Local Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 47, 11 June 1859, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Concert. — OnFriday, the 3rd instant, there-opening of the Odd-Fellows' Hall, Nelson, was oelebrated by a concert. The additions to the hall have been recently noticed in this journal, so that we need not again describe them ; suffice it to say, that both the appearance and the comfort of the building have been very much improved. The management of the concert was entrusted to Messrs. Percy and Bailey, and the programme presented a judicious selection of music, which attracted an extremely good attendance, the large hall being nearly full in every part. The glees were given with much spirit, by Messrs. Walcot, Percy, Rout, and Leaper, and elicited a very fair share of applause ; and the serenade " Star of the Summer Night," composed by Mr. C. Bonningfcon, was especially successful. The rich, musical voice of Mr. Ryder gave good effect to the favourite song o£ "The Standard Bearer," and Miss Phillips sang a couple of ballads with that grace ard ease which has always made the young lady a favourite with the Nelson audience. A pianoforte duet, played by Mrs. Laking and Mrs. Helps, formed an agreeable variety to the vocal portion of the entertainment, and both it and the pianoforte solo, by Mrs. Helps, were much applauded. Mr. Collins obtained an encore for " Simon the Cellarer." In the second part, his comic song of " The Lost Child," caused regular outbursts of laughter. A local song, entitled "Nelson Again," adapted to a popular tune, by Mr. J. L. Bailey, was well received by the audience, who, however, appeared to be disappointed that there were no additional or encore-verses. Mrs. Laking sang the Scotch song of " Auld Robin Gray " and the Irish one of " Dermot Asthore," with much pathos ; and the fact that this lady had come from a considerable distance in the country, to give her gratuitous services to a charitable institution, gave an interest to her singing. An original song entitled "Florence Nightingale," written by Mr. Bailey, and adapted to a French air, was sung by Mr. Percy, and both the subject and the style of singing appeared to be so popular with the audience that the song was enthusiastically encored. The Binging of Mr. Walcot (the only professional gentleman engaged) is now so well known iv Nelson, and has been so often lauded in this journal, that we need only say that on this occasion he sang several of his favourite songs (including one of his own composition), with his usual taste and ability; and that he also received a very full share of applause. Mr. Mr. Bonnington presided at the pianoforte, and much

■of the success of the songs was due to the able accompaniment. We may just add, in conclusion, that the whole entertainment was pronounced to be most successful, and we are glad to learn that a considerable sum was handed over to the building fund, for the benefit of which the concert had been undertaken.— Communicated.

The Government Buildings.— -We understand that the following tenders in connection with the erection of the new Government buildings have been accepted : Carpenters' and Joiners' work, Henry and Scott, £2,749; Plumbers' work, T. Stringer, £450 ; Painting and glazing, T. Louisson, £600 ; Stone work, Brown and Simpson, £80. We hear that it is contemplated to lay the foundation stone of these buildings with all due ceremony, including a grand procession, &p., on the day of the prorogation of the Provincial Council, expected to be about Tuesday, the 21st instant.

MEETING AT FOX HILL. A meeting took place at Fox Hill, ou Wednesday, the Bth instant, to draw up a memorial to the Central Board of education. Mr. Midgley, being called to the chair, briefly stated the purpose of the metting, when the following memorial was drawn up and agreed to : — " To the Chairman and members of the Central Board of Education the following memorial is respectfully addressed : " That the ratepayers, residing from Wakefield to Wai-i-ti valley, have seriously to deplore the want of the means of education for their respective children, owing to the insurmountable difficulties which present themselves, namely, from distance, badness of the roads, and, more especially, the liability of loss of life from crossing the Wai-i-ti river, which, from its changeable character, they would have to cross from tree to tree, when one mishap would prove fatal ; and they would also beg to state that, owing to these circumstances, none of the children are attending the school at Wakefield, consequently are growing up in ignorance. For the further information of the Board, they beg to state that there are, and would be by the time school could be erected, thirty-four children. The number that would be able to attend, within the terms prescribed in the Act, viz., boys, 9 ; girls, 12.

"Trusting that this statement will, of itself, be sufficient to cause the Board to take some active steps to supply the deficiency. " Your memorialists will ever pray." A vote of thanks being given to the Chairman, the meeting separated.