NOTES FROM NELSON.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume I, Issue 11, 4 March 1890, Page 2

NOTES FROM NELSON.

(From Our Own Correspondent).

The cry for " rain " still continues from all parts of the district—in fact I might say from all parts of the colony—and yet not a drop falls in response. Special prayers were offered in tl|| churches last Sunday for it, not j| much for town use but for the farmajjp who in nearly every case are very ha|l 'pushed on account of the scarcity of water, owing to this almost unprecedented drought. Streams and wells, which were never before known to run dry, are now empty—and still the vexed question re water supply is about as far from being settled as ever. Letters on the subject appear frequently in both the daily papers, some writers offering a suggestion and others an entirely different one. To my mind it is a case of "too many cooks spoil the broth." Have not you got amongst you an engineer of sufficient cleverness, who can make water run up hill and so turn one of your rivers, say the Wairau, into the fair City of Nelson— then perhaps the mayor, councillors, would be counsellors, and the public in general would be satisfied! Or perhaps nothing less than an amazon (I don't mean a female warrior—although I think she might be able to settle the question more quickly than the belicose scribblers who seem to delight in filling onr newspapers with their flatulent effusions—but the river of that name) would be sufficient to satisfy their wants !

Wesleyan Chubch. The new church is now well night completed, and already the work of erecting the organ is being got on with, having been commenced on Tuesday morning by Messrs Sanford and Parsons of Ohristchurch. The new structure is a great improvement on its predecessor, and reflects great credit on the architect. The interior of the church is nearly finished, but as yet it is impossible to give accurate account of its appearance. The sitting accomodation will be very great and there is only one point missing to make the edifice in every way complete—for is not the spire a point? And it is that which this otherwise very perfect church lacks. Owing to shortness of funds the building of a spire has been postponed, it is to be hoped, however, for no great length of time. The present building has rather a strange history attached to it. The foundation stone was laid with great eclat by our present Governor, Lord Onslow, whilst on his first visit to Nelson, when this being his first appearance in public a half holiday was proclaimed. All the Protestant denominations assembled in great numbers to witness the ceremony—our Bishop, now Primate of New" Zealand, being present. The architect, a Napier man, soon after the starting of the work found it necessary to seek the protection of the court; and shortly afterwards the builder, Mr A. Brown, of this city, followed the same course. Through Mr Brown's bankruptcy it is likely that an action will shortly be commenced against the Union Bank of Australia by the official assignee for the refunding of certain moneys paid into his account after the issuing of a writ against him by one of his creditors.

ACCIDENT. A somewhat painful accident happened to Mr Percy Adams a few days ago. It appears that while running after a stag, which he had wounded, he stumbled and struck his knee against a sharp projecting piece of rock. At first it was thought the knee cap was injured, but it is now believed that beyond a severe cut or two no serious injury occurred. As Mr Adams is such an enthusiastic sportsman, and one of the best deer stalkers in the district, he will feel the loss of the use of his leg very much till, such time as he can get about again. What, howevever, will be his loss will I think prove the stags gain ! Midland Railway. Mr J. G. Harkness, the city representative, left for Wellington on Sunday to interview the Ministers on several important matters relating to this district, foremost amongst which was that with reference to the starting operations at the Belgrove end of the Midland Railway. Some considerable time having elapsed since the general manager of the company, Mr Robert Wilson, was here and nothing having yet been done, as a natural result the people getting impatient telegraphed asking the cause of delay. Between Mr Harkness and the telegrams, Mr Fell, one of the local directors, received the following message from the manager last Wednesday:—"l have sent instructions to obtain tenders for the survey at once." This seems satisfactory, and has eased the people's minds considerably. Missing. On Friday last news reached town that Mr Jacques Ribet, an old and extremely well-known settler of the Buller, had been absent from his home since the previous Sunday. Accompanied by his dog Mr Ribet left his place on that day, and on the following Tuesday the dog returned, but up to the present time no trace has been

been found of its mister. The whole of the men in the surrounding district have, turned out to search for the missing man; the river has been followed for miles and dynamite used in the big pools, in fact everything that could be done has been done, and now time alone., will solve the mystery. Mr #ibet hasitlways been noted for being jone of the Strongest and best swimmers ; ,i£ tlie district. Entertainments. Mr Charles Santley, the great baritone, arrived here yesterday, and in the evening made his first appearance in the. Theatre Royal. The building was crowded, and he met with an enthusiastic reception. The two songs which brought forth applause were the " Vicar of Bray " and " O ! Ruddier than the Cherry," which were magnificently rendered. Mr Santly proceeds to Blenheim by the morning's coach. To-morrow the SeymourI Walshe Company open a short season of three nights, when the well-known "Maritana" will be produced. On Wednesday next the American Coloured Minstrels will appear before a ! Nelson public for the first time, 1 Lately they have been performing in 1 Wellington, where they have met with great success. We are to have a circus 1 here shortly, I believe, which has been ' for some time performing in Dunedin. 1 Altogether Nelson is fairly lively now 5 in the way of entertainments. I Nelson, Feb. 28,1890.