The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MAY 20, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 116, 20 May 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MAY 20, 1867.

The first moonlight parade of the two companies of Volunteer^Cadets took place on Saturday evening at Victory-square. The Rifle Cadets and the Artillery Cadets, the former mustering 53 strong and the latter 25, assembled a little before 7 o'clock in front of the Orderly-room in Hardy -street, where the companies were proved and ammunition issued. They then marched, accompanied by their officers and Captain and Adjutant Lockett, and preceded by the Fife and Drum Band, whose martial strains added in no inconsiderable degree to the general effect, down Trafalgar and Bridge streets, and up Waimea-street, arriving on the ground in Victory-square about 20 minutes after 7 o'clock. A large concourse of spectators accompanied them on their route, and this number was still further augmented on the ground, where not less than five or six hundred persons had assembled to witness the manoeuvres. The night, though cold, was bright and clear, and but for the thoughtless crowding of the people upon the companies during their various evolutions, the spectacle would have been a very striking one. On their arrival on the ground, the two companies were drawn up in line, the Artillery, according to military regulations,— as being, we imagine, the more scientific branch of the service, and following the same rule which o-ives the Engineers precedence over the Cavalry, — taking up their position to the right of the Rifles. They then went through a variety of light infantry movements, under the command of Captain Lockett, the boys skirmishiug with evident gusto, and were then formed in line, and the firing of a number of volleys, with remarkable precision, concluded the parade. It is, however, ouly right to state that it was intended to put the Cadets through other manoeuvres, but this was found impracticable through the conduct of the crowd, who persisted in following the companies across the square, and continually obstructed their movements. At the conclusion of the parade, the Cadets, ■who acquitted themselves throughout unexceptionably, were marched back to the Orderly-room, and there dismissed. We are glad to learn that, orders have been received from the General Government, which prove that the promise made to the Cadets by his Excellency the Governor during his late visit here, was not an empty one, aud authorising them to be supplied with warm winter trousers — which will probably be made of grey clotb, with scarlet piping— without delay. We are sure that this proof of the Governor's consideration for the Cadets will not be lost upon them. Mr. Eastwood, the agent for the "Nathan Troupe," arrived herejj/.this morning, by the Airedale, from Auckland, in order to make preliminary arrangements for the appearance of this very talented Company, at the Odd-fellows' Hall, on the sth proximo. We may observe, for the information of those of our readers who do not happen to have witnessed their performances, that the Nathan Troupe consists of a family of clever children, five in namber, whose ages vary from twelve to six, — the youngest, known as La Petite Marian, being a very prodigy of precocity, — and these juveniles are able to reproduce with excellent effect some of the most popular farces of the London stage, and also to perform ballet divertissements, and other entertainments. Throughout Australia, and in Dunedin and Auckland, they have achieved the greatest popularity, and We

feel confident that ihey will have no cause to regret their visit to Nelson. We must not forget to state that our old favorite, Mr. Johu Small, ('• The Uufortuuate Man ") aud Mr. Chambers, ballet dancer, &c, will accompany the Troupe, and take part in tbeir entertainments. Our readers are probably aware that our Acclimatisation Society, encouraged by the success which has attended similar experiments in Tasmania and Victoria, has had in contemplation for some time past the introduction of salmon and trout into the rivers of this province, several of which, and especial ly the Moutere, are well adapted for such purposes. It will be remembered that an offer was made last year from Tasmania to supply the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society with salmon spawn, which was declined, the Society not being then prepared to receive them. We may therefore reasonably anticipate that we shall experience no difficulty in procuring spawn from the same quarter, or else from Southland or Otago, where the experiment is also about to be tried. But in order to do this* it will be requisite to have ponds ready, in which the boxes containing the ova may be placed immediately on their arrival, and in which they may hatched, &c. Mr. Huddleston, the indefatigable Secretary of our Acclimatisation Society, has shown us some plans for ponds which it is proposed to construct . for this purpose, in the immediate vicinity of the Provincial Buildings, where a very eligible site presents itself, on the right of of the entrance from Hardy-street, between the drive and the gum trees which have been planted round the enclosure, the ground having a fall of 8 feet in 50. Here it is in contemplation to construct three ponds on graduated terraces, the upper one, for hatching the spawn, being 30 feet long, by 18 wide, and at least two feet higher than the second, or sorting pond, which will be 18 feet in diameter, with an extra pond, the same size as the first, below the centre one. It is estimated that the construction of these pouds, with the assistance of prison labour, and by employing the surplus piping furnished to the Government for the Waterworks, would only cost £64. To achieve so desirable a purpose, this sum must be deemed perfectly insignificant ; and when we consider that by the formation of fountains in the centres of both the larger ponds, which can easily be done ? a very ornamental feature would be added to the giounds ofthe Provincial Buildings, whilst the success of the experiment would be also rendered more probable, for several reasous, which it is needless to explain here, it is impossible to doubt that the requisite funds will be forthcoming for this purpose, either from the Government, or from other sources conjointly with the Government. We are requested to call attention to the fact that the usual monthly meeting of the Fire Brigade will take place this evening, at the Trafalgar Hotel, at 7 o'clock. We understand that Mr. Symms, who has just returned from a prospecting trip to the Moutere, Motueka, and Mount Arthur districts, expresses his confidence that gold exists in these three localities in payable quantities, and more especially in the Moutere hills. On Wednesday evening last, a highly interesting meeting was held in the Clifton -Terrace School-room. It being the anniversary of the Library, the members and their friends and neighbors, to about 40 in number, sat down to a social cup of tea. After the full enjoyment of the " cup that cheers, but not inebriates," the Rev. T. Gilbert was called to the chair. A brief report was given of the proceedings of the past year, a new , committee chosen, I i-nd the old and duplicate periodicals dis-

posed of by sale. Sentimnets and resolutions expressive of loyalty to the Queen, of a desire for the success of the Library, aud thanks to the ladies, were responded to by Messrs. Wragg, T. Dodson, sen., T. Dodson, jun., and T. Gilbert. After this, the young people enjoyed and gave a considerable amount of pleasure in singing, accompanied on a piano played by a young lady from Nelson. Dancing and various humorous games followed, the party leaving at an early hour. All expressed themselves as well pleased with the social gathering. The Egmont arrived at the Bluff this morning at half-past 7, with the English mail, which will probably reach us by the Taranaki on the 24th inst. The Auckland people seem determined to celebrate the Governor's return in the most enthusiastic manner. A meeting, convened for the purpose of making the preliminary arrangements for this purpose, was held on the 6th instant ; and immediately on the Governor's arrival at Kauwau, the Superintendent waited upon his Excellency, and communicated the resolutions passed at the meeting ; to which Sir George Grey gave a very gracious reply, expressing his gratification, and saying that he regarded himself rather as returning home than as paying a visit of ceremony to a portion of New Zealand he had not seen for a considerable period of time. It has been arranged that Monday (to-day) should be observed as a general holiday, aud that a banquet should be given iv the Brunswick Buildings in the evening, at which the principal merchants and gentlemen of the city will be present. Other arrangements were also proceeding for the reception of his Excellency. His Excellency the Governor has issued invitations, to the number of 800, for a graud ball at Government House, Auckland on the 24th inst. in celebration of her Majesty's Birthday.