The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 29, 5 February 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1867.

Much surprise and no little indignation has been excited throughout the community, by tbe rumour, in very general circulation tli's morning, to the effect that a letter has been received by the Captains of the Volunteers and Cadet Corps, severally, through tbe Adjutant, from the Honorable Major Morse, commandant oi the dislrict, conveying a very severe censure upon the conduct of the members of those bodies, on the occasion of the late annivei>aiy. On enquiry we find that the rumour is strictly true, and that the letter in question, wliich is soid to be couched ia terms that, possibly, may be official, but which exhibit but slight veneration for the shade of Lindley Murray, or even respect for the Queen's English, refer to the "marked, very irregular, disorderly, and unmiiitary way," in which tliese two bodies conducted themselves at the anniversary i'ete. We need hardly remind our readers that, according to official usage aud military regulations, such documents partake of a private nature, and that, although their contents may be submitted to private perusal at the option of those to vv horn tbey have been addressed, they are entirely debarred from publication by the press. Were this not the case, ive conceive that Captains M'Tavish and Wigzell would be fully justified^ in publishing the document in question, and thus appealing to the public voice to defend them from the injustice wliich has been inflicted upon them by this censure, which all will admit to have been wholly unmerited and most uncalled for. The gist of the whole affair seems to reside in the fact that Major Moi'se was not consulted in the first instance as to the propriety of calling out (hese two bodies at the fete, in whicli case they might, to use his own words, "have maintained their character, instead of being made a laughing stocks of" (the italics are our own) We do not hesitate to repeat what we, in common witli our contemporaries, have already emphatically stated, that the conduct and general bearing of the two corps was altogether regular, orderly, and most soldier-like; and wehave the best authority for stating that their demeanor on this occasiou called for the highest encomiums from military officers of long and skilled experience, who witnessed their manoeuvres. We trust that this matter, which would seem to have its origin in a private grievance entirely unworthy and derogatory to the position of the commandant himself, will not be permitted to rest here, and that a Court of Enquiry will fully vindicate the character of our gallant volunteers. The public are informed by a Government; notice, that Mr. Saunders has resigned the office of Superintendent;, and that Mr. Enruicoat, the Speaker of the Provincial Council, will be acting Superintendent, till the result of the election shall be declared. We see that Mr. W. E. Brown, photographer, has published a view of the procession at the anniversary fete, as it appeared on Church hill. Nelson Church is the most promiuent object exhibited, whilst a good view is given of the multitude assembled in front of ifc. We are informed that the cricket match between the Nelson Club and the players of Wellington, will come off at Wellington, on the 18th inst. As the N.Z. Co. have agreed to take the players to Wellington, on the 16ih inst., and bring them back for £3 each, and at a lower rate should a considerable number of persons wish tn join in the trip, a good opportunity is afforded to the public to enjoy a pleasurable excursion. By a proclamation in the Nelson Government Gazette, dated Jauuary 30th, the Nelson Provincial Couucil is prorogued. In the same Gazette the Superintendent gives his assent to the Acts pusscd by the Council, at their last sitting. Mr. T. A. S. Kynnersley has been gazetted as Chief Warden aud Commissioner pf the Nelson South-west Goldfields.

In mentioning the name of the constable who had charge of Sullivan, from Hokitika tb Nelson, "Stokes" was erroneously printed for " Stule." It was Constable Stule who had the honor of escorting the arch malefactor, and as we have already shown, he discharged his duty admirably.