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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 190, 15 August 1867, Page 2

We have received a communication from a Mr Andrew Devaney, complaining that his name appeared in our police report of Monday last, as having been fined in the usual penalty for drunkeuness. We did not happen to be in court when this particular case was heard, and therefore copied the name from the police-sheet, on which it was inscribed as it appeared in our columns. We can only express our sympathy with Mr Andrew Devaney in the annoyance which so provoking a coincidence must have occasioned. The confusion attendant on the fire of yesterday morning caused us to omit any notice of the Foresters' Ball, which had taken place on the previous eveuiug at the Provincial Hall, and which, though not so numerously attended as on former occasions, passed off with much spirit. Dancing was kept up almost till daybreak with unflagging zest, and the refreshments and other arrangements were pronounced to be altogether satisfactory. The following are stated to be the insurances effected on the various buildings and stock destroyed in the fire of yesterday, independently of other small claims on the various offices, for injuries sustained by the adjacent buildings, and also for the pulling down of Mr Taylor's shop: — T. Askew, stroekeeper — Otago Company 500/, London, and Lancashire 500/, Victoria 250/, Kew Zealand 5002, total 1750/j W. Wilkie, merchant — Liverpool and London 2000,

London and Lancashire 500/, Imperial 500/, total 3000/ ; H.Davis, merchant — London ahd^Lancashire-" 500/, Victoria 500/, Imperial 500/, New Zealand 650/, total ,2150/; J. J., Hornby, auctioneer — Liverpool and London 250/, Victoria 250/, total 500/ ; 11. Black, baker — Liverpool and London 300/, London and Lancashire 30OZ, total 600/. Mr Betts has sent a communication to this office pointing out an inaccuracy iu our notice of the fire which took place yesterday morning. He states that the suction hose of the small engine was not missing, when the alarm was first given— not, as he states, at ten minutes past 6, but at all events as early as ten minutes before 6. This we believe to be correct, but we have the testimony of three very reliable witnesses that the branch was wanting, which was even more essential to the working of the engine. Possibly, in the hurry and confusion of the momeut^ some derangement of the apparatus may have taken place, which would account for the variation in these statements. In the Resident Magistrate's Court ou Tuesday last, Charles Stewart and James Powell, on remand, charged with vagrancy, were respectively sentenced to three mouths' imprisonment. Jacksou Bowes, and Mary Buckley, charged with drunkenness, were each fined 10s. and costs. On Wednesday, Andrew Liddell, charged with stealing a pair of trousers at the fire that morning, and James Blanch, charged with stealing a dressing-case, and also & mathematical instrument case, on the same occasion, were remanded until this mo.-ning. This day Liddell was discharged, no owner for the property being forthcoming, and Bland was fully committed to take his trial at the next Assizes; but admitted to bail. A youth named Alfred Frost, charged with assaulting Richard Mullins, was discharged, it being proved that he had received considerable provocation from the complainant, who was too intoxicated at the time to remember the circumstances. William. Walker, an old offender, charged with, drunkenness, was fined £l and costs. James Campbell, on remand, arrested by a telegram from Blenheim for obtaining money under false pretences, was again remanded until Saturday next, in order to await the departure of the steamer for Blenheim. An accident occurred on Mouday evening by which the lives of Messrs Harkness and Benfield, of Richmond, were greatly imperilled. It appears that they were sitting in a gig on the Waimea-road, opposite to Mr W. M'Rae's, talking to Mr Canning, when another vehicle, driven by Mr Thomas, of Waimea Wes^ came in contact with the gig, and the point pf the shaft carried away the bridle, together with the headstall, &c, of Mr Harkness's horse. Mr Harkness himself was thrown out with much violence, leaving Mr Benfield in the gig. The mare ran away, and Mr Benfield, dropping to the ground from the back of the gig, lay iu the road much bruised, the auimal pursuiug its course to Richmond. The was broken to pieces, and both Mr Harkness and Mr Benfield are not yet recovered from the injuries they received. ' Aa inquest on the late fire will be held at the Trafalgar Hotel, to-morrow at 3 p.m.