The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 206, 1 September 1870, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1870.

The sixth auuual report of the Comrnissioaer of telegraphs shows the department under his control to be in a prosperous aud improving condition. The wires have beeu extended during the past year from Wellington to Wauganui, a distance of 14.0 miles, and from thence to Patea, au additional 40 miles, whilst the line is being gradually and steadily pushed through the Waikuto couutry, contracts having beeu takeu in many places for the supply of poles. The total number of telegrams transmitted during the year was 185,423 (au increase of 29,256 on the previous year), and, in order to show how satisfactorily the duties of the staff have been performed, it is stated that within that period only six complaints by the public have been recorded, namely, three of late delivery ; one of breach of confidence; one of wrongly taking down ; and one of failing to deliver a message. This speaks most favorably for the ability aud general attention of the telegraphists and ail employes in the service. The rapid extension of the telegraph in the North Island has kept the Learners' j Gallery iv Wellington fully occupied during the year, and we are told that eighteen cadets, who had been instructed there, have been appointed to fill vacancies caused by the opening of the new stations. The public have largely availed themselves of the use of the wires since the reduction in charges came into operation, I as is shown by the fact that during the June quarter, uuder the new tariff there was an increase of 22,565 telegrams over those during the previous quarter when the higher rates were in vogue. The receipts, however, were a little naore than £100 less for the quarter in which the larger amount of work was done, but the Commissioner is nothing daunted by this fact, and says on this subject, "It cannot be doubted that as telegraphic facilities are extended— especially to the opeuing through to Auckland — aud as the ad- ! vantages of a general use of the wires come to be appreciated, the reductiou of charges will prove a gain to the revenue as well as to the community." The system of Money-order telegrams which was instituted on the loth of Juoe last has been largely made use of, and the privilege thus afforded of the saving of time in the payment of small sums appears from the returns to be highly appreciated by the public. Iv a memorandum for the Governor, appended to the report, is a recommendation from the Commissioner to the effect that the Secretaryof State for the Colonies should be commuuicated with, with the view of ascertaining whether some facilities cannot be effected by the Post Office and Telegraphic authorities at Home, for the receipt and transmission of telegrams to and from the Mother Country. Many valuable suggestions are made relative to the arrangements which would be necessary to carry out such a plan, and the Commissioner states his belief that it' would be a< very great boon, and. greatly calculated, to promote interchange- of communi-caiT-tion throughout the world if the Imperial authorities ..\vould_ endeavor to make ajr*; raiigements.with .ail countries possessing, interior lines of telegraph whereby- telegrams might be received from, or sent to all parts of the world. - -r- The report, after show ing.tbat, the wofi> ,yig expenses beiug paid, a balance of nearly £5000 remains to the credit of the department, concludes in the following words: — "Considering the " depressed state of the colony during the year, the prospects of the department niay be regarded as encouraging, and it can confidently be said that the public fully appreciate the advantages resulting from the reduction of charges, by which the telegraph is made a means of convenience usable by all, instead of a luxury, or a costly necessityin cases of emergency."

Diocesan Synod. — The next session of the Diocesan Synod of Nelson will commence on Friday the 23rd instant. We learn that the- Collingwood Coalmine is now in first-rate working order, they having loaded three vessels, with a , total of over 105 tons of coal, siuce Monday last. Acclimatisation. — We are requested by the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society to state that helms to-day turned out 20 Minah birds in the Wood. Boys are cautioned against destroying any of these birds. Penny Readings. — At the Temperance Hall to-night will be given another of those readings which have already been so highly approved of by the boys of Nelson, for whose benefit they have been instituted. The Rescued Horse. The constables who were dispatched in search of the men Duggau and M 1 Gaffer ty who rescued the former's horse from the control of the bailiff, returned to town to day after an unsuccessful expedition. They proceeded as far as Lake Roto-iti, but finding it impossible to come up with the rann who (had two clear days start of them they 'turned back, giving up the chase as hopeless. Perseverance Company. — The news brought by the Lady Baikly this afternoon of the crushing just concluded at the Perseverance Company's mine, is much more satisfactory than that of the last cleauiug up, the yield being at the rate of nearly au ounce to the ton, 127 ozs having been obtained from 135 tons of s'ona from the No. 2 drive, that from which the last quartz was crushed. In No. 3 drive from which no stone has yet been tested, the reef is now showing 7 feat wide, and gold is visible all through it. Central Board of Education. — At the monthly meeting of the Buard held this day Mr. Barnicoat stated his intention of resigning the chairmanship of the Board, I as, owing to the distance he resided from town, he was unable to discharge the duties as efficiently as he could wish. Considerable regret was manifested at this determination of Mr. Barnieoat's, and uuiversal satisfaction expressed with the able mauuer in which he had hitherto performed his onerous duties. Captain Rough was then unanimously elected in his stead. Mr. and Mrs. Darrell. — Last night's entertainment was to our own mind a far more attractive one than those of the previous evenings. Commencing with selections from the " Hunchback '* of which we shall not attempt to give any description, but, instead, heartily recommenl those of our readers who enjoy a good laugh to attend to-nij/hfc and form their own opinion, the second part consisted of selections from "Hamlet;" ami this, particularly the scene in which the prince first breaks to his consciencestricken mother his knowledge of her guilt, was without exception the finest piece of acting that has ever been seen in Nelson. Then followed the laughable comedy of " The Love Chase," in which Mrs. Darrell made us hope most earuestly that we might never fall into the bauds of any young lady endowed with the gift of "chaff" and badinage to such an extent as the lively ''Constance." After this came the " Youug Girl of the Day" to whose charms we have already paid homage, and songs and recitals made up the remainder of the entertainment, which was of so high class a character that we would advise all those who admire really goo 1 .! acting not to allow Mr. and Mrs. Darrell to leave Nelson without paying them a visit. : - "The ste.amer Golden Crown has been -launched from the yard of Messrs. Duthie and Ross; of Wanganui. She is 210 feet long. " : ; Watch Robbery. — An extensive robbery of watches has recently been effected at G-rahamstown. Three men have been arrested, 51 watches being found in their possession. Fire near Wellington. — On Monday night last, Mr. Hirst's tannery, at Kaiwarra was entirely destroyed by fire. The whole of the works, the engine-houso and machinery, 100 tons of bark, and a large quantity of hides, green and dressed, were; burned. Mr. Hirst will be a loser of several thousand pounds, as nothing was insured. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark from the engine which was used on the works.