Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1896.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 140, 15 June 1896, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1896.

Hitherto the masquerading pranks of some fool or idiot playing the ghost have been alluded to rather indulgently, but the curious mixture of fact, exaggeration and rumour has established an undoubted scare among the children, and the matter must now be treated more seriously. Sensible people believe that there aro far more rumours and exaggeration than fact in the reports of the appearance of the so-called apparition in various parts of the city, and we have been unable to obtain at firsthand any definite assertion from eyewitnesses that it has beon actually seen. But there are seemingly wellauthenticated accounts given secondhand of its doings. One of these is that the ghost has a particular " set " or "down " on a youthful lamplighter, or rather lamp-extinguisher, who has been chased frequently, and who now fears to venture out in the small hours of the morning without a companion. Again, we are told that boys have actually pelted tho ghost with pebbles in the Old Cemetery j that it received more than it bargained for from a local bicyclist * that it was distinctly seen on the Port Hills ; and that it has an ingenious apparel, half white half black, which enables it to make a disappearance in the dark by merely turning round. But all inquiry has failed to elicit definite information, and the danger to be feared is that " the means to do ill deed may make ill deeds done," and that some who have hitherto had no notion of playing tho ghost may attempt a practical joke entailing very serious consequences. It will be remembered that in Nelson some time ago similar pranks were played, and that a young man who was scared ran from Church Hill to a shop in Trafalgar-street, and fell fainting across the threshold. When it is considered that frequently the consequences of fright- in delicate women and timid children have been fatal, or lasting a lifetime in disfigurement of offspring and mental aberration, it will be admitted that, trivial as the subject may seem, it is worthy of attention, comment, and protest. The ono tangible fact about tho alleged ghost ofNelson is that hundreds — perhaps thousands — of children and women are in a pitiable state of apprehension and morbid dread. One has only to knock at a friend's, door after dark to discover how general is the scare, and in the circumstances the police would be justified in making a thorough investigation. If any one isindulging in an atrocious | .prank, he should bo caught and soundly punished, and v rumour alone is responsible, an authoritative reassurance should be given. It is all very well to laugh and enjoy a new subject for animated conversation, but there is an element of tragedy inchildren affrighted at their own shadows in a city wher they have been accustomed to go about after dark in the utmost security. Many parents declare that they would have no mercy on any one they caught playing tho ghost, and that they would feel justified in inflicting on such a person serious injury ; and they cannot be blamed for making such a resolve. It is the duty of the police to institute the necessary inquiries, and if there be any truth in the persistent statements of a masquerading figure being seen at night, they should set a watch, catch " the ghost," and have him or her severely punished. Many people have a shrewd suspicion as to the identity of the practical joker who may have

been out once or twice with a sheet and a broom-handle, and whose appearances have been multiplied by scare, rumour, and exaggeration into nightly visitations. The police, however, should confirm these suspicions by taking the fellow in the act, or they should be able at once to give an assurance that the ghost ia "all moonshine" and the outcome of mere tak. A ghost may afford a topic for much fun and interesting conversation ; but it is a distinct nuisance in the family circle after dark. Parents have enough to do to humour nervous or timid children and see that they are not upset, without the added worry of some idiotic practical joker who may be seifishly amusing himself and a few friends at the oxpense of the whole community. Tarring and feathering for such a person, if he exist, would be only a mild punishment, and in justice there should be added a spell of hard work on the Rocks Road.

An interesting account of the Khalifa and Abdullahi, ruler of the Soudan in succession to El Mahdi, compiled from Slatin Pasha's new book, will be found on the 4th page of this issue.

Mr Richard Crabb, temperanoe lecturer, is in the wars at Wellington. He has just won in a slander action brought against him by a publican, and he has now instruoted Sir Robert to issue a writ against the Wellington "Times "for alleged libel, claiming £2000 damages.

It is rather amusing to read the two reports of the Premier's address at the Wellington Opera House as given in tho " New Zealand Timeß" and the " Poßt. " The " Times "ignores the interruptions altogether, and is laudatory to a degree, but the " Post " does not mince matters either in its report of the meeting or its comment thereon.

Wood, Shand & 00, merchants, of Christchurch, have gone insolvent. The liabilities are £17,219 and the assets £29,306, the estimated surplus being £12,086. The Union Bank is the prinoipal Becured creditor.

In regard to the wreck of the small steamer Picton on the North Spit, Karamea, it appears that her owners are the Karamea Shipping Company, registered, consisting of a number of settlers. The vessel has recently been lengthened 15ft, and a new boiler worth £160 had been put in, tho cost of putting iv tbe latter being £50. The carrying capacity of the Picton at the time of the accident was over 20 tons, and she was registered to take 8 passengers. The settlers who own the Picton bave been singularly unfortunate recently, as they have had to make good £000 owing to the failure of a butter Factory, , and now they have lost their vessel.

* Tho Very Rev Father Mahonoy had a narrow esoape from a serious accident yesterday morning in Nile-street West, opposite South-Btreet. He was driving in his sulky as usual to celebrate 7 o'olook mass at the Stoke Orphanage, and he had his man in the trap with him. At tho spot in question the horse broke its fore hoofs through a thin surface layer of earth, and fell forward into a deep hole. The occupants of the sulky were not thrown out, but the horse was cut and bruised about the knees, and on the forehead. Father Mahoney returned to tbe parsonage and went out to Stoke in his buggy, and returned to Nelson in time for the 11 o'olook mass. He is thankful that the accident was no worse. One of the fore knees of tbe horse is severely out, and the other has the hair and skin taken off, while there is a bad gash on the forehead, but with oare the animal may be good for many years more to come. The cost of repairs both of the horse and of the bole in Nile-street, will be borne by the City Council.

Tho' usual monthly meeting of the Permanent Building Society of Nelson will be held this evening. Messrs Topliss and Trask are the stewards.

Steady rain fell this afternoon and the weather has turned damp, cold, and gloomy.

A telegram received by Judge Robinson from the Chief Justice advices that the sittings of the Supreme Court will not b held till 29th prox.

A woman from Takaka was committed to the Nelson Lunatio Asylum on Saturday evening,

At a committee meeting of tbe Agricultural and Pastoral Association held at Richmond on Saturday evening ;.Mr Croncher in the chair) Mr Glen, tbe Secretary, presented the balance sheet. The statement showed that tbe Society was in a prosperous condition, haviDg £400 in assets and no liabilities. Reference was made to the valuable services of Mr Glen as Secretary. Messrs Kingdon and W. T. Bond were appointed to draft the Report to be presented at the annual meeting.

When your watches, clocks, or jewellery want repairing, get them done by practical and experienced workmen. Hunter's, Bridge street, ie the oldest established watchmaking and jewellery business in Nelson, where the best materials only aro used, and workmanship is guaranteed.

For rheumatism I have, found nothing equal to Chamberlain's Pain Balm. It relieves tho pain as soon as applied. J, W. Young, West Liberty, W. Va. The prompt relief it affords is alone worth many times the cost. Its continued use will effect a permanent euro. For sale by James Book.