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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 290, 7 December 1867, Page 2

We are happy to observe that the Board of Works, doubtless convinced of the error of their ways and repentant for the act of Vandalism which they recently committed on the old pukatea tree, are now exhibiting a spirit of the most laudable conservatism. Not only has a substantial octagonal fence been placed round the fine ash tree on the banks of the Maitai, whose piteous appeal for protection our readers may have perused in these columns, but it has been surrounded with a seat, on which visitors may rest themselves and survey at leisure the picturesque scenery around them, which the erection by the Government of the new Mle-street bridge will go far to enhance. We need hardly say that we record with real gratification this evidence of an improved taste on the part of the worthy Council of Seven. We understand that telegraphic communication with Christchurch and the South is again interrupted, several poles having been blown down by the late gale between the Kaikouras and the Cheviot-hills. In consequence of the Kennedy not leaving until Tuesday, the Nathan Juvenile Troupe have generously intimated their willingness to give a benefit in aid of the various expenses to be defrayed by the Tire Brigade in fitting up the new engine-house, lately erected for them by the Government. The benefit will therefore take place on Monday evening at the Odd-fellows' Hall, when a very attractive programme is promised for the occasion, including Andy Blake and the Happy Man. Little Marion's impersonations of these two characters are, it will be remembered, amongst her happiest efforts, and in addition to these attractions we understand that the Fire Brigade will appear in full panoply on the stage during the evening, and also contribute to the entertainment hy their united vocal efforts. We feel confident that the public generally Avill do their utmost to second the generous intentions of the Nathan Family, and also show their appreciation of the valuable services which the Fire Brigade render to, the community by mustering strongly on this occasion. We understand that a sum of £30 will be required for the purposes alluded to, and an effort on this occasion would secure this object without the necessity of any further appeal to the public. We understand that a child of Mr Cottier, of the Albion Hotel, fell into the water at the wharf this morning, between 12 and 1 o'clock. Mr Barnett, butcher, saw the child fall and immediately plunged in and succeeded in bringing the child to the shore. Our informant had just left the little sufferer in a very precarious state. In accordance with an intimation which appeared in our columns on Thursday last, the new firebell, now hung in the belltower in Harleystreet, was pealed for a sufficient time to habituate the citizens to its tones, which were found on comparison to be louder and more sonorous than those of the old bell. Its sound, we are told, was heard distinctly at a considerable distance from town on the Waimea-road. A large concourse of people assembled outside the enginehouse to witness the experiment, at the conclusion of which the Brigade went through its customary practice. It will be in the recollection of our readers that we noticed a few days ago the escape and capture of one of the female patients at the Lunatic Asylum. The same woman escaped again on Thursdaj evening, and was fouud at the Catholic Station at an early hour on the following morning, her clothes dripping with the heavy rain which had fallen during the night, and imploring protection from the attempts of some imaginary enemies to take away her life. By the directions of the Rev. Father Garin, she was taken to an adjacent dwelling, where her clothes were dried, and information forwarded to the police of her whereabouts. In the afternoon she was conveyed to the asylum, but shortly afterwards again effected her escape, and was only recaptured this morning. The fact that this unhappy woman has been able thus frequently to elude the vigilance of her keepers, would surely point to the necessity of more strict surveillance on the part of the authorities at the Lunatic Asylum. The firing for the Champion Prize commenced this morning at 10 o'clock, at the Maitai Butts, the various competitors from the City Companies and from Wakapuaka and Waimea West taking part in the contest, but had not concluded when we went to press. The weather was too warm and bright to be favorable to : the shooting, and the highest score which had been made was only 23. We shall give the result in our next issue. The Goldfields Department in Otago has now been again completely taken over by the Local

Government; and the goldfields business is now again being transacted within the Provincial Government Buildings. The Yorkshire colliers have condemned the Sheffield outrages. Some 15,C00 lately met at Barnsley and passed the following resolution: — ' That this meeting expresses its utmost abhorrence of the crimes revealed before the Commission at Sheffield; that it looks upon the authors of such crimes as a disgrace to our common country: and upon the unions who have permitted their affairs to be conducted in the manner shown to be equally culpable; and that this meeting hopes that the scathing exposures made ivili be the the means of putting an end to such a system of terrorism and crime for ever.' The speeches and resolutions maintained the necessity of trade unions to protect the interests of working men.

Froni the West Coast of Africa news has arrived of the death of the warrior-chief Mabba, who has for the last six years been a fearful scourge among the native tribes inhabiting the countries bordering on the English and French territories in the Senegambia. Mabba in 1861 was a chief of, but little importance in, the kingdom of Baddiboo. He -was however a stanch Mahomedan, and, watching his opportunity in that year, he rebelled against his pagan king, put him to death, and assumed the supreme rule of the country. With fire and sword he established the religion of Islam, killing all those who would not shave their heads and swear on the Koran their adherence to his faith. This fanatical warrior, elated by the success he had obtained over his Negro brethren in June 1866, sent an invading army into the British territory on the Gambia, but he was repulsed, and sustained great losses from the able strategy of the Governor, Colonel D'Arcy. Mabba however then thought he would attack the French, and in December of the same year, with 4000 warriors, surrounded a party of 300 European French troops and massacred them all, with the exception of nine, who alone escaped to tell the sad tale. The sacrifices and customs of the King of Dahomey are but a trifle compared to the slaughter and misery this fanatic Mabba has inflicted on the unoffending Negro races. He was at last captured in battle by Joliffe, the king of Sein, and his head and hands sent exultingly by that king, as a trophy of successful "war, to the Governor of the French settlements on the Senegal. It has been computed that no less tban 20,000 human beings have been killed, or have died througli starvation, or have been abducted and sold into slavery, by this monster Mabba under the cloak of religion; so that now his career is ended it is hoped that peace and prosperity may be restored to these unhappy countries.

The United States Government has purchased the Bay of Sanama, in the Republic of St Domingo, for the sum of £ 1 ,000,000. The Bay of Sanama is among the finest harbors in the world, and the supply of coal for steam purposes is virtually inexhaustible, and so situated that vessels can load alongside the mines.

The first to fly from the cholera at Albano were the authorities, and their pusillanimity so incensed the Pope that he ordered most of them to be dismissed, and sent Monsignor Appolloni to the town to re organise the administration. Monsignor Appolloni cheerfully undertook the mission, but the same spirit was not found in another high envoy, whom the Holy Father despatched with his condolence to the King of Naples, and who delivered his message with chattering teeth; then, regardless of court etiquette, hurried to his carriage, and drove back to Rome as fast as the horses couid speed. Both the king and his sister, the Princess Maria Pia, have since been attacked by the cholera, but are now considered out of danger. The disease however was fatal to the king's younger brother, the Count de Cattagirano. Many of the nobility have . also been carried off, one of them being the Princess Colonna, who died in a few hours at her chateau at Gensano.