NOTES FROM NELSON.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 281, 10 July 1886, Page 2

NOTES FROM NELSON.

(from our own correspondent.) A Notice ta Quit. I daresay some of your readers recollect Reefton in the first year of the rush to the reefs; when the old road over the saddle come out on the Inangahua at Fardown Joe's; when the said road was corduroyed with dead pack horses; when the warden held his court in Tommy Barker's billiard room; and when every mother's son of us earned about rocks with more or less gold or mundic or pyrites in them to make a show of hiving just struck a new reef. In those days calico entered chiefly into the construction residences, and sawn timber and shingles had a value. When not engaged on the ranges prospecting I used to live with an old friend across the river, who had about a three acre patch cleared, and a lot of potatoes on it. In the back ground there was still some bush growing and we used to put in a day now and then sawing boards and splitting shingles with a view to putting up a cottage some day. We noticed that our boards used to vanish during the night, so one evening after tea I loaded an old gun we had with a charge of small shot and took my seat on a stump to reflect on the cussedness of human nature. After awhile, I heard sometLing moving in the undergrowth and was nol sure whether it was a horse or man, but on seeing a white pine board reared upon end I took aim and let go. The board dropped and there was a yell and a scuffling through the scrub. I concluded that the rest of the timber was safe for i the night and retired to supper. In the morning I asked my mate to take a walk with me up to Scotty's, a few chains up the river. When we got to our neighbor's hut we found him lying on his side industriously jobbing sjme pellets of No. 7 shot out of the fleshy part of his thigh. On enquiry he explained that some Chinamen neighbors of his were very bad shots and had made a bit of mistake. We assisted him to get the lead out and

our timber was as safe afterwards as if ithad been tabooed. Poor old Seotty! Some time after I said farewel to Reefton he cremated himself in a house he was assisting to build. Peice to his ashes. The Borough Council.

The nominations for the new Council has brought twenty aspirants to the front. Eleven out of the twelve old councillors have taken so much pleasure in their endeavours to make this city a " thing of beauty and a joy for ever," that they have again offered to sacrifice their time and talents for the benefit of their fellow citizens. One only had seuse enough to say " bye." Councillor Moorhouse, who was meant for the Church, but went into Milk, has given public honours best. He did one thiug as a city father, and only one. He fenced Colliugwood street across so as to give his cows an opportunity of enjoying the scenery without the chance of getting into the pound. There are nine new men nominated, and there is going to be some pretty steep electioneering. All the previous elections used to be considered on the basis of beer versus brains. This one will be something in the same line, with a tew more ingredients chucked in. It is hard to say just at this moment where to spot the leading horse in the Borough Stakes; but as it is a weight-for-age race, and no handicap, I think that a pretty good guess can be made as to the chances the numerous starters have for the event. I think it will not be considered as shewing any favoritism if I deal with them all in the order they come alphabetically, and so that no offence will be felt, I will start with the first on the list who is a very well known old performer.

Akersten, William.—Started once for the (Superintendent Plate but got badly beaten, was brought out as a sort of engineer for a while, and found not good enough for the work and was tinned out to grass; since then has devoted his talents to inventing auxiliary girders, and has an ambition for a seat in Parliament, with a view to be Minister of Public Work?. Will make things very warm for the city surveyor if he gains a place, but he is apt to get the bit in his teeth and run inside a post. He will not carry any of my money.

Black, N.—Ex-banker, never appeared in public form before, except to make an oration at the turning of the first sod of the problematical cricket ground. He his one advantage over many of the candidates : —He has plenty of spare time on his hands ; but I don's think he will have a chance of devoting his en< rgies to the salvation of the city of his adopiion. Bolton, S.—One of the old stigers. Never displayed any talent. Generally followed the directions of the last man who talked to him. Is more at home in his cabbage garden than in discussing Borough matters. Pass spades. Coleman. Dr.—One of the new blood, and will be in the front rank at the finish. A gentleman of ability, whose professional knowledge will be of great value to the Council. He has gratuitously given numerous lectures on ambulance corps and their work during the winter ; and much valuable knowledge has been imparted to those who have attended them. He will be an acquisition.

Cooke, Peter.—The very antithesis of the genial doctor. He is, or was one of the rag-tag and bobtail of the old Council, and is also one of the directors of the illstarred Champion Copper mine. He has a very high opinion of his own sagacity, but I do not know of anyone else who has any veneration lor his talents. The only prominent fad he had in his capacity of councillor was an endeavour to include the Government wharf in the Borough boundaries, with a view of preventing an enterprising 'bus proprietor from earning an honest living. He will, or ought to be, very near the bottom of the poll.

CrewdsoXj Peter.—Another of the old tail. He has all along been a hanger-on of the brewers' interests, but at the last ineetiag he sat on a rail on the Nile street bridge business, and did not vote, " because he had promised not to oppose it." He has no axe to grind iust now, as has had a footpath made to his residence, and has no other property that urgently requires improvement. Pass trams.

Everett, E.—The deepest old file of the bunch. A good business man, a good councillor, with a keen eye to the main chance when No. lis interested. With a proper check kept on him he is a valuable man, as he has plenty of spare time, and has also the inclination to serve the ratepayers, always providing he does not sacrifice his own interests. His properties have improved in value and appearance during his long career in the Council as mayor and councillor. He will not be among the first, but will be sure of a seat.

Graham, Johx.—The chief conspirator of the malcontents who have succeeded m ousting the old Council. A capital debater; with stroDg common sense and quick perception to discover a weak point in an opponents' armour, and possessed of unlimited confidence in himself. A man elequent of fence, and not to be diverted from his course if he feels he has the right on his side. He will not be far from the top of the poll, and will immediately make his presence felt in the Chamber, and will do much to improve the tone of it.

ilaeley, Joseph.—None of the old councillors had the welfare ot the city and its surroundings more at heart than Joe ; and he is always in the lead in any affair likely to help the place along. He is as outspoken as he is good-hearted, and were it not that he occasionally gets off the line he would occupy a more prominent position than he does. His popularity is sure to stand him in good stead when the number* are hokted.

Harley, T. H.—As a councillor not fit to hold a candle to his brother. He relies more on beer than brains for his chance, and beer is not so potent an agent as it was. His appointment as a J.P. has already been chronicled in these. His subsequent career during the past eight months has not been of such a character as to cause any excitement on the part of the ratepayers to again return him to spend their money on kerbing in front of his hop gardens in the wood. Rather otherwise, for I am of opinion that Tom will see snakes many times before he again utters his rhodomontades in the Council.

Levien, Robert.—A good man and true. He is by far the most level-headed of the score who are oftering themselves for election. He has the courage of his opinions, and I believe has felt very much out of place in the company he has had to keep, and it was only on condition of some new blood being inoculated into the Council that he consented to allow himself to be nominated. His business tact, his even temper, and his experience in Borough matters would be missed in the event of his retirement; and although a cry was got up against him for threatening to resign in consequence of the late extravagant and indecent vote for the Nile street bridge, it was only among a few interested parties, and will not keep him out.

Little, J. K.—Another tag-rag and bobtail. Very Little good, and very Little chance of re-election. He will get just about as many votes as there are people to be bought by a glass of beer, and no more. Pass him out.

Marshall, G.—Don't know anything about him, and hear he has no claims. Newport, J.—Sat in the last Council for a couple of months, but did not shine very brilliantly. Was put in by the Brook division, but will not get a place now that the wards are abolished. Let him slide.

Phillips, \V.—A new man, with a reputation lor common sense, and if elected will do well enough to replace some of the rejected ones. Robertson, A.—One of the thre'e Wood ward members, the other two being T. H. Harley and his partner Little. These three worthies' idea of representing the ratepayers was by holding caucus meetings in the City Brewery cellar, and in that dim resort discussing the affairs of state. As the three always voted together they were looked upon as inseperables. They have the cellar left, but they all deserve the same fate '. —extinctinction as councillors. Stringer, J. H.—An old member, who has very good intentions, but lacks the ability to give them utterance. He has been a thoroughly conscientious .painstaking member, and has spent a deal of time for the public good, and will probably be returned. Trask, Frank.—ln days gone by was a councillor and shaped tolerably well. He is a go-ahead, speculative, open-handed sort ot party, and is hail-fellow-well-met with so many people that he is pretty certain of return. His pet aspiration is to have a road round the rocks, and he would give a good deal towards the work privately. His speeches are amusing, for he imitates Mrs Partington sometimes. On one occasion, on returning thanks for his re-election on a school committee, he informed his hearers that they had spent a good many " convivial" evenings at the committee rooms. People wondered whether the contingency vote was converted into whiskey hot. Never mind, old man, if your English is a bit shaky at times your intentions are good. Tyree, N. —A new man, and not as well known as he ou«ht to be. He is of a retiring disposition, but possessed of a deal of useful knowledge on general subjects, and would make a very good member.

Webster, M. M.—Last, but greatest of the twenty. A man with a huge capacity for wo k, but without the will to exercise it. Naturally of a sanguine disposition, he has acquired more of a lymphatic temperament and has, for this reason taken very little part in public matters for some time. Will be near the top of the poll and will make a first-rate member, as he has a very clear knowledge of business, and of the past history of the place, and can grasp the salient parts of an argument or a fallacy equally well. He is facile princeps in figures, and will probably run in double harness with some more energetic member—John Graham probably—and they will make what Paddy called a well-matched team. Graham will be willing to do all the work, and Webster will be willing to let him.

Such my readers is the field which start on Thursday next for the Borough Stakes. It has taken nearly four months to bring about reform in the Council; and those who took the matter in hand can rest satisfied that they have so far succeeded in doing all they laid themselves out for. It now rests with the ratepayers to pick out the best nine. As for the result, so far as I can judge, they ought to be placed in something like the following order:—

Old Members : —Everett, J. Harley, Levien, Stringer, with Newport and T. Harley in the ruck. New Members :— J. Graham, Webster, Dr. Coleman, Tyree, Trask, with Phillips close up. Korari.

The elephant Alice arrived safely at New York on April 17, and was taken through the city, bound between two other elephants. She recognised the keeper, Scott, the moment she heard his voice, and twined her trunk around him. She had been noisy and vicious just before, but as soon as he spoke she became quiet.

There are 18,000 female students in the colleges of the United States. Engineers officers of rank have visited Falmouth and selected a site for forming a submarine mining establishment and experiment ground near Pendennis Castle, in connection with coast defence. £lo,ooois the estimated cost in the first instance. This is the first establishment of the kind in Great Britain.

(Continuation of Neivs, see 4th Page.)