NEWS OF THE DaY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 120, 6 October 1868, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DaY.

Closing- op the Mail.— We were unable last night to obtain any satisfactory information as to the hour the mail will close for England. As we shall not receive until this morning the English mail brought by the Euahinc, it is hoped the Abedale, instead of being despatched, as intended, this morning, may be detained until to-night, so that a month's course of post may not bo lost. Although we took considerable pains yesterday to learn whether any extension of time would be given, we could obtain no positive information cither one way or the other. The Postmaster telegraphed to Wellington for instructions, and wo were promised we should learn tho nature of the reply when received, but it was not communicated to us, nor could we, as we have said, procure the information. Accident an» Narbow Escape. — An accident befel Mr. H. Pitt, on Friday evening last, which might have been attended with more serious consequences than befel him. Mr. Pitt was driving a light four-wheeled buggy down the Beach, and on approaching the saltwater bridge he pulled up to enable some one he met to get into the vehicle. On pulling round the head of the horse, to separate the wheels, so that his friend might got into the buggy, tho animal became restive, and backed over the stone wall into the tide-way, it being at the time nearly high water. When tho vehicle went down the face of the wall it turned completely over, and dragged the horse after it. Mr. Pitt, who was under the trap when it fell, was therefore in danger of being drowned, but just as Borne persons wore about to plunge into the water to his assistance, lie got clear of the vehicle, and so escaped with a few bruises only. The shafts of the buggy were broken, ! but the horse was got out uninjured. Acclimatization of Bibus.— We have repeatedly spoken with pleasure of the number of skylarks which abound all over the province, and enliven with their song travellers as they pass along our roads. The blackbirds and thrushes, turned out nt the same time as the larks, disappeared some time ago, and although feeling pretty confident they must thrive in a country like this, it was not satisfactory to miss their musical-notes from our hedgerows. It is with pleasure, therefore, chat we are able to announce the return of these charming songsters, and their voices may bo heard any morning on tho banks of the Maitai, in the neighbourhood of which several pairs wore liberated when introduced.

Nelson llospitai, Monthly Eepoht.— The number of patients remaining under treatment on the 31st of August, was thirteen ; there were admitted I during the month of September five, making a total of eighteen. Of these there were discharged cured, four ; discharged, relieved, two ; and one died. Remaining September 30, eleven. The total number under treatment in the corresponding mouth oflast year wii9 twenty-eight. Gkey River Coal. — There is now, we understand, a good supply oi! eovtl kept up at (3-reymouth, fvivnished by the mines on both sides of the river. The coal from t lie Canterbury side is sold at 16s. a ton, while that from the Brunnor, or Nelson mine, is charged 17s. 6d. a ton ; but this difference in price does not represent adequately the difference, in quality, aud steamers prefer tho more cosily of the two. The company formed in Canterbury are taking active measures to construct a railway from their property to Grey mo nth.