THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 208, 3 September 1870, Page 2

THE WEEK.

o 1 think that among the most important events of the week may fairly be classed the receipt of the first shipment, to any extent, of coal from the Collingwood mine. For years has that company been patiently and perseveringly plodding on, with no returns coming in, and nothing to encourage them but the unhesitating faith they had in the value of their property, and the eventual success of their undertaking. Their persevering energy is at last about to be rewarded ; they have executed works of which they may well be proud ; they have overcome all the difficulties that stood in their way, and at one time looked so formidable, and almost invincible, but which have at last been compelled to succumb before the cool calculating heads, the stout hearts, and the strong arms brought to bear upon them ; and now, while the long continued expenditure and unceasing labors of these few men are about, as we all earnestly hope, to be richly rewarded, we in Nelson are also about to share in the benefits arising from the success of their undertaking. Coal of excellent quality can be brought to our doors at a large reduction on the prices we have hitherto been in the habit of paying, while at the same time we have the satisfaction of knowing that our money is not being sent across the sea to Australia, but retained and put into recirculation within our own province. Am I not correct in saying this is an event of no mean importance ? The same district has also been sending over instalments of its golden treasure this week. The shareholders of the Perseverance Company must have received with no little satisfaction the news that their mine had been turning out the precious metal at the rate of nearly an ounce to the ton, and if they will only disabuse their minds of the fallacious ideas that once existed of huge fortuneE to be made in an incredibly short space oi time, and will be satisfied to receive s handsome interest on their investment, they will have no cause to regret that thej have borne their share in the work of de> veloping our mineral wealth. I

Of any other items of intelligence of purely local interest there Is a great : scarcity. Au event has taken place among the volunteers which must not be ; allowed to pass unnoticed in a weekly t summary, namely, the presentation to [ Gunner Black of the district medal for prize firing, an act which was gracefully performed by Mrs. Hunter Brown at the ' "Commanding officer's Inspection Parade " 1 on Thursday last —by the way why is that • called a "Commanding officer's Inspection ■ Parade " at which the commanding officer is so seldom present ? 1 Amusements have been plentiful during 1 the week, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell having ' given performances of no mean merit 3 every night, in addition to which there t was the weekly entertainment in aid of J the Christ Church Organ Fund, which ' passed off most successfully. And now 5 from gay to grave. I should not be doing i my duty as a faithful recorder of passing events did I omit to allude to a ciri cumstance of a most painful nature ■ which is at the present moment j in every mau's mouth. It is scarcely i necessary to say that I refer to the . case tried yesterday in the Magistrate's I Court. At present, there is, of course, r nothing but suspicion against the accused, I no evidence beyond that of the Provincial - Auditor having been taken, as the prin- ) cipal witness has to be brought from the t Coast, and therefore, none of the general i public are in a position to form an opinion i at to the innocence or guilt of the unhappy . prisoner. Whilst wishing to see the - strictest justice done iu this most serious t case, let us charitably hope that the ac- , cused may be able to clear himself from ■ the charges brought against him, thus prei venting a terrible brand being attached to 3 his name, aud avoiding that which i cannot be looked upon otherwise than a ■ great scaudal to the Province. 3 F. i - i , i , i i i . i ■ ; , I