CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 41, 17 February 1874, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*»* We are desiroua of affording every reasonable facility iorjhc discussion of public subjects; but it must -be understood that we are*ih no 'way responsible ior tbe opinions expressed by eorrea- . pondents. . . / : . , / .>;'

To thh^. Editor of thb Evening Mail.. ;; ; . Sir-?- As n moil so long advocating "progress," public works, and the introduction of new blood, I must say that I was surprised ; to.; see your leader on the social dinner given td " the Hon Julius Vogel— our leader aad guiding star to future prosperity ; a man possessing a large, liberal, and constructive brain;, a man whose energy of character has placed" him on the apex of political ambition; a man who in seeking to soar docs not forget' the power by which he has ristn, viz., the people. All his ideas ere for advancement, opening up countries, breaking through hitherto forbidden ground, and has by bringing to bear his powerful lever, a lever that can lift the world, viz, the people. All his plains so well and mechanically constructed are for the advancement of no "clique," but the population at large; his aim is to procure food, labor, and occupation for the mu'titu^e. There was no flowery " humbug " in his address. He knew the men and character of tbe place he was in.' Can any one say that he did not command respect from his speech? Ask all round the town, don't consult a few; Ask tbe many; all are well satisfied and delighted with his ideas, it has given a stimulus ..already, we feel sure of future, and shortly to be experienced advancement. With such an energetic far-seeing man as a leader, a maa who devotes all his time and energies to his office and country, such a man must gain the country's confidence. His remarks on Nelson displeased you. Why did you leave the table just before the loast of the " Press " was given ? Then you could have replied, pointed out Mr Vogel's errors- and weak' points of legislation, and . have given him some able and logi'al ideas.. I like to see things done straight-forward ly, when our Premier has left us you then give us a long yarn upon what he did not know. His remark s on Canterbury are undoubtedly -correct. It is the people who make a country, like a man in business, if all waited for capital ere they commenced, the*" commercial ' circle would be small indeed. • : " .• -\ Had the same class of energetic men located" here our mines would have been developed by borrowed capital, whereas Nehon waits for chance or time to develope its resources This is clearly proved every day. Where .is the Nelson capitalist who will put down. £5000 to open up a gold, coal, or iron mine; arc we not waiting on Melbourne for this now ? The small traders are the only persons who risk their mite to aid these valuable resources. Can you say that Nelson is a bustling, active, energetic town. Look at our port, can you say that it strikes a new comer with anything but pity; all our improvements, the two new wharves, are private enterprise. You eulogise the novelty of a steam hammer; after s colonisation of 35 to 40 years is this showing wonderful progress? However this is a thing I could write for ever on, the subject would be continuous enough. I regret, to see that one of our papers should pay such a wretched tribute to an undoubtedly talentfd man because he might be led to believe it was the true sentiments of the people, but the points in his able speech, all turning with sound sense, were ; understood, taken up, and applauded by too many in his presence, luckily, and his views being seconded by the various members of the Assembly and Provincial Council, who certainly endorsed his opinions, or else they would have spoken to the contrary; ■" Silence gives consent at all times," as a rule. „■.,•_•' I am, &c, .'...' ; H. J. L. Atjcubde; Bridge-street, Feb. 14. . •'