The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 21, 25 January 1875, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1875.

TflE Alhombra waa to nave left Melbourne for Hokitika on Saturday, Iho 16ih inst., bur, up to tha time of our going to press, no news had reached U3 of her arrival. Mebtng op Ratepaykks. — The Provincial Hall having been previously engaged for Friday evening next, the meeting of ratepayers which was adjourned until that date will be held to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. Colonial Pbizb Firing. — As considerable interest is taken this year in the prize firing, we have made special arrangements for obtaining telegrams diroct from the ground, whereby we hope to be able to keep our readers informed 6f tho results of the shooting up to one p.m. each day. Wellington Anniversary. — The anniversary of tho Province of Wellington, which occurred on Thursday last was celebrated by a regatta and Caledonian sports. The former, especially, is reported; to have been a great success. I? Lingual OJ? THE LATE CAPTAIN 1 Mackenzie Luckie. — The body of Captain Luckie was conveyed to its final resting resting place, in tho new cemetery, yesterday afternoon. The cortege started from the ship shortly after four o'clock, and consisted of all the captains and officers of the vessels in port, includiug tho officers and crew of tho Michael Angelo, also of a number of Freemasons, of which craft the late captain was a member. Arrived at the grave, the officiating clergyman, the Kev James Leighton, read the burial service, after which the 1 members of the Masonic body each cast into the grave an evergreen sprig. Wo undeißtind that Captain Luckie leaves I a wife and large family in London, tho two eldest sons being in Victoria. The shipping in port had their flags half-mast high yesterday, as a mark of respect to the deceased. AaxiziNs' Association. — The Nelson Anizans will to-morrow- evening give an entertainment that will be well deserving of public patronage, both on account: of the object for which it is given, uatnely, the assistance of Mr Brook r, who recently lost all his furniture by fire, and of the pains which have been bestowed upon is preparation. The first part will consist of music aod singing, iucluiling several popular comic eon^e, a- d performances by ih« Nelson amateur g'ymna9(p, and the shroud of the drama of Luke the Laborer, or the Lost Son. Nelson City Rifles. — Tiie Gazette of the 21st iußtant notifies the appointment of the Kev. James Leighton as honorary chaplain, and ot Henry Godfrey as Sub-Lieutenant. Fancy Dress Ball —The forthcoming fancy dress ball on Friday next in bid of the Lunatic Asylum Recreation Fund ought 10 prove n success, judgiug from the preparations which are in progress. All the sta^e sceuery for the interludes is complete, and the musical rehearsals are going on smoothly and satisfactorily. Without professing to give an exact programme, we may a late that the selections include a scene from n favorite play, two op<M'a cbbrueeij, the Witches' scene from Macbeth, and a musical pautomima ballet ; these will be put on the stage in a thoroughly complete manner between tha duncee. We recommend those who are doubiful about going, on the score of expt naive drew, to cull upon Mr Ravvson, who will be glad to t>ive auy hints to remove that impression. How Fires Occur — Ln3t night, between nine and ten, Mr Horton, Btoremau at Messrs Sclanders & Co.'e, was silling on the doorstep of his house when he heard a few yards from him the fizz of a match ignitKl by contact with fire, followed a few seconds later by another similar sound. Turning round he saw a light, underneath tha door of a one-stalied stable belonging to Mr Anstice, and occupied by Mr Trash. He at once ran to the spot aud extinguished the flame, which, upon examination, he 'fouud had been caused by two or three matches tied up with a small quauiky of tow or rng, or some such substance— in its charred state it was impossible to say exactly what it was. The stable was full of. hay, and the door waa locked, so that had not the light been discovered at once it must inevitably have created in a very few miuuteß a blaze which, with the strong wind that was blowing, would have been most difficult to extinguish. There -can be no doubt whatever that the matches were placed there with the intention of creating a fire, but by whom is a cnyslery yet to be solved.