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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 190, 15 August 1867, Page 3

In the House of Eepresentatives Mr Reynolds has introduced a resolution to establish vote by ballot in this colony. After a long discussion, the motion was withdrawn, in order that a bill on the subject might be introduced, when the measure will be fully discussed. Mr Stafford gave his full support to the principle of the ballot. The Grey River Argus of the 6th inst. says that the communication with Christchurch remains closed, owing to the obstructions to the roads caused by the late heavy gales. On Sunday the coach from Greymouth was unable to proceed further than the Saltwater Creek, owing to tbe approach to the bridge having been washed away, and the driver was unwilling to risk the dangerous current then running. The Saltwater was very much swollen, the water beiug almost level with the bridge. The attempt to form a preliminary Committee to promote the separation of the Grey district from the Province of Canterbury appears to have been unsuccessful, there not being a sufficient number of persons present at the meeting held at Greymouth on the 6th inst. The proceedings were consequently adjourned. Our Hokitika contemporary says: — A tremendous sea, the effect of the gale of last night and yesterday, has made further encroachments upon the unfortunate North Beach, which is receding with ominous rapidity in the direction of Revell-street. Beach- street is doomed, we fear, the crown of the beach now being within a very few yards of the buildings on its western side. The havoc is truly distressing, and where or when it will end is a problem that few dare to study, as, judging from present appearauces,„a great portion of the town is in imminent jeopardy. The Duke of Manchester, writiug to the Times on the subject of the Paris Exhibition, notes the following as amongst the most remarkable objects contaiued in Group IV, of which he is president. His Grace says that, among the products of the city of Lyons, are to be seen on ribands and on gown pieces bunches of flowers of the most brilliant colors, which look as if you might lift them in the hand from the silk on which they are woven. There is a piece of brocade for the walls of a room, with hummingbirds, almost rivalling the magnificent illusfci&tions in Gould's work on the Trochilidae. There is a piece of velvel three metres in width, to cut the threads of which the artisan had to use skates on wheels, such as we saw on the stage in the Prophete, for the threads must be cut at one sweep across the whole breadth of the loom. In Class 32 Dewan Singh's shawls should be looked for in the Indian Court. They are so fine that the threads can scarcely be distinguished. Iu some of the lace flounces and shawls of France and of Belgium the shades are so beautifully graduated that they have the effect of a line engraving. Among the small arms of Liege they will see flint lock muskets at 7f. 50c, and fowling-pieces as gorgeously ornamented as those of Paris. But the children's toys are almost the most wonderful of all. There are tin railway

■•rains sold for less than the price- of the' metal, because Ihey are made of oid tin canisters. Paddlewheel boats are sold at 2f. 50c. Close by is a party of dolls in Court dresses priced at ],000f. or so. But the marvel of the class is a black monkey, standing some 2ft. or 3ft. high, which plays on a fiddle. The sounds do not come from hidden bellows, but from the strings ; the right hand works the bow while the lingers of the left hand touch the cords.