NELSON HARMONIC SOCIETY.

The fifth Concert of the above Society took place last Thursday evening in the Provincial Hall, which was courteously placed at the disposal of the Committee for that purpose, an arrangement which appeared to give general satisfaction, for its larger space than the Masonic Hall, hitherto used, allowed very many more admissions to be issued, which secured a numerous audience, Beveral of whom would otherwise have been precluded from having the pleasure of hearing the musical amateurs of Nelson. The selections for the 'evening consisted of portions of Mendelssohn's Oratorio of St. Paul, which occupied the first port ; the second consisting of a selection of secular music. The two airs in the first part, for soprano and soprano secundo voices, were faithfully and artistically rendered ; and, although it is not the fashion for the audience to applaud in the sacred portion of the performance, the fair songstresses may well be content with the subdued buzz of admiration which followed the conclusion of each air. Indeed, the whole of the first part, though somewhat heavy, was given effectively, and each performer did her or his best to do justice to the efficient training of Mr. Walcot, the Society's able conductor. It would be invidious were we to criticize each performer, but we may fairly mention the song with flute obligato accompaniment, Bishop's duet of "As it fell upon a day," and the " Mocking-bird," with chorus ; nothing better could have been wished than the finished style in which they were given. The fantasia for the piano, so ably performed by our fair pianist, was a great treat, for style and delicacy of touch, with perfectly distinct articulation of each note, in passages which have exceedingly puzzled us to understand how they could have been produced so rapidly, yet so truly. We heartily congratulate the Society on the st ady progress it is making, and trust ere long to hear that another musical treat is in preparation. We cannot but observe that the fittings of the platform and lighting of the Hall were exceedingly good, reflecting much credit on the activity and good taste of the committee and their painstaking secretary.

House of Representatives.— The election of a representative to the General Assembly for the suburban districts, to supply the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. B. Wetiyss, Esq., took place in the school house, Stoke, on Thursday last. W. Wells, Esq., was proposed by Mr. Pollock, and seconded by Mr. W. R. Nicholson, and, there being no other candidate, was declared duly elected. Mr. Wells, in returning thanks, referred to the terms of peace recently offered by the Governor to the natives, which he stated received his full approval, and he hoped the time had now arrived when the natives would be taught that they were equally bound, with the European colonists, to respect law and order.

Provincial Council Dinner.— The Members of the Provincial Council, at the close of the session on Tuesday last, dined together at the Wakatu hotel, where an excellent repast was served up by Mr. Mills. In the absence of the Speaker, caused by a domestic bereavement, Mr. Elliott took the chair, Mr. Parker acting as vice-chairman. All the members of the Council in town at the time were present, except Dr. Renwick, who was kept away by professional duties ; his Honour the Superintendent was present by invitation, as was also the highlyrespected Clerk of the Council, G. White, Esq. The agreeable feature of the evening was the absence of all personal acerbity between those who are known as political opponents, which is, in fact, a marked feature in Nelson political life.