PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 37, 15 February 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

The following is from the Wellington Evening Post. We need hardly say that; i we fully endorse the concluding remarks as to the necessity of making vaccination compulsory, aud the infliction of severe puishment upon parents neglecting to take a precaution, the wisdom of which none can dispute : — It seems now confirmed beyond a doubt that small-pox has actually broken out in Wanganui* in the case of the man Francisco, recently brought there from Eangitikei. We were at first inclined to treat the matter as a false alarm, but) several medical gentlemen having pronounced a deliberate opinion as to the nature of the disease, we must of course* believe them. Nothing is said as to where it could have been contracted, aud it does appear somewhat singular that it should have broken out in an inland place like Eangitikei. Every precaution has been adopted by the authorities at Wanganui to prevent the spread of the contagion : the patient has been removed frdm the vicinity of the race-course* where he was first placed, on board of a boat, which is now anchored inside the Heads. He is attended by a medical man, who is not allowed to go to town, and by two men, who have been engaged to remain with him, but all are in strict quarautinej and | Will remain so until released by the Health [ Officers. Supplies are sent down by parties who are not allowed to go near the boat. It is to be hoped that these measures may prove effectual j still it is within the range of possibility that this virulent disease may find its way among our population, and with such a contingency in view, vaccination should be made compulsory, and pareuts neglecting it severely punished. j The cricket match between Canterbury and Otago was Commenced on Monday the Bth inst, on the ground in Hagley Park. The weather was fine, and there was a very large attendance of visitors. The brass band, led by Mr. Buntz, greatly added to the enjoyment of the day. Otago took the field first. At the conclusion of the day, the first innings closed largely in favor of the Canterbury side, who scored 21], of which Mr A. J. Cotterill brought the large proportion of 72 ; while Otago scored 104, the largest contribution being by Mr MacDonnellj 29. The second innings was on Tuesday, Canterbury scoring 155, When time was called, and it* being six o'clock, the stumps were drawn Canterbury requiring only 17 to win, with, 3 wickets to go down. It was finally agreed to declare the match drawn.— 1 Evening Post. The General G-oVerment Gazette announces that his Excellency the Governor has in her Majesty's name summoned the Hon. Henry Chamberlin, of Auckland to the Legislative Council of New Zealand. Dr Jenner has addressed a letter to the Otago Daily Times, in which he says that ' it is altogether a mistake to suppose that I have come to Dunedin with any idea of forcing myself on the Diocese as

its Bishop^ If it appears that the feeling ■of the Church iu these provinces against -me is really what it is represented to-be by my opponents, all I can. say is, that nothing will be easier than to get rid of tale. But it is due to myself as well as to my numerous friends here, whose most ■kind and cordial welcome will never fade from my remembrance wherever the rest of my life maybe passed — not to hastily "yield to the demands of those who are urging my immediate resignation of all •pretentions of the new See. Allow me, iu conclusion, to inform or remind your correspondents, that I a ; m not here as •Bishop of Dunedin. I have not assumed that title since I landed in NeV Zealand. -3t has, I may also observe, been ray fixed intention, ever since my arrival, not to officiate in any church iu the colony until my position should be more clearly defined than it has been since the decision *of- the 'General Synod. By my signature below I simply claim the title assigned to me" by the Royal Mandate under which I was •consecrated. — I am, etc<, Henry LasCelles Jenner, Bishop of the United 'Church of England and Irelaud, -in the Colony of New-Zealand.' The Pall Mall Gazette considers that ■the wofd has evidently been passed to the •official scribes of France to prepare the public mind for a transition from -paternal to maternal government. The Empress 'has already a voice in the Council, and it seems probable, from the Emperor's recurfring fits of lethargy that she will soon assume more boldfy and completely the -direction of affairs. It appears to be supposed, however, that even Frenchmen may feel some little soreness at being subjected 'to the sway of a lady who has hitherto been remarkable chiefly for her eccentric devotion to priests and milliners ; but the pill is gilded with such stories as the following, which we take from the Gaulois : — " In a circle at Compeigne, a few evenings back, the conversation turned -on the Chassepots, the irresistible effects •of which were explained by a general. The Empress observed — 'We also require Chassepots, in order to preserve our ascendaucy and influence, and they are 'beauty and grace at twenty, cleverness and wit and thirty, and kindness of heart ; at forty.' The Emperor, who had gradually approached, answered with a smile, '* You did not wait for the full age to possess the entire-arsenal.' "