THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1859.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 193, 26 August 1859, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1859.

Of all the cleverly conceived movements which ever were brought before the notice of a community, there is one which can claim the prominent position for insidious promotion and calculated success. We have only to refer to the advertisement which appeared in our contemporary, in which a few gentlemen have requested the inhabitants of Nelson to expend twenty-one shillings each, that their gormandism might testify the high honor which we attach to scientific exploration and labor. Under cover of an apparent shew of erspect to a stranger, a nice little party got arranged. Said they, We will take the initiative, and we will shew that however neglectful the Government, there are yet such spirits in Nelson as honor talent, and will pay the graceful tribute of a—feed. In doing this, the proposers seem to have forgotten, that before publishing gentlemen's names, it is usual to pay them the compliment of asking if tbey are willing to take part. This, in some instances, took place, and several had the benefit of finding their names published as stewards to a dinner they had never heard of. Again, it was thought that to hide the fox's tail, they should seek a mantle from some of the Executive; and the beautiful way in which they wheedled these gentlemen out of their names surpasses, we are bound to say, the performance of any other dogs or monkies. By asserting what was an " inaccuracy upon matters of fact," they persuaded these gentlemen to give their names, each atthe time being told that the others had signed. This was fit for an electioneering dodge, but only casts discredit upon .a party when they seek to implicate by such proceedings a foreigner, and—a gentleman—rin their petty spite upon our present Superintendent. The course about to be pursued by them is not only clear to any common observer, but has, we believe, been acknowledged by some of these patriots, viz., that after putting up a private dinner at a price which would prevent the mass ofthe population attending, they could then say, "See what neglect the Government has shewn. We private individuals have had to Maintain the honor ofthe province; here is a scientific gentleman, who has given us his time and exertions with a view to benefit our future, and our supine Executive cannot even thank him. We are the inhabitants of Nelson, and we supply .the

deficiency by meeting here to-night to see the Lion fed." Graced and inspired by the J gallery, we shall no doubt hear «oi»e well * considered and happy sentences from Dr. Monro. Prom 0- Curtis, Esq., now that the ghost of his departed Gibbs is laid, we shall find some talk about gold-fields; the ; promised and as* yet unpaid bonus, this merging into a general stratum of c<?n- \ glomerate, among9t which the heaviest, and consequently most abundant, portion; will be remarks upon the Government. This would have been remarkably clever and perhaps amusing, if they had not played their leading suit, and exposed their game. For once, they have failed in their object; and we cailiirecall,the time when,a similar attempt was made some year or moire ago, which equally > failed. Had they this time pursued their former course, and given only sixteen hours notice of their intentions, they might have astonished the town by a display of white waistcoats and enthusiasm. At present, we fear that the arrangements made by the Government will very considerably modify that display on this day week. They have, we are told, guaranteed sixty persons to meet Dr. Hochstetter at dinner, and we will stake our reputation upon this that a much larger number will assemble at the I Superintendent's invitation. ./'' ' " . .We may now state, for the sake of information; that our Superintendent has applied to Dr. Hochstetter, and requested him to give a lecture upon the country which he has explored, and the specimens collected. The Doctor has responded to that call, and at the.expense of the Government will the lecture be given. We shall be able to see there not only the fortunate possessors of one guinea, but a representation of the entire population; and, as should be, the meeting will be called by the head of the Executive, and not by the scheming proposers of a future party movement. In conjunction with this it has been proposed,.and lists have already been distributed for the purpose, that a testimonial be made to the Doctor by the inhabitants ofthe province; and feeling that the most delicate and apposite offering that could be made would be that gathered from our own produce, we are anfxious to secure the choicest and most valuable specimens of quartz and gold that have been taken from our owu diggings. A committee is about being formed, amongst whom at present we can number the names of some of, our most esteemed fellow-colonisls; and the Manager of the Bank, Mr. A. Kerr, hat accepted the .office o c Treasurer. We say, therefore, thatf at once let every one who considers that this province should recognise the services of Dr. Hochstetter, bring forth his offering. This appeal will, we believe, be appreciated by all, and we can say, with much pleasure,'that the testimonial, when presented, will not come from a mere member of the Provincial Council, but Will be offered for acceptance by the highest authority we have amongst us. In conclusion, we may add that the littie arrangement of the committee of the. Literary Institution will fall, to the .ground. They were iri hopes of getting the Doctor to lecture for them, and had arranged, to charge Ss. a*id ss. each for admission. We rather wonder in what school they learnt their definition of hospitality, when they seek to make a market out of the voluntary, information afforded by a stranger. It might, no doubt, be acceptable to their funds at present, to'trade upon a visitor's brains, but we shall have rendered them a service of more value if we can prevent them from lowering, not only their Institution, but all connected with it, by such a, grasping and selfish act