Local Intelligence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 18, 25 February 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

ELECTION OF A MEMBER OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The nomination of a candidate to fill the seat in the Provincial Council, vacant by the resignation of A. Domett Esq., took place, on Monday last, at the Provincial Hall, when a large number of electors were in attendace.

The Returning Officer, Mr. Sharp, said it would be almost needless for him to explain why they were then assembled, nevertheless it was his duty to tell the electors that it was for the purpose of electing a member of the Provincial Council in lieu of Mr. Domett, resigned. He then read the writ, and said that, in this instance, he had only permitted one week to elapse between the day of his receiving the writ and the day of nomination, because he considered it was useless to create any further delay. He would now be happy to receive the nomination of any elector to fill the vaoant office.

Mr. G. F. Bush proposed Mr. Charles Elliott. Mr. Webb aaid that, at the last election, he had done himself the honour of proposing Mr. Charles Elliott as a gentleman well capable of representing the City of Nelson in the Provincial Council, and it was with much regret lie had seen him placed in a minority at the poll. Since then, he (Mr. Webb) had seen nothing to cause regret at having proposed the election of Mr. Elliott, and he hoped that the time had now arrived when all persons would see the absolute necessity of throwing on one aide all party feeling, and using their endeavours to elect as their representatives the best men among them [hear, hear]. He thought that now was a proper time when, if any one had a complaint to make, or wag desirous for any particular improvement in tlio legislation for the province, he should come and publicly make it. He found fault with previous legislation with respect to the wants of this town ; and, from his position as a member of the Board of Works, a body that annually eipended *o much of the public money, he thought they would allow that he knew something of the wants of the town. He thought that their special rates were burdensome, and objected that the Nelson Improvement Act, while it provided that persons should be specially rated for certain purposes, only permitted that rate to extend over six yeare, and comprehended as the payer not the freeholder, but the leaseholder [hear, hear]. It was not long since there was an unsightly ditch running through the principal street of this town, and, to remedy it, an Act was passed which permitted the parties more immediately aggrieved to raise a loan, to be repaid by a special rate, with which to have the ditch filled in, but that Act, as he thought, harshly stipulated that such loan should all be paid in six years. He complained that in that instance the town members did not assist their constituents, for they actually permitted quarterly tenants to be compelled to pay a landlord's tax [hear, bear]. He thought thai such legislation ww unwUe, and, a» » wander*

ftMe sum would yet be required to be expended in making town improvements, it was his earnest wish that their ivpredenlnlives should get the law amended [hear, henr]. Another Act which worked unfavourably vns the Gorse Hedges Art. Many of thoso present, he had no doubt, would remember that, formerly, persons bad been permitted to plant gorse hedges along the streets just as they pleased ; these, in time, had spread far and wide, and, in many instances, had covered half the road, yet the Act compelled the planters or keepers of these hedges only to trim their boundary fence, thus leaving what had extended to and overrun the road to be cleared with the ratepayers' money [hear, hear]. Again, there was a subject of great interest to them — the supplying the town with water [hear, hear]. He thought that (he report lately published by the Commissioners was the most meagre report he had ever read [laughter]. Now he (Mr. Webb) thought that whoever they might elect should have his attention drawn to the urgent necessity for a good, yet moderately cheap water supply [hear, hear]. He hoped they would not be carried away by any extravagant ideas ; and that the estimate named in the Commissioners' report was extravagant he had but little doubt. Let them provide for present demands only, but, of course, leave ample scope for. supplying extended requirements [hear, hearj. Another subject which he desired to mention was the improvement of the port of Nelson in such way as to offer facilities for captains of eea-going vessels to bring their ships here (or repairs. He believed that no port in New Zealand possessed such facilities as Nelson did if they were but properly availed of. None present, he thought, would do other than give to Mr. Charles Elliott the greatest credit for having used every endeavour in his power to have that question favourably considered both in the Council and out of it [hear, hear]. Yet another question of great importance was the opening up a communication with the gold-fluids and other mineral districts on the West Co-tst, and for that he thought all would agree that a warmer advocate than Mr. Elliott could not be found [hear, hear]. He must say that he hoped Nelson had now arrived at a time when all party and class feelings should be cast aside, all petty differences thrown over in order that the general weal might be promoted and one step for the purpose of effecting so much that was good would be the election of Mr. Charles Elliott [hear, hear].

No other candidate having been nominated, the Retukning Officer declared Mr. Charles Elliott to have been duly elected [loud cheers.]

Mr. Elliott then addressed the electors as follows : Gentlemen — When I was first requested to allow myself to be brought forward to fill the vacanoy which had occurred in the representation of your city, I felt reluctant to comply with the request, seeing that twelve months had not elapsed since I had failed to obtain your suffrages as one out of six members then elected. But I was informed by my friends that a change had since then taken place in public opinion in Nelson, and that although rejected by the electors' in the early part of 1862, 1 was not likely to incur a similar defeat on the present occasion. This was so far a compliment to the opinions I held, that I became willing to test the fact, for, if such a change had taken place, I could not but regard it as of great importance, and promising that Nelson was awakening from that slumber which for so long a time had robbed her of all her energy. This was a question which I was most desirous of seeing solved. For several months after the last elections took pluce, both the Government and people of the province appeared so thoroughly apathetic, that for the time it was impossible to rouse them to any useful action. The supporters of the Superintendent, in defending the past do-nothing policy of his Government, had said that his Honour was not responsible for this, because he had always encountered a hostile Council, which refused to pass his measures. This statement, which was utterly untrue, found credence with a large number of the electors, although they must have known, if they read the Council debates, that what was called the Opposition in the Council never thwarted one measure which the Government brought forward to benefit the province, but that, on the contrary, its standing quarrel with the Government was, not for what the Government did, but for | what it neglected doing [hear, hear]. The Government always seemed bent on standing still, while I, and other members of the Council, were continually urging it to advance. Well, the Government secured a majority of supporters at the last election, a majority that was ready to carry any measures which it might choose to submit to them, and neither the Government nor its friends could now say that it had not had a full and fair trial [hear, hear]. But the Government continued to pursue its old stationary policy, and, supported as it was by so large a majority of the electors, it seemed best to treat it as one treats a stubborn horse that shows an aversion to advance on his journey, sit quietly still in the saddle and suffer the animal to grow tired of being kept in one position. In the end, his instinct will tell him that unless he moves forward he will never reach his stable, and thereby lose his supper [laughter]. And this course had not been without success in regard to the Government and its supporters in Nelson [hear, hear]. The first sign of such a change having taken place, was shown at the public meeting called' in August last to consider the subject of a water supply lor the town, and which hasresulted in a report from a commission appointed by the Superintendent, and composed of the five city representatives, recommending the very scheme which a select committee of the Council brought forward two jears ago, but which the Government then used all its influence to prevent being acted upon [hear, hear]. The next sign of • desire for progress was exhibited at the meeting called a few weeks later to consider the state of the province in relation to the gold-fields ; and then, the policy of the Government was most unmistakably censured, and a more active one was called for alike by the supporters and the opponents of the Government [hear, hear]. On this, the Government showed some sign of waking up to life, but the pressure of public opinion once removed, it again speedily became a lifeless body. But this state of things could not longer be endured. The public of Nelson had becomo fully alive to the great mineral wealth which the province contained, and it had at last grown impatient of seeing its best interests trifled with, and made the sport of apathetic indifference, or of shallow incapacity [hear, hear]. Once more a public meeting was called, and a crowded attendance passed resolutions calling upon the Government to pursue a more active course, and, above all things, to thoroughly explore the country, and open it by good roads, bo that Nelson, the natural outlet for a vast country rich in gold, coal, and other treasures, might reap the advantages of its fortunate position, [hear, hear], I will ask the electors now present, Do you believe that a rich gold-field exists in this province ? [Several Electors : " Yes, ye»."] If you were previously sceptical of the fact, were you not convinced by the splendid lot of nuggeta obtained on the Boiler, and exhibited in one of your street* only a fortnight ago ? [hear, hear]. If Nelson is so rich in gold; bow is it then tint six years after gold hat been worked eucce-sfully at your diggings, there are not more thun 150 men engaged upon them ? [bear], I Bay now, as I have always raid, that the blame reatt primarily with the Government ; and in tome degree with yourselves, for submitting so long to the inaction of those to whom you have committed the charge of your affairs [hear, hear]. I know I shall be told that our gold-fields lie in a very difficult country ; that it is impossible to throw them open by roada. I grant the country difficult, but tbat does not prove that the difficulties are such as cannot be overcome. Has any attempt been made to surmount them ? There has not. There is no merit in steering a boat over a tranquil lake, but rough seas and stormy skies prove a seaman; and to govern a country where the state machinery runs smoothly in the ruts of past usages in no way shows the statesman, but it is he who in times of difficulty carries his charge safely through dangers, or by wise enterprise advances the welfare of a people, who is entitled to lay claim to that high and noble distinction [hear, hear]. Standing near where I now stand, I told Mr. Robinson, on the day of his last nomination to office, that I opposed his re-election because I considered him unequal to the duties of his office. A year has since passed, and, I regret to say, the opinion I then expressed I cannot now in anyway modify. Personally, I entertain tbs highest respect for Mr. Robin* son, aad regard him as • conaofcntiou* man wh* dew

what he thinks best for the welfare of the province ; but at the same time I feel pei>uaded tlinl, con.*iitiitioimllv and otherwise, he is unequal to his task, and that ho in not the right man in the riylit pl>ice [h«nr, hear]. Well, gentlemen, you huve elected me as \ our representative, but I shall not go into the Council as an opponent of the Superintendent. I shall be prepared in the Council to support, an zealously as I can, every measure the Government may bring forward calculated to advance the prosperity of Nelson. If the Government arouses itself to useful action, if it devises measures which shall have for their object the opening of tho country, improving the means of communication, developing our mineral nnd other resources,increaaingourpopulat ion, nnd, generally, tließdvancement and welfare of the province, then the Superintendent will not find among all tho supporters of his Government one more zealous to promote his measures than myself [hear, hear]. But, on the other hnnd, if the pnst system is still to be pursued, if the Government remains a mere money-taking and money-paying machine destitute of all soul, and the vast resources of this fine province continue overlaid by its inertia, then I will not fail to express my opinion of its conduct, within the Council as well as outside its walls [hear, hear]. The present is not a time for factiously opposing the Government ; it is a time requiring union. A great future awaits Nelson if her resources are turned to a wise account, and under on energetic Government we may yet hope to rank amongst the first of New Zealand provinces. But there is a crisis impending in the affairs of the province, a crisis which I fear few of you have sufficiently considered. Wien the waste lands of the province with the vast revenues derivable from them were handed over to the local Government, we became possessed of an estate which, under proper management, should have been a source of almost perennial income. But how has this estate been dealt with ? Simply, to devise how to sell as much land as possible every year, and then spend the money. Looking back over tho returns of land sales in the province from the let of January, 1857, 1 find from that date to the Ist of January last, a period of six years, the province has parted with about half-a-million acre 3of it* best land, and lias received as land revenue close on £190,000. It is easy to understand that the command of so large an income from extraneous sources lias tended greatly to make government pleasant in Nelson during the last six years ; and if the thing could be for ever continued, but little perhaps could be said against, tho system. But the fact is quite notorious, that the class of land which has yielded this large income is nearly all alienated, and the sales must presently come to an end because there will be no more land to sell ; while out of this large revenue the Government has done almost literally nothing to provide the province with a revenue from another quarter, when the land sales in the Ainuri shall fail [hear, hear]. I will put this question to all thinking men. I ask them what they would think of a private individual who had come into the possession of a landed estate, and who, without making any provision for his own ultimate maintenance, to say nothing of a provision for his family, should set up at once an expensive establishment, and maintain it, year after year, by selling off his most valuable acres, and thus live entirely upon his capital ? Why, you would all say he was a worthless and imprudent spendthrift. Yet this is precisely what the Government of Nelson has done for the last six years [hear, hear]. Tuere can be but one end to such a course, whether by a State or by an individual, and it must end in beggary at last. Now I wish to see the Government of this province act as an individual, gifted with wisdom and foresight, would act, if endowed with an estate, part available and of present value, and part unavailable, and therefore of no present value. Such a man would certainly not part with all the available portion of his estate, without taking care that out of the proceeds of what he sold the remaining, and larger portion, was rendered saleable [dear, hoar]. The course pursued by the Government of Nelson had even been worse than that condemned in Scripture in the parable of the talents. The servants who had five and two talents entrusted to them by their lord, and who, by the prudent use they made of them, were able, when culled upon, to return them with other five and two talents, were commended as goo.l and faithful servants j while he, who hid his lord's money in the earth, not venturing to make use of it because he believed liis lord to be a hard task-master, w»s condemned as a wicked and slothful servant, and unworthy to keep even the single talent given him [hear, hear]. It is not, however, my policy to rip open old sores. I wish, if possible, to see the whole province acting in unison. I wish, above all things, to get rid of that class feeling and class jealousy which has been so mischievously and successfully inculcated into the minds of what are called the working classes of this province, and whioh has taught them to regard every man who wears a better coat than themselves as an enemy. This most pernicious doctrine has been productive of the greatest mischief to Nelson, for it has destroyed that feeling of mutual dependence and respect which ought to exist, and might have existed in a community such •s ours. For my owu part, I utterly scout such distinctions. I recognise no difference botween a man with a fustian coat and the wearer of broadcloth, save bis moral and intellectual qualities [hear, hear]. Who •re the working men in a new country such as this f All, or nearly all, work, or have had to do so since they came to the cplony ; the professional man, the •heepfarmer, the agriculturist, the merchant, the tradesman, all alike labour in their vocation, and, if I may be permitted to speak of myself, I will say, I have been a hard working raau all my life ; nor is there amongst the electors now present one, who in an equal number of years, has worked, both with head and hauds, a greater number of hours than I have. Men have come to this colony bringing with them the strong class prejudices they adopted at home, and they have not had the sense to see how totally different was the state of affairs here to those they had left belaud them. What grievances were there in this country which pressed upon tho labouring class P None whatever. The daily labourer enjoyed a full equality with the wealthiest of the land, both socially and politically, and there was no bar whatever to any man reaching the highest social or political s'ation in the country, save what arose from his own misconduct [hear, hear]. But I have said enough of past affuirs, and I wish now to bestow a few words on our future prospects. We are all, I think, pretty well agreed that somehow or other, whatever the cause, the present condition of Nelson is not what it should be [hear]. What then it the remedy ? We kuow beyond all question that we possess a rich gold-field, large enough to give profitable employment to many thousand diggers for years to come. We know also that we have most extensive coal-Selds, declared by every one who has tested them, to furnish the best coal yet discovered in the Southern hemisphere. We know likewise that we possess other mineral wealth, all calculated to enrioh the province, if it can be economically worked and brought to market. All this great wealth, however, lies at some distance from Nelson, nor is it accessible from any other good port. The one thing then to do, and that with the least possible delay, is to make our mineral treasures acoessible from our port, and so render Nelson the emporium of all the vast trade which these riches must, sooner or later, call into existence [hear, hear]. This can only be done by a good road from Nelson to the Buller, and, it necessary, to the West Coast. The length of this road would not be so very great, if carried the whole distance by the longest known route, for in that case it would not exceed 160 wiles ; while there is a prospect of finding coal about Wangapeka, and within fifty miles of Nelson, equal to that on Mount Rochfort, and of getting a road to the western gold country short of 100 mile* in length [hear, ntar]. This road must be made,' aud be carried on at once, as soon as the best line is determined on, with energy and spirit. Tho question will now immediately arise, What kind of road shall be made ? For my own part, I do not hesitate to say that I believe a railroad the most pre- 1 ferable in every way, considering first cost, future ex- j penses of the line, and economy of haulage. I know perfectly well that many people will take alarm at this proposition, and I am told that I am considered a rash' man to propose such on undertaking. I will only ask such persous to look at the line of railway to the Dun Mountain mine, and tell me whether a macadamized road, capable of carrying 10,000 tons of goods wilhin » few months, could be constructed at

the cost of that line, say £2,000 a mile f A railroad, .such a* I desire to see constructed for gpnei-Hl truflii-, need not, with all necessary rolling-stock, cost £3,000 n mile ; mid to peek to frighten us out of all idea of n railroad for our traffic by telling us what railways cost in Enghind and Australia, is just as reasonable a ihing «i it would have been, when the Government of Nelson determined on erecting the hall you arc now standing in, to have sought to deter it from the undertaking by reminding it of the cost of building the new British Houses of Parliament [hear, hear]. If good coal could be obtained within fifty miles of Nelson, it could be delivered by railway at our port at fivo shillings a tou carriage, probably for considerably less; and I need hardly point out to you the immense advantage which a large coal export would confer upon your town and port [hear, hear]. The facility which such a means of transport would offer to diggers would ensure to us tho presence of a large digging population, and wealth and prosperity for the province must then ensue [hear, hear]. I fear, gentlemen, I shall tax your patience too severely if I pursue this subject further, and, thanking you for the attention you huve given me, and for the honour conferred upon me in electing me as your representative, I hope, when I meet you again, that I may be able to give you a satisfactory account of my stewardship [applause].

Operatic Company. — This company gives three more entertainments at the Odd-Fellows' Hall, tonight, and on Thursday and Friday. We owe it to Madame Carandini, whom we described as somewhat loud in her style, to cay, that having become accustomed to the small room in which she performs, she has had the art to accommodate her powerful voice to it. She has vindicated her claim to good taste by her mode of singing several ballads. Her style of singing is operatic, and particularly suited to the composer, in whom she most delights, Verdi. But those who have heard her eing, " Anld Robin Gray," will admit that she is an artist of taste as well as skill, and not limited to one style or composer. One exception only can be fairly taken to her singing of that ballad. Surely the heroine is not cheerful when she resolve? to l>e a true wife to Auld Robin. The last lines ought, then, to be sung with an expression of quiet resignation, not with anything of a sforzando or accellerando. A passage, in which energy was legitimately used, is that in which the return of Jamie, and his words of greeting, are described, and these were most effectively sung. Mr. Kohler's nimble arms, fingers, and tongue continue as wonderful as at first ; but his cornet-playing continues to impress us as the ino9t charming and artist-like of his performances. We can honestly say of all the Company that they improve on acquaintance, and gratify by their obliging and agreeable manners as well as by their able performances.

Eaethquake. — Some tremulous shocks of earthquake were felt here on Monday morning, between one o'clock and a quarter past, but, to show how slight were what we terra earthquakes, no damage of any kind was sustained, whilst a l»rge majority of our inhabitants did not even know that such a thing had taken place until informed of it at a later hour. *

Baths. — The bathrooms, just opened by Mr. West, of Bridge-street, which are nicely fitted, and afford the means of taking a bath in either warm, cold, or tepid water, by Indies or gentlemen, cannot but be regarded as a valuable addition to the conveniences of our town. The ladies' bathroom we may especially mention as being supplied with every convenience, and fitted in that comfortable ninnner that one could hardly expect to have met with. We cannot but regard the opening of these baths as a public benefit, while the exceedingly low charge for their use must place them in frequent demand.