NOTES FROM NELSON.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 256, 16 January 1886, Page 2

NOTES FROM NELSON.

(from our own correspondent.)

The discovery of the meanest man on earth has been claimed b} r many places, particularly in America, but for a real mean class I consider the Nelson cabmeu a big itreak ahead of any I have read of or known. The Nelson Regatta is the cabby's annual harvest. The Committee were dubious this year of holding their carnival, but rather than let it lapse they put their shoulders to the wheel and issued a programme which committed them to the expenditure of nearly £2OO, and this in the face of bad times, subscription lists being taken round for various other purposes; bazaars and spirts in neighboring places. The Committee reliecf to a great extent on the support of those who would be the greatest gainers, viz: the cabmen. However, when the canvassers interviewed these gentlemen some refused point blank, some prevaricated, and one (and one only) subscribed five shillings. During the regatta day, and the days preceding and following, about 500 strangers visited Nelson, and the cabmen's takings for these three days amounted to from £8 to £lO each. However, the Regatta Committee have had a settling meeting, and met all their liabilities, and they also did something more. They passed a resolution that the solitary crown piece representing the gratitude ot the Cabdrivers' Association should be returned with thanks, and the various members of that Committee will not next year take a very active interest in providing sport to fatten such a mansv crowd. " o} KORARI.