THE WORK BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 102, 2 May 1871, Page 2

THE WORK BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

To The Editor of the Nelson" Evening Mail. Sir,— -As the Provincial Council is now in session, I beg to offer a few remarks with respect to a few matters which will come before that body. The question of the projected gasworks I do not think a wise one, or one that the Council should entertain as a work to be undertaken by the Government, as when private capital is forthcoming for work of this description Government most certainly goes beyond its functions in constructing such works. On this principal Lord Macaulay says : — " We firmly believe that five hundred For remainder of news see fourth page.

thousand pounds subscribed by individuals for railroads or canals would produce more advantage to the public than five millions voted, by parliament for the same purpose. There are certain old saws about the master's eye and everybody's business, in which we place very great faith." [ ' This is good honest English, and has a significant bearing ;on the gasworks scheme. ■ The Nelson and Foxhill Railway is a mystery to me. What is there at Foxhill to send to town, or what traffic is there to Foxhill and all the country situated between .it and town but what half-a-dozen well-appointed drays could do as well as xs railway? From the general appearance of tbe Waimeas, I don't think the difference of a few hours in the transit of goods to and from them, would make any very great difference to the farmers in that locality. First get your traffic, and then lay down your railway; but don't think you are in America, where land is good, cheap, and of illimitable extent ; they do these things . there, because they can afford to, and more than that because it pays. But between Nelson and Foxhill the trade is so ridiculously small, and the prospect of increase so remote, that the idea appears to be preposterous. The Cobden and Brunner Mine railway has quite, another complexion about it. There, the traffic exists, the means of transit are insufficient, and the export of coal will only be restricted by the requirements of the colony ; when this line is constructed, coals ought to be shipped at eight shillings per ton, and that price ought to place the Grey coalfield in a. position to compete with any other, field. \The quantity is unlimited, 'the quality second to none, and the railway will cheapen the cost of transit, so as to place it in the market at a price which will pay the proprietary, keep foreign coals out of the market, and consequently retain the money in New Zealand. I notice that the services of the Goldfields' Representative have been discovered to >be of so much importance that the Executive have found it necessary to increase his salary from the modest sum of £150 voted last year, to £500, or rather that sum has been placed on the estimates. In the first place, I should very much like to know what his duties are supposed to be. The . Wardens on the West Coast have certain duties to perform, and responsibilities attached to their offices, with which Mr. Donne cannot interfere. The district engineerß,surveyors,and overseers,cannot require his assistance in their departments, and the police and gaols having an inspector cannot' require any supervision from this mysterious creation under the new Executive Act. In fact, to my mind this appointment may fairly be termed a luxury and there being a great many necessaries required just now in the province, the estimates would have a much healthier appearance if the whole sum were struck out. To my fancy, if a man holds a responsible situation under Government which requires his constant and careful supervision, and if such official leaves his charge to devote his time for other » purposes, he is guilty at least of forsaking such' office, to be administered by some second party, he himself being the only person held responsible to the Government; and as the Provincial Treasurer , has, after many trials, succeeded in obtaining a seat in the General Assembly, he will of course wend his way* to Wellington as soon, as the House sits, and not being übiquitous, he Will be* compelled, nolens volens, : to neglect one , duty or the other, and, 'seeing that the (Sreueral Assembly generally : occupies three months at a sitting, ergo, Nelson will be destitute of a treasurer for that period of, time, or Waimeajsouth without in the House. The situation is not a happy one for Mr. Shephard, but no doubt, his admiring "shadow" will be able to explain everything to the complete satisfaction 'of their two selves, if of nobody else. What between the Council, Quartz Crushing Companies, model-farm-ing; teaching the benighted inhabitants' 6f Nelson the English language, trying the comparative strength of various kinds of vehicles, and looking after the interests of his friends; and his dutyto his constituents, the member ; for the, city, will,. have, a rather lively time", of' it just now. Efbweyer,. let. us nope he will wriggle through his afflictions and labors with credit to himself and satisfaction: to -the: city. .<•'. .' -•('••' ■ i 'I)A»I3SX Qdilp.