THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 267, 9 November 1872, Page 5

THE WEEK.

I referred in my last to the lessons that might be learned from the recent fire, but it appears that at (lie enquiry into its origin, held on Monday last, other matters than those immediately connected with the burning of the house were brought to light. The jury, on visiting the scene of the fire> found in the back premises of some of the buildings in our main street sights and smells, of tbe existence of which, in the very hearty of the town, they had little idea. If the result of tbeir researches be to place tbe authorities more on the alert in ihe direction of abating such nuisances, the public, at least, will have co cause to regret the narrow escape that Trafalgarstreet had from being burnt down. Strangers visiting Nelson are invariably struck with its neat, clean, and well-kept appearance, but we who are behind the scenes know that the cleanliness that delights the eye is but tbat of the whited sepulchre. Indeed, there are few towns iv New Zealand thatcan surpass our own in the pleasing variety or powerfulness of its stinks. As the warm weather approaches, Hardy - street^ which through the winter has been comparatively inoffensive, once more loads (the air with a fragrance that is unpleasantly suggestive of fever and other diseases, with their concomitant doctors' and undertakers' bills, tolling of bells, and plethoric obituary lists in the newspapers. Trafalgar - street, it seems, is likely to follow suit, and unless steps are taken to improve the sanitary condition of the town, there is every reason to suppose that the medical faculty will have a busy time of it this summer. A strange people we are. Some hundreds of miles away there occurs a case of small pox, and away we rush to the doctors and hare our arms to tbe lancet that is to introduce into our system a protection against that dreaded disease, while at the same time we are coquetting with typhus and other horrible fevers, inviting them in the most pressing manner to pay us a visit, and assuring them that they shall meet with a hearty welcome. We have had more warnings than one of what we may expect if we continue so outrageously to neglect all sanitary precautions, but still Sleepy Hollow quietly dozes on, nor does there appear to be much probability of her shaking olf her lethargy . until too late, when some of those who had been content to let matters remain as they were have, as a confecquence of their negligence, entered upon the sleep that knows no waking. Poor old Peeress ! To think that the glorious aniamal, whose performances have so often delighted us on our little Nelson course, and who has never put in an # appearance elsewhere without being looked upon as a most formidable opponent, should have lived to bave such a stigma cast upon her name. Disqualified. What a blessing that the noble creature who was never yet found wanting in honesty or pluck is unable to comprehend the full nature of the dishonor to which, through no fault of her own, she has been submitted. One mom a Peri at the gate Of Heaven sat disconsolate. These two lines describe what we might almost suppose to have been the feelings of the beautiful Peeress if preseut on the Canterbury course during the present meeting. Longing to take part in a contest such as those in which she had so frequently distinguished herself; eager, in the proud consciousness of possessing powers seldom surpassed, to meet every competitor that might be brought against her j quivering with excitement as she heard the saddling bell ring, saw the bright dresses of the jockeys as they flew past, and listened to the shouts of the crowd who she knew would bave greeted her triumph — and yet finding tbat to her the » gate was closed. At present we do not know the full particulars of the transaction tbat led to the extreme step taken by the Christchurch Jockey Club, but, supposing their verdict to be a just one, one cannot but feel that of the two — the high bred, honest, intelligent race horse, and him who owned her — the former waa the nobler animal. Again I say, poor, disconsolate Peeress ! One of the items that appeared in the latest Australian telegrams struck me as being worthy of the attention of our farming population, and a fair subject of enquiry for Farmers' Clubs. We are told that, notwithstanding the considerable rise that has taken place in the price of breadstuff's in Australia, the millers decline to purchase New Zealand wheat except at a low figure, ; owing to its inferior quality. Whence 7 arises this inferiority? Is it owing to the abflence of some property m our soil that iaessential to producing good wheat ? If 7 so, :lb there no means of artificially: supply-;" ; <~ie nrntterYis worth ilopking into ;