The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 79, 1 April 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1873.

Wb have received., through the courtesy of Captain Scott, of the schooner Alert, files of Lyttelton papers to the 28th March, she having made the run up in 3 days. Nelson Aetizans' Association.— The . quarterly ?. meetmg of this • Association for the election?pf officers^ &0., *will be held to-morrow evening, at half-past seven. PROPOSED -YVOLUN"^ A:--mVetingY^ interested in the .pro- , V, posed artillery Y^ at YAthe jirafalgar? HbtelvthiseyemngTßt eight iY*tf<AQ&.yyyyyxyx yyyyy ; yyyyyfyY ,-,; yfyy

Professor Louis, who has given one or two miscellaneous entertainments in Nelson, consisting of the rope-tying trick, table-rapping, &c., will perform at the Agricultural Hall, Richmond, this evening, and at Spring Grove to-morrow eveninj?. Registration. — The number of new claims already sent in to the Registration Officer.ara — City of NelsoD, 83; Wairaea, 104; Suburbs, 15; Motueka, 18. It is possible that some may yet be received from the laßt named district. Nokth Buller Road. — Tbe following contracts have been accepted for work on this road :— No. 1, W. T. Harvey, £720 ; No. 2, W. T. Harvey, £600 ; No. 3, R. Taylor, £344 ; No. 4, A. H. Carter, £335 10s; No. 5, A. H. Carter, £495 15s. Erratum. — In tbe report of the South British meeting, Captain Daldy said it was very necessary tbat there should be a sum of £50,000 to the credit of the Company at the close of tbe year, not .as -we stated £50,000 a-year added to the reserve fund. Fire at Wakapuaka. — A fire occurred at Wakapuaka on Sunday last, whereby a haystack and outhouse containing tools, harness, dairy produce, &c., tbe property of Mr Wragg, were completely destroyed. There is no clue whatever to the origin of the fire. Registrar op the Supreme Court. — We understand that tbe Government hBS changed its mind with regard to tbis office, to which Mr Broad was appointed some few weeks ago, and tbat the appointment has been conferred upon Mr Bunny, the Examiner of Titles, in the Land Registration Office, who enters upon his new duties to-day. Wesleyaj** Quarterly Tea Meeting. — The usual tea-meeting of members of the church and congregation will take place in tbe schoolroom this evening at 6 o'clock, when all friends will have an opportunity of taking leave of their esteemed minister, the Rev. W. J. Watkin, who leaves for Lyttelton to-morrow. The Carandinis. — Miss Rosina's benefit concert took place last night and was well-attended. To-night will be the last occasion on which the Compa?oy will appear in Nelson as they purpose leaving for Picton in the Taranaki to-morrow. We are glad to find that the first part of the programme will consist of selections from Handel's and Haydn's most popular oratorios. Potato Rot. — Take the apples that grow on the potato plant, when fully ripe; cut them open; take out tbe small seeds and dry them. Keep them till tbe spring; then sow them in beds like onions; they will be small at first; piant again next season, when they will be large and good, and entirely free from disease. This requires to be done at least every fourth season. This plan has been adopted by several farmers with complete success ever since the potato disease commenced. — Southern Cross. The New Governor. — Among tbe many gifts which belong to our coming Govenor, says the Auckland Herald, tbere is one he will find useful to him in directing his policy. This is a keen and penetrating insight into the characters and motives of men with whom, in bis official career, be may have to come in contact. Sir James ie about tbe last man holding the reins of Government in the Southern colonies who is likely to allow himself to be deceived by those who may surround him. Few are quicker than he is at taking the measure of a maD, — of stripping him of all meretricious coverings, and getting at the bottom of him. Though quick ond somewhat impatient of temperament, he will tolerate a dull man man if he be honest; but he will not conceal his thorough contempt for mere tricksters, even though they be possessed of abilities of the most brilliant order. This is why Sir James Fergusson will have left enemies behind , bim from whence he came, and why it will not be long ere he creates fresh ones after he has lived in our midst. Men honest, and of set purpose will admire and respect him; but those whose acts and motives will not bear analysing, it were better they should not place themselves within the focus of his observation. We are aware that the real powers of a Colonial Governor are limited. He cannot guide the destinies of the colony of which he is the nominal head; but moral force in civilised communities tells for very much, and the power of veto., a great deal more. Sir James Fergussion will prefer to have the naked truth told him as to the state of affairs of the colony, however unpalatable, then a varnished falsehood, however cleverly and pleasantly it may be concealed. He would prefer, for instance, to learn that the " native diflSculty" will never be released from limbo so long as it can find an excuse for the employment: of a large number of officials whose perspnal; "interests rtoxwouid not answer : to? 6^ ?ph account o^ they might otherwise think proper to exer-

cise. He would be pleased with the candour of Ministers if they would confess to him that a gigantic Civil Service staff is maintained, not for tbe "efficient conduct "of the* public business of the colony," but for tbe large purchasing power it commands, .Sir Jatnee, in fine, would prefer to know things as they are, and how matters really do stand. Tbis will cost some time and close inquiry, but whether altogether satisfactory or not to parties as at present constituted in tbe Assembly, a keen inspection of affairs by a competent and independent authority cannot be otherwise than beneficial to the country.