NELSON PROVINCE.

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1359, 4 October 1870, Page 5

NELSON PROVINCE.

Nelsox Hospital.—Eepobt job Atkhjst, 1870. —The number of patients remaining under treatment on the 31st of July, was 29. There were admitted during the month, 12; discharged, 12 ; died, 2. The total number under treatment in Hospital during the month was 41. The number of patients during the corresponding month of last year was 19. One hundred and eighty-four persons, including out-patients, have been supplied with medicine or medical attendance during August. A child about sixteen months old, son of Mr. Hermann Fayen, of Spring Grove, has been drowned in a small stream near his father's house. Charge of Embezzlement.—Francis Harris, late Sub-Treasurer, was, on Sept. 2nd, committed for trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of stealing £1232 of the public moneys of the Province. An accident, resulting in the breaking of an axle to Mr. Potter's omnibus on Sept. 4th, by the jolt caused by passing over the tramway crossing on the Haven-road, near Mr. Levien's warehouse at the Port, suggests an improvement of the railway line.

Fatal Accident. —A Coroner's inquest was held at the Hospital, on September sth, on the body of Martin OKb bs, aged 42 years, a laborer, who at one time had charge of the Flagstaff, and lived on the Flagstaff hill. It appeared that on the afternoon of Sept. 3rd, about four o'clock, he had been gathering wild flowers for some children on the Cliffs, near Mr. Cross's property, at the Haven, and in endeavoring to reach some flowers he climbed up the face of the cliff, and losing his footing, fell on the rocks a distance of some 60 feet. When taken up to the Hospital, •which he was at once, it was found that his skull was severely fractured, and that he had sustained Tarious other great injuries. Ho remained insensible until death ensued, which it did about eleven o'clock the same evening. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Boat Eace at Collinqwood.—A rowing match between Harry Williams, of Collingwood, and Frederick Schnieder, of the schooner Waihopai, at present loading at Collingwood, took place on September 7th. The course was two miles long. _At the start Williams was the favorite with the Colling•wood people, but his opponent managed to come in an easy winner by more than 200 yards. A good deal of money changed hands in consequence of this result.

Nelson Scientific Association.—The usual monthly meeting of the Association for the promotion of science and industry took place on Sept. 7th, his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson, VicePresident, in the chair, and was very numerously attended. Three gentlemen were elected members, viz., Messrs. Blaekett, Burnett, and Vickerman. The committee were instructed to take the necessary steps for the purpose of affiliating the Association with the New Zealand Institute, and to arrange for the expenditure of one-third of its income towards the support of the local institute, as required by the New Zealand Institute Act. The Vice-President read a very interesting letter from a gentleman, now in Victoria, who had visited the Hurunui Plain hot springs, as a rheumatic patient, and had been completely restored to health by a course of bathing therein. His letter, which contained some valuable suggestions on the best means of rendering these springs more generally available, was written in consequence of his seeing in a Canterbury journal a report of Dr. Haast's paper read before thin Association last May. A very animated and interesting discussion on Technical Education then followed, •which had to be adjourned owing to the lateness of the hour. Mr. H. Drew exhibited some remarkable fish which adhere to the rocks in a manner similar to the limpet, and which were caught by him near the Boulder Bank.

Caledonian Association. —A public meeting for the purpose of considering the draft rules of this association, was held in the Temperance Hall, on Wednesday, Sept. 7th, Mr. J. P. Black in the chair, ihere was a considerable attendance, principally and necessarily of North Britons, who, however, welcome others interested in such societies to join them.

An accident took place on Wednesday, Sept. 7, to a man named Arthur Gordon, at Bell's Eiver, Takaka, Golden Bay, whlist ground-mining, by the falling upon him of a slip of earth. He was as speedily as possible rescued by his mates, but it is feared that the spinal column is injured, as Gordon is quite numb and powerless in his lower extremities.

Anotiieb accidont occurred to John Crawley, on Sept. 8, whilst, with his mates, shifting a largo boulder on the Anatoti river, Takaka, -which slipped and smashed his left hand, causing a necessity for the amputation of the forefinger, which was performed by Dr. Tilby.

Naeeow Escape.—Whilst Edmund Gardiner and Charles Gate were driving into the bank of their claim on Bell's Eiver, Mr. Keilly, storekeeper and publican, Collingwood, came up and called to them ; they came out of the drive, and whilst in conversation, only eomefew minutes, several tons of earth fellin, and they thus escaped what would have proved an inevitable death.

Lectuee by. the Eev. Feank Simmons. —A lecture of great iaterest was delivered by Mr. Simmons, in the Temperance Hall, on Sept. 9th, in aid of the Library Fund of the Artizans' Association. Pr. Irvine occupied the chair, and expressed regret that iv Honor Judge Eichmond, who had intended to take the chair, was prevented doing so by having had to go to the West Coast. The subject of lecture <was Eace and Language, and Mr. Simmons delivered an ably written paper on the twin sciences of ethnology and philology which was attentively listened to by the audience. The lecture was illustrated by several maps and plans showing the various regions occupied by the Aryan and other races, and where certain branches of language spread and predominated with the advance and dominancy of the different branches of mankind. Mr. Stephenson, the President of the Association, moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer for the excellent manner in which he had clothed with lively interest a Bubject in itself abstruse and requiring great study and technical experience. The FootbaliL Match between Wellington and Nelson. —A match between fifteen Nelson and the same number of Wellington performers, took place at Wellington on Sept. 12, and resulted, as a private telegram announces, as follows : " The Nelson men kicked two goals to the Wellington one." The match took place on the Wellington cricket ground.

Chaege of Fabbicating Ebceipts.—On Sept. 15tb, Francis Harris, the late Sub-Treasurer, was cemmitted for trial at the Supreme Court on two separate charges of altering receipts, with intent to delraud.

Accident. —Mrs. Wastney, wife of Mr. Edmund Wastney, M.P.C., met with an accident on September 16, after alighting from her gig at her own gate. The reins slipped, got entangled among •the feet of the horse, which became restive and splunged, throwing Mrs. Wastney on the ground. "The wheel passed over her left arm, breaking botli bones below the elbow.

Hope and Ranzatt Schools. —A large meeting of householders was held at Ranzau School, on Wednesday, the 21st, to take into consideration the proposal of the Central Board of Education to abolish the Hope School, and to remove Ranzau School on to the Waimea road. After speeches from Messrs, Faweett, Oxley, Kearna, P. Kelling, and others, a absolution was unanimously agreed to condemnatory of the proposition emanating from the Central Board. The Local Committee was thanked for bringing the matter before the householders.

The Perseverance Company.—On Sept. 22, the Lady Barkly brought 180 ounces of gold,"produced from the last crushings of this company. The average is about three-quarters of an ounce to the ton, and the value of the gold in £675.

Christ CinmcH Oegan Fund.—Several entergiven by members of the Church of England on behalf of this fund have been very successful.

Penny Readings foe Boys.—Several gentlemen have, in a praiseworthy manner, set about finding amusement for the boys of Nelson. Readings, accompanied with singing, are given in the Temperance Hall on Thursday evenings, to which boys are .admitted on payment of one penny.

Si?NoO of NblSok.—On Friday, Sept 23rd, tho Synod of the Diocese of Nelson met for business in the Temperance Hall, after celebrating religious service in Christ Church. The following are the names of the members, clerical and lay:—His Lordship the Bishop, Archdeacon Butt, the Keys. G. H. Johnstone, 8.A., S. Poole, 8.A., T. L. Tudor, C. O. Mules, M.A., E. J. Thorpe, M.A., W. Ronaldson, W. D. E. Lewis, T. Flavell, G. T. N. Watkins, and W. D. Rusz. Also, the following members of the laity:—Messrs. C. Hunter Brown, C. Y. Fell, J. T. Lowe, H. Goulstone, E. W. Paisley, J. M. Pierson, J. W. Barnicoafc, E. Lee, F. J. Blundell, T. Sterling, F. D. Greenwood, D. Jennings, J. Spear, W. Q-ibbs, W. A. B. Adams, H. Pitt, W. Adams, A. J. Eichmond, J. E. Mabin, A. Pitt, A. E. Moore, H. I). Jackson, and F. Trolove. There was a considerable attendance on the part of the public. The Bishop's charge was listened to with great interest. Atjeoea Australis. —On September 24th, the heavens, in the direction from south-east to southwest, were lit up for a considerable time with yellow and red ray 3of light, constantly but gradually alternating from the appearance of a soft daylight to the red glow of a terrible conflagration. The rays of colored light, shooting from the horizon to the zenith were most beautiful, and so rare was the appearance, that people gathered in knots in the streets to witness the wonderful spectacle. The more superstitious attributed the unusual sight to the war, supposed to be still raging on the Continent! The intense red was declared to prognosticate the bloodshed which was to follow the path of the French, whether for or against that nation did not clearly appear, and, although no occult meaning was assigned to the yellow oradiance, we presume, arguing from the news by last mail, that nothing less than the glory of Prussia could have been intended to be fulfilled. As a phenomenon of nature, however, the sight of the brilliantly illuminated heavens was a magnificent spectacle. * Accident. — On Sunday, Sept. 25th, Mr. Thomas Watts, Collector for the City Board of Works, was returning from the country in his trap, when his horse, from some cause not ascertained, ran away. One of the wheels coming in contact with a stone or heap on the road near town, Mr. Watts was thrown out, lighting on his head, and sustaining a serious injury. He was taken up bleeding profusely and senseless, and was conveyed to the Hospital. It was found that he had concussion of the brain, but no bones were broken, and we were glad to hear yesterday that there are hopes of his recovery.

Another Accident. —One of Holder's vans, there were two running on Sept. 26th, broke down near Jenkins's Hill, on its way to town, and pitched off Mr. Tovey, of the Star and Garter, who was acting as jehu for the nonce. Mr. Tovey fell on the road partly on his head. He was stunned for a short time, but speedily recovered, and has suffered very slight injury. The Culliford Gold Mining Company's crushing machine, of four stampers, arrived on Sept. 26th, by the Rangitoto. Much roadi improvement is wanted before heavy machinery can be taken up to the Wangapeka. The Council voted a handsome sum for road works in this district, and we hope the Superintendent and his Exejutive will see to its judicious expenditure. It is much wanted. The Germans and Fatherland. —A meeting of Germans was held at the Fleece Hotel, on Sept. 27th, Mr. Fedor Kelling, Consul for the German Confederation, in the chair. The Chairman explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of forming a committee for collecting subscriptions in aid of the fund for the widows and orphans of German soldiers who might fall in the war now raging. In a speech of considerable warmth and patriotism, he alluded to the necessity of Germany defending her rights; and the others speakers referred to the unity and enthusiasm which all Germany now displayed, while uuder the leadership of a power that strove to make Germany great and free. A committee was appointed to collect subscriptions consisting of Messrs. Wiesenhavern, Schuhmacher, Harling, Hammerich, Cohen, and G-oorman. During the entertainment that followed business, the " Queen's Health" was warmly drunk, and also the toast " Wilhelm, future Emperor of Germany," which was loudly applauded. Collections for the object aimed at will, we understand, be made in different districts of the Province.

The Stoke Band of Hope held its anniversary on September 28th.

Collingwood coal is being shipped to Wanganui. William Beattie, who was recently injured at the Lyell through a fall of earth, is dead. The Kabamea. —The miner, O'Brien, who so circumstantially reported that he had made £150 worth of gold at Salisbury's Open in five weeks, is believed not to be trustworthy in his statement, although that statement was first broadly made on the Collingwood and Motueka side, and was subsequently and voluntarily narrated for publication by O'Brien himself. It appears that all the man got, during a much longer time than he stated, was £20 worth of gold, and that the capacities of the district, as experienced by him, were grossly and wantonly exaggerated. Thiß information we have from several sources, and believe it to be correct.

Several gentlemen have been spoken as likely to stand for the seat for Motueka in the House of Eepresentatives. Amongst these is Mr. B. Macmahon, whose success is said to be considered certain, owing to the largo amount of support proffered by all classes.

The Bell Buoy.—This beacon has been brought from its usual place at the river entrance and placed upon the beach, for the purpose of being cleaned and re-painted by the crew of the pilot boat, who are now busy at work upon it, clearing off the mass of mussels, &c, that encrusted its submerged surface, scraping, scrubbing, and oleaning inside and outside from the accumulated dirt of the past twelvemonths. On examination it was discovered that the whole of the ordinary paint which had been put on a year since by the boatmen had perished away, and the bare iron become exposed. Upon this part the marine growth had luxuriated greatly, in spite of the heavy tide of six or seven knots which is almost constantly running where the buoy is placed, and mussels, of two or three inches long, had established themselves in a thick bed. A small portion of the under surface had, however, been painted by Mr. Louisson with anti-fouling composition, and this portion was found to have been well protected, and the paint had maintained its place on the surface of the iron. Besides this there was abundant proof that the composition was inimical to marine growth, as this was the only portion of the buoy that was not thickly encrusted with mussels, &c, and the additinal fact was observed that the iron had been thoroughly protected by this treatment. This test may be considered to be satisfactory and valuable, as.it points at once to the desirability of applying this composition to the bottoms of iron vessels, and, as there is every facility for doing eg in Nelson, we should not be surprised if shipmasters should take advantage of a fact thus ascertained, when the particulars of the value of this paint and the indubitable evidence of its usefulness become better known.

Mb. Blackett, our Provincial Engineer, has been appointed Engineer to the G-eneral Government, and will leave Nelson in a few weeks to take up his abode in Wellington. Mr. Blackett's removal from Nelaon will cause considerable regret among his many friends in this city.

The Railway to Cobdenand Westport.—Below we copy a letter, which was received by the San Fruncisco mail, from Mr. John Morrison, the agent of the Province in London : —" London, 19th July. Sir. —I have the honor to inform you that the terms and conditions of the contract for the construction of the railway from Nelson to Westport and C'obdon have been at length adjusted, havng, through the valuable and important assistance of the hon. Mr. Bell overcome the lepal difficulties that heretofore existed. The contract should, by this time, have been in my possession, but it has not reached; unfortunately, the critical state of European afTuhv has interfered with its execution, but I trust to bo enabled by an early opportunity to forward the document in question. Until then I abstain from entering into details, but I shall explain fully the various modifications I have sanctioned when I transmit the contract, which I hope will receive your approval. —I have, &c, John Morrison." A G-eoiogioalj inspection of the Dun Mountain and Aniseed Valley districts is to be made by Mr. Davis, of the Government Geological Department.

TttH Nelson Artisans' Association have given W<> musical and dramatic entertainments to crowded

houses,

The Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade held its annual dinner at the Trafalgar Hotel, on Sept. 22nd. His Honor the Superintendent presided. We regret to learn that Mr. A. Reid, M.P.C, member of the Provincial Executive, has resigned his seat in the Executive. By general consent, both within and without the Council, Mr. Reid was the best fitted for the office from which he ha» now retired. The Superintendent has offered the vacant seat to Mr. Donne, member for Charleston. It is stated that Mr. Lowthor Broad, brother of Mr. Warden Broad, of Charleston, has been appointed Warden fur the Wangapeka district of the Nelson Goldfields. It was at one time reported that Captain Baldwin had been appointed, but this rumor proves to be incorrect.

The Gazette notifies the appointment of Mr. Skelton George Eowley, asDeputy- Jttegistrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, for the District of Cobden. A Gazette announces the appointment of Charles Dudley Eobert Ward, Esq., to be Judge of the District Court of the County of Westland, and of the District Court of Westland North, vice Edward Clarke, Esq., resigned. The Wangapeka Land Sales.—Subjoined is a copy of the Keporfc of the Waste Lands Committee of the two Houses of Parliament on the petition of the purchasers of the land at Wangapeka: —" The Joint Committee on Waste Lands, to whom was referred a petition of the Wangapeka settlers, respecting land sales, have the honor to report that they are unable to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the difficulty.—(Signed) Alfred DoiiEir, Chairman. August 16,1870." Volunteer Appointments.—An announcement in the Gazette publishes the following appointmenti :— In the Nelson Artillery Volunteers, Thomas Garrard to be second Lieutenant; date of commission sth August, 1870. In the TFaimea Company Nelson Rifle Volunteers, Arthur Wix to be Captain; date of commission, 14th May, 1870. In the Motueha Rifle Volunteers, Cadet Corps, Honorary Ensign Edmund Parker to be Honorary Lieutenant. Fitzroy Horneman to be Honorary Ensign; date of commissions, sth March, 1870. Nelson Telegraph Office.—Thefollowing figures show the number of telegrams despatched from the Nelson office during the year ending 30th June, 1870: Number. £ s. d. Private telegrams 6,154 ... 854 1 3 Press ditto 349... 77 610 Provincial Government 308 ... 67 7 6 General Government do. 5,861 ... 831 12 11

Total 12,672 ... 1830 8 6 Amount paid for salaries, £420 7s. 2d. } contingencies, £52 Is.; total cost 472 8 2

Excess if revenue over expenditure £1358 0 4 A seal, measuring nine feet, has been washed up on the beach near Westport.

Pkecious Stones pound on the Nelson Goldfields. —We recently mentioned that the Warden, Mr. Whitefoord, whilst on a visit to the recently discovered cement lease at Murray Creek, washed out some precious sfcotie3 from a dish of dirt. Two of them were sent to Melbourne, and were returned by the last steamer cut and polished beautifully. The lapidaries pronounce the one to bo a sapphire and the other a zircon.— Grey River Argus, September 1.

Sergeant Lambert, who has been connected with the Nebon police since the earliest settlement of the South-west Goldfiolds, has tendered his resignation, and purposes sailing the schooner Woodquest, recently purchased by him in Nelson. On September 2nd, the Westport Plax Company made their first shipment of flax. They sent fourteen bales by the schooner Io to Melbourne.

Accidents on the Nelson G-oldfields. —On August 27, a miuer, named D. Maloney, fell to the bottom of a shaft, a depth of upwards of 40 feet, at Addison'9 Plat, and broke both bis legs.—On August 29, at tho Caledonia Terrace, Joseph Pufflett was killed through the fall of a large mass of earth in his claim. Deceased's brother, Robert Pufflett, was buried up to the throat, and was very much crushed and bruised.

Tub G-eneral Government Gazette of the 6th instant notifies that John Avery, of Nelson, has been granted Letters Patent for "an apparatus for the prevention of fire taking place from spontaneous combustion in ships, &c, stored with wool, flax, or other fibre." —Mr. "William Campbell's store at No Town, and Mr. George Muir's, at Nelson Creek, have been appointed additional polling places for "Westland North. —Letter? of naturalisation have been issued by the Governor in favor of Antonie Fauchelle, of Wakefield, laborer.

Two mining accidents occurred at Charleston on September 6th, in both cases caused by a fall of cement, and in each instance the sufferer was a miner named Hanlon. One occurrence took place at Ai'gyle Terrace, and the second at Darkios terrace. In the latter instance the sufferer had met with serious injury, and, after having been conveyed to the hospital, it was found that he had sustained a fracture of several ribs. The coincidence is somewhat remarkable that two accidents similar in character should have taken place concurrently, and that the parties injured should have both been named Hanlon.

Mb. Murray, one of the discoverers of Murray Creek, Inangahua, has been found dead in the bush, between Maori Gully on the Saddle and the New river, having fallen over a precipice and broken his neclc.

The fire-engine and fittings for the Westport Eire Brigade has been shipped by Messrs. Shand and Mason, and is now due in Melbourne, whence it will be sent to "Westport. Its cost will be about £200. It is constructed for being worked by twenty-two men. The Westport Times says that the people complain because of the non-payment of accounts by the Government at the usual time.

A Chixd Drowned at Westtoet.—The Times of September 13th, says:—" An accident, resulting in the death of a child two years old, the son of Mr.' Pickering, occurred yesterday morning. It appears that about nine o'clock the child was mis3ed, and, on search being made, was found in a water-hole, situated at the rear of a house between Bright and Lyttcltonstreets. The heavy rain of the previous night had filled the hole to a depth of about six feet and, the ground being also rendered slippery, it is presumed that the poor little fellow had been in the actj of dabbling with the water when he fell in. The child was perfectly senseless when recovered, and, on medical assistance being called in, every effort was made to discover a faint spark of animation, but without avail."

A man engaged digging post-hole 3 between Westport and Oruaiti came upon a thin layer of auriferous sand.

A tramway from Westport to the Orawaiti, on the Buller is in oourse of construction, k

Mount Eochfort Coal.—The Westport Times says:—" The schooner Mary takes with her, from Westport to Melbourne, a quantity of Mount Eocbfort coal. The specimens thus exported were brought down yesfcerduy by pack-horses from Coalbrook Dale. In quantity there was about five hundred-weight— sufficient to serve as a sample of what the splendid coal seam exposed at Coalbrook can produce. They are not by any means the first sjoecimens which have been brought from the same situation, and it is sincerely to he hoped that they are not the la&t. It is questionable if it would not ultimately prove remunerative to those interested in the welfare of Westport to forward to some suitable destination a sackful of the same coal by every vessel that leaves this port."

The Grey River Argus has a paragraph about the Nelson Police Force ■which is in some respects right, and in others wrong. It says : —" Senior Sergeant •Samuel Goodall will be the officer in charge of the Grey district;, stationed at Ahaura. Senior Constables Eowley, M'Myn, and Jeffries are in charge of Cobden, Carnptown, und Napoleon respectively. Sergeant Maybevry will take charge of the Buller district, with head-quarters at Westport; Sergeant Kiely at Charleston, and Senior Constable M'Ardle at Brighton." The reference to the Buller district is a mistake, Mr. Kiely has been Senior Sergeant of the Buller district for some time, continues to be bo, and may well continue to be so while there is a police orce on the West Coast, — Westport Times.

bit 17th September1, 41721 ounces df gold Isffc Westport for Hokitika.

Ploughing Match at the Grey.—The ploughing match for the prizes given by the Agricultural Association came off at Messrs. M'Kinlay Brothers farm, on Totara Flat, on Saturday, 10th September. The match was open to all comers, and there were fifteen entries, although when the starting time came only eleven ploughs were brought to the scratch, which wa9 a good muster when it was taken into consideration that this was the first match of the kind contested on the West Coast. The awards were as follows :—lst prize, David Campbell, £10 ; 2nd, James M'Lellan, £8; 3rd, David Wright, £6; 4th, James Kirkwood, £4; sth, David Stewart, £2. For the best Crown, D. Campbell, £2. For the best ins and outs, D. Campbell, £2. For the best finish, James M'Lellan, £2. For the best pair of horses, £2, Robt. M'Neill, for a black mare and a dark bay horse.— Grey River Argus. Robbery.—A miner, named Thomas Cavan, has been robbed in a grog shanty at Antonio's Flat, Upper Grey, of 21 ounces 13 dwts. of gold. Killed.—A miner, named William Hunter, has been suffocated through a fall of earth at Moonlight, the Grey.