The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 105, 2 May 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1873.

Wb are not aware whether the correspondence between the Superintendent and Mr Shephard relative to the resignation by the latter of the Provincial Treasurership has been generally read. If not, we would recommend an early perusal of it, since it contains the " latest unpublished " reason given by Mr Shephard for his notorious vote, which resulted in removing Mr Stafford from the seat in which Mr Shephard had assisted to place him a few days previously. The letters will be found both interesting and instructive, since they lead to a more intimate acquaintance with that inner political life of our representatives which is not reflected in the pages of Hansard, and teaches us that there are certain springs at work in producing important results that only on rare occasions, such as the present, are thrown open to tbe vulgar gaze. We now learn with astonishment that it is in the power of any gentleman of a sporting turn of mind to bring a change over the whole aspect of political affairs by the simple process of expressing, in the shape of a bet, his opinion as to whether this, that, or the other member will, on a division, go into the lobby or pass behind the Speaker's chair. An extract from one of Mr Curtis' letters to Mr Shephard will explain what we mean. He says : * "It is perhaps only fair to you that I should here state the reasons you gave me, without enquiry, on my part, for the vote which has given occasion for so much comment, two or three days after it was given, namely, that you found a report was current in the House to the effect that your vote had been bought by the Stafford Government, that members were offering bets that it would be given accordingly, and that you had therefore felt hound to give your vote to the other side in order to prove the utter falseness of the imputation." In reply to this exceedingly candid statement, the only explanation Mr Shephard has to make is that he regrets that it had escaped Mr Curtis' memory that he " prefaced the expression of his indignation about the insulting bets by saying, ' Had no otber sufficient reason existed.' " The logical conclusion then at which we must arrive is that in the absence of any other sufficient reason, Mr Shephard considers that the offering and taking of a few bets on the course likely to be pursued by any member of the House fully justifies that member in voting iv an opposite direction to that which he had previously intended. We are extremely anxious that this novel and somewhat startling theory should be clearly understood in all its bearings, therefore, lest we should have failed to put it in thoroughly intelligible language, let us illustrate our meaning by a purely sup- . posititious case, and in so doing, show to what extent the same line of reasoning which led to a change of Ministry might, had the opportunity offered, have affected pur less important Provincial politics. Suppose that a few days ago two or three wicked wags had laid their heads together and concocted and put in circulation a rumour to the effect that Mr Shephard had been induced, by the hope of securing the support of the West Coast at the forthcoming election of a Superintendent to advocate increased representation for the Goldfields; that they had laid three to one in farthings that he would introduce a resolution to that effect; and that they had then taken care that some busybody should whisper in his ear what was being said and done, about him. The probability, nay, the almost certainty is, that the whole tenor of Mr Shephard's career during tbe session just commenced would have undergone a violent change, and that we should not at the present moment be eagerly looking forward with pleasurable anticipations to the pathetic eloquence with which, in the absence of such bets, he will enlarge on Monday next on the political grievances of the residents on 'the Goldfields. It is difficult to imagine the relief that it would afford to the; "whips" in the House of Representatives if all the members were actuated by the same motives by which Mr Shephard acknowledges that he may be guided in deciding which side he will take in an important division, but it cad scarcely be satisfactory to the people who send lip men to look after their interests in the Parliament to learn that the votes of their representatives depend not so much upon the merits of the question under discussion as upon the r state 7 of ; Jihe bdds. that are |o*Seis<£^ take. Horse racing and politics are so* far '-*'■'■ -:?Y-i-yyib^yyyy.LLL-i±::bb.rby.Y.bL .•■■.- -. ■ ! '/" i »''i' 1 ' ' "•■ ''-''- *"*'* ''" "■•'-

similar that a glorious uncertainty, attends upon both, but it is clear that tbe pecuniary speculations to wbich each appears to give rise will henceforth be conducted on widely different principles. In the former the wagers are usually influenced by the respective merits of the horses that are to run, whereas, in the latter, the conditions are likely to be reversed, the result of a division being entirely dependent upon the previous state of the betting market. We cannot congratulate *Mr Shephard upon the publication of this correspondence, indeed, we are disposed to think that it rings his death knell as a public man, for no confidence can ever be placed in one who admits that bis course of action may be influenced by the speculations of a few individuals of a sporting turn of mind. We all have our weak points, but we do not ail of us care to expose tbem to public gaze. Mr Shephard, however, has distinctly allowed, if he has not plainly announced, that his particular weakness is extreme sensitiveness to the babblings of that garrulous old lady, who is commonly known by the name of Mrs Grundy. How can we ever repose any trust in one who, '' had no other sufficient reason existed," would have felt himself justified in voting against his convictions, simply because a few gossiping individuals had said tbat he had been bought over, and two or three sporting members of the House had endeavored to imjprove the occasion by speculating upon the direction in which his vote would be given ? The position taken up by Mr Shephard is so ludicrous, so absurd, and so utterly puerile, that we can scarcely bring ourselves to comment upon it with becoming gravity .

Steamer Lady Barkly. —An excellent opportunity will be afforded to our Motueka friends of being present at next Tuesday's ceremony by the Lady Barkly, which will make a special trip for the purpose, at the extremely moderate return fare of two shillings. Suburbs Election. — Mr. Kelling invites the electors to meet him at tho Agricultural Hall, Richmond, at 7 o'clock this evening, at the Stoke Institute to-morrow, aud at the Black Horse on Monday evening. Inland Communication Committee. — Members of this Committee are reminded of tbe meeting to be beld this evening at the usual place and hour. The following telegram was received this morning by Mr. Curtis from the Superintendent of Canterbury : — " We have no direct application from the Company stating what they are prepared to do. I am favorable to construction of a through. line joining our northern line with West Coast, but am not favorable to giving land. Is the Company prepared to make definite proposals.— W. Rolleston." Last Night's Council.-— The Council met at 5 o'clock. The members from the West Coast took their seats, Mr Pinkerton, the new member for the Grey, being introduced by Mr Guinness. —On the motion of Mr Shephard, a Select Committee was appointed to enquire into, and report upon the obstacle, if any, to persons already resident in the Province, takiDg up land under the Nelson Special Settlements Act on terms not less favorable than those that will be conceded to immigrants, end if any obstacles are found to exist, then to inquire into the best means to be adopted for their removal. — On the motion of the Provincial Secretary, a Select Committee was appointed to consider the propriety of constituting- a Harbor Board for the Port of Nelson, under the provisions of "The Harbor Boards Act, 1870." — The Council then adjourned until this morning, when there was no business of importance, and a further adjournment took place until Monday evening. Next Tuesday's Ceremony. —We very much regret, and are sure that the public generally will regret, to learn that there is a probability of Mr Yogel .being prevented by illness from visiting Nelson next week. The following telegram was received from him by the Superintendent this morning : — His Honor O. Curtis, Esq., Nelson. After accepting invitation was attacked by gout; have been anxiously hoping day by day to get better, and bave put off communication, with you in hope that illness would not interfere with my visit to*. Nelson. But to-day, though not worse, am of opinion it will be impossible for me to be at Nelson on Tuesday.. Have gout in both feet, and am perfectly helpless at present, still may be better by Sunday. lean only say I suffer more frpm prospect of losing opportunity of being present at a ceremony in which I take so much interest, aud to which I have been so kindly invited, than I dp from; the .direct-pa ins.-.a nd inconveniences of my ; illness. /'Will communicate, with jou : again to-morrow. If not able to be present : on. Tuesday ,1 shall ask yoii kindly to make clear to the people of Nelson that absence is solely due to my phyßioal inijapaw