The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 76, 2 April 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1869.

The proposed Bill for reducing the number of Members of the Provincial Council has been received at Westport, and, as might have been expected, discussed Ly the newspapers, which it has evidently .taken by surprise. The Westport Times has an article dn 4he subject, after a careful perusal of which, we are completely at a loss to know whether or not the proposed amendment in the constitution of the Council finds favour in its eyes. -" We shall not be vain enough to -suppose that anything which may have appeared in these columns has brought conviction to the minds of the Nelson Executive," says the writer, but through the whole of the article in question, there is apparent a sense of selfsatisfaction which plainly shows that he is immensely flattered by what he conceives to be a concession to his incessant clamourings on this subject. While trusting that the change arises from a sense of justice, he .says that the " publication of the Executive's intention, following so closely upon representations made in this district, would aixnost justify us iv believiug that there is some .connection between the two circumstances," but he apparently forgets that it is the custom of the Superintendent and Executive of this Province always to give publicity to the Bills they propose to introduce at the approaching session, at least a month before the Council meets. But while the vanity of the Westport Times is tickled by what it considers to he the result of its representations, it does not by any means express a hearty approval of the new Bill, and we even fancy that we can detect an under- current of dissatisfaction that any alteration should be proposed in the existing state of things, for of course, should this Bill be carded, it will no longer have the great

grievance which it delighted to parade before the world, and a great deal of the ground of complaint which it has at present, will be cut away from under its feet. The Times, however, does not mean to be satisfied with the West Coast supplying rather more than a fourth of the representatives of the Province, but goes in now for " a full half," and concludes by saying that %c to the whole subject of readjusting the representation, our local members will in a month hence have an opportunity of giving their attention; and we rely upon it that, while they may not seek to increase the number of representatives of the West Coast, they will at least endeavour to pass only such a Bill as will leave the representation more proportionate than it is at present." We sincerely hope that they will not only ondeavour, but will succeed, in passing such a Bill as shall satisfy the whole of the Province. English Mail. — The next mail for England will be despatched by the Alhambra, which will leave here for Melbourne, on Thursday, Bth instaut. Jury List. — This list was gone over this morniog by the Resident' Magistrate and passed. Nelson Races. — We understand that owing to the postponement of the Duke's visit to Nelson, the time for entering the horses for the coming meeting has been extended from the Ist to the Bth inst. Drunk and Incapable. — David Jack was brought before the Resident Magistrate 10-day charged with being drunk and incapable on the Haven Road last night, aud fined 10s and costs. Ball Committee. — We have been requested to remind the members of this Committee that there will be a meeting at the Provincial Hall this evening at halfpast seven. Dog Tax. — At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, — Keenan was charged with having in his" possession a dog without a ticket. It appeared that the defendant came from the Buller some three weeks since, since which time his dog had been allowed to be at large without a ticket. A ticket having been taken out since the issue of the summons the defendant was fined ia the lowest penalty of Is The Natives and the Prince. — We understand that the natives in the Town \ and neighborhood of Nelson intend welcoming the Duke of Edinburgh with a war-dance, for which they are occasionally to be seen practising and instructing their children on the Haven Road. We have been requested to notice this, lest in these times of excitement their actions should be misinterpreted, and to assure our readers that nothing more alarming is to be apprehended than an expression of loyalty which no doubt will rather astonish the Prince.