The Aelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1870.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 35, 11 February 1870, Page 2

The Aelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1870.

Auckland papers are jubilant, and Wellington journals are exceediug wrath at a rumor that seems to be gaining ground in those two rival cities, — although we hear very little of it elsewhere — to the effect that an attempt is to be made lo remove the seat of Government back to Auckland. The Independent cannot refer to the matter without getting very cross, and making ill-natured remarks about the efforts of the Auckland people to bring about the proposed change, as the following paragraph will show; — "If the people of Auckland are trying to get in the thin end of the wedge, by which ultimately they hope to restore the seat of Government to their city, we recommend them to desist. If the battle which was decided six or seven years ago, after more than twenty years of fight, is to be renewed, let it be done openly, and above board j not in a dirty hole-and-corner way, like a mouse nibbling a cheese — here a little, and there a little, till they crib the whole." This is not exactly the style of writing we should have expected to see in the leading journal of the capital of the colony, but loss of temper is perhaps excusably vvheu au attempt is being made to deprive the Empire City of its status among the cities of New Zealand. The Post attributes the agitation for the change to the fact of " the restless Mr. Yogel having transferred his interest from South to North," and in enlarging upon the topic, it speaks in the following sarcastic strain ;" — If we are to see the seat of Government taken now here, now there, according to the fancy of Ministers who may happen to be iv power, the colony will have in future to consider, when a change of Ministry is imminent, not only the politics and ability of the candidates, but also their predilections regarding scenery, their choice of water views, or inland landscape, their tastes for hot or cold climates, and above aii their family ties, and the fancies of their wives." As the removal of the seat of Government would prove the ruin of Wellington, it is very natural, and very proper, that the local press should exercise all its powers in averting so great an evil, and no one will be surprised to find that it exhibits considerable annoyance when such a thing is even hinted at, but it must be remembeied that the claim of Wellington to be the seat of Government is after all but a very slight one. The chief argument adduced in its favor is its central position, but this is not of half the importance it was some years since. Distance has, to a great extent, been anhihilated by steam and the electric wires, and although neither extremity of the colony is likely to be approved of as the site for the capital town, there are other places which have quite as great, if not greater, claims than Wellington. The introduction of the "thin edge of the wedge " alluded to by the Independent refers, we presume, to a rumor that the next sessiou of Parliament is to be held at Auckland, but we can hardly imagine that there is any probability of this being the case. The colony has had quite enough of travelling legislatui es, and the warning conveyed by the wreck of the White Swan, to say nothing of the vast expense of such a flittering will not soon he forgotten, but will always be

brought forward as a formidable argument against a peripatetic Parliament. But if the subject of removing the seat of Government is to be brought on the tapis once more, and, according to the Wellington papers, it seems very probable that it will be, we have something to say on behalf of our own province. If centrality of position is the point ou which the whole question is to hinge, let us see how Nelson would stand the test. We are certainly five or six hours further from Lyttelton aud Dunedin, but we are nearer to Auckland aud Taranaki, Aye are many hours closer to Hokitika and the other West Coast settlements, and we are nearer, and more accessible to the great Australian marts of commerce. Our harbor is objected to if Nelson is ever mentioned as a possible rival of Wellington, but what merchant steamers visit that port that cannot or do not enter our haven ? Besides, the outer anchorage here is "as secure as Wellington harbor, aud large vessels have safely ridden out gales when anchored there without steaming up to their anchors as we have seen them com pelled to do in Wellington. Again, there is one indisputable advantage we have over the present capital — Nelson is on all sides allowed to possess the finest and most enjoyable climate iv New Zealand ; Wellington, ou tho contrary, is universally condemned as having decidedly the worst, and by far the most disagreeable. Many are the curses, both loud and deep, that are invoked, during th 6 sessions of Parliament, by the members from more genial climes against the blustering winds, and penetrating rains of that City of Storms where they are compelled to pass three months of the year, but the recording augel would have no H,uch sins to chronicle, were the representatives of the colony to perform their legislative duties in our glorious climate. Of course it is the policy of the advocates of Wellington to scout the idea of auy importance being attached to the climate of the place chosen as the seat of Government, but we are not at all sure that the hurried visits paid by some of the members when Parliament is in Session, are not entirely attributable to the miserable weather they have to encounter in Wellington. We have great doubts whether the subject of removing the seat of Government will be mooted during the next session, but if it should be, the claims that Nelson has to that honor must not be overlooked.

The following appointments are notified in the Gazette of the sth instant : — Caleb Whitefoord, Esq., J. P., to be a Eesident Magistrate for the district of Nelson SouthWest Goldfields ; and Thomas Brunner, Esq., to be Sheriff for the district of Nelson, vice B. Walmsley, Esq., resigned. Theatrical. — Another most successful entertainment was given by the Star Company last night, the programme being the same as that of the previous evening. For to-night is advertised the play of King Charles 11. ; the Interlude of "The Secret," and the laughable farce of "Mr. aud Mrs. White," in which, singing and dancing wiil be introduced, thus promising a most attractive performance. Gold Mining at Collingwood. — A number of persons interested in gold mining operations met last night, at the Masonic Hall, to hear from Mr. Washbourne of the work he is carrying on at Appoo's Gully, to reach the deserted bed of the Parapara river, in which all mining experience warrants him in expecting to find heavy deposits of gold. The influx of water being greater tban his present pumps cau deal with induces Mr. Washbourne to come to the public for additional capital to provide more powerful ones, and, as this small sum appears to be the only requisite for success, there seems no reason to doubt that it will be forthcoming.

Farewell Address to Dr. Kemp. — A most flattering address, on the occasion of his leaving the province, was this morning presented to Dr. Kemp, the surgeon of the Nelson Hospital, by the patients in that institution. The following extract shows iv what high esteem Dr. Kemp is held by the invalids committed to his charge : — " We cannot allow you to depart without expressing our appreciation of your professional abilities, combined with your uniform kindness and attention shown to us at all times without partiality; and at the same time to express our true feelings with regard to the admirable manner in which all the arrangements of .the Hospital, both medical and domestic are conducted, aud the considerate attentions shown to all patients under their great afflictions and sufferings." Tbe address, printed on parchment, was, as we have said, presented to Dr. Kemp this raorniDg, and in returning thanks to those who had signed it, he expressed himself as highly gratified by such an expression of their regard and esteem.