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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 139, 17 June 1867, Page 2

The Nathan Troupe appear tbis evening at the Odd-fellows' Hall, in the capital farce, Tke Omnibus, aud (for the first time) the burlesque, Codadad, with new scenery, &c, which is said to be one of the most successful pieces. Little Marion takes her benefit ou Thursday, and, of course, will be greeted with a bumper bouse, and a morniug performance, at the request, of many country residents, will be given on Saturday. A fire took place to-day about a quarter past 1, on the premises occupied by Mr. Bradcock, near the Postboy Hotel, in Toitoi Valley, by which a stable, with loft above it,' containing hay, &c, was entirele destroyed. The lolling of the fire-bell speedily summoned the members of the Fire Brigade to action, and \ they were soou on the spot, but were, however distanced by the smaller engiue, which arrived with its customary alacrity, Their combined efforts, however, owing to the

very inflammable nature ofthe contents of the stable, were quite unavailable to stay the flames, aud property amounting probably to £70 or £80 in value was destroyed. The cause of the fire has not been discovered. / We understand tbat the mining populai tion at Collingwood is decidedly on the iucrease, having recently received considerable accessions overland from the West Coast, particularly at the head ofthe diggings. All are apparently doing well, and many of the diggers, encouraged by their success, have sent for their friends. It is staled, on good authority, that Dr Hector has written, speaking in highly favorable lerms of these diggings, and has recommended several diggers on the West Coast to try their luck here. It seems that a rich "loot " has fallen to our Pakawau friends in the shape of a fine female sperm whale, whicli was washed ashore on the Snudspit, on Tuesday night, within 500 yards of Mr. Fletchers' house, and about a mile and a half from Pakawau. This monstrous visitor, which measures 91 feet long, and sixteen and a half feet across the tail, was observed ou Sunday last, off Puponga, near Cape Farewell, about six miles from the shore, but inside tbe Spit, and was then mistaken for the wreck of the Deese # Ou Tuesday night it was fouud stranded on the hard sea beach, in the place which we have already indicated. The animal was to be cut up ou Thursday, and the blubber, when tried out, with the oil, will prove a rich booty to the fortunate individuals to whose lot this "illustrious stranger " has fallen, since the value of such a spoil is generally estimated at about £3 per foot for the oil, and from £S0 to £100 for the whalebone. We may mention that a large whale, which may possibly be the same as that captured at Pakawau, was observed on Friday week, disportingjtself in our harbour. We understand that the Committee for the Winter Assemblies, not having received sufficient encouragement to justify them in carrying out the requisite arrangements for these balls, have been reluctantly compelled to relinquish their intentious in this regard. Considerable surprise and disappointment have, we learn, Leen felt by the committee that so few, comparatively, of those individuals to whom circulars ou this subject were addressed, have shown them tbe ordinary courtesy of replying to their communications.