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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 180, 3 August 1867, Page 3

Our readers are aware that Mr George Snow has, with Mr Thomas Mackay, contracted with the Government to cut a track from the Baton store to the forks of the Karamea, and that the party started on Saturday last. Mr Snow came back to town last night, in order to obtain tools and provisions, and will return this evening. He reports that the cutting of the track is going on very favorably, and it is •expected that the party will be upon the Karamea on Tuesday evening, as they hope to reach the saddle to-night. Instead of crossing the river twenty times, as it was stated must of necessity be done, the party have only found it requisite to eross it once. They found the ground firm and fit for horse traffic, having only met with one place, half a chain in length, over which they experienced the slightest difficulty in taking their horses. This is all the more satisfactory, since it will be remembered that the party only contracted with the Government to make a foot-track and not a horse-track. We also learn that Mr Dutton's track across the Loadstone has been completed, the fine weather during the last week having enabled the men employed upon it to carry out their task. In our notice of the attempted escape of the prisoner Thompson on Thursday evening, we stated that he was more immediately under the charge of the overseeer Macmahon. On further enquiry, we find that the reverse was tbe case. The overseer M'Donald was more immediately responsible for the safe custody of Thompson, and has, in fact, been suspended by Captain Clouston in consequence of his alleged negligence on the occasion. We learn from a correspondent who has just returned from the Wairau, that the late gale has done a large amount of damage in the Big Bush. Our correspondent states that he was compelled to leave the horses he was bringing to Nelson at the Top-house, the road being entirely blocked up by the fallen trees, not less than 800 of which are lying across the road. In fact one-third of the bush is down, and it is utterly impossible for travellers on horseback or for stock to get through. The programme of the music to be performed at the Harmonic Society's Concert Thursday next includes, for the first part, selections from the following oratorios — The Creation, Elijah^ St. Paul, Samson, ,aad Israel in Egypt; and the second part [will comprise a miscellaneous selection of kecular music. | The Wellington papers regret to anliounce that his Excellency Sir George HSrey has been taken suddenly ill, and ibliged to call in medical attendanpe.