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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 67, 20 March 1868, Page 2

We have received a letter signed * A Colliogwood Elector ' calling attention to the fact that, in addition to the calumnies so industriously circulated affecting Mr Collins private character at the recent election, the rival candidates issued placards announcing their intention to address the electors at Slate River, on Sunday last, which, however, was stopped by the interference of a respectable storekeeper on the spot. . Our correspondent enquires whether this proceeding is strictly consistent either with the dignity and duties of a Justice of the Peace or with electioneering practices generally. The Lady Barkly left Nelson on Thursday, the 17th inst., at 1 p.m., and proceeded to Collingwood, .via Motueka. She arrived at Collingwood, at 2 a.m. on the 18th, anchoring outside during a stiff gale, which lasted until about 6.30 a.m., when, during a lull in the storm, she was enabled to land her passengers on the

beach. The Lady B-arkly proceeded the same day to Waitapu, returning iu the evening to Colliogwood, which she lefc about 6 a.m. on the 19th, calling at Totaranui, and after another call at Motueka, arrived iu Nelson, at 6 o'clock that evening. The Lady Barkly reports the following six vessels as lying weatherbound nt Toturanui : — the Mary Frances, from "Wellington to Newcastle ; the Alert, from Nelson to West Wanganui ; ihe Isabella, from Manukau to Hokitika ; the Ann, from Manukuu to Fox'd ; the Crest of the Wave, from Dunediu to Greymouth ; and the Elizabeth Curie, from Duuedin to Okarita. The half-yearly meeting of the Nelson Fire Brigade for the balancing of the accounts of the current half-year, &c, takes place this eveniug, at the Enginehouse, Ilarley-streef, at 7 o'clock. A weatherboard cottage at Richmond, the property of Mr. Kiusett, ami adjacent to ihe Red Horse Lid, on the Foxhill road, narrowly escaped destruction yesterday afternoon. It appears that a chirnnpy had caught fire, and the wind being very high, the sparks were curried on to the roof, atid the shingles and riJjie-boiird spee'ily became ignited. Happily the fire was discovered before it had caused any further mischief, and assistance being at hand and promptly rendered, a few buckets of water fcufficed to extinguish the flames. An accident, providentially of no serious character, occurred yesterday evening to Mr. Thomas Scott, whilst superintending the landiug of a horse from the L'idy Barkly. It appears that the animal had just touched the wharf, when Mr. Scott received a violent blow from the handle of ihe winch, inflicting a large scalp wound on the left side of the head. Luckily the sfain on ihe winch was al-mo-t exhausted, or the consequences would have been of a far more serious nature. Mr. Scott was attended hy Dr. Cotterell, and, we are glad to hear, is now doing well. We understand that several of the Inspectors of Insurance Companies being now in town, it has been determined that a meetiug shall take place to-morrow morning between them and the local representatives of the various Companies, for the purpose of arranging the rates of insurance on property in this city. We regret that advantage has not been taken of this opportunity to exhibit to the Inspectors the efficiency of our Fire Brigade and also the capabilities of our Water Supply, with a view to some reduction on the rates of iusurance, of which we hear so many complaints. Our readers are probably aware that Messrs Black Campbell and Black, having resolved on rebuilding their extensive premises iu Trafalgar-street, which were destroyed by the late fire, a handsome design has been prepared by Mr Eeatson, architect, of this city, which will form a material addition to the ornamental features of lhat part of Nelson. Its construe! ion will be commenced immediately, Mr Lightfoot being the general contractor, and Mr Walton the contractor for the masoury. The building will be of Adele Island stone, a considerable quantity of which has already arrived, fully bearing out the report of its excellent quality aud especial adaptability to building purposes, made by the party, including Dr Irvine, Messrs Younger and Miles and others, who visited the island about 12 months ago. We are happy to find that the stone is being thus introduced to public notice, not only with a view to the probability of its future employment here, but of its importation in due course to other places. We are happy to learn that Mr Akersten has erected a wharf and apparatus for shipnuig large blocks of stone from the land side orer against the island, which is

apparently a continuation of the same stratum of stone as that v/hich tuns through the island, but separated in all probability by some volcanic action, aud that every facility is thus afforded for shipping blocks of very considerable size, the wharf being approachable by vessels of largo tounnge. Private Catley was this afternoon the the successful competitor for the third Firs 2; Class District prize, having scoreJ a ball's eye against two outers made by Captain Slater ami Private J. A. Moore. As an iustatice what high prices pure sheep may bring in. this colony, it is stated that the sale at Duncdia on tlm 12th iust. of the celebrated flock of Mr F. Rich, realised uo less than £12,000. There was a good attendance, ami the prices realised were high. There were three thousaud sheep sold. The first stud ram fetched £230. and was bought by Mr Wentworth. The others averaged £40 ; ram lambs, £3 10s. ; ewe lambs, £2 12s. 6d. The Yass Cornier (N.S.W.) says : — Dr Guthrie Cnrr effected an operation in the presence of a large and respectable audience, in Hart's assembly room, that must both suprise and somewhat confound the opponents of mesmerism. In excising a tumor from a man's head, just over the temporal region, he first placed the subject in a state of mesmeric coma. During the operation neither the audience nor yet the Rev. Mr Liilingstou, who occupied the chair, could detect the movement of a muscle. The young man declared to the audience that hejvas utterly unconscious of p::in. This is the second successful oj>enuiou Dr Carr has performed in this colony, he having, a few days ago', removed a tumor from «i man's throat in Albury, while he was ia the mesmeric state. At the last meeting of the Royal Society, the President and Council had under consideration the means to be employed in making complete observations of the total eclipse of this year. The eclipse will be of the greatest possible duration, affording, therefore, more leisure than usual for such observations as can only be made during the brief interval of the totality. The total phase will be visible iu India, but elsewhere only in countries practically unavailable. Recent observations on the spectra of the heavenly bodies render spectroscopic observations of the red protuberances and of the corona a matter of peculiar iuterest. A bill relating to pnrnary instruction has just been laid before the Bavarian. Chambers. Scholastic teaching is declared obligatory for all children from 6 years to 16. The primary school, properly so called, comprises a period of 7 years, and the higher course 3. The former is to be followed by the children every week-day, but the latter only on Sundays and fete days, and, iu general, in the evening. Iu the winter, when field labors are suspended, the village authorities can oblige the adolescent population to attend courses fixed for certain days in the week. The instruction is not gratuitous, but the contribution which the communes ara authorised to have collected by the municipal receiver is very moderate — about 9d. a quarter for each pupil. The deficit is provided for by a levy on the general taxation. Besides, many communes and! . towns have considerable revenues arising from legacies for primary instruction. The bill assimilates the teachers to public functionaries. They hold their licenses from the State, and are only admitted after public competition. Their salary varies from £40 to £50, with lodging ia the school-house, or an indemnity to pay for one. Why should the stars be the best astroraers ? — Because they have studded (studied) the heavens even since thes Creation,