Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, "JULY 1.3, 1895!

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 164, 13 July 1895, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, "JULY 1.3, 1895!

The delay iv the production of the Local Government Bill is quite unpardonable. Mr Spddon some time ago refused to submit the measure for consideration by local bodies, on the ground that to do so would he to court premature opposition, bat it appears very much as if tho real reason were that tho Bill is not ready. Nearly a year ago Mr Seddon promised to introduce the measure into Parliament during tho present session, and indicated that it would be Iho most important pieco of work laid before the Houses. There has been plenty of time to prepare it. The Government haa at its disposal tho services of a Parliamentary Draughtsman, .and if bo ->yas too busy to undertake this particular job tho business was important enough to justify the employment of aonj.e other lawyer skilled in drawing legal documents; When it suits them the present Ministers do not in the least scruple to put tho country to the expense of paying for extra liands. "We know in a vague sort of way that the I'remier proposes to make great changes iv the system or systems of local government, and no one for a moment denies that thero is room for improvement. The reform, however, requires very dolicate hands, and it is doubtful whother | auy member of tho Government has tho necessary constructive ability and tact. Of course when existing local bodies aro to bo touched all sorts of vested interests and prejudices aro affected. If the scheme to be produced were the best and wisest ever devised it would be hotly opposed, and it is quite likely that before he is done with the business Mr .-oddon will heartily regret thafc he ever undertook it. Howover, he did undertake it, and it is more than timo that ho should givo somo ovidenco that ho has fulfilled his promise, and is not going, as ho has done before, to throw a hastily puttogether measuro to be scrambled j over in Parliament, with the result I of unworkable legislation, *

On the fourth page will be found a telegraphic report of the statement of the Colonial Treasurer respecting tho speech made by him to the London Chamber of Commerce and the Agent-General's circular befove the issue of the million and a half loan, and the subsequent debate. Our special reporter says that extraordinary interest was shown in the debate, and that the House of Representatives was orowded. The annual meeting of the parishioners of the Holy Trinity Church, Richmond, wss held on Wednesday evening last in the Sunday School. Mr Croucher, Churchwarden, read the annual balance sheet, which showed that £177 15s had been received and that there was a balance in hand of £b. It was pointed out tbat £51 10s had been spent upon repairs and improvementt of the Church. Cordial votes of thanks were passed to those who had been instrumental in furthering the work of the Parish, and especial thanks were given to Mrs Kay for her efforts in procuring the very handsome lamps, which aro now in use in the church. After the business of the meeting was finished a social gathering was held and was well attended. Glees were sung by the Richmond Glee Clnb, and songs were given by Mr C Ellis and Miss Croucher. The Vicar— Rev A C Wright— and Mr Croucher gave short addresses upon the position and work of the Church. Cordial thanks were accorded to all those who haa helped to make the gathering a success. Owing to the absence of the Mayor in Wellington, and the illness of Councillors Baigent (who was last evening granted leave of absence), Everett, and Akersten, there was considerable difficulty in securing a quorum for the City Council meeting last evening. After waiting until olose npon eight o'olock, Councillors were just about to disperse when Cr Askew, who had also been slightly unwell, arrived, and the business was enabled to proceed, Cr Lock was unable to attend in eonsequenco of tbe serious illness of his father, who, we regret to hear, died to-day in his 82nd year. An open air meeeing in connection with the Hope of Nelson Juvenile Tomplars was held last evening, Bro M. Jackson, Superintendent, presiding An excellent programme was presented, to wliich the following contributed :— Sisters Jennens, Word, Brown, Watson, Shone, Kitching, and Coombcs, and Bros Shone, Cullen, Brown, Stewart, and Jackson. The City Surveyor has been instructed to deal with complaints regarding the condition of the water table in Cambria street, and the growth of fennel near the Collingwood street bridge. t The reported proposal to present Mrs Seddon with a thousand guineas wns a canard. Some members of the committee deny all knowledge of it, "In saying this we believe the Hokitika Guardian is a bit premature." In connection with the proposed introduction of a Bible Text Book into State Schools, a Conference to consider the petition to tbe Legislature upon tbis matter mow in circulation) is to be hold in Holy Trinity Sunday, school, on Monday evening, at 7.30 o'clock. All interested are invited. Councillor Piper, who presided at last evening's meeting of tho City Council, stated that Mr Pecy Adams had sunken to him about a piece of land— a kind of hollow— close to his (Mr Adams's) fence, saying that he would like to plant it and put a hedge ronnd it, making it look very much better. Cr Piper moved that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee with power to act. Cr Haddow seconded this. Cr Askew said he would not object to trees being planted, but he would object to any fence Cr Piper said that unless a fence was permitted it would he useless to plant trees. Cr Askew said he had already seen trees planted on this piece of land. The motion was then carried. A meoting of the Nelson Educational Institute was held last evening, the President (Mr F. G. Gibbs, M.A.) occupying the chair. A paper was read by the Rev E. C. Isaac on "Technical Instruction," in wbich tbe writer expressed the opinion tbat our present system of education did not go far enough in so muoh that it did not really fit tbe children for anything beyond tbe store or a clerkship. He advocated greater consideration for the capacities and aptitude of tho scholars; and more attention to character than to storing the memory. The Kindergarten and other methods of toaohing, wbich were aiming to combine work and education, were briefly described. He also urged tbe abolition of the Seventh Standard, and the lengthening of school hours. He said he believed that drawing— that is, drawing of mechanical appliances, etc. — should be taught by qualified masters also, that a workshop should be attached to every school, so that boys could become acquainted with tools for iron and woodwork, but such work should be carried on on truly educational lines. Ho was also of opinion tbat secondary education should be carried on. and agricultural schools be established in country distriots. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Isaac for his interesting paper. A regular meeting of the Star of Wakefield Tont, No. 45. of tlie Independent Order of Recbabites, was held in the Temperance Hall, Wakelieid, on Saturday evening last, when reports of the progress made duriug last year were presented. The membership was shown to have increased in a satisfactory manner, but one more being required to make up the loss incurred by transferring members to open the Brightwater Tent. The amount paid for sick pay was shown to have been £10 10s, an exceptionally jsmajl amount, and the funds had increased by '£21 lQs ,5d after all accounts had been paid. The Recreation Fund showed a balanco of £3 los yd. Tho auditors, Bros D. Price and E, Roberts, having reported that tho accounts were correct, the balance sheet was adopted. Tho following oflicers have been elected for the new term :-C.S. Iho M Bird, DR Bro A Robertson, Sec Bro E Kclfflon, Treas Bro McPhorson, BS Bro Roberts, OS Bre J Gorrie, Lev Bro E Vowler, Gnard Bro J Taylor, PCR Bro' F Waterhouse. The membership of the Work aud Will Juvenile Tent was shown to be 43, and the funds at last quarter to amount to £69 los ld. During the quarter the Superintendents have been able to declare a bonus on the amount held in trust for members of the Juvenile Tent of from 10 3 Srd to 33 l-JJrd per cont, this being derived from interest, donations, forfeited accounts, Ac. Bros E Fowler and G W Baiuent were nppointed Superintendents and Bro E W Roberts Secretary of ihe Juvenile Tent. After the usual routine business theCR closed the meetjng in due form. Great pain« haye Jjeeu faken with the boys of St. Mary's Orphanage fn preparation for the animal midwinter musical and farcical entertainment which takos place at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening next. The musical programme will consist of vocal and instrumental solos duets, trios, &c. Tho proceeds go lo the band and recreation funds. Councillor Rout says lhat we have already quite enough trees growing about Nelson, and the Council meeting last he moved " that no action bo taken with regard to Arbor Day (7th August). Tlie motion was agreed to." An article on tho "Bicycle in War " from .the '.' Town and Couutry Journal " appears on the fourth pago, Wo loam tbat thi petition in favour of tho Bill allowing Scripuiro teaobiiiy in the Stato schools by tha touchers' 'has' already been signed by about 1600 electors in Nelson alone. Thjs is encouraging for those in favour of the ineasuro, The Secretary of tho West Coast Kqgby Union (Mr Wickesf, has communicated with Mr W R Walker, Secretary hf the local Rugby Union, statiug that jf fresh arrangemeutt of dates cannot be made in connection with the visit of the Nelson team, the proposed guarantee would havo to be withdrawn. The Coast Union now asks for the team to leave on Tuesday week, playing Hokitika on Thnrsday, and Greymouth on Saturday. This, however, clashes with arrangements with tho Bullet Union to play at Westport the following Saturday, £lo being granted as a guarantee for that day. Under the circumstances it is just possible tbat the intended trip to the West Coast will liave to be abandoned, and if this is so, the West .Coast Unjon will have only themselves to thank, bavin*? broken the arrrangements mado' at their own suggestion. . '..-., The kinderspiel, entitled " j'laynmlos," whioh was recontly given so suoGossfully, is lo he repeated in the Oddfellows' Hull, Riohmond, on Wednosday evenrng next. [ Messrs Sharp & Sons desire us to call attention to tlieir sa'e on Tuesday, 10th iust. on the premiaes, Tasman street, of household furniture, bricklayers tools

and effects, at 10 a.m, on theestaleof the late J. H. Harris, and at noon at the same place theproperty lately occupied by Mre Harris will also lie submitted. The house is well bnilt of cob and wood and the drainage perfect. After which tho same firm will oft'er for sale the town acre, No. 400, situato Nile street East. This acre is on the sunny side of the mad and is well planted with fruit trees in full bearing. TO MORROW'S SERVICES. Tho Rev J. H. MacKenzie preaches at the Trinity (Presbyterian) Church. At St John's (Wesleyan) Church, tho services will be conducted by Mr W. H. Hodson in the morning and Mr Palk in tlie evening. Special snbjects to-morrow morning and evening at the Congregational Church by the Rev E, C. Isaac. Mr J. j. North will conduct Iho services in the Baptist Church morning and evening.