The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 109, 11 May 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1867.

/ / The Nelson steamer arrived in port last night at nine o'clock, having left Hokitika on the 6th inst. and the Buller on the 10th. Among her passengers were Mr. Warden Kynnersley, and also five prisoners of the Crown, for trial at the approaching assizes, under escort of three constables, with two stowaways, who were brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. A rush of very promising character was reported the clay preceding that on which the Nelson left, to have taken place about three miles north of the Buller, at the back of tiie township, but no information had been rereived confirmatory of the report. The Nelson leaves for her return to the West Coast on Tuesday next.

Amongst the passengers who arrived yesterday by the Airedale, were Mr. M'Lean, Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, and Mr. Gray, Inspector of Post-offices, both of whom are, we believe, en route for Auckland.

/We learn from private information received from Wanganui, tbat all hopes of the safety of the City of Nelson schooner had been abandoned at that place, the prevailing opinion being that she had been burnt-, or rather consumed, at sea ; and this supposition was founded on the fact that she had amongst her cargo two hundred bushels of lime, upon which, it is added, a case of lucifer matches had been stowed. We believe the latter part of this statement to be entirely destitute of the truth, since there is no mention of lucifer matches amongst the cargo entered at the Nelson Custom-house. This illfated vessel left our port on the lOth of March last, having on board Captain Hooper, with his eldest son, Mr. James Wilkinson, late of the Albion Hotel, Nelson, and a crew of three men. Owing to the practice which obtains at the Custom-house of not inserting the names of passengers in the clearances of mere coasting vessels, we have been unable to discover whether auy other persons were on board the City of Nelson when she left this harbor. We trust that we may not be called upon to make any further additious to this sad list.

At the Eesident Magistrate's Court this morning, Denis Lynch aud Francis Trainer, two stowaways on board the steamer Nelson on her last voyage to this port, were respectively fined £2 10s. (the amount of their passage money), and, in default of payment, were sentenced to one month's imprisonment.

We doubt whether it is sufficiently known that the Nelsou Acclimatisation Society have for some time past announced their readiness to purehase at certain prices any of the following animals and birds, which may be brought out by persons emigrating to this place, provided they are landed in good condition here. The prices offered for each pair of hares, male and female, is £6; of black game, £5; of red, grey, or Virginian partridges, £4 ; of robins, gold finches, anJ sparrows, £2 for each pair. Every facility is offered to emigrants to secure space on board of ship for the animals or birds, provided that notice of the number intended to be taken out is given a fortnight prior to sailing to the Colonial Agent, Mr. Morrison, and no freight will be charged for the conveyance of the animals or birds, or of their food. A copy of the notice containing this offer is, we are informed, supplied by Mr. Morrison to each intending emigrant, aud it seems strange that we have not, as yet, heard that any one has availed himself of it, and thus provided himself with an object of daily interest during the voyage, aud at the same time diminished his expenses.

The resignation by Mr. Justice Jobuslou of the office of visitor of Nelson College is announced, an event which will generally be regarded with very qualified regret. The Visitor ship therefore again becomes vested ex officio, iu the person of his Excellency the Governor.

Our Motueka friends will be glad to learn that the "Woodpecker steamer, which has for some time past been undergoing a complete repair, will probably be ready to go to sea on Thursday or Friday next. Her hull has, we understand, been thoroughly strengthened* and with a new keel, bilge pieces and iron knees, and some important improvements in her engine boiler, including large new tanks for fresh water supply, she now presents a very favorable specimen of the kind of steamer best adapted for the ser T - 3 ou which she is destined to pJ Her cabin has likewise been rendered very comfortable, and there is every reason to expect that her speed will be considerably increased. We may add that all these improvements have heen carried out strictly in accordance with the suggestions of the Government Engineer.