Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1882.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 273, 1 December 1882, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1882.

We may look for great political changes in the next session of Parliament. Yesterday we were informed by our Wellington correspondent of the approaching departure from the colony and probable resignation from politics of Sir John Hall, and to-day the Press Association tells us that Mr Stout is a candidate for the Peninsula seat rendered vacant by the death of Mr Seaton. The probability is that Mr Stout will be elected, and in that event he will without doubt oome to the front as one of the leaders, if not the leader, of the Opposition, and his attacks on the Government benches are likely to prove more successful than those of Mr Montgomery in the last session. Sir Henry Parkes — the Premier of New South AVales, who had just returned from a triumphal tour in England where he was made much of and afforded numerous opportunities, of which he availed himself to the utmost, of blowing his own trumpet and that of the colony he represented — has been the first to go down at the general election now taking place in New South Wales, having been defeated for East Sydney yesterday. No wonder, as the telegram tells us, <; great excitement prevails in the city to-night." This will be a terrible blow for Sir Henry, whose vanity was not the least prominent feature in his character, and who, judging by the bombastic style of his speeches in England, had got to look upon himself as a little king. He sacrificed at the shrine of popular favor, and, like many a co-worshipper, has learned how fickle and untrustworthy is the deity before whom he bowed down. The Customs revenue received at the port of Nelson for the month of November was £4300 against £2921 for the corresponding 1 period of the previous year. At a meeting of the Athletic Club held last night arrangements were made for the Boxing Day sports. A draft programme was prepared and there is every prospect of a day's excellent amusement. A meeting- of the Eailway Committee was held last night when arrangements were made for securing the attendance before the Commission of several gentlemen who are; well acquainted with the climate and character of the country which is traversed by the central route. The arrival of the Commissioners is expected by next Tuesday's steamer from Picton unless they should prefer to travel overland from Blenheim. Mr Travers, who is now in Reefton where he arrived last night overland from Christchurch , wil be in Nelson before Tuesday and will on that day or the following give evidence before the Commission. We have been informed that the late Mr E. Buxton has left a sum of £500, the interest of which is to be appropriated to the increase of the stipend of the clergyman officiating in the Stoke Church and ministering in the surrounding district. This seasonable bequest will very materially lessen the financial difficulties which have often pressed heavily on the church members in the district. The cricket match between the Auckland team and the Timaru Club was brought to a close yesterday afternoon, the visitors winning by six wickets. The Australasian of the 18th November has the following regarding the hop market :— On Friday hops were in good request. Ten cases 1879 Bavarians were sold at 2s 3d in bond, a parcel of ten bales prime Tasmanians at 4s 3d in bond, and trade sales of old Californians were reported at up to 3s in bond. On Monday a line of 20 pockets composed of Kent and Tasmanian was taken up at a considerable advance on prices lately paid. Quotations may be noted as under : — Victorian, 4s ; Tasmanian, 4s 3d; Kent, equal to 4s 4£d duty paid; Bavarian 2s 6d for 1879's and 3s for 1880's ; Californians up to 3s. The vital statistics of Nelson for the month of November are :— Births, 16 ; deaths, 5 ; marriages, 5. There was a large attendance at the All Saints' Bazaar last night, and a capital business was done, the receipts amounting to £108. The flower stall was much admired and added considerably to the revenue, and the refreshment stall was largely patronised, while there was a good clearance effected of the articles exposed for sale on the other stalls, a satisfactory proof of this being afforded by the amount taken. The Post Office did a good business, indeed, after last night's experience, it is a question well worthy of serious consideration by the Government whether young lady clerks should not be employed in all the offices throughout the colony. The result, we feel sure, after a year's trial, would prove eminently satisfactory. The promenade concert passed off most successfully, the performance of a young lady or. the violin creating quite a furore. For to-night there is another excellent programme, a specially attractive feature in which will be the piano performances of Madame Surnmerhayes and her daughter. There was one article on exhibition yesterday, and will be again this evening, that is deserving- of special mention, namely, an electrical machine, which was constructed, and every separate part made, by a young apprentice at the Anchor Foundry, named Peppercorn. Complete in every particular, it is a most creditable piece of workmanship, and if the maker of it goes onj! as he has begun it may safely be predicted that there is a successful future in

store for him. All who want a little fun or are desirous of purchasing such articles as are usually to be found at a bazaar, and those of more than ordinarily excellent character, should avail themselves of the opportunity to be afforded them this evening of gratifying their inclination in both these respects. It is announced that the Bale will be continued to-morrow afternoon. Messes James &c Co. will open their auction marb this evening to give the public an opportunity of inspecting the fancy goods, Sec, to be sold by auction to-morrow. The following London specials to the Press Association, under date November 27 to 29, appear in our "Wellington contemporaries :— The French Government has insisted on the establishment of a protectorate over Madagascar, and the Envoys from the native settlement refusing to assent to this, their flag was insulted, and the Envoys fled to London, without attendants, baggage, or anything, The French Government now threatens a naval attack on Madagascar. — In Ireland, Michael Davitt has commenced an agitation to prevent the payment of rent while a famine is imminent. — The freedom of the City of Edinburgh has been presented to the Marquis of Salisbury.— The balance of the Adelaide loan has been placed at par — The Tories refrain from crticising the state of affairs in Egypt. — There is great discontent at the inscription of New South Wales stock being delayed. — A large deputation has waited on the Government urging on them to firmly protest to the French with regard to their action concerning Madagascar. The reply was guarded, and to the effect that the Government were anxious to avoid irritating France during the settlement of affairs in Egypt.— The remains, of Detective Cox. who was killed by a gang of roughs on Saturday night, received a public funeral, which was largely attended. The recent atrocities have caused a panic in Dublin, as it is known that there are several bands of Fenians, who are causing terror throughout the country, and are endeavoring to put a stop to the administration of justice. They are also trying to secure funds with which to carry out the object. — The fever of M. Gambetta is subsiding, and he is now in a fair way to recovery. — The Boers have decided to send an envoy to promote better relations with respect to the Transvaal.— lt has been decided to enlarge the Suez Canal, and the cost is estimated at thirty million francs. — Yielding to pressure brought to bear upon the subject, the Government have decided to abolish the Court of Valuers for Ireland. The firing for the district prizes is to take place to-morrow whatever may be the state of the weather. There is a probability of the Tambour Major Opera Company, consisting 1 of GO members, who have recently had a most successful season in Wellington, paying Nelson a visit in the course of a few days. An Otago contemporary states that a ferret escaped the other night from the shop of Mr Bills, George-street, Dunedin, and was found half a mile away next morning coiled up asleep in a hen's nest. On its rambles it had visited several hen roosts, killing three ducks, two hens, one rooster, and eighteen chickens.