The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1879.

The Colonist this momiDg gave publicity to a rumor to the effect that it was probable that Mr Acton Adams would join the Ministry rs Attorney-General. We bave since seen Mr Adams, who authorises us to say that the portfolio has not been " definitely " offered to him. ;That it would be an advantage to Nelsoi to' have one of her representatives occupying a seat in the Cabinet there can be no doubt whatever, but we trust that, in the event of such an offer as that which is rumored being made to Mr Adams, he will, before accepting it, weigh well all that is to be urged on both sides of the question. He must remember that to cast in his lot with the present Government might be construed as a condonation of the grievous offence that they have committed against this part of the colony in the matter of public works. It will not do for us to forget the manner in which Nelson has been treated by the Grey Ministry. Last year it was | their deliberate proposal to completely ignore this provincial district, and to shut it out of all participation in the expenditure of money raised by loans for a period of five years. Owing to the BtaDd made by the representatives of the district, aided by others who were in favor of fair play to all alike, the Minister for Public Works was at length compelled to modify bis proposals, and consented to a sum beiog placed on the Estimates for an extension of ten miles of railway beyond Bell Grove. That he did this simply with a view ot freeing himself from the importunities of the Nelson members, but without any idea whatever of redeeming his promise, is now proved to have been the case. It is for Mr Adams to consider whether he would not be conferring a greater benefit npon his constituents by acting in c ncert with those wbo are to endeavor to oust the present Government — whose hostility to Nelson has been so very maiked — than by sitting in the same Cabinet with a Minister for Public Works who by his acts has shown as plainly as though he had stated it in so many words that if he had his way not a single penny of the funds for great public works should ever be expended in this part of the colony. Mr Adams may very fairly argue that in the Ministry he would be able to do far more good for the constituency that has returned him than in Opposition, but successful opposition would, we feel convinced, be more conducive to our

welfare than any attempt to check Mr Macandrew's determination lo spend all he can in the South by providing him with a colleague from Nelson.

The sale of Work at the Masonic ttalt was well attended again last night, and the i'esult of the two days' operations ha 3 been most satisfactorily to those who had taken" the trouble of preparing the various articles offered for sale and making all tbe necessary arrangements, the total receipts being slightly in excess of £80.

The reports of the recent floods, storms, and wrecks, occupied fifteen columns of last Saturday's Canterbury Times. MKEtiSos of the ratepayers of the Upper Motueka Valley road district were held on Mouday last as follows :— Tadmor subdistrict : Mr W. H. Phillips, Chairman. The candidates were Messrs W. H. Phillips, G. W. Kinzett, and E. C. Stanley. The shows of hands was for Mr Phillips 19, Kinzett 9, and Stanley 15. Mr Kinzett demanded a poll, tbe results were :— W. H. Phillips, 19; G. W. Kinzett, 14; E. C Stanley, 13. The two first were declared duly elected.— Stanley Brook sub-district.— Mr J. H. Symes, Chairman. The candidates were Messrs A. Drummond and J. G. Stanley. The show of hands was as follows :- Drummond 7 and Stanley 6. Mr Stanley demanded a poll, and the result was, Stanley 8 and Drummond 7. Mr J. G. Stanley was declared duly elected. —Motupiko sub-district : Mr William Gibbs wa9 re-elected without opposition. TnE arrangements for opening Parliament this session are to be of a peculiar character. There is to be a formal opening by Commissions to-morrow, when the House will proceed to elect its Speaker, and, we presume, Chairman of Committees, as the latter uffice will be rendered vacant by the elevation of Mr O'Rorke the present holder of it to the Speaker's chair, and an adjournment will then take place uutil Tuesday when the Governor will deliver his speech, which, this year, is not to be a mere meaningless collection of words, as it usually is, but is to give a clear and concise statement of the Ministerial policy. But, although there can be no measuring of swords on any political question before Tuesday, there will be a Sght to-morrow which will to a certain extent test the relative strength of the two parties. This will take place over the Chairmanship of Committees for which Mr Bunny is to be put forward as the Government candidate, while Mr Seymour will represent the Opposition. Probably to none outside the House or the circle of the more intimate friends of the two candidates, is it a matter of the slightest interest which of the pair occupies the chair, but as the first struggle betweeu the two parties, the result will be looked for with some little eagerness Meetings ot ratepayers were held on Monday last in the three sub-districts of the Waimea Roard Board districts whose representatives at the Board had to retire through effluxion of time. At Waimea West, Mr H. Challis having been appointed Chairman, Mr Bell was proposed by Mr T. Eden and seconded by Mr W. Satherley, and there being no other candidate he was declared elected. Mr Bell returned thanks for the honor they had done him, as it showed that his of action in the Board had been appreciated and that they had confidence in him for the future.— Mr J. G. Harkness presided at the Richmond meeting, wheu Mr Sheat proposed and Mr Hammond seconded Mr Fowler, 'who being unopposed was reelected. In returning thanks Mr Fowler referred to his efforts to secure a larger outlay on the by roads, stating that owing to the state of the Board's funds as much as he could wish had not been done, still if the same course was continued they would all in turn receive the benefit of the Board's expenditure.

Mr Mabin reports 9ales Bank of New Zealand shares at £18 10s, and Colonial Bank share 3at 40s.