News of the Day.

ASSEMBLY EOOM. This popular place of entertainment was opened on Monday evening for a short theatrical season by Miss Adelaide Bowring, Mr. and Mrs. Lachlan M'Gowan, aud Mr. J. B. Steele, all of whom, we believe, are new to a Nelson audience. The Room had received considerable alterations to render it more suitable for dramatic representation, the stage having been raised and enlarged, and a proscenium erected. With a few scenic additions, the Assembly Room will be one of the prettiest aud most comfortable little theatres in the colony. The entertainment commenced with a smart little comedietta, intitled a Matrimonial Episode, upon which, as we arrived late, and saw only the last scene, we shall offer no remark. In the second part, Miss Bowring and Mr. Stccle gave two or three scenes from Macbeth, and the acting of the lady was the theme of goueral commendation, while that of Mr. Steelo, if not marked by any special excellence, was a level and creditable piece of acting. Tho house was but thinly filled, as is often tho. case in Nelson on an opening night, and , there were other reasons why the performers should not have felt themselves quite at homo. On their second appearance this evening, unless we are greatly mistaken, both actors and actresses will be seen to far great advantage. Miss Bowring possesses many high qualities for tho tragio stage. She has a fine voice over which she has perfect command, her intonation is pure, and her figure commanding. The impression the two or three 'scenes of Macbeth gave was, that she scarcely did herself justice. On a better stage, and with more of the accessories of the drama, wo can readily believe Miss Bowring to be an actress of considerable powers, and so strongly are we possessed with this opinion that wo look forward with interest to her performance this evening. The farce of Nothing to Wear was made exceedingly amusing by Mr. and Mrs. M'Q-owan ; and the little comedy of the Young Widoio wound up tho entertainment: All tho parts in this were well performed. Mrs. M"Gowan played the widow with great spirit, Miss Bowring, as the serving maid, was quito at home, and tho Splash of Mr. M'Q-owan brought down repeated roars of laughter. The songs incidental to the piece were pleasingly sung and well received. Tho entertainment on the whole was very enjoyable, if we except the ill-bred behaviour of smoking in the gallery — a practice we recommend the management not to permit to be repeated, unless it wishes to keep ladies from attending. Institution for Promoting Science and Industry. — A special meeting of the members of this I society is called for this evening. Tho object of tho meeting is jioticed in tho advertisement. Sudden Death. — An old man named Charles Samuel Cave, residing near Richmond, died somewhat suddenly on Tuesday afternoon, about two o'clock. Cave, who although seventy-two years of age followed his trade as a cooper, was at work in his shop at a short distance from his residence, when his wife heard him call her by name. On going to sco what he wanted, she found the old man lying on the shavings. In a few brief words he spoke of his approaching death and the Buccour his son would render his mother, and then expired. An inquest was held on the body yesterday, and a verdict of " Died from natural cause," was given. This is tho third old settler in the Waimeas who has died within the last few weeks. Mr. Eyles, aged 80, living within half a mile of Mr. Cave, and Mr. Curran, of Wakefleld, of the same ripe age. Christ CnuROH Organ Fund Entertainment. The tenth and last of these entertainments took place last evening, and was one of the most successful of tho series. The Assembly Room was well filled, and the Rev. G-. H. Johnstone in his closing address Btated the financial condition of the fuud, by which we learn that it will require about £70 more to defray all the costs aud charges of the organ by the time it is erected. St. Mary's Church. — We have been requested to call attention to an advertisement, announcing the ceremony, on Sunday next, of the inauguration of two images for the entrance of the chancel of St. Mary's Church. Vespers will be chanted by the choir, accompanied by the harmonium. The Board of Works and the Gas Question. — At the fortnightly meeting of the Board of Works, held on Friday evening last, Mr. Haddow, one of the members, raised a discussion regarding the conduct of Mr. Burn, in accompanying a deputation of the Board to the Superintendent on a question of business, and speaking to his Honour on the subject of gas. In order to test the feeling of tho other members, Mr, Webb moved, "That this Board approves of the course adopted by Mr. Burn in bringing the subject of gas before his Honour the Superintendent." Mr. Haddow moved, as an amendment, " That this Board disapproves of the conduct of Mr. Burn in going on the gas question along with the deputation appointed at last meeting of the Board." After a good deal of discusBion, the amendment was negatived, and the original motion carried, by the casting vote of the Chairman. Mr. D. Burns, while not approving of the course taken by Mr. Burn, condemned the wording of the amendment as too strong, and did not vote, and Mr. Black, the remaining member, of the Board, was absent. A good deal of altercation followed, which is not worth reporting, the Board however deciding, on a requisition from thirty-five ratepayers, to call a public meeting to discuss again the question of gas for the city. A circular received from the Provincial Secretary stated, that in accordance with the Payment of Provinces Act, tho sura of £4,800 was now available for division among the Road Boards of the province, and it was requested that he might be furnished with a statement of receipts and expenditure of the Board, together with the source from which the receipts were derived, and the service on which the expenditure was incurred. Tho consideration of the letter was deferred until the next meeting. G-as. — The Board of Works, we perceive, have determined to bring the gaa question before the ratepayers, and have called a public meeting for Monday evening next. Sale ov Fat Cattle. — Mr. Stavert held a sale of fat cattle at Richmond, on Monday, from Mr. Atkinson's run, on the Clarence. Twenty-three beasts, estimated to average 700 lbs. each, were sold at prices varying from £8 10a. to £12 10s.—averaging over £10 each. Doran's Reef. — At a meeting of subscribers to form a Company to work the above valuable reef, held on Monday evening last, it was announced that shares sufficient had been applied for to justify the Provisional Directors in proceeding with the formation of the Company, and in making arrangements for machinery, so that work may be commenced with as little delay as possible. A strong feeling was expressed by several of the gentlemen present, that it might be well to close tho list as soon as sufficient shares were subscribed for to furnish capital to put machinery on tho ground and get tho mine at work, devoting the first profits to enlarging the plant*

Perse veeance Gold -Mining Company. — The Lady Barkly, on Saturday last, brought from Col lingwood the result of the last crushing of the Perseverance Company. The yield is pretty regular — something over half an ounce to the ton, 260 tons yielded 130 ounces of gold. As the quantity of stone is very great, wo shall be glad to see more crushing power employed so as to givo larger returns. Permissive Bill.— The Press of the 15th instant, says :—": — " By a private letter received from Wellington we learn that ifc is probable a Permissive Bill will be brought into the Assembly next session by the Hon. the Premier, and that a vigorous effort will be made to support the movement by the various Temperance Societies and others throughout New Zealand." Telegraphy. — On the arrival of tho late San Francisco mail in Auckland, the telegram amounting to 2,900 words was transmitted to the Thames in the space of a little over two hours and a quarter, or at the rate of over 21 words a minute. Tiie French at Tahiti. — Mr. Nathan, a passenger to Auckland per Laititia, from Tahiti, reports that immediately on tho receipt of the war news at Papeete, the Admiral's flagship, Astre, with a frigate, left for Valparaiso 5 100 natives are working night and day fortifying Papeete. The Chevert and a gunboat remain to protect the town. The German Consul was ordered to haul down his flag, but refused until official information was received.

Mr. James SimmoncU, comedian, died of apoplexy, at Auckland, on the 17th instant. An extensive bed of lignite has been discovered in the neighbourhood of the Thames, about eight miles from the coast. A man named Stephen O'Neill was killed on the 6th instant, at Ararimu, Auckland, by the fall of the branch of a tree, whilst felling bush. Major-G-eneral Sir Trevor Chute, and Lady Chute, arrived in Auckland by the Hero, on the 19th instant, en route for England, via San Francisco. The distillery eroding in Official Bay, Auckland, by Mr. J. Cawkwell, is nearly completed, and will be at work as soon as the refrigerator, ordered from Sydney, arrives. Mr. George Cox, of Waiuku, Auckland, has strayed from his home and cannot be heard of. lie had for some time been of unsound mind, and it is feared ho has drowned himself. The papers in Melbourne call upon the Government to put down public displays of national feeling in that colony. At Ballarat, the French had marched through tho streets, singing the Marseillaise, and otherwise conducting themselves so as to excite the Germans, whose good sense, however, kept them from embroiling themselves. A magnificent meteor was observed on Monday evening last, about half-past six o'clock. It seemed to proceed from a northerly direction, describing an arc, and appeared to oxplodo over and fall in the vicinity of the Wood. A very brilliant aurora was also visible on Monday evening, commencing shortly after eight o'clock and lasting until after midnight. Tho rapid increase of the Chineso element on the gold-fields in tho Lake district, Otago, is viewed with great disfavour by the European miners. The Chinese are buying up claims on all sides, and the consequence is that as soon as the European miners find themselves outnumbered in any locality (hey clear out altogether, and leave " John " in undisputed possession. Several cases of trichinosis have occurred on board the German immigrant ship Victoria which lately arrived at Hobart Town, tho captain, two mates, cook, and a young girl who was an intermediate pasBenger, having been attacked by this disease. The captain states it as his belief, that he and his fellowsufforers were infected by eating of a ham which was on board. The Armed Constabulary at Waihi are constructing two largo blockhouses, ono of them being nearly finished, the size of it he would judge to be about 80 ft. long and 30 ft. wide ; a deep trench has been dug out all round, and tho quarters of the officers and men are ball proof. Ono peculiar feature of the fence is, thrrfc holes have been made inside the palisading, bo that by opening a port hole, the men can obtain a range tho level of tho ground. Mr. G. W. Holland, manager of a flax-mill at Patea, was recently engaged conducting a pile to be used in somo erections under the clitf, and was in the act of leaning over it when tho slip fell on his back, crushing his chest against the beam, and also breaking ono of his legs. He was extricated, and medical assistance sent for. Dr. Walker promptly attended, but arrived only in time to see him breathe his last. An over zealous constable named Brady, who recently got himself into trouble by his officiousness in Wairarapa, on Saturday week last, at Wellington, of his own mere motion, and without any information being laid or charge made, took it on himself to arrest and lock up, on a charge of stealing, a respectable man, well known in tho town, and a young girl, who to all appearance is of equally good character. These two were carried to the lock-up, and detained in custody for some hours until a stray justice was picked up to admit them to bail. On Monday they were placed in the dock, and charged, on Mr. Brady's information, but the evidence adduced failed to show that any crimo whatever had been committed, much less that Mr. Brown or Mies Clayton were criminals. The Post remarks : — " It is high time that such Dogberrys as Brady were brought to their senses, and taught what their duties as peace officers are."