THE COLONIST. Published Daily—Morning. Nelson, Friday, Oct. 19, 1906. ATTEMPTED INJUSTICE.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11762, 19 October 1906, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily — Morning. Nelson, Friday, Oct. 19, 1906. ATTEMPTED INJUSTICE.

It is certainly a remarkable thing that any members of Parliament should attempt to do injustice to Nelson, but it looks very much as though an effort in that direction had been made. Under the Land Bill proposed by the Government, it was sought to reserve practically [all lands remaining in the hands of the Crown, as endowments for education, hospitals and charitable aid, and old age penisons,and when that Bill was withdrawn for the present session it was obvious that the existing law must continue to be administered until an amending Act is actually passed and brought into operation. , In spite of this, one Legislator asked whether, the Government would desist from selling • any further Crown lands until the proposals contained in the Land Bill are dealt with by Parliament. Apparently the gentleman who asked the question is as ignorant of constitutional matters as according to own remarks, he is about astronomy, for what might not a Government do, or omit to do, if once it were permitted to""~disregard a clearly defined law? Nelson povince contains a larger area of Crown lands than other provinces, and, were it possible to give effect to the evident desires of the Member in- question, this fprovince would naturally be most largely affected. Another member was more direct in his references. He made direct allusion to some 15,000 acres in the Nelson district being about to be thrown open for sale or lease, and asked if, it was proposed to thus continue the . disposal of the public estate. Apparently the land' he referred to was the Big Bush land, described as second class land carrying heavy bush. This same member also asked the Minister whether in view of the rapidly growing importance of the coal deposits, he proposed to discontinue the issue of leases and to conserve the large and valuable carboniferous area known to exist in the Nelson and other districts of New Zealand for the future .use of the State, If this member had merely desired to pr:vent persons taking up coalbearing lands solely for^speculatiye '

purposes, we might have agreed that Such an object was a worthy one, but apparently his aim was to lock up all areas of land inlNelson where coal is known to exist, and other carboniferous areas also, if he could find them, for an indefinite time, for the use of future generations. Zi Why settlement and enterprise in Nelson should be Stopped in the manner desired by these individuals we are at a loss to understand, and certainly the attitude taken up by these members is not calculated to raise them in public estimation. At the last meeting of the Nelson Land Board it was resolved, in effect; not to grant leases in perpet uity over certain coal bearing lands, but it seems to us that Legislators who really desire to see the whole Colony progress might easily devise a method by which the surface of the country rsight be used for agricultural or pastoral pnrposes, and the minerals beneath the surfacie reserved, if necessary, together with sufficient timber near by to meet mining requirements. Nothing of that sort, however, was attempted, and if was sought to further lock up [Nelson lands, and without provision being made for seourinjj a lease with light of renewal or to value of improvements, it was sought to prevent sale. The Government, of course, could only reply that they WB°re boiind b\ the law as it stands, but the Minister for Mines declares that provision is being made for the reservation of known coal-bearing areas. This may mean that the most of ihe remaining land iv the Province may be shut up indefinitely. We do not ai'ppose that the Minister £or Mines appreciated 'fchis.but it isevidientthat the people of Nelson will have to watch their own interests very carefully, and certainly the disregard shown for the welfare of this part of the Colony ! leaves a very unpleasant feeling. i The Post Office. Clock. —Last evening, so we are informed 1 , the new Post Office clocK sdunded the chimes for the first time automatically. There w&'s not the same volume of sound as when rung by hand, but we understahd that this can be increased by the use of a regulator. Palace Skating Rink.— lt will be seen by advertisement that to-iiior-row evening will bring the season to a close, when, no doubt, there will be a large attendance. | Nelson Acclimatisation Society.— A special meeting of this Society will be held this evening, when several important; matters will come before the meeting. Further additional business is advertised in this isue. Garrison Band. — A sum of three guineas has been given to the funds of the Garrison Band by the members of the late All Saints Young Men's Institute. The secretary to the band, by advertisement in this issue, expresses the Band's thanks for the donation. Nelson Defence Rifle Club.— Mr Andrew Miller was elected an active member of this club at the meeting held on Wednesday evening. A wrong figure introduced 100 yards range into the series of matches to be fired, the error was obvious, the correct range being 700 yards. Wedding Bells.— The Wellington Times of Wednesday states: At St. Paul's Church, Mulgrave street (Wellington) on Tuesday, Miss Macmnhon daughter of the late Mr James Macmahon, of Kiwaka, Nelson, was married to Mr John Heath Johnston, eldest son of Mr J. Johnston, "Wellington. The Eev. Mr Sprott was the officiating clergyman. The bride was dressed in white silk. The bridesmaids were the Misses Best and M, and K. Hills. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr]F. Macmahon. Mr Carman acted as "best man. About sixty guests assembled [at Searl's, Cuba street, Where a reception was held. A Sailor's Endurance! — A remarkable story of endurance is referred to by the Auckland "Star." In 18G1 two sailing vessels left London for Melbourne, and went by way of Pentland Firth. One of the vessels lost a man overboard, the other vessel picked him up twenty-four hours afterwards. The rescued sailor reached Melbourne before the other vessel, and the first person to go on board was the gentleman who might have been with Mr Davy Jones. The rescued man was a"iShetlander, which may account for his hardiness in b6ing able to stand the cold for the'twenty-four hours he spent in the water. | Advices from Honolulu state that two earthquake shocks are reported to have occurred in the island of Hilo. Hundreds of dead fish have been thrown up on the beaches of Hilo, having apparently been scalded to death by a submarine eruption. On account of the partners in the business carried on by The Cash Drapery Company, Bridge street dissolving, a great dissolution sale will be held, commencing this morning. This sale offers exceptional opportunities to secure bargains, as the firm have only just completed opening their new goods, all of which will be cleared at sale prices. 3699. Messrs Bisley Bros, and Co. will hold a clearing sale of the stock and implements at Enner-Glynn on Tuesday, 23rd inst., when they will offer about 80 bead mixed cattle, 5 imported Komney Marsh rams; also ploughs carts timber, hay, chaff and grass seed. Also the unsold sections of the estate, seven in number, shearing and wool shed, sheep dip, sheep yards, engine and wool press. Luncheon provided. . Mb Qbsenwood, dentist, New Surgery, oppoiate M, M. Webster, Trafalgar eireat. OollingwoodJ October 11, 12, 13. We have opened up in new up-to-date premises, next Mr Dickson, saddler, with our Summer Stock. Everything new. — llarford and Daly, High Class Tailors, Trafalgar Street. The Exhibition will be a great success, and attract people from a 1 parts of the World, there is no doubt. The attraction iocally is the display of up-to-date and Stylish Furniture and Furnishings, at Lock's Great Furniture Emporium, where a floor space of over 12,000 feet is utilised. Besides those goods made at Lock's Factories, direct shipments of new goods have been received from Great Britain, Canada, United States, Japan, Hong Kor-g, &c, and embrace Linoleums, Carpets, Pianos, Organs, Stoves, Banges, Tapestries, Curtains, Quilts, Blinds, Fenders, Bedsteads, Crockery, Cutlery, Sattan Goods, Prams, Go-Carts, Lounges, and, in fact, everything to completely furnish a cottage or a mansion. Lowest prices ; easiest terms, and satisfacion guaranteed at Lock's.