The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1873.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 199, 19 August 1873, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1873.

Considerable interest has been excited in Nelaon with regard to the Suez mail service, owing principally to the fact that Mr Luckie, one of our members, voted against the proposal to adopt the Hokitika and Nelson route, alAhough the advantages conferred upon this port, had it been agreed to, would have been very great. A few extracts from Hansard bearing upon this subject will probably be read with interest. Mr Yogel moved the adoption of the Bluff line. One or two other members having spoken, Mr Sheehan moved as an addition to the resolution that simultaneous arrangements would be made for establishing a direct service between Auckland and Sydney at a cost not exceeding £5000 per annum. Mr Luckie said: — " Sir, I should fed disposed to support the amendment in preference to the resolution of the Colonial Treasurer. I have observed that throughout the discussion the Province of Nelson has never once been mentioned, and I expected that the hon. member for Nelson City (Mr Curtis) would have said something on this subject. By the adoption of the amendment first proposed, the Government can effect two objects — the one referred to by the hon member for Rodney, and another which would place Taranaki as well as Auckland in more rapid communication with the mail boats than by the Bluff service. There is no doubt, an objection, a natural one probably, and it is thie : the long distance which Blind Bay necessitates the steamer to run, but thedifficulty would be got over by subsidising the boat which would come from Sydney to the Manukau. The steamer would accomplish the voyage in a little more

than four days, and a vessel could be des° patched from thß Manukau down the Coaat. So that in the Sydney service would be included Auckland, which is now kept largely out of view, and Nelson and Taranaki, although small provinces, would receive that consideration to which they are entitled." If this is not a bit of special pleading in favor of Mr Luckie'a newly-adopted home, with just a morsel of sop thrown to his constituents in the " small province of Nelson," we certainly do not understand the meaning of our representative's words. Mr ColHds said : — " I rise to move the following amendment : — ' That the proposals contained in the letter of Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., of the Ist of August, be accepted.' That is to say, that what is commonly called the Cook Strait line be adopted, in place of that proposed by Government. I do not propose to enter largely into an argument upon this question. I think, really, argument is superfluous. It is hardly a question for argument : it is unnecessary, surely, to argue to prove that the most central port in New Zealand, — that the most centrally placed city in New Zealand, — that the city which is the seat of government, — ought to have priority in this matter. It is unnecessary to argue that the mails can be more easily and readily distributed from Wellington than from the Bluff. What we desire is, the greatest amount of convenience for <he whole colony. We do not, as a Houße, I hope, desire that any part of New Zealand, though it be ever so prosperous, should derive advantages at the expense of the rest. The way. in which the whole of New Zealand can be best supplied with letters and news, is undoubtedly by the terminus of the line being at the most central port in the Colony, whence all parts of the Colony can be supplied with their letters in the uhortest possible time. A great deal has been said as to the opinion supposed to be entertained by honorable members from Otago, namely, that Otago is New Zealand. Ido not myself say they think so; but there is an opinion abroad to the effect that the members of this House have hitherto been unduly influenced by the predominant power of Otago. I have not the slightest jealousy of Otago; I rejoice 1 in her prosperity, and trust it may continue; but Ido not wish that the whole of New Zealand should have to bow down to Otago, and I think this is a very good opportunity to prove whether this House feels itself under the necessity of giving way in every possible manner to Otago. As I said before, I think it is useless to argue on this matter, as it is plain, to a common-sense understanding, that the terminus of the postal line of New Zealand ought to be the central town in the Colony; and I beg to move this amendment : * That the proposals contained iv the letter of Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., of the Ist August, be accepted.' " Mr Shephard and Mr O'Conor spoke in favor of the amendment, which was ultimately negatived by 48 to 17, Messrs. Curtis, Collins, Shephard, Richmond, and O'Conor voting in favor of it, and Mr Luckie, without any explanation whatever, against it. The actiou taken by Mr Luckie in this matter is such as to create no little dissatisfaction, and to give rise to serious doubts of the existence in his mind of that earnest desire to promote the interests of Nelson that we have a right to expect in our representatives. We have before pointed out that the effect of his voting against the interests of his constituents is not likely to cease with the disposal of the question immediately at issue, but that it is open to the more serious objection that at some future time it may be used as an argument against us. Members of the House do not take into consideration the fact that Mr Luckie has bid farewell to Nelson and made his home elsewhere, but he is looked upon as one of the members for the City of Nelson, and it may therefore, with a considerable show of fairness be urged on any future occasion on which a similar question may be introduced, that Nelson itself has through oue of its representatives declared against this being the first port of call for the mail steamers, That the feeling of dissatisfaction, and we may almoafc say disgust, at Mr Luckie's j conduct is not confined to any one section of his constituents, or to any particular political party may be fully believed when we find one of the staunchest of his supporters at the last election expressing his opinions so freely as is done by " H, A. L." to-day in our correspondence column. The writer has merely attached his initials to : his letter, but they are quite sufficient to reveal his identity, and we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that, considering how high party feeling has run in Nelson, it is an ominous sign when we find one of those who most energetically exerted himself to secure Mr Luckie's election, now admitting that his confidence in that gentleman "has been rudely dispelled." Whether or not so extreme a step as that of asking Mr Luckie to resign is advisable, is a question that must be left to the electors to decide, but of this we feel perfectly satisfied, that his constituents owe it to themselves to make some decided and unmistakable protest against the manner in which their interests have been sacrificed. The actions of our representatives cannot be too jealously watched, and if any one of them chooses to cast off his old love for some newer and more attractive flame, he must be made to understand that we are not disposed to submit quietly to such trifling. It has been said that " The lips that are nearest Are ever the dearest." Mr. Luckie wooed the electors of Nelson City, and his blandisbmentß and soft words were irresistible. The time, however, has arrived when we should let him knowthat it ia not only kisses that are to be ob-

tained from our lips. The promises he so freely made us in the days of his courting, seem to have faded from hie memory. We do not fail to notice this. We are jealous of our rival, and are anxious to show this gay Lothario that we are no longer in a kissing mood. Change begets change, and it would be as well that Mr Luckie should be made to understand that our amorous moments have passed, and that we are not so " spooney " upon him as to permit of his treating ub with indifference and neglect with impunity.

Resident Magistrate's Court. — James Way was charged with using profane, obscene, and indecent language within the hearing of persons passing along a pjublic thoroughfare. Fined £2 and costs 13s, or in default seven days imprisonment. The latter alternative was accepted by the prisoner. Wesleyan Church. — The Rev. T. Buddie, who has had considerable experience araong the Maoris, will deliver his second lecture on " Christianity and Colonization among the Maoris" to-morrow night. Assistance will be rendered by the choir, who will sing several pieces during the evening. Vine GKCywiNG.—Under this heading we find the following in Hansard: — The Hon. Captain Biullie in moving " {.hat the petition of Christopher Frank, of Nelson, be referred to the. Colonial Secretary for the consideration of the Government," remarked that the petitioner stated that he had some experience in growing vines in New Zealand, having imported more than twenty different varieties of the choicest kinds from South Germany, and that he | waa acquainted with th<? peculiarities of the soil and climate of New Zealand in regard to viue growing. He asked that he should be employed as instructor to the vino dressers who were on their way from Germany. That being a subject which was connected with the matter of immigration, the Committee were of opinion that it should be referred to the Government, — The Hon. Captain Fraser seconded the motion. The petitioner, who, he believed, was living in what by some was called Sleepy Hollow, wag under the impression that he had discovered a particular method of cultivating vines, and thought that his system should be adopted, and that he should be appointed InspectorGeneral of Vines.— The Hon. Major Richmond, C.B. said he could answer for the capability of the petitioner to instruct any new comers in the cultivation of vines peculiarly adapted for New Zealand. The man had had great experience, and had been very successful in vine growing.— The motion was agreed to.