Local Intelligence.

Lbotubb.— On Thursday evening, pursuant to previous announcement, Dr. Monro gave a lecture, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, Nelson, upon the Atmosphere. The Hall was crowded with an attentive audience, amongst whom were a number of ladies. As might l>e expected, from the talent of the lecturer and from the interesting subject chosen, the lecture was in the highest degree interesting • there was an absence of those scientific terms in which lecturers too often indulge, and only such language employed as must have been perfectly intelligible to the youngest in the room. The lecture was illustrated by a few experiments, and was listened to with great iuterest, and will, no doubt, induce some of those who heard it to devote more study to a subject that is too little attended to. Afc the conclusion of the lecture, a vote of thanks to Dr. Monro was proposed by Mr. H. Adams, who took the occasion to remind the public of the intention to reorganize the Institution on such a basis as should make it worthy of general support ; and he urged those who intended to join the new Institute to lose no time in sending in their names. We cannot oonclude this brief notice of the lecture without expressing a hope that it may be only the first of a course, and that other gentlemen may be induced occasionally to exercise their ability for the public good.

Ddweb to Messbs. Stafford and Richmond. — The public dinner to the Honourables E. W. Stafford and C. W. Riohmond took place in the Masonic Hall last evening, and went off with great eclat. A full report of the speeches will appear in our next. Thb Thbatbe.— On Wednesday evening the performances at this place of amusement went off very successfully, which was nodoubt partlyowing to the fact that pieces had been selected more suitable to ths strength of the company, and more likely to be appreciated by a small provincial audience than some pieces that have been attempted. The little drama entitled Delicate Ground, or Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, was well played, ond afforded a not extremely exaggerated view of the state of French sooiety during the Revolution. The principal characters were sustained with much ability by Mr. and Mrs. Cox and Mr. Bertram ; and we observed that the lady's endeavours to please were rewarded by a small shower of bouquets. Mr. Cox's comic singiug between the pieces gave much amusement, and obtained great applause. A farce and a ballet concluded the amusements of the evening. It will be seen by advertisement that another performance) •will take place on Wednesday next, so that those who omitted to avail themselves of the previous " last " performance will do well nob to omit this opportunity, as the stay of the company in Nelson is likely to be very short.

Expobt op Goh>.— Nearly 1,200 ounces of Nelson gold was forwarded to Sydney by the steamer Lord Worsley yesterday. These shipments of gold are, as we hare before remarked, the best evidence of the suecom of our diggings. Apropos of this subject, we have much pleasure in extracting from the Wellington Spectator ot the 27th ult, the following remarks upon the mineral resources of this province, especially as the remarks about the yield of gold so nearly coincide with the views we have hitherto expressed. The report about the railway is of course erroneous, although we sincerely wish that it were not bo :—": — " Nelson is rich in mineral wealth, besides a large aud increasing ex-

port of wool ; copper has been found in several districts, and we are glad to hear that the mining com pany formed to work the lodes at the Dun Mountain have mot with such encouraging indications lately, that they are now busily engaged in laying down the rails for* the conveyance of the ore to the port for shipment. The coal at Nelson, although of a good quality, is not yet purchased largely for general use; but when shafts have been sunk, there is little doubt but great improvement will be observed in the quality, and that it will lose its sulphurous character, which is one of the chief objections to its use. The gold district of this province has not been so attractive as it deserves to be ; samples of gold which we have lately seen from, we believe, the Eocky Eiver, are heavy, coarse, and nuggetty, and of themselves sufficient to satisfy the most incredulous of the existence of a rich and valuable auriferous deposit. These diggings appear from Borne mismanagement to have been almost strangled in their birth ; doubts were thrown on their productiveness ; but having taken some interest iU the discoveries from time to time, we will venture to assert, and, if necessary, will find it no difficult task to prove, that the Nelson gold-fields are, in proportion to the number of men employed on them, infinitely more remunerating than those of Sydney, and quite equal to those of Victoria ; but we are prepared at the same time to acknowledge that the rough nature of the country, and the superabundance of water, renders the working of the claims much more laborious than those in the Australian colonies. Steam communication will do much to substantiate our views in this respect, as numbers from Sydney and Melbourne will probably be induced to try their fortunes here, who, we imagine, will have little cause to regret their visit to our shores."

Sale of Hobses.— On Saturday last Mr. Fell's stud of horses, and some other horse stock, were sold by auction by Messrs. N. Edwards and Co. There was a good attendance and Mr. Pell's horses realized from £17 to £50 each. A strong cart gelding of Messrs. Hooper and Co.'s brought £60, and a mare and foal of Mr. Sullivan's were sold For £59. Altogether very fair prices were realized. Town Bate. — It will have been seen by an advertisement in our last number, that the Board of Works have this year levied a rate of one penny farthing in the pound upon all the property within the town, and that the rate is to be paid on Wednesday, the 22nd instant. We understand that the additional farthing has been levied with the view, if possible, to erecting a cart bridge over the Eiver Maitai at Bridge-street, which is considered by the Board to be a very necessary work. The amounts attached to some of the names appear to be rather high ; but we bslieve that, in spite of the Englishman's propensity for grumbling, so long as the money is well laid out for the general advantage of the town, the rate will be paid cheerfully. Cheome Oee. — We understand that news has been received by the last mail to the effect that there is likely to be a greater demand for chrome ore than was at first anticipated, and that a couple of thousand tons per annum would not overstock the market ; indeed, it is said to be quite likely that an additional supply of the article would cause it to be applied to fresh uses, and thus create an increased demand. No fresh information has been received respecting the commercial value of the chrome ; but the ore sent home from the Dun Mountain had reached England just before the departure of the last mail. It is more than probable, we understand, that this news will cause a fresh effort to be made to work the Croixelles mine, where chrome is believed to exist in abundance.

The Eoyaii Mail Company. —We learn that the New Zealand Koyal Mail Steam Company has been formed in London, and that Messrs. Pearson and Coleman have handed over their interest in the steamers to the new Company. The Hon. Mr. Grrevillc has been appointed chairman of the company.