not yet been returned as reported by our Wellington correspondent* yesterday, is Waikouaiti, not Rodney, 83 has since been telegraphed. The candidates were Messrs J. Green and A. Thompson, the former of whom was returned. Lucas's Almanack for 1882 which, a? usual, is foil of useful information on a large variety of subjects, is now published, and is obtainable from any of the agents, a list of whom will be found on the fourth page. The 'Grey River Argus' describes the new member for Greymouth as a "fluent, fussy, little gentlpman, who has an insatiable desire to havo a finger in every pie, and is not very likely to promote the interests of the electorate, whatever be may do for bis own" Thia is severe. It is a somewhat notable fact (says the Danedin sttr) bow completely during tbs rccsnt electious the question of local selfgovernment was shelved. The candidates who in their earliest addresses gave tbis prominence, and sought to convey in ai many words as possible how little they really knew on the subject, finding that they had altogether misconceived public opinion in tbe matter, gracefully subsided into silence. Mr Macandrew himself, the high priest of the new creed of " radical decentralisation," conflnedhimself toa few general remarks 1 on the subject, in which he took occasion to deplore that his efforts for the regeneration of the Colony hid not been appreciated. Mr Bathgate, after the great flourish of trumpets wherewith he commenced the campaign, sounded not another note in favor of constitutional reform, being sagaciout enough to perceive that the political cat was not at all likely to jamp in this direction, and that Otago afc all events had had its fill of Provincialism, and wbb by no means eager to -return to the high'y problematical fleshpots. Whatever errors of judgment Ministers may have committed, they were clearly right in tbeir expressed conviction that the people of 'New Zealand were quite .satisfied with existing institutions, although naturally desiring that these Bhould be strengthened and expanded, in order that their uzofalnega might be secured and increased. . The Freemasons' Hall Company of Danedin held a special meeting last week to consider an -offer from Bro. William Thompson to band over £1,000 as a gift to the company on certain conditions, ono of which was that after the donor's death the sum of £50 should be set asido annually for Masonic charities. The offer was accepted with thanks. Replying to an address from the Queenstown Battery of Artillery, Mr Fergus, M.H.R., is reported by the local paper to have said that " As an old volunteer he had always taken considerable interest in the force in New Zealand, and thought that if proof were needed of its value and usefulness, it was only necessary to point to the service rendered at the late Native difficulty at Parihaka. He also thought, with such a fine body of men ready to tako up arms on any emergency, that one-half of the present force of Armed Constabulary could be safely dispensed with. He was of opinio* the Volunteers of the Colony had not beeu fairly recognised of late, and in his Beat ia thei House of Representatives— and out of it— he should studiously watch their interests, and endeavor to see greater justice done them in the future." Says the New Zealand Times :— lt is somewhat singular that the election for the Buller district bas been decided against Mr Eugene Joseph O'Conor by the votes of the Karamea settlers. He, as will be remembered, was entrusted with the charge of that special settlement; and although he incurred a good deal of odium and disrepute among the settlers owing to his method of management, and, by their votes, lost one or more elections to the Buller County Council, he had stated in his recent election speeches that an entire reversal of opinion had'set in, and he anticipated getting four votes to one among the Karamea settlers. Resnlts prove that they still keep up their ancient grudge. A correspondent of the Lyttelton Times writes: — "Lyeil is very prosperous. Wages are high— twelve shillings a day, and upwards. There are no unemployed, except these who are living on their incomes. It is something marvellous to hear the tales told of the incomes realised by some of the miners, aud it is difficult to resist the contagion of speculation. But I did resist, for I remembered the adyice giveu me by an old miner who bad been in California, Victoria, and New Zealand : " The only person who can speculate with any chance of success in a quartz mine is a practical miner who ii at •■•"lr in <b" *-*i*n." Tms seems common i Moi.t.c, and Yri-.n one find* people who have

never keen the inine, or even the district in which it is situated, speculating on the strength of reports which they oannot by any possbility understand, one is not much inclined to pity them if they lobo. The lnangahua Times of the 21st inst says :— " The Railway Commissioners in spite of the unfavorable weather, are making the fullest use of their time. On Monday last they were driven out to Boatman's by Cr Byrne, and shown over the principal miuesttiere. Yesterday the party, under the same leadership, visited the Golden Fleece, workings, and were shown through the mine by Mr J. Trennesy. A visit was afterwards paid to other of the principal gold and coal mines in the locality. 'Jhe Commissio ne*s next proceeded to Lankoy Gully, and inspected the monster coal seams there, returning to Eeefton in the afternoon. This morning the party proceeded to Cannibal Gorge, via the Maruia route, and willbe absent three or four days. The County Council have attended iii every possible way to the equipment of the party for the journey and all that remains to hope is that the weather may smile benignantly upon" the' undertaking. Mr Thornton, who is familiar with the country/will accompany the party.