NELSON REFORM LEAGUE.

Colonist, Volume XVII, Issue 1896, 3 April 1875, Page 3

NELSON REFORM LEAGUE.

(From theLyttelton Timet March 30.) It is the fashion to call JNelson "aleepy." What everybody says, must be true, therefore it may be iuferred that Nelson deserves the ti tie. At the same time it must be observed that if she ia sleepy, she has dreams which put to shanie the waking thoughts of a great many of her jeering neighbors. More than that: her actions aro sometimes in strong contrast to those of her revilers, who plume themselves on their superior activity. Theße remarks *-have been occasioned by a paragraph we publishedyesterday, under the heading " Nelson." From this it appears that whatever may be the backsliding* of " Sleepy Hollow," that place is at least alive to its best interests. S'Sleepy Hollow" actually possesses a Reform League. This League not only has a title, but it holds meetings ; at these meetings it even disposes of subjects which are important, and its action is eminently practical. In the paragraph referred to, mention is made of many topics which came up for discussion. First, the education rate and its collection was debated with great animation—fancy anything animated in "Sleepy Hollow"— and the debate led to a result, A committee was formed to take action at once. Next came the waterworks assessment, upon which the league appears to have had a good deal to say—and the appointment of a valuer to the finance committee, about which it had a good deal to inquire. Most people were under the impression that as there was no property to value, Nelson ratepayers would be perfectly indifferent about the rates. A percentage on nothing, let it be ever bo large a percentage, cannot ruin any one to pay. So it was universally thought. All we can say is, that if people who have no property are so energetic about the valuation, it is a good example for those who have. Then notices of several nuisances were sent to the Municipal Council, which was % censured for its negligence in not attending to them.

Here we have a Reform League busying itself about very important subjects. Ei:cry- ~-.-t where, the Municipal Act %m^Mm^C^ municipal bodies custodiaDߧ^yWfc|^l|ifcte^:*||% property and health. In Nem*zU&W^v£s of the proverb that deals witb-'tH^iie&MPy '" : for appointing custodians for the custodians ; and they are not unmindful of it. Nor are they mindful of municipal matters alon», but the league keeps a watchful eye on all custodians alike. Whether the custodian* feel checked in any way, or the Befjrm League bears any sort of fruit, we are not in a position to assert. It is certain that there are very interesting debates, in which a great deal of attention is given to a good many things. But there is no record that any abuses are mended, while there is great evidence that things municipal are somewhat disorganised in " Sleepy Hollow." Be that as it may, the existence of a .Reform League, that does any work at all, is a redeeming feature.

Chronista.