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Colonist, Volume IX, Issue 877, 27 March 1866, Page 2

Boabd of Woeks Assessment.—We remind our town readers that to-morrow is the day on "which the assessment for the Board of Works is payable, anditlie Board; we understand, are desirous of making ' a completion of their collection without any unnecessary delay. ",' : . • . ' ■ West Watoantji Coal.—A cargo of coal from the new mine at West Wanganui has arrived in Nelson by the Emerald Isle. This coal has been highly commended by local steamer engineers, and analyses ;. of its qualities made in Melbourne are very highly m its favor. There has been but little talk of this coal, ) although samples were some time since exhibited in Nelson; but here wo have a cargo brought to the: port for sale, and a large one sent off to Melbourne, where we are informed that a company with a capital of £25,000 has been formed to work -this coal. School Celtsbbatiqn at Ranzatt—On ''■ Friday last the second anniversary of .this school, was i made the occasion of a social gathering among the ' .children. There were ninety children present, and ( these together with their parents and friends took : tea in the school. After a series of out-door games ;■ had been enjoyed by the children, a public meeting j was then'held at which Mr. Matthew. Campbell presided. The report of the school for the .past year :' was re*d by Mr Chaddock, which showed that at. present their were 76 children on the roll of the school/ with an average attendance, of 40. Other >. addresses to the audience on various topics followed, the speakers being. Messrs. Humphries, J. Packer, J. T. Smith, and I. M. Hill.- . . ' '. . - 1

The Wizard.—Lust night Professor Jacobs performed at the Odd-Fellows' Hall, and introduced somo of his most pleasing and artistic deceptions to a large and highly diverted audience. The never-ceasing wonder of the Magic' Bottle was as highly appreciated as ever ; the unaccountable operation of the WiztrdV Library, an dfhe elegant trick of the Wonderful Canary were much applauded, as well as the many other skilful performances with which the Professor garnishes his programmes. This evening thero will the surprising exhibitions which Mr. Jacobs denominates ' Anti-Spiritual," and those persons who have not, witnessed the exceeding cleverness, not to say diablerie, of this part of the performance should certainly not; miss the only remaining- opportunity of so doing. Accidents —Fast driving and furious riding were the usual racing days' characteristics on Tuesday atfd Wednesday last; and besides sundry " spills" from horseback of aspiring but unaccustomed cavaliers, and a few overturned and smashed vehicles without personal damage ; there were at least two if not three seirous accidents. A car was overturned, and Mrs Cottier was thrown out and had both legs- fractured below the knees, one of them a comminuted fracture. Weichmann, the Hanoverian harpist, had his foot severely coatu.sed by a horse, and was taken to the hospital; and John Jenkins a horsebreaker, was thrown from his horse which rolled over him, and he was taken up insensible. He had suffered several coutusions, and was injured about the head, but not so severely as was at first supposed, and he is now improving. There were numerous narrow escapes from overturning on Wednesday night by furious drivers of vehicles attempting to pass those before them on the road. Thimble-Rigging.—Thimble-rigging and kindred swindles "were rife on the race-course on Tuesday and Wednesday last; and the performances were unmolested until a palpable cheat was made apparent, when one man was given in charge. On the race* courses at home such gamblers are hunted offths course by the police, and they ought to be so here.

Race-course Swindlers.-— Michael Ward, a man who did a large trade in thimble-rigging and win guilty of some palpable cheating, was brought up before the Resident Magistrate for carrying on unUwful games at the races. The offence was admitted, but a plea for lenient sentence was urged on the ground that the police had allowed similar games to be carried on by other persons unmolested, and had pounced upon prisoner without giving him aoj warning. Mr. Shallcrass stated that the prisoner had swindled a lot of people in a most barefaced manner, and had not been interfered with until the constables saw him cheat several persons. Sentence, three months' imprisonment with hard labor. Wm. M'G-rath, who was apprehended on a charge of stealing fifteen sovereigns from a lodger at the Albion Hotel, was brought up before the Magistrate, and dismissed in consequence of the absence of the witness, who had to go to Sydney, and could not attend to prosecute. The Magistrate told prisoner that he was liable to be apprehended on the charge at a future time ; meantime the case was dismissed. The "Wairatj Valley Sheep-Stealing Case.The preliminary proceedings belore the Resident Magistrate against Hans Fawseloio, raised by John Jeffries, sheep - farmer, who laid an information that Fanselow had stolen seven of M 3 sheep, Fere terminated on Friday last by the committal of Fauseloff for trial before the Supreme Court- Bail was accepted—prisoner iv £100, and two sureties iv £50 each. ■.■■■■■■ Theft fkoii a Lodging-House.— John Adaffl was, before Mr. Poynter, charged with stealing £W from the box of James Lady, a fellow lodger at the Otago Dining Booms. He pleaded guilty. After* severe reprimand from the Magistrate, prisoner $$ sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with haw labor. Tin? Mail Contract between Otago a>'b Melbourne— The Panama Company announce thefflselves as the successful tenderers for the confoyanca of the Melbourne and Otago Mails.' On 14th March a steamer supposed to be "ie , T«iranaki from Glasgow to 'New Zealand, *•' reported as having been seen off Port Piiillip Heil"!' Melbourne. T The Kerosine and Pabajgtne Company of I*fr Souni Wales—A. telegram says .—The HarHej Kerosene Oil and Para fine Company have commence the making of oil. Professor Watt, Mr Niuolle, a"0 Mr Samuel were present. The rj^ult proved .■wisfactory, fully bearing out tha experiment"" inaiie. , t{ ' PETROLEUM IN SOUTE AUSTRALIA—We_ ?«'^ from a private letter that the petroleum spring "%_,], naki is likely to find a rival in the colony of &°" Australia. Advices from Adelaide state petroleum in a crude form has been found in luan • on the Coorong, a river and district in that colonyTaiunaki Races —It. the late Taran..ki W*' ." Patrick, a horse bn>d by Mr. Stuifui'd, wrrieii oB ' , Garriaou Plate, the Town Plate, and tUe lnnkeeff -, Pl«tt. ..'•• ' ■ *