THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 107, 4 May 1872, Page 2

THE WEEK.

A little of that drought at which we were all grumbling so bitterly some two or three monihs ago would have proved very acceptable during this week, when we have had to complain of damaged bridges, postponed races, and entertainments put off, all owing to the rain that has been falling so constantly and so heavily. However, we have apparently 2ot through all such troubles for a time and can once more renew our acquaintance with the sun, and boast of Nelson weather. The time for the meeting of tbe Pro vincial Council has come round once again, and on Tuesday the Superintendent delivered bis opening address to an exceedingly small attendance of members, which has, however, been gradually increasing in numbers and io the course of a few days we may expect to see every seat occupied with the exception of that of tbe member for the Arouri who bas not yet been elected, owing to Mr. Rutherford putting off his resignation until the eleventh hour. His Honor's speech provides a pretty full programme for the Council, and there is every prospect of at least a six weeks' session. The question of the settlement of the interior of the country forms the principal feature of the address, and it will, no doubt, le earnestly discussed by the members. The Estimates will, iv all probability, be sent down next week, and we may then expect from the Treasurer a statement of the financial condition of the province, which will be found to be seriously affected by the withdrawal by the General Government of their promised payments to the provinces. At present, the evening sittings are somewhat slow, but as tbe members warm to the collar they will become more interesting, and there is reason to believe from what has already passed that the sparring which bas charactei ised some of the previous sessions will not upon this occasion be couspicuous by its absence. Let us hope that the gloves will not be taken off. Sparring is perfectly legitimate and very pretty to watch, but fighting, such as we have sometimes seen in the Council Chamber, is not appreciated by the lookers on, nor is it dignifying in the competitors. Notwithstanding the postponement, the races of yesterday were a decided success, and I am only sorry that there were not more people present to witness it, for it was a nearer approach to the sport of the " good old times " than we have seen for some years. The Maiden Plate, which brought six horses to the post, was a well-contested struggle, and Mr. Redwood's youngster fully sustained the reputation of her owner as the breeder of some of the best horses that ever stripped on a racecourse in the Australian colonies. The Handicap broughtout three cracks, and the result took many by surprise, as it was generally supposed ihat the noble Peeress would not be prevented from winning even by the 81bs. she was required to give Flying Jib or the lOlbs. with which! 1 she presented Yatterina, but the latter is as game a mare as ever stood on plates, as was shown by the clever manner in which she compelled the judge to catch sight of her nose a few inches in advance of her splendid rival. Whether she will prove as successful in the Town Plate when they will meet at even weights, is another question, and one that it is not worth my while to enter upon, as by the time this appears in print everybody will be in a position to assert, without fear of contradiction, that he knew all along what the result would be. I hope the success that has attended the present meeting will have the effect of putting a little life into

our horse breeders and trainers, and the sporting public generally, so that Nelson may grtduuily regain the position it ouce held as being the province where was to be seen the best racing in the colony. It is somewhat amusing to note the calm indifference with which we have learned to view the non-arrival of the English mail via San Francisco. No ono would stippose from the entire absence of anything like grumbling that the American boit was due at Auckland lass Monday week, but so it is, and a more striking comment upon the utter failure of the service could scarcely be conceived than the quiet manner in which every one accepts it as a regular and expected thiug that the mail should be from a week to a fortnight behind its time. When the delay is protracted beyond that period people begin to ask whether it is not nearly time that it was telegraphed from Auckland, but did it put iv au apperance within three or four days of its proper date the surprise of every one in Nev/ Zealand would be unbounded. We have, I see, to put up with the present state of thiugs until September next, when thero is a probability of the service being more faithfully performed, even to the extent of running our own local boats off the coast, as it is a part of the new cou tract that the big boats shall continue to run between Auckland and DuDedin to the great detriment of our colonial companies. The election still hangs fire, and as yet but little notice is takeu of it io the papers although it is said that both candidates are working hard on the quiet. Mr. Saunders aud the writ are both expected in the Albion on Wednesday next, and as seven clear days' notice has to be given of the nomination we may expect it to take place about the Friday of the following week. A couple of days later will probably decide the important question of who is to represent the town iv the colonial Parliament. F.