THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 83, 6 April 1872, Page 2

THE WEEK.

O When 4;| inches of rain come tumbling down in one uight, and, two days later, another inch and a half falls within the space of 12 hours, " the weather," I think, forms a perfectly legitimate theme for a newspaper paragraph, especially when the rain was so much wanted for the pastures as has been the case of late. The dews thafc have been so heavy for the last two or three weeks have done much towards keeping the vegetation fresh and green, but it remained for the storm of Tuesday night to give the thorough soaking that was required. In the Wairau, and principally the Awatere district, where the tremendous grass fires that raged so fiercely a couple of months ago had destroyed all the feed, the late rains will have proved peculiarly acceptable, and it is to be hoped that tbe frosts may not set in before the grass has had time to prow sufficiently to keep th 3 stock through the winter. If the rainfall in Nelson could only bea little more equably divided what a glorious climate it would be for vegetation of every description, but then on the other hand what would become of our bright sunny days to which it requires the pen of the paragraph writer in the Wanganui Chronicle to do full justice ? The average amount of rain that falls in London in the year is 21 inches ; here in Nelson we get six inches in three days, and this is by no means an exceptional event. I may have to chronicle something similar two or three times yet before the year is out.

A gentle thrill of excitement pervades the political body resident iv that electoral district which rejoices in tbe proud title of the "City of Nelson." This is occasioned by the uncertainty that prevails as to the individual who is to have the honor of being one of our representatives in the next session of the Assembly. In the first place we are by no means sure that in this respect we shall not be as we were. Mr. Lightbaud has expressed his intention of going to Eugland during the current month, but then Mr. Lightband is a cautious man, and he occasionally studies all the pros and cons of a question before arriving at a decision. In the present instance he argues that, although it is his full intention to bid adieu to New Zealand for a short period, still, being but an ordinary man, he has not in his haud the full control of events, and consequently is ignorant whether some unforseen circumstance may not

For remainder of news see fourth page.

«fc~JJwg.T_* r fft.ry». -•. - ; .' ' ■ -■ ,'. _„', ' ..■ „ . -i ; n .— turn up at the last moment and derange all his plans, so he waits and declines to send in his resignation until hiß foot is on board tbe steamer. No one can blame bim.for this', but still until he steps out of his boots no one else can have an opportunity of trying whether they will fit bim, and hence arises uncertainty No. 1. Now for N0. ; 2. Hitherto it has been a generally accepted fact that ; so soon as the present wearer has made use of the bootjack, Mr. J. C. Richmond and Mr. Luckie shall immediately commence to fight for the possession of the discarded articles, which are none of your ordinary Wellingtons or Bluchers, but bear tbe well-known and highly-prized brand, M.H.R. Mr. R. is firmly convinced that although they, are but second hand they will fit him to a nicety and without a single crease. Mr. L. on the other hand, is fully of opinion that there is not a corn or a buoion on his feet that will not find a corresponding indentation iv Mr. Lightband's coveted castaways, and the electors of Nelson were to be invited to be present at the trying on, and to decide io whom they should be awarded. So far every thing was proceeding smoothly, but within the last day or two rumors have got abroad that a new claimant is to put in his appearance, and that Mr. Saunders who, when he was here a few months ago, hinted that he had been so long without a covering to his feet that he was beginning to feel a little footsore, is not altogether indisposed to enter for the prize. A'l the previous calculations that have been made; all the poring over the electoral roll ; all the eager enquiries as to how this or that man was likely to vote; all these are now bootless, and an unknown quantity has suddenly appeared in the problem and has to be dealt with in some way or another.

The Agricultural Society has wisely determined upon holding its annual show this year earlier than usual, nnd the farmers who are in want of seed corn will now have an opportunity of finding out where the best is to be obtained before the sowing season comes round. I should like to throw out the suggestion that some better system of arranging the poultry should be adopted on the coming occasion than that of last year, when whatever special beauties of which the birds could boast were carefully concealed from the spectators by their being stowed away in dark recesses, and in coops that were in some instances too small to allow of the poor wretches standing in any but the moßt cramped and. uncomfortable positions. Were they arranged outside instead of inside the building it would afford greater encouragement to owners to exhibit them, and greater facilities to visitors for inspecting them. I, have no desire to be looked upon as a porpetual fault-finder, and would, therefore, preface another hint I have to offer with the remark that I have the interest of the Society at heart, and am anxious to see the coming show prove a greater success than any of its predecessors, so that I trust whatever I may say will be taken in good part. The system of selecting on the ground the judges of the stock, &c, exhibited under the various classifications has always appeared to me most objectionable, and I would recommend that the Secretary or Committee place themselves in communication with gentlemen of known experience, and who are likely to act, some time before the day appointed, by which means those wbo are to undertake the responsible position of judges would come to the ground better prepared for their work, and would consequently possess to a greater extent the confidence of the exhibitors. In some of the classes, especially in that which includes poultry, I can easily understand th-t the most experienced and practical men amongst us would enter upon their duties more confidently and with greater comfort to themselves had time been afforded them to read up ami refresh their memories upon the various points that are considered most meritorious in the stock upon which they were to be required to pass an opinion, and I am quite sure that it would be a satisfaction to intending exhibitors were the names of the judges in the different departments to be published beforehand. I recommend these suggestions as being at least worthy of the consideration of the Committee to whom it is possible tbey may not have occurred. The San Fraucisco mail Bervice, as at present conducted, possesses one great merit; It is thoroughly consistent, and you may always rest well assured that no unpleasant little surprise such as receiving your letters on their due date is in store for you. Should the steamer, now so long overdue, continue to be so for a few days more we shall experience the gratification of receiving three mails at once. This is nearly equal to the old times when an occasional sailing ship arrived here bringing letters and papers from England never more than six months old. To have such pleasant reminiscences revived in these days of faßt steamers is well worth the £50,000 a year we have been paying to airrWebb. F.

We (Herald) understand that the mission schooner, Southern Cross, Captain Jacob, will sail for Norfolk Island about the 10th April. Captain Tilly, foi merly in command of the vessel, will accompany the mission party during the forthcoming cruise. Tbe Rev. Mr. Codringtou, chief of the mission, arrived in Auckland per City of Melbourne.

How to Win a Victorian Constituency. — A very useful book might be written on the best way to " Woo, Wid, and Retain," a Victorian constituency. Such a work, written in a philosophical spirit, would be of immense use to intending M.L.A.'s. Mv own theory (says "Epicurus," in lhe Talbot Leader) is that with hut few exceptions members are elected on account of their social qualities. It is an undubitable fact that the jolliest men about town, the best tellers of naughtynice stories, and the most finished adepts at the solemn mysteries of comic eons, singing are to be found in the Assembly. It is doubtful, indeed, whether a good dramatic company, a capital cast for a low comedy or a minstrel troupe could not be obtained from the present Assembly. My conclusion is, that any man who can spout moderately well, can sing a soDg after lodge business is completed — wonderful business that lodge busiuess is — and owns a local mud puddle, potato patch, or quartz reef, is pretty sure to be elected, even should his opponents combine the respectability of aHarker, the nationality of aMcCullocb, and the vigorous sense aod eloquent declamation of a Higginbotham.