The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 269, 13 November 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1867.

The inquest on the late fire was commenced yesterday afternoon, at the Courthouse, at 2 o'clock. The jury consisted of the following gentlemen : — Messrs N. Edwards (foreman), Sianion, Wilson, Elliott, Sclaiulers, H.Drew, Baly, Horuby, .Rout, Lightbaud, Luekie, Lowe, and Lock hart. The examination of the barsnan and cook of the Masonic Hotel was first taken, followed by that of Mrs Wilson, who Lad been left in charge of the house, and of Elizabeth Fox, the servant girl; but, iii accordance wiih the usual practice in such cases and at the request of the Coroner, Dr Squires, we defer our publication of the report of the proceedings until their conclusion. The inquest was adjourned at biilf-past 5 o'clock yesterday uutil 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. Yesterday evening a very interesting and agreeable reunion of members of ti e Anglican Church was given at the Temperance Hali, which was filled in every part, under the auspices of the Right Rev. Bishop Suter, who took the chair at half- , past 7 o'clock. After prayer, th? Bishop, in. a "few telling remarks, explained the object of the meeting — to promote union between, the various districts of his -diocese, whose representatives had assembled during the past week in Synod, and also to afford them the means of spending iui agreeable, evening together. In order to further his Lordship's intentions, the Harmonic Society had kindly acquiesced in his request to lend their valuable assistance, and during the eveuing sang several choruses from the Messiah, St. Paul, Naaman, aud the Creation very effectively, under the conductorship of Mr Walcot. The Rev. F. H. Butt read a very interesting paper on the origin aud progress of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, which was listeued to with much attention. The Rev.' G. H. Johnstone followed, and grve a vciy amusing account of the early missions among the Maoris, aud also a pleasing description of those in India and Ceylon. J. D. Greenwood, Esq., the Rev. Messrs Halcombe, Thorpe, and I-Ittrvey, Mr H. Pitt of Westport, and several other gentlemen, also addressed the meeting on various subjects connected with the church, and the proceedings terminated about half-past 10, the Bishop pronouncing the Benediction, at their couclusion. .We would remind our readers that the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of .St.' Alban's Church at Appleby, takes place to-morrow afteruoou. The Buhop and his clergy will be present, aud the ceremony will be performed by his Lordship, who will also preach a sermon afterwards. Doubtless many will avail themselves of the opportunity of witnessing a ceremonial of so rare aud interesting a character. . We learn from Mr Huddleston that our vagrant friends, the rooks, have, as we prophesied, returned to their old haunts, having been seen this morning perching oh the. telegraph-wires neai* the Prince Al t b.er,i;'L.iJQ; i a'n'd;. after chanting a fare-

well dirge over the mutilated trunk of their ill-fated friend, the pukatea tree, flew away, find we have heard that they have since been seen at Sloke and Richmond. Possibly they may, after all. find some resting-place io this neighborhood; and we trust, that, wherever they may settle, they may be as hospitably received and as carefully treated as they were in Marlhorough. Mr C. Heighton begs us to contradict the statement, which he informs us hns grained ground, to the effect that the letter signed 'Inquirer' emanated from him. We can assure our readers that Mr Heighton is quite innocent of the charge thus laid at his door. ■ . The Artillery Cadets competed for the Government prize this morning, and their scoring on this occasion reflected the highest credit wpon this youthful corps, though it is only fair to remark that they enjoyed an advantage from which the other two Nelson Cadet Companies were debarred; we mean that, the Artillery C-dets- fired with long rifles at the same distance and target as the Rifle Cadets with carbines. Uuder any circumstances however the score was an excellent one, the three highest being F. Moore 56, C. Hill 52, and Helps 49, who are therefore entitled to compete for th* Champion Prize. The weather was delightful, though the day was a trifle too. bright. The retiring College Governors who are eligible for re-election are Messrs Sinclair, Sharp, and Cusack; Mr Barnicoat not being amongst the number, as erroneously stated in our issue of yesterday. Tiie following is extracted from a private letter from a gentleman rpsiding in the country: — I am sorry that Baigeut has made such a confounded blunder in voting fir the Public LVbts Bill. I think he takes credit for a vast deal more ignorance than he is entitled to, when he says he did not know its meaning or drift, more particularly after the eloquent denunciation of it by Dr Fentherston; that man deserves the the hearty thanks of every settler in New Zealand, and Stafford penal servitude. Parker to me is a paradox; he must have been either . . . Any how he has anted most unwisely iu recording his vote against Fentherston. 'Speaking of the last political new birth, the same correspondent says: — I don't know whether to admire Stafford's coolness or blush at his audacity in asking to become a member of the Financial Reform League. Of course they won't admit him; if they do I should think every honest man ■will leave it. He is not fifc company for any man who has a character he wishes to retain untainted. In his lptter he asks the Lfague to point out definitely where a saving could b Q effected, or words to that effect. Where is the postal service? Panama is seldom free from * yellowback,' the island of St Thomas never. Not a pleasant prospect for invalids returning home by that route. ' I believe they have changed the coaling place, but. none of the West, India Islands are remarkable for being healthy, and Sfc Thomas is notorious for being the hnt-bed for yellow fever. The horses Corsair and Little Hermit the property of Mr R. Cundy, have reached Wanganui, ready for the races, •which come off next week. The Asterope which is now loading at Wellington, has now shipped upwards of 220 bales of wool, and as her full cargo is estimated at 2250 bales, it is anticipated that she will be ready for sea about the middle of next month. The Eveuing Post gives as an instance of an effort on the part of private individuals to promote the cause of {acclimatisation, that a supply of about sixty carp, from Tasmania, has heen purchased principally by Messrs W. F. Russell and W. T. Owen of Wanganui. Mr Russell divided his share of the importation with Mr Ross, who has placed his iu au artificial pond on his estate iu the Upper Rangitikei; and we understand that the rest are destined for the Waitotara. Mr Owen turned his loose iu a lake at the Wangaehu. The whole of the external work in connection with the erection of the additions to the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Wellington, towards which many members of that communion in this province have contributed, aud which is described as being by far the haudsomeso ecclesiastical structure in the colony, was completed last week, and the contractors are now employed in finishiug the handsome decorations of the interior of the edifice, which they hope to be able to hand over in time for the dedication on the Bth of December.

ARRIVAL OF H. R. H. PRINCE ALFRED AT ADELAIDE. • Adelaide, October 30. The Galatea arrived this morning at 3.20. She left the Cape of Good Hope ou the 2nd October; ' sighted no laud during her passage; she had westerly winds all the voytige. The only vessel spoken was the mail steamer Alexandra, which waited one hour for the Prince's letters. The GnisHea selected her own anchorage off Glenelg, having missed both the Beatrice and pilot boat. The Prince's equerries are Lieutenant Haig, R.E., and the Hon. Eliot Yorke. Lord Newry and Mr Brierly are with him as friends. . The Duke landed privately this morning, proceeding to Government House. The official entry takes place to-morrow. Bonfires are to be lighted on the hills to-night, and the general illumination takes place to-morrow night. There is nothing known yet as to the probable duration of the Prince's stay. The town is in a great state of excitement. The present arrangement is, that the Prince is to leave here on the 13th November, but it is intended to try and persuade him to stop another two or three daj's. The first persons to board Ihe Galatea were five young men, clerks in a soft goods house in Adelaide. The Mayor of Glenelg waited on the Prince this morning, and was cordially received. His Royal Highness stated that he had no instructions to v'sit Western Australia, and very much regretted the disappointment tlie people there would be subjected to. The Mayor and Councillors of Port Adelaide visited the Galatea and endeavored to persuade the Prince to land at the port, but his Royal Highness declined to interfere with previous arrangements; he intends to go on the lake trip kangarooing, and to see a native corroboree. The levee is to be held ou Friday, and the foundation stone of the Victoria Tower will be laid ou that day, with a torchlight procession in the evening. On Saturday there is to be a review of troops and volunteers, and ft cricket match, followed by athletic sports. On Monday, the subscription ball. October 31. The Prince landed at Glenelg yesterday, but did not come to town. The hills last night were all illuminated by over 20 bonfires, and the effect was very grand. After the official landing of his Royal Highness, the Galatea will be anchored off the Semaphore, and thrown open to the public. The town was astir all night in making the necessary preparations. Decomtions of the streets and balconies are everywhere going on. King Williamstreet is one line of flags, festooned from end to end; there are also two triumphal arches. People are arriving in thousands from the couutry, and it is estimated that there will be 60,000 people in town to-day. The illuminations to-night promise to be very good. The weather is fine. The Telegraph Office will be closed from 2 to 4 p.m., the hours set apart for the landing and procession. Prince Alfred landed officially at Gle'ielg at 2 p.m., and was received on the jetty by his Excellency the Governor, the Ministry, and Members of both Houses of the Legislature. Some 300 persons were present. The Mayor and Corporation of Glenelg presented an address to the Prince, who was attired in plain clothes. The procession then formed, and, accompanied by a corps of Volunteers, his Royal Highness proceeded to town; on arrival at tli6 first triumphal arch in King William-street he was met by the Mayor and Corporation of Adelaide, who also presented an address in a silver casket; here the procession was joined by a number of Friendly Societies and the Volunteer Infantry. A battery of Artillery fired the usual salute on arrival at the Postoffice. The procession halted while the Sunday school children saug the National Anthem, the effect being very fine; from this the procession proceeded to Government-house. The reception of Priuce Alfred by the vast crowds collected was most enthusiastic, and he appeared evidently pleased by the heartiness of the welcome.