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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 184, 6 August 1868, Page 2

The Mail for Europe, via Panama, closes to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock, the Taranaki leaving at 9. The uneasiness which Las been felt for the last few days with reference to the steamer John Perm, has been relieved by the receipt of intelligence that she was at Taranaki last night, where she was detained by stress of weather, and will probably arrive here to-morrow morning. A special meeting of the Board of Works took place yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock, at the Board Room, at which all the members were present, Mr Bentley, M.P.C., being in the chair. The meeting was held for the purpose of receiving and deciding upon the applications of candidates for the office of Assistant Clerk to the Board, the creation of which had been decided on at the meeting held on Friday last. Applications were received from 29 candidates, which were carefully examined by the Board, and after the number had been gradually reduced, the choice was declared to have fallen upon Mr Edwin Smallbone. It is understood that this office and that of tbe Chief Clerk and Surveyor are now to be permanent, and terminable on either side at three months' notice. Messrs Bowen and Hamilton, the Commissioners appointed by the Grovernment to enquire into the conduct of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley during the late disturbances at Addison's Flat, arrived by the Kennedy this morning, en route for the South. Some alarm was created on the Government Wharf on Tuesday night about 9 o'clock by the report that the mailman, _ James Stockwell, whilst crossing from the Wharf to tbe Airedale with the mails for

the South, had fallen overboard, and that the mails were floating up the harbor with the tide. The report proved to be substantially true, but fortunately the mailman and his charge were both speedily recovered, without receiving any serious juryThe Westport papers notice a successful concert given on Thursday evening at the Volunteer Drill Hall, to provide funds for the purchase of an harmonium for the Anglican church, of which Mr Ambrose Moore, a talented Nelson amateur, was conductor. The 'popular' element seems to have preponderated in the programme, although music of a more classical character was not wanting, the great ' hit * of the evening having been the song 'Ka-foozle-um,' sung by 'a weilknown resident.' Sydney papers of the 22nd ult. notice the death of Dr Bland, a weilknown colonist, on the previous day. Mr Dalley, formerly Solicitor General under the Cowper Ministry, and whose able defence of O'Farrell in conjunction with Mr Aspinall, will be in the memory of our readers, was, we regret to state, dangerously ill. The Christchurch and Lyttelton Railway was reopened on the 28th ultimo. Our Sydney files state that the Queensland (Gytnpie Creek) diggings were still creating much excitement in Victoria and New South Wales. At Ophir, too, an old goldfield in the latter colony, a man had discovered a reef from which,unassisted, he had taken 6Olbs weight of gold. Mr, J. H. Cook announces another electro-biological entertainment this evening at the Temperance Hall, which, judging from the interest displayed by the public in the success of the experiments made by him on Saturday night, is likely to be well attended. A very beautiful meteor was visible yesterday evening at half-past seven o'clock, in an easterly direction, and was observed very generally throughout the city. It is described as resembling two distinct flashes of very vivid lightning, and apparently passed near the earth, illuminating the heavens with great brilliancy for several seconds. An accident occurred yesterday afternoon in Bridge-street, about five o'clock, which, but for the most providential circumstances, must have resulted far more seriously. Master William Adams, the third son of W. Adams Esq., of Wilden, was riding up the street at a gentle trot,' and whilst nearly opposite Mr Milner's establishment, the animal shied, throwing one of *he lad's feet out of the stirrup, and bringing him in collision with a dray and cab which were passing in opposite directions at the time. Fortunately Master Adams displayed very considerable presence of mind, and managed to retain possession of the reins, one of his feet being,held in the stirrup and the other being on the ground. The horse was thus prevented from proceeding farther, and a crowd having collected, Master Adams was extricated from the very dangerous and painful position in which he was placed, and was conveyed to Mr Tatton's establishment, where he received every attention. On examination it was found that an incised wound, some inches in length, had been inflicted on the calf of the right leg, which bled profusely, and which, it is supposed, was caused by contact with the step of the cab. Beyond this wound, and the inevitable strain to the muscles of the leg, it is believed that Master Adams has sustained no more serious injury. He was shortly afterwards conveyed home, where we are happy to learn that he is progressing favorably. A lad named Dement, about 14 years of age, fell headlong yesterday afternoon from the scaffolding in front of the building now erecting for Messrs Black & Co., in Trafalgar-street, but we are happy to state, that beyond a few bruises, he sustained no injury, although the height from which he fell was considerable. A complete staff of telegraphic officers arrived to-day by the Gothenburg, en route for the West Coast, and we understand that communication will shortly be established with Westport, Brighton, and Charleston. A chimney took fire about 12 o'clock today, in a house occupied by Mr George King in Bridge-street, which, although the firebell was not rung, created some consternation in the immediate neighborhood. A long ladder was fortunately at hand, and the fire was extinguished in time to prevent more serious results. The Marlborough people have at length succeeded in getting up a local 'sensation/ We learn, from the Evening Poet that

Blenheim on the 31st ulfc. was in a state of the greatest excitement, produced by the intelligence of the encampment at the Pelorus of the Maoris from the North Island, of which we received information by telegram. It appears that on Colonel Haultain's permission to forward arms and ammunition being given, a party of Blenheimites armed 'to the teeth ' started for Havelock. A constable was to leave by water with a further supply of arms and ammunition, and 50 volunteers have been sworn in ready to face the expected foe! The Prison Commission Report recommends that one penal establishment should be erected for the whole colony, keeping in view the probability of another being desirable in the Middle Island; Taranaki, Chathams, Auckland Islands, Quail Island, Mercury Island, Picton, Kapiti, Milford. Sound, Stewart's Island, Durville Island, Great Barrier, and Oamaru are noted as fit sites. A commission of scientific, practical, and experienced persons is suggested I to select the most eligible. Meanwhile, the accommodation of local gaols should be increased, and hulks provided for worst criminals, placed where works of great public utility can be commenced at once. Dr Hector scientifically recommends Stewart's Island for the south establishment, Durville for central, and Great Barrier for northern. Mr Balfour recommends the formation by penal labor of a harbor of refuge at Taranaki, and also between the Grey and Buller. A despatch from the Duke of Buckingham, received by the Panama mail, significantly says, ' Although the responsibility for the management of the natives is now transferred to the Colonial Government, the state and condition of this portion of the colony has in no way lost its interest.' A preliminary committee, composed of gentlemen from all the Provinces, is forming to devise a colonial farewell to Bishop Selwyn, who, it is understood, will remain only two months in the colony. The Wellington Evening Post of yesterday says — -Wars and rumors of wars seem to be the order of the day in the Wairau just now. A few days ago the ferry punt at Gouland's ferry was seized by main foree — after a glorious defence by its lessee — by the Provincial authorities. The former, however, made a second successful raid upon his alleged property on the following day ; but numerical strength and the arm of the law prevailed upon strategy, and a second time the punt fell into the hands of the Provincial authorities, after a sharp but decisive encounter, Police are now guarding it night and day. On Wednesday week, Lansdowne, in the Halswell district, Canterbury, was totally destroyed by fire. The house and furniture are insured in the London and Liverpool and Globe for £1000 and in the Northern for £600. The Auckland Evening News of the 31st inst. has the following: — Mr Hunt brought up from Sbortland last evening eight ingots of gold, containing 3,500 ounces of gold, which, with the amount already received, would make the total quantity produced at the recent crushing at Hunt's Claim about 10,700 ounces, 700 ounces in excess of the amount required to win the wager laid by Mr Hunt. The Tauranga also brought up last night about 1,000 ounces, making the total amount brought up yesterday 4,500 ounces, or thereabouts. H.M.S. Rosario, when going to Opotiki, encountered a terrific blow, and was nearly driven on the Rurimu rocks off Whakatane, where the chances are she would have gone to pieces. By the combined usß of steam and canvas, the ship was got to sea, and escaped her dangerous position most miraculously. A boat was however swept off the vessel in the storm, and she suffered in her sails and rigging to that extent that she had to proceed to Auckland to refit. A etory is going the rounds to the effect that when the sovereigns were in Paris last year, the Emperors of Russia and of Austria, and the King of Prussia went out for a stroll incog, and lost their way. They, applied to a well-dressed Irishman, who readily and courteously showed them the way. Before leaving, they asked the name of their guide, but Pat insisted first on knowing theirs.. To his astonishment he was given their royal titles. He concluded at once that they were tricking him. They then reminded him that he promised to tell them who he was, and after some hesitation and mysterious air of confidence,, Pat, putting his hand to his mouth, whispered, 'I am loiperor of China; but don't tell anybody.'