The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1868.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 207, 1 September 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1868.

We are informed that the funeral of Mr Poynter will take place on Thursday afternoon, and thafc the procession will start from his late residence for the old cemetery at the Port punctually at three o'clock. It will be seen from an advertisement that the Provincial Government offices will be closed on Thursday after 1 o'clock, in order to enable the officers of the Government to attend the funeral. A very curious phenomenon is stated to have been observed by the passengers of the Rangitoto on her last passage from the West Coast to Nelson. Between Greymouth and Brighton the sea presented the appearance of patches of blood, or as though it were covered with red ashes, for two or three miles in extent. We have heard no solution of this strange sight, which may possibly, however, have had some connection with the recent mysterious visitations which have been observed in almost all parts of these colonies. Our readers will doubtless peruse with much interest Mr Huddleston's narrative of his visit to Victoria and Tasmania, in furtherance of the objects of the Acclimatisation Society, of which he is so energetic a member. The success which I has attended Mr Huddleston's mission is | indeed very great, and entitles him, as well as the society, to our most cordial congratulations. We may observe that among the most satisfactory results of his visit are the establishment of intimate friendly relations with the kindred associations established in the neighboring colonies, from which mutual future advantage may be anticipated, and especially the fact that Mr Huddleston has landed here — thanks to the ingenious apparatus used by him, and the adoption of which has been recommended on high authority to the Victorian Society, for similar purposes — a very large number of trout ova, in a perfectly healthy state, which have been safely deposited in the hatching pond in the Government Domain. This feat, we may remark, has been also attempted in Canterbury, but has signally failed. The importation of 16 sparrows into the province is also another matter of congratulation, only two hen birds having hitherto reached us from England. The arrival of the two hares will also be regarded with peculiar interest by those who probably imagined that a revival of the old English sport of hare hunting would never he realised in these regions for very many years to come. It is very gratifying to find that the grant placed by the society at the disposal of their secretary has not only been so satisfactorily laid out, hut with such judicious frugality that ndt even the entire amount has been expended. Let us hope that the success of the present experiment

may prove an augury of future prosperity to the movement, -which is calculated to confer so much benefit upon the whole community. A rather extensive sale took place this morning at Mr R. Levien's wharf at the Port, consisting of a quantity of American goods, the cargo of the S. D. Bailey, from San Francisco, which put in here last week under stress of weather. A considerable number of bidders were present, and the cargo, which is stated to have been intended for the South Sea Island trade, included cocoa-nut oil — a novelty in this market — rice, coffee, tobacco, boots, &c, all of which were sold in bond, and realised on the whole satisfactory prices. The sale of the schooner, which had been announced to take place after that of the cargo, was postponed until further particulars can be obtained from the American consul at Wellington. The quarterly fair for the sale of all kinds of cattle and produce takes place tomorrow, on the Agricultural Society's ground at Richmond. It is stated that fat stock and dairy cows are in considerable demand at this moment, and persons having such to dispose of will do weli to avail themselves of this opportunity. We are happy to learn that the official enquiry at Wellington into the loss of the steamer Taranaki has resulted in the honorable acquittal of Captain Francis. We are requested to state that the Lady Barkly will not leave to-day for Motueka, &c, as advertised, but will take her departure to-morrow, at half-past 4 o'clock. The complimentary dinner to Mr Lightband, on his retirement from the office of Gold Warden at Charleston, took place at the European Hotel on Wednesday last, between 30 and 40 gentlemen being present. The Westport Times says that after the usual preliminary toasts had been acknowledged, the chairman, Mr Dwan> proposed the health of the guest of the evening, which was drunk with all the honors. In responding to the toast, Mr Lightband remarked that he felt the attention particularly flattering, considering the short time he had been resident in Charleston, and that he had every reason to be grateful for 'Jhe kindness which had been extended towards him duriDg his limited sojourn. In returning thanks for his own health heing drunk, Mr Broad, the present Warden and Resident Magistrate, took occasion to refer to Mr Lightband's past services, and mentioned the circumstance of his heing spoken of in Hochstetter's great work as the discoverer of the first gold diggings in New Zealand, at Collingwood, where he was engaged in mining pursuits for many years. It is also proposed to present Mr Lightband with a testimonial for past services rendered while in charge of the Grey district, and the subscription list already presents a handsome amount. The West Coast Times of the 26th uit. says that every vessel which arrives from Australia brings a considerable number of diggers who have tried their fortunes in Queensland o and elsewhere, and who have to resume work in Westland. It appears from the Australian papers that there are about 10,000 miners on the Gympie alone, of whom only ahout 1000 have good employment.