Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1889.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 157, 23 July 1889, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1889.

«———■■ I|| || |iinuim ill iiii|iiiiii.inu»»i-MMn i|ij| "J_J' It is pleasant to find from the annual report of the Nelson Aid Society that the number of those requiring assistance during the past year showed a marked decrease as compared with the previous year, and that " those whose names are now on the list are principally aged indigent persons whose present circumstances are not the result of improvidence, indolence, or intemperance." The absence of anything approaching the "pauper" claBS is a matter for congratulation, and we would that it were more general throughout the colony. It mußt not be thought, however, that there is no need for the charitable gifts of those who are in comfortable circumstances. The bare statement that just now, in the very depth of winter, the Sooiety has a Bank balance of only some £3 forms an appeal for further aid that should force itself upon the consideration of those who can afford to be liberal. The mere thought that there are amongst us those who in the bitter weather that has prevailed of late are without firing, or at least are compelled to use it so sparingly that its effects are barely appreciable, should be a key to unlock many purses. In connection with the Society is a Committee of Ladies, who could tell heart rending tales of individual hardship, even though the distress is not widespread — hardships that could be relieved by many, almost without their feeling it, by nearly all by the exercise of a little self-denial, it may occur to some on reading the report that the machinery of the Society is all boo large for dealing with the small sum which is placed at its disposal, but on the other hand it should be remembered that the same machinery is oapable of putting through a far larger quautity of material, and if this latter is only supplied in sufficient quantities there will be some lighter hearts in Nelson, and a smaller number of those who are provided with the barest necessities of life and nothing more. Sixty-five pounds expended upon the relief of twentyfive families! "We should like to hear from those through whom the relief was administered how much more was needed to bring anything like comfort to tho homes of the recipients. They were not allowed to starve, but beyond this to what extent were their wants provided for? We know that there are cases in Nelson which ought to appeal — and would appeal if all the details wero known — more successfully than they do to tbe charitable, and we can assure those who may be disposed to give, that a few minutes' conversation with any of those who visit the poor and make themselves acquainted with their needs would convince them that their alms would bring comparative happiness to many who through no fault of their own find them, selves so utterly deficient of this world's goods that they scarcely know how they and their families are to live from one day to another. The kindly sympathy that is displayed, and the words of comfort that are spoken by those who do the real work of the Society are very cheering to those to whom they are addressed, but there is something more than this wanting. There are very many who do not feel themselves equal to undertaking the duties that are so cheerfully, and unselfishly performed by the visiting members, who have it in their power to supply this want. They could ascertain where a good meal that might be provided from their kitchens would be very highly appreciated, they could make money gifts to the Society, and there are few who could not con* tribute something in the shape of cast off clothing which in this winter weather would be acceptable indeed. Will they do so? We commend the Aid Society and its work to the favorable consideration of aU who, while Bupplied with evex'y comfort themselves, are not disposed to be unmindful of the wants of their less favored fellow creatures. We understand that Lady Onslow intends paying a visit to Nelson. She will arrive on Friday, and will probably remain here a week. We have received information from the Pelorus Sound to the effect that a large amount of bush falling is being' let there by contract, three of the settlers alo<;e being about to clear 1600 acres, while others am clearing smaller quantities. It may be of interest to those who find employment difficult to obtain in or near tfelson'to learn that no one who knows how to handle an axe need remain out of work, as there is plenty fco be obtained in tbe locality named. A teial was made yesterday before ex« perts of the new Flay Dresser, for which Mr E. M. Crosbie has taken out a patent, and the result waa highly satisfeetpry, the flax being equally well dressed frehi butt to point, and in no way bruised or broken, the i sample turned out being first class, while at the came jbjme there was a great saving in the usual Joss from tow. The revolving beating roller in thig machine runs one revolution to three of the &u,fced roller, the beating roller being furnished wjth a scraper, which keeps it clean. By' this arrangement the flax is firmly held to the point of the blade, and is equally dressed throughout. A number of blades can be dressed iogether without undue pressure or in any way injuring the fibre. Another groat advantage ia that the power required for driving is only about two-thirds of (hat neceegary for the ordinary stripper in uso, and a far Igeb amount of attention and labor is wanted to keep fcha machine in order. Ac wo have said tho trial yceStrriay wu« completely successful, and with the many roqooameudntions whioh tbe new machine offers, there should be a large demand for it, and

wo hope to uee. Mr Croflbk'a fou-idry kept; busy in supplying tho number of orders which ahould pour iv ujjon him. A striking comment; upon tha of assertion that "farming doesn't pay" is to be found io a report Bupplied ua by Messrs Sharp and Sonß ot a land sale held by them to-day, when, after spirited bidding, the property of the late Mr Arthur Bradley, at | Stoke, was disposed of at the following [ prices :— Lot 1., consisting of 31_ aorea of land with dwelling house and farm buildings Bituated at Stoke, £1,100, or abont £35 per acre; Lot 11., 17£ aores at Stoke, £700, or £41 per aore. Tbe purchaser of both lotß was Mr John Bradley, who haß been working on the property for many years, and therefore is well acquainted with itß value. The lot in the Wood, consisting of half an aore with two cottages thereon, realised £310. Mr Baigent has engaged Miss Mabel Sylvester to give a series of performances at I the Royal Rink, where she will make her | first appearance to-morrow evening. Wher ever Miss Sylvester has appeared her performances are spoken of in the highest terms, all her movements being most graceful and easy. She should be the means of attracting large numbers 'to the Rink, where Mr Baigent looses no opportunity of scouring the best performers that are to be found in the colony. " A charming entertainment " was the unanimous verdict of the large audienoe whioh crowded the Shelbourne street schoolroom last night. The programme was an excellent one, and contained several songs which were encored, pianoforte performances, glees, and two raoitations, one of a pathetio oharacter and the otber comio, by a lady recc-ntly arrived from England, whose dramatic powers rumor had by no means exaggerated, while her memory must be remarkable, for each recitation — both including a considerable amount of dialogue — lasted over twenty minutes, and was delivered without the slightest hesitation.

Thb following is the statement filed of the assets and liabilities in the estate of Jame.) Patching, a bankrupt : —Liabilities : Unsecured creditors as p«r list; £335 9a 4d. Scoured creditor.-- : Trustees Nelson Savings Bank on land aud buildings Toi Toi Valley (valued at £1000), £692 4s. Assets : Stock in trade, £50 ; furniture, £25 ; surplus from securities in hands of scoured oredi'ore, £307 16?. Surplus of assets over liabilitiep, £47 6s 9d. The unsecured oreditorn are as follow : — J. P. Cooke £11 5 a Bd, Wilkins and Field £2 4s 3d, Noale and Haddow £3 ls 2d, Griffin and Sons £3 5s 4d, T. H. Foy £8 16, W. Anetioe senr. £5 2a 6d, Dr Looking £2 12s, Dodson and Sons £3, George Thompson £2 10a 2d, Chittenden and Co £2 12a, J. R. Sigley £2 9e 3d, Pist. and Mooro £5 4s, Canterbury Press Co. £3 4s 6d, W. HoU, Wakefiold £6 2s, J. Wilson, Richmond £17, and £22 for rent, W. Ba'.eman, Belgrove £20, J. Patching, wogc-s £75, R. Patching, wagea £50 P. H. Patching, wa?es £80, Sundry Bmall aooounts £7 10s. Total, £335 9a 3d. Thbbb has been great enthusiasm in musical circles in Ohristohurch over an anticipated visit from Santley, the celebrated baritone. Arrangements were set on foot for giving a series of oonoerts, the leading musical people quarrelled as only mußioal people can quarrel, over questions of precedence, who was to do this and tbat, and so on, and then in the midst of all tbis turmoil a telegram was received that Santlev was not coming after all. The musical people have now to calm down their excitement, grieve over their disappointment, make up their quarrels as best they oan, and admit generally that they have been making rather fools of themselves. Mr, B. H. Moller notifies in another column that be baß reoeived a fresh shipment of vegetable and otber Beeds, and that he has issued a catalogue giving fall descriptions, which should be of great interest ta amateur gardeners. Much sympathy (says the Marlborough Express of Friday) was expressed in town last evening for Mr and Mrs C. Watts, of Lanadowne, when it became known that they had lost a fine little boy of two years old by aocident. The poor little fellow was seated on the back of a pony, when by some means he fell off, and not getting clear, was dragged some distance, sustaining such injuries that death supervened almost immediately^ afterwards. Mr Watts, who was in Blenheim at the time, was instantly sent for, as also was Dr Olegborn, but all was of course unavailing. Jackson's whaLing crew afc Ta Awaite (say a the Express) on Wednesday fastened to a largo whale, hut, as on two former occasions this season, the iron broke, and of course the fish escaped ; the weapon being a new ono. The Evpress understands that Mr H. A« Sharp, an Engliah barrister, and a son of Mr John Sharp, Mayor of Nalaon, ib abont to practice his profession in Blenheim. Thb Marlborough Express says that there is a chance of Simonaen's Opera Company visiting Nelson and Blenheim when their season at Wellington is completed. Mb. J. Hill snnounoes in hia Advertisement thoLt this is the last month his blight paint will be procurable thia seanon. Mabket Report.— OogDao, June 12, 1889. Messrs Rouyer Guillf-t and 00 , of Cognac, report that " the seaaon continues eminently favorable for the vines. They havo not suffered in tbe least from spring frosts, and there is a good show of fruit, which only requires fine weather to develop it. The general expectation ie that thia will prove a good vintage. Farmers are paying great attention to their vines and treating them : liberally, when required, with all the known J antidotes against mildew, oidinm, ko. There is aB yet no positive oure for phylloxera, but | sufficient is known to Bave the vines from further harm, The planting of new vines is being poshed steadily ior ward, and there is no doubt that in a very few years abundant vintages will be certain in good seasons."