The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JONE 3, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 131, 3 June 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, JONE 3, 1874.

The scandalous manner iv which Nelson is treated in the matter of the English mail service should call forth a strong expression of disapprobation, not only from the press, but from the merchants and business men resident . in the province, nor should the Provincial Council now io session allow the matter to pass by unnoticed. Flagrant instances of the neglect with which we are treated are numerous, but it has never been brought home to us in a more marked manner than iv the recent departure of the Suez and San Francisco mails, both of which closed yesterday. The former, we are informed by the postal guide, was to leave Nelson or or about the 4th inst., whereas, as some of us know to our cost, it was despatched on the morning of the 2nd, while the latter, which does not leave Auckland until the Bth, closed here last evening. Notice was given a few days ago that it would be despatched from here by the Phoebe this day to catch the City of Adelaide at Wellington, but it has suited the owneis of theinterprovincial steamers to detain ber at Auckland for a day, and the consequence is that she will not reach Wellington until after the departure of tbe mail boat thereby necessitating tbe sending of the mails by the northern boat last night. The fact is that our convenience is not consulted in any way whatever; if a steamer chances to be sailing within a week or so of the date fixed for the departure of the contract boat from Wellington or Auckland, well and goodj if not, why Nelson correspondence may remain in the office for another month. It is all very well to throw the blame on the General Government, as we usually do, but is it not rather of ourselves and our own laxity that we have to complain ? We have no Chamber of Commerce to look

after our interests in this respect, and the only notice that is taken of the shabby treatment with which we have to put up takes the shape of an occasional newspaper paragraph, , and a subdued, anathema irom those of our merchants who are cdntent to put up quietly with the inconvenience. A representation from the Provincial Council backed up by the Superintendent might possibly have some effect with the authorities. Out of our seven aud two halves representatives in the Assembly five hold seats in the Council and Executive. Let them go fo Wellington with their hands strengthened by an expression of opinion from the Provincial Council, and if they cannot bring about some change in the very unsatisfactory state of things that exists at present, the fault we imagine, will lie with them, and Nelson may for ever after hold its peace. j \ i | j ■ ! !