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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 100, 1 May 1867, Page 2

We learn that Mr. Balfour, the Marine Engineer for the colony, upon whose fiat the construction in our harbor either of a patent slip or a dry dock will mainly depend, is expected to arrive by the next steamer from Wellington.

We are happy to be able to inform our renders that the Maungatapu Monument is fast approaching completion, and will probably be finished in about a fortnight's time. It is proposed by the contractor, Mr. Burnett, of Hardy-street, to add two feet to the height originally proposed, and this addition will doubtless conduce very perceptibly to the general effect of the monument. As far as we can judge from its fragmentary state, the work seems very satisfactorily executed, and bids fair to realise the most sanguine anticipations of those who have exerted themselves so warmly for its erection. It may be interesting to our readers to know that the following inscription has been prepared for the monument, to be placed on one side of the obelisk : — " This monument was erected b} r public subscription in memory of five late residents of the Province of Marlborough, who are interred here. They Were waylaid, robbed, and barbarously murdered by a gang of four bushrangers, on the Maungatapu Mountain, in this Province, June 12 and 13, 1866. 'Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath ; for it is written, " Vengeance is mine : I will repay, saith the Lord." ' liomans xii. 19." Each of the five sides of the pedestal bears the name of one of the five victims, with their respective ages and places of residence.

We understand that our townsman, Mr. Robert Hodgson, of Hardy-street, has been appointed lithographer to his Excellency the Governor. The gratifying notification was conveyed in a. letter from the Private Secretary, received on the morning of the Governor's departure for Wellington.

We uu tiers tan d that instructions recently issued by the Postmaster-General with reference to the delivery of letters at the various Post-offices in the colony, are causing serious inconvenience, especially amongst the mercantile community. It seems that these instructions forbid the delivery of letters afc the window of the Post-office to any persons at whose houses the postman is in the habit of delivering them in the city. It is hardly necessary to point out the delay and inconvenience to which this regulation must give rise, but we happen to be cognisant of two cases which occurred during the past week — and, doubtless, it would be easy to find many others of a similar description — which afford very fair illustrations of the practical workiug of this regulation. Our informant, a highly respectable inhabitant of Trafalgar-street, states that on the arrival of the Bruce, at 10 a.m., on Tuesday hist, expecting important letters from Hokitika, he went to the Post-office, and was told that there were no letters for him. At half-past 12, however, he received two letters which had arrived for him by the Bruce. A similar case in all respects occurred to the same individual later in the same week. We need not remind our readers that such a delay is frequently productive of very serious consequences in the execution of orders and other business, and we therefore cannot but believe that the Government would listen favorably to any representation made to them on this subject with a view to the removal of this very, obnoxious regulation.

Very many of tlie early settlers in this province will learn with sincere regret that the Very Rev. Father O'Reilly left Wellington for England last week. His name is so intimately connected with the earliest associations of this community, that a large majority of our readers, Protestant as well as Catholic, will rejoice to learn that he was not allowed to quit the colony without receiving some testimony of the affection entertained towards him by all classes and denominations. A full report appears in the Wellington papers of the 22nd inst. of the presentation by his Honor the Superintendent on behalf of the community of Wellington, of au address and purse containing 176 sovereigns to Father O'Reilly, ou the previous Saturday. The amount subscribed was £180, of which £4 was laid out in covering small expenses. The address was signed by about 480 persons, headed by his Excellency the Governor, and containing the signatures of several of the Ministry, of the General Commanding her Majesty's Forces, of the Judges, of Bishops and Clergymen of every rauk and denomination, and of all the leading persons of the commuuity. The reception given to the Rev. gentleman by the meeting was most enthusiastic, and the Superintendent delivered an eloquent and feeling speech, which was suitably responded to by" Father O'Rielly, who was evidently much affected. The Advertiser concludes its notice of the event in the following words : — He goes to England in the Commodore after 24 years, residence here, and iutends to collect subscriptions to erect a chapel in lieu of the one to which he has been so long attached. In common with every person in Wellington wo heartily wish that this good man's journey may be a prosperous one and that he may return to spend many more years amongst us. The first murmurs of discontent at the results of the Postal Conference have come from Melbourne, and this discontent is finding its expression both within and without the walls of Parliament. So far as we can gather, the complaints appear to be that contribution is excessive, that the fortnightly mail to Suez is not adopted as a part of the proposed scheme, that Port Phillip is not the terminus of the line, and that the C»pe route has not been provided for. A memorial against the proposals of the Conference is to be presented to the Government. It is also confidently annouueed from Sydney that, if Victoria break faith with the other colonies ou this matter of the terminus of the mail steamers, New South Wales will withdraw altogether from the proposed arrangement, and take up the Torres Strait route in conjunction with Queenslaud. The Argus of the 16th has, however the following : — We are informed that, although not specified in the memorauda of the proceeding of the Postal Conference, an arrangement was arrived at to the effect that as soon as the graving dock at Williamsiown is completed Melbourne should be the final port of arrival and departure of the Suez line of steamers. We also learn that if Mr. Paivkes declines to acknowledge this in writing, the Victorian Government will not hold itself responsible for the observance of the arrangement arrived at.

A very destructive fire took place in George-street, Sydney, on the night of the 18th iustaut. It originated in the building known as Reiby Cottage, adjoining the printing establishment of Mr. John Sands s nearly opposite the Commercial Bank, and occupied by Messrs. Simmons Brothers as a general store. The loss occasioned by this conflagration will probably not be far short of £24,000. Mr. Sands' stock was insured for £12,000. An agreement, it 3s stated, lias been arrived at between the banks in Melbourne to adopt a uniform and lower scale of rates of interest on deposits, especially those placed in the establishments for long periods.

It is only a curious grammarian who would enquire too strictly concerning your relatives and antecedents.

Holloway's Pills. — Source of Strength. — No deep philosophy is wanted to prove that health and vigour depend upon the purity of the blood : yet how few act upon this truth, compared with the many who neglect themselves and lay the foundations of the most formidable complaints, when a few doses of these purifying Pills would give them instant comfort and future health. Holloway's is no palliative treatment, but the most searching and fundamental means of redressing all wrongs in the stomach, liver, kidneys, and throughout the circulatory and nervous systems. Holloway's Pills are most admirably adapted for a family medicine, since the most youthful, delicate, and susceptible may fearlessly take them, when more violent measures would be highly dangerous.