THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 250, 21 October 1871, Page 2

THE WEEK.

So long as the Assembly is in session, a weekly summary will, I suppose, be expected to contain some allusiou to political affairs, although the interest taken in such matters is not very great except when some question affecting our own locality is under discussion. The excitement of uncertainty is wanting, and now that the Govern ment seem to be firmly seated on the Treasury benches for another twelve months, and there is no probability of a Ministerial crisis, the phrase " Parliamentary News," falls dead upon the ear. Still, matters of no little moment have been discussed, one in particular, that referring to the proposed change in the system of Provincial Government having given rise to a lively debate, the result of which was that the Government were compelled to abandon it for this session at least, the House not yet being prepared to agree to so extensive a change in the existing state of affairs. It is clear, however, that Provincial Governments as at present constituted are sentenced to death, but it is passing strange that Mr. Yogel, once their most distinguished champion should volunteer his services as executioner. Those who heard him so eloquently defend their cause in 1867 and 1868 could scarcely have believed their ears when he rose to support the opposite viewof the question in 1871. The events of the week in Nelson have neither been numerous nor varied. One unusual circumstance has occurred, namely, the arrival amongst us on the same day by the northern and southern steamers of two companies of the Christy Minstrel class. The people of Nelson,.nothwithstanding the much complained-of scarcity of the current coin of the realm, always contrive to show their appreciation of any really good entertainment that is offered to them, but to be called upon to support two companies at the same time was rather too heavy a strain upon our purses, and it was from the first quite clear that one of thera must go to the wall. Neither were wanting in merit, but our pleasure-seeking folk were ; not long in deciding which of the two possessed the greater attractions, and none who had the opportunity of witnessing the performances of the rival troupes can say otherwise than that the palm haß been accorded to the more deserviug of the two. Our old favorite Mr. Bent was not backed up by the talent of which the Americans can boast, aod the! consequence was that while he was'compelled to closeihis, ,doprs, : thej latter" have ' been playing nightly to crowded houses. The Volunteer movement, has once again flickered into, a little flame, which may possibly last a short, time, but we are not warranted ■ \>y past .experience i< in, expecting any great things of our local

force. Some little vigor may possibly be infused into the almost defunct corps by the new captain, who has been elected by the City Company, and who, to judge from his address to his men, is determined to make an attempt to rouse into animation the martial spirit which at one time burned so strongly in the breasts of our young men, but, like the manifestoes of Napoleon, I fear that his vigorous speech will only have the effect of creating a temporary enthusiasm, which will, ere long, in tbe absence of any greater excitement than that afforded by the weakly parades, meet with a lingering, though a none the less certain death. lam afraid my apprehensions will prove correct ; I trust they may he shown to he unfounded. While on the subject of Volunteers, I may mention tbat a lively debate recently took place in the Legislative Council with reference to the force as it now exists in the colony. It would be as well if some of our local journals were to publish a brief notice of it. All readers of the New Zealand newspapers must have noticed that the announcements under the head 'Marriages," or, as an Americau paper puts it, " The Altar," have been gradually becoming fewer and fewer, but I trust there' is now good reason to anticipate an improvement iv this direction. A Mrs. Barling — benevolent creature, she should have spelt her name with a D — advertises in the Auckland papers her intention of publishing shortly a Matrimonial Times, with a view, as she expresses it, to meeting the requirements of settlers in the out-districts, who are debarred from forming acquaintances among the opposite sex. Dear, disinterested benefactress of tbe human race ! If it were not for an unfortunate allusion to a trifling two-and-sixpenDy fee that will be required at the hands of those who may avail themselves of her services, I should bo inclined lo look upon her philanthropic — a crusty old bachelor has in my hearing called them misanthropic — efforts with a favorable eye, but all the romance that might, under other circuinstauces have attached itself to the Matrimonial Times and its editress, has faded away before that wretched half-crown. What a pity it is that such benevolent institutions caunot be carried on without a drain on the pockets of those whom they are to benefit, but then philanthropy without fees is so very rare ! The barometers have been in a sad fix lately, and have not had the slightest idea how to comport themselves. Up to-day, down to-morrow, and back again the next day, they certainly have laid themselves •Njpen to the charge of being " uncertain, coy, and hard to please." Summer has come at last, said one old gentleman to me a few days ago; dou't you enjoy this fine bracing weather, was theremark made tome by a blooming lassie four-and-twenty hours later, and both were, apparently, quite justified in saying whatthey did, butlhavean old friend that never deceives me; and which knows more about the seasons than all the old gentlemen and young ladies in the province. My monitor is a venerable mulberry tree, that is not to be taken in by any amount of sunshiny weather, but For remainder of news see fourth page.

from a lengthened experience' has learnt that "one swallow does not make a summer.'' When I see it bursting into leaf I shall know that summer is nijgh, hut: until then lam satisfied to keep my light and airy clothing under lock aod key. You might have a. more unreliable adviser than a mulberry tree. While on the subject of the weather, I must refer to a report which was current that a maguificent aerolite had been seen by those on. board the Taranaki when she was lying outside on Sunday night. It is said that it was extremely brilliant, and that its was accompanied by a tremendous report. Having heard this, I endeavored to obtain what ioformatift«,T;could with regard to the fiery visitor. Chancing '-'• to -meet one of , the passengers, I asked him whether he coul(J, from ins ; own knowledge, tell me anything about this .beautiful , aerolite, when he replied without the slightest hesitation, "All I can say is that I was in my cabin at r ? the hour" mentioned, and thbre wasn't e'er alight there." Startled by the brilliancy of. this fiash of wit, I did not care tp~enquire further into the report. F.