The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 190, 13 October 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1866.

The out-going mail, via Suez, will close at 9 a.m. on Monday. Last night the Monument Committee agreed to adopt the design bearing motto, " Memoria in eterna," which we previously stated was a pentagonal obelisk. We understand that Mr. Theoph'lus Mabille is the successful designer of that obelisk, and are informed that it is not the lirst occasion, in which that gentleman has been permitted to display his good, taste and ability in architectural designs. The committee will probably,cause fresh specifications and working drawings to be prepared at once, and call for fresh tenders for the monument, the erection of which may uow be regarded as a settled matter. The best mode of carrying out the object is the next thing to be considered. That the public will contribute liberally towards the cost of the monument, there can be little doubt, and there is no reason why the work should not be soon completed. It has beeu suggested that a greater sum would be collected, if a number of sub-committees were formed, representing all classes . of society, and that, lists should be prepared for publicans, merchants, tradesmen, art ; sans, miners, sailors, ladies and children. It is argued that such a plan, by creating emulation, would lead to greater results, as it has been found to do in other colonies. It is stated- that several amateur performances will be given iu aid of the monument fund, and that special efforts of another kind will be made in favor of the s^ine object. In addition to the fund required for the monument, there will be a sum wanted for the medals which were promised the Volunteer Search Party, and which they well deserve. It would not be difficult to raise a considerable sum by a shilling subscription, the plan that was hinted at by his Honor the Superintendent, to commemorate the services rendered hy tbe brave men, who distinguished themselves on the occasion of the late great fire. In another column appears a letter from the Rev. Mr. Gar in, criticising some remarks of ours in the Mail, of Thursday last. In reply, we have to state that we have nothiug to do with the controversy between the writer of .the letter and the gaol authorities. We have their word for stating thafc Kelly represented himself as a Protestant, wished to see a clergyman of that communion, and refused to see one of any other communion. If this is correct the gaol authorities complied with the strict letter of their instructions. Had Keily intimated in his last moments any desire to see a clergyman of the Roman Catholic persuasion, the case would have come uuder the " extraordinary circumstances" referred to in the prison regulations. As he did not, we do not see the force of the reference to them by the Rev. Mr. Garin. We did not commit ourselves to any expression of opinion as tp what was Kelly's ancient faith, but simply argued on the assumption that it was of such an elastic nature as enabled him to adapt himself to circumstances. On the explanation of the nature of confession as given by the writer we make no comment, aud are willing it should receive the degree of credit to which it is entitled. We could not see at the time how a confessor if compelled to secrecy, could further the ends of justice, if a criminal confessed his crime to him. The Rev. Mr. Garin. has pointed out a distinction between the case of Kelly and that of Stack, aud shows that without a violation of the secrecy of confession, Kelly would have heen compelled, had he confessed, to clear. Sullivan. Our remarks and the explanation of the Rev. Mr. Garin are before the' public, whom we leave as judges in the matter. We would not be understood as regarding lightly any breach of the prison regulations which prescribe that prisoners shall

communicate with clergymen of their own religious persuasion, and it is because we are assured by lhe custodian of the Nelson gaol that he has followed the strict letter of his instructions, that we commented on a published statement whicli implied the reverse. Iu the Resident Magistrate's Court to-day, the following cases were decided : — Robert Grey, allowing 3 cows to be at large, 155.; A. R. Oliver, allowing 1 cow to trespass, 10s. ; Charles Bray, allowing 2 horses to trespass, 205.; H. Van, trespass of 1 horse, 10s. George Clifford was fined 20s. and costs, for an assault on James Blanche. It will be seen from our advertising columns, that Mr. La Griff informs parents of his intention to furnish phrenological charts on much lower terms than those usually charged. He states that his plan which is an improved one, will show the weight of brain and the respective size and influence of each organ, so that with this guide parents will be able to guide aud cultivate the youthful mind with some degree of confidence and safety. At a meeting of'the local literary institute, a few days ago (accord iug to the Taranaki Herald), the Superintendent, Mr. H. R. Richmond, entered into an explanation of his reasons for not attending any place of public worship, stating . that the modes of worship at present adopted by the different Protestant sects were so entirely opposed to his ideas of what was the proper mode of- addressing the Creator, that it would jar upon his feelings to enter any place of public worship. Pie made this explanation because, as the chief civic functionary of the province, he might be looked upon as setting a bad example to young men. He only asked for tolerance from those who were opposed, to his views, and wished to be argued with as a Christian, although not belonging to any sect.