The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 23,1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 70, 23 March 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1874.

Nelson Jockey Cltjb. — A meeting of the members of this Club will be held at the Masonic Hotel this eveniDg at eight o'clock. Perseverance Company. — - An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders will be held at the Odd-Fellows' Hall to-morrow evening, at half-paßt seven. The Anazi Enquiry.— Our telegrams to-day contain the surprising inteiligence tbat although the stranding of the Anazi was clearly proved to have been caused by the neglect of the captain while in a state of intoxication, no punishment can be inflicted upon him because the vessel fortunately escaped without injury. If this be the law, and we believe that it is so, New Zealand will obtain an unenviable notoriety as a perfect Paradise for drunken ship masters. The Executive. — The Westport Times of Tuesday last, says? — Messrs Greenfield and Pftt, with their coadjutor Mr Shapter, have not tarried long. in their mission in this part of the province Arriving at Charleston they received deputations from the miuers and others interested ia the welfare of that district, carefully noted, among other matters, the request that tho price of mining lenses should be lowered, and a subsidy obtained, either from the General or Provincial Government to aid in giving increased water supply, and generally acquiescing therein, without however making any definite pledgee, they sped onward to Westport. Here again deputations waited on them — official, semi-private, and private — and bringing a multiplicity of affairs under their notice. The Borough Council had much to say on matters of moment, and so also had the Local Revenues Board, and a host of minor matters affecting personal rather than ; public interests were also discussed.

Tbe members of the Executive confined themselves, and wisely, to one definite lice of duty. Their mission was evidently to listen to and carefully note tie request* or wishes of the public. They suggested no Hue of action, made no promises, except in very general terms, aud held out no hopes other than that all matters brought under their notice should receive early and careful consideration. With this the public muat c'en be satisfied for the present. The jouney of the Executive was projected merely to find out from personal o.bservation and inquiry the more pressing needs of the various scattered communities throughout the province, and having accomplished this the mission will be fulfilled. The task of sifting out from the mass of notes and evidence collected the matters that require immediate attention aud are within the present financial powers- of the province will require much time and careful deliberation. The direct advantage arising from the tour of Executive members is that thfy have become personally acquainted with people in private and official capacity to whom they were before utter strangers, and they have likewiso visited localities also unknown, thereby gaining a praciicnl idea of men and measures which routine of office duties, correspondence, and official reports had hitherto failed to convey. Four thousand three hundred and fifty- six head of cattle and 11,322 Bheep were preserved last season, at the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company's works at Woodlunds. The Wallacetown Lodge of Good Templars celebrated their first anniversary lately. Tbe following is an extract from the report presented on tho occasion, as published by the Southland Times'. — " We have inducements to offer for the year 1874, which we could not have offered six months ago; such as an equitable share in tho civilising influence and attractive power of seven sisters. Three of the fair sisters are elected to office for the ensuing quarter, the special duty of one being, on direction of the worthy chief, to give new members the Good Templar grip, a process apt to. produce a palpitation of the heart." By a private letter from an authority in London, we {Southern Cross) learn that, as a field for immigration, New Zealand stands at present higher in the public estimation than any other of the Australasian Colonies. The growth of her popularity is greatly, indeed mainly, due to the energy she has displayed in public works, in securing peace with tbe natives, which enables these works to be carried out, and by tbe liberal terms of immigration now offered. Of course there are the attractions of the climate, and tho good reports of the Colony which returned colonists spread abrond in England. Both working men, agriculturists, and skilled artisans, as well as persons possessing capital seeking investment, are now more than ever having their attention directed to this Colony.