The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 77, 2 April 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1867.

It is not to be expected, judging from past experience, that any enterprise calculated to promote the good of Nelson province, should not be frustrated by difference of opinion. In a place where every man assumes his own utterances to be oracular wisdom, it is not likely to find that disposition to make concessions in minor matters without which it is difficult to form any successful combination. If a water supply is admitted on all hands to be necessary to the welfare of the towD, years are allowed to roll away before it is carried into operat'on, in consequence of the interminable disputes between the parties in and out of office. If a patent slip, for instance, is known to be a powerful means of making our port a great central entrepot, and stimulating commerce to an unprecedented extent, it is not till the gradual exodus of the population points to a time wheu our resources will become extinct, that all parties lay aside their hostile weapons, aud agree that something must be done to prevent the place, notwithstanding its central situation and great natural advantages, from becoming a by-word and a reproach amongst the other provinces of the colony. The Pakawau coal enterprise does not seem destined to a more favorable fate than many of the others on which the welfare of the town depends, in consequence of its beiug found [almost impossible to secure unity of purpose on the part of its projectors or prevent its being viewed through the medium of that party spirit and prejudice which must prove fatal to any such undertaking. It is high time that more liberal and enlightened views were taken of these great public questions, and that men agreed to differ in order to secure a common good. Assuming there is a reasonable probability that on the shores of our bay, there exists an extensive and profitable coalfield, it would be a waste of time to argue that the undivided energies of the people of the town and province should be directed to secure its prompt development. Should such a coal-field be found to exist, and its riches be unfolded ih the ordinary way, there is nothing, not a railway to the West Coast itself, that would stimulate to such an extent the prosperity of the whole community. Not the Panama Company only, who aro the largest consumers, but every other company to whom coal is necessary, would prefer to purchase coals oa the spot to the present tedious method.and Nelson from being a mere port of call? which it is at present, would be a central station for the shipping of New Zealand, and be the means of filtering through its impoverished population the wealth which, now departs from it i'h a thousand divergent channels. Irrespective of the claims of the railway to public attention, that of a local coal mine should concentrate every thought, for the time has now arrived, the turning point in our destiny, when, if we fail to retain our population, who are seeking other outlets for their industry and enterprise, we shall descend to the condition <-f a mere village hamlet, and having lost

the producing power of the province, be nothing worth but to point " moral or adorn a tale. If every man who can scrape together his passage money is turning his back on the dull staguant hollow, it is incumbent on those who have the will and power,- to- seek to galvanise into new life the spiritless community who still remain. It will be'replied to this style of argument, that all previous attempts to develope the Pakawau coal-field having failed, there is reason for concluding that no efforts would ensure success. The first question to be determined is, is there a coal-field or is there not ? and the second, have the means hitherto employed to deveiope it been of a kind calculated to ensure success ? That there is a coal-field at Pakawau seems established on the testimony, however conflicting, of those who have reported on it ; but that any adequate means have been employed to test its extent or value, we utterly deny. It is impossible to read all that has been written on this conflicting question without being compelled to conclude that a coal-field presenting extraordinary facilities for working does exist, aud that its contiguity to a ready and remunerative market, offers advantages of an unprecedented kind. But the enterprise has never yet been conducted on a scale likely to achieve satisfactory results, and the mere scratching of the surface, which has characterised all former operations, was sure to end in results as insignificant as the means which were employed. At any rate it is time the Pakawau coal mine were fairly tested or placed in the category of ignominious failures. It cannot be tested without a reasonable expenditure of money, a portion of which should be forthcoming from the Provincial exchequer, supplemented by subscriptions from every man in the province who is anxious for its welfare. The tinkering and tailoring system which has so long obtained must give place to operations on an adequate and scientific scale. Let the latter be attempted, and Pakawau bids fairly to be placed on the list of successful undertakings.

There is no account of the exploring party that went to the Karamea a few . days ago, but we may expect to hear from them shortly. There can be no doubt that the Maoris have been getting large quantities of gold in the Karamea district, for some time past. A person who understands the Maori language, informs us that he overheard some natives talking the other evening, and the subject of their cod versation was the gold they had been getting iv the Karamea district. 9 Yesterday afternoon, the following case was heard by the Resident Magistrate. J. 0. Glanham complained against Robert Parry, for unlawfully assaulting him and beating him. It appeared from the evidence that both parties were assistants iv the same establishment in town. On Saturday night last, as they were going to bed, the defendant rushed at the com-, plainant, used most offensive language, and said he had now got him and would murder him. Another assistant interfered aud prevented the threat from being carried into execution, but not preventing the defendant from saying he would "do for the complainant in the morning." The complainant swore that a blow was struck, but the witness who separated the. parties did not see violence used. His Worship ordered the defendant to enter into his own recognizance of £50 and find two sureties of £10 each to keep the peace for six months, towards all her Majesty's loyal subjects. The Rev. Messrs. Kirk and Bunn, Wesleyan Ministers of this town, being about to leave Nelson for other fields of labor, the members, of the church and congregation intend to hold a farewell ten meeting at the Wesleyan Chapel to-mor-row evening, at 6 o'clock. ° 3