THE NELSON ELECTION.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1062, 28 January 1879, Page 3

THE NELSON ELECTION.

♦ ■ Nelson, January 25. Mr Acton Adams, one pf the candidates for the City, addreased a crowded meeting of the electora last night. He made a bold and determined attack upon M> Curtis's Education Bill, and spoke strongly in favour of secular education, his remarks on this subject being loudly applauded. He argued that-the State could not afford to weaken its educational power by subsiding denominational schools, by which means it would increase the .number of educational establishments, ancl, in proportion, detract f.pm their efficiency. He pointed out as another evil of the system that ib would remove the control of the teachers and schools from the state, which paid them, to sectarians, who abused th*-m for their own purposes. He conc'.xiued by appealing to the protestants to ral'y round the standard of a national and secular education, and to resist fche attempts of tbe Cai holies to force upon them the system which they patronised. It is thought that the education question will be the turning point of the election, and that the contest wiil be a veiy severe one. Mr Adams spoke strongly on the question of including Nelson in the railway system, pointing out that the land to be opened up would . prove far more efficient for coal-carrying purposes than over the range and to Lyttelton. He expressed his determination of not ceasing in his endeavours tb obtain thit work of Colonial importance until his object was attained. Mr Pitt, the other candidate, addresses the electora on Tuesday.