The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 212, 10 September 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1867.

In 1858, a select committee of the House of Representatives was appointed to report as to the expediency of establishing a central lunatic asylum for the colony. The committee took a great deal of evidence on the subject, and ultimately recommended the establishment of one general asylum in as central a position as possible, for the receptiou of all cases of insanity arising within the colony, and in which those great improvements whichhave been effected in Great Britain and in other countries, in connection with medical treatment, might be brought into practice. The committee recommended as the most desirable site for such an asylum one which combined the following qualifications — the most equable temperature, shelter, but with a cheerful aspect, easy access by sea, and a situation which would render a subsequent tedious overland journey unnecessary, and also the im-. mediate appoiutmeat by the Government of a commissioner who should be instructed to collect such information as would enable the Government to determine the question of locality in a satisfactory manner. The Government accordingly appointed as commissioner DrPrendergast, of the Army Medical Staff, a thoroughly competent man, who visited the different parts of the colony, and made a valuable report, statiug the advantages of each, and giving his opinion that Nelson was the most suitable place on account of climate, site, and other thiugs. We learn from the report of the Parliamentary debates for the week ending on the 24th uit., that the Hon. Dr Renwick having referred to the fact that the Bill to amend the lav/ relating to luuatics was now before the Legislative Council, moved for the production of auy reports and letters which may havo been received by the Government on the subject during the iast 10 years, which was agreed to. The important debate on the financial policy of the Government, after lasting for six days (being the longest which has ever taken place in the New Zealand Parliament), was brought to a close on Saturday morning- at half-past 12 a.m., by the Miuistry accepting an amendment moved by Mr Stevens in the following terms: — "Tbat whilst it is inexpedient in the . opinion of this House that such provinces of the Northern Island as are chargeable with certain sums under the provisions of the Loan Allocation Act, 1865, shall be relieved from such liability, it is expedient that the operation of the said Act be suspended during the current financial year." This amendment therefore affirms the inexpediency of relieving the North Island provinces from the payment of the £244,000, with which they were debited under the Loan Allocation Act two years ago, at the same time suspending the operation of that Act during the present year. Mr Stevens's amendment was supported by Messrs Curtis, Travers, and Jollie. The arrival of the Airedale to-day will put us in possession of further particulars of this important debate. The Provisional Committee of the Financial Reform League, at a meeting held on Saturday evening at Bank Hotel, agreed to three resolutions which ara intended to serve as the basis of its operations,,and wbich affirm that the beneficial objects of the League can bY attainable only by aiming at objecte which are likely to secure the co-operation of all parts of the country, and that Jt should therefore coufine iteelf to the advocacy of those broad principles of financial reform which concern, allalike, and which are absolutely essential to the welfare of the"; colony, and the resolutions define the following to be .the most important points for the attainment of which , the League Bhould. cxci t •••itself*—-' A reduction of - the customs duties. A mode of raising the necessary

revenue which sha,M b% less burdensome to the industry,commerce, and enterprise of the colony. Retrehchrtient in the public, expenditure.' The report of the Committee will be laid before a public meeting, to be held to-morrow evenipg at half-past 7, in the Provincial Hall. *The ordinary monotony of our social life was rather rudely interrupted to-day shortly before 1 o'clock, by a fracas which took place in Trafalgar-street betweeu two gentlemen holding prominent positions in society. The affair, which attracted a ! rather numerous assemblage of spectators, j is understood to . have originated in. cir- j cumstances of a purely domestic character, which the chastisement thus publicly I inflicted has dragged into unpleasant notoriety. We have received a communication frojm a fair correspondent, who signs herself "Amy" — we trust she is not the "spiderhearted" one immortalised by Tennyson— in reference to a paragraph which appeared, iv this journal some short time since, sug- j gestiug that the time had arrived when the j ladies of Nelson should work and present colors to the various Volunteer corps of the province. The fair "Amy" informs us (of course in strictest confidence) that she has a tender interest in the Volunteer movement, that, in fact, she regards oue at least of their number with something more than a sisterly affection, and would therefore feel happy in this opportunity of devoting her dainty fingers to a task which would tend to the further glorification of her favorite heroes. But she is "all unversed" in military lore, and seeks information as to the color, material, &c, of the regimental flags. We have consequently made inquiries on the subject, and find that the regimental color or flag is always of the same color as the facing of the uniform, and is divided into four compartments — called, in heraldic language, cantons — of which the Union Jack occupies the upper canton, except in those regiments which are faced with red, white, or black. In these regiments the color is to be the red cross of St. George on a white field, and the Union on the upper canton, the three other cantons being black. The number of the regiment is embroidered in gold Roman characters in the centre of the color, which is made of silk, the dimensions being 4 feet flyiug, and 3 feet 6 inches I deep on the pike, exclusive of the fringe; j the length of the pike (spear and ferule included) being 9 feet 10 inches. The j cords and tassels of the whole are of crim- ! son and gold mixed. Of course gold can only be used in regiments of the Line, and silver must be substituted for Volunteer regiments. We need hardly say that we shall be happy to furnish our fair correspondent with any further information iv our power. We are informed by Mr Samuel Newport that he bas this day discovered in Aniseedvalley the nine deer which we mentioned ; some time since as having been missing from their usual haunts.