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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 163, 15 July 1867, Page 2

The Provisional Committee for the proposed Theatre and Assembly Rooms Company held their last meeting on Friday, evening last, and after obtaining a variety of information in connection with the project, and inspecting and comparing a variety of plans, have been able to prepare a report, which will be laid before the public aud those interested in the undertaking, at a meeting which is called for to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at the Bank

Hotel. We understand that the plan recommended by the Committee has undergone considerable modification from that originally projected, and that they have amply satisfied themselves of the feasibility of erecting a commodious building, in a very central site, suited to the various purposes to which it would be applied, within the limits of the capital originally proposed, and which would be likely to return a moderate interest upon the capital invested in it. We need not enlarge upon the inconveniences to which the public have been so long exposed through the want of such a building, or to the advantages which the city and its inhabitants would derive from any source which would tend to render Nelson a more attractive place of sojourn to visitors, to say nothing of the more economical enjoyment of those social amusements for which it would afford opportunity. One of the most fantastic freaks of nature which it has ever fallen in our way to inspect, was brought to our office this morning in the shape of the root of a of a young totara tree, in which four nuggets of considerable size, as well as several large pebbles, had become imbedded. This singular specimen was brought Black Ball Creek, on the south bank of the Grey River, at a distance of 16 miles from Cobden, by Mr. Dreyer, M.P.C. One of the pebbles is almost hidden in the solid totara wood, and the gradual manner in which the root must have have forced its way into the earth, intertwining itself with these nuggets» aud 'enveloping them in its substance, is plainly discernible. The specimen which, as far as we are aware; is quite unique, was inspected by a large number of persons iv town to-day, and excited much curiosity. The Canterbury Provincial Couucil has adopted a motion approving of the establishment of a system of telegraphic moneyorders. The system has been adopted for some time past in New South Wales, where it has been found to work very satisfactorily, and has also proved to be a source of large revenue, combined with little increase of expenditure. The resolution alluded to of course only applies to the telegraph-lines under the control of the Canterburj"- province, but a similar arrangement throughout the lines under the management of the Government authorities, would unquestionably prove a great convenience to the public. We have received a prospectus of the Collingwood Coal-mining Company (limited), with a capital of £5000, in 1000 shares of £5 each, which has been formed for the purpose of constructing a tramway from the mine to the Aorere River, at Collingwood, a distance of two miles, and thus enabling them to bring into the market a supply of coals which is reasonably presumed to be as yet unequalled in New Zealand, at a price considerably lower than that from either the Grey, Buller, or West Wanganui. The qualities of the Collingwood coal have already been amply tested, and the Company have every right to anticipate a very profitable result to their undertaking. It is proposed that as soon as one hundred shares are allotted, the construction of the tramway shalljbe commenced, the cost of which has been estimated at about £2500, and the time required for its completion at six months. There can be no question that the undertaking is entitled to public support, and we trust to hear that the anticipations of its projectors in this respect have been . largely realised. In onr shipping intelligence will be found a report of the loss at Wanganui Inlet, of the schooner Rapidj of this port, the property of Mr. M'Laren of Washington Valley, on the night of Sunday, the *7th inst. It appears that the Rapid was loaded with coal, and had sailed for Wan-

ganui, North Island, but on making the oar was overpowered by the heavy sea and strong gale from the S.W., which prevailed at the time. She went to pieces a few hours afterwards, the master and crew having left her in the ship's boat. After reaching Wanganui they walked across to Collingwood, and were brought to this port in the cutter Supply, which arrived last night. The Hon. Joseph Dresser Tetley, of Kekerangu, Marlborough ; and the Hon. John Hyde Harris, of Dunedin, have been appointed members of the Legislative Council. The following is the paragraph from the Times of India 'of the 14th May, on which the contradiction of Dr. Livingstone's death was founded: — "News of Dr Livingstone, — To the Editor of the Times of India.— Sir, — One of the missing Sepoys, 21st Eegiment N.1., or Marine Battalion, who accompanied Dr Livingstone's expedition, returned this day from Zanzibar. News had been received from the doctor. He was alive and well, and the havildar" 21st Regiment N.1., or Marine Battalion, and the Nassick boys were with him. — S. Thacher, Commandiug 21st" Regiment N.1., Mariue Battalion. Bombay. May 14, 1567." A magnesium handlamp has been made on Mr. Larkin's principle, in which the magnesium is not supplied to the light in wire or ribbon form, but in the form of a granular powder, either alone or mixed with sand. It is supplied by a tap through a tube to the flame of a spiritlamp, which ignites it , and the instant that the magnesium smoke is formed it passes off through a funnel or chimney, which meets it at the spot where it is formed. The magnesium powder, though considerably cheaper, we are told, in use than the wire or ribbon, is still rather costly, being ss. an ounce ; but, manufactured on a large scale, the price would be much less ; and we would suggest that experiments should be tried with lime, a mixture of which with the magnesium powder might perhaps economise the expenditure, by yielding a light equal to the magnesium light with half the quautity of the metal. The light given by Larkin's lamp is splendid, and in its power of displaying colours closely resembles daylight. — Builder. W T hat is that which a man may have never possessed, and yet leave behind him ? — A will.