The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 109, 7 May 1875, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1875.

By good luck rather than by good management the electors of Nelson euoceeded yesterday in securing the services of a gentleman, who from his thorough acquaintance with business is hkely to prove a useful representative. Ihe opathy that prevailed regarding the election would have been difficult to acoouut for were it not for the im

that there is a widespread feeling that Provincial institutions are at their last gasp, but as it is just as well that they ehould die peacefully and be interred decently, . it is a matter of congratulation that one who is likely to give general satisfaction, offered his services at the last moment as a nurse to the failing invalid, even though he openly avowed that it would afford him far greater pleasure to act as pall bearer. In order that the carelessness as lo the result of the election may be fully understood wo may state that up to within a few minutes of the time appointed for the nomination no one had the smallest idea who was likely to come forward, or indeed, if any candidate could be found to do so. It is true that (wo political novices were spoken of, but this was more with a view to filling the vacant seat in some way or another, than from any conviction (hat by the election of either it would be satisfactorily filled, and there appeared to be a general sense of relief when it was known that a third purty had appeared in the field who was likely to possess the confidence of the electors. Mr Edwards certainly was, as ho wished to be, exceedingly candid in expressing hia views with regard to provincialism, and if we may form an opinion from the manner in which his statement was received, his desire to see the last of the existing institutions met with the full approval of his constituency. We say " of his constituency " advisedly, because, although the [attendance was but small, it is but fair to conclude that it comprised individuals of evory shade of political opinion, and we question whether there was one pair of hands or of feet that did not contribute its share to the popular method of expressing approbation when the newlyelected member stated his determination to support in his place in the Assembly the proposed measure for the abolition of Provincial institutions. And there was something worth noting in the different degrees of epplmse with which the statement was greeted. At firaf, Mr Edwards left it a little doubtful whether his support waj3 to be accorded only to the original proposition of the General Government, which referred merely to doing away with the provinces in the North Island. The clapping of hands and stamping of feet was then to be beard but faintly, but when he explained that he desired to eee the change carried out through the whole colony, no doubt whatever could have remained in the mindß of any who were present, that to a man he had his audience at hia back. There was $ deal of meaning in those sounds. Most assuredly they were but the outward and audible sign3 of an inward^and earnest conviction. i