THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 322, 4 December 1875, Page 2

THE WEEK.

Locally speaking, the week has produced little" or nothing new in the political world. Mr; Luckte, who, it is rumored, intends to offer himself again as a candidate for the City, has made no sign, and, so far as is as yet positively known, Mr , Curtis and Mr Sharp are to have a walk over, although it is possible that Mr Luckie may before the nomination day make up his mind that he has no chance for the district of Eden, and would once more like to be sent to Wellington as the representative of Nelson, and, having made up his mind, he will perhaps communicate to the electors the decision at which he has arrived. Mr Parker and Mr Gibbs appear to find in Mofcueka and Golden Bay snug little pocket boroughs, as no attempt to deprive them of their seate has yet been announced. There is a vague rumor that a former representative of the Waitnea is to contest the seat with Mr Shephard, but up to the present time the rumor is of the -faintest . and most uncertain description. The only contest in this part of the province that seems absolutely certain is that for the representation of the suburbs, where Mr Rout tells the electors that he means to try . .his luck against Mr Eichmond. Here a hard fight may be expected, and there promises to be not a little excitement over the election. Probably the two candidates will address the electors as soon as the writs are out, and then the fun will begin. The signal gun for the battle to commence throughout the colony will probably be fired from Wellington nest week in the shape of a proclamation dissolving the Assembly, and the issue of the writs. Excepting in Nelson province there will be keener contests than have been known since the passing of the Constitution Act. The sitting of the. Supreme Court has been the principal event of the week. The Judge, in charging the Grand Jury, stated that in a short time an Act would be in force by virtue of which . persons accused of crimes would be able to give evidence in their own behalf. This he regarded as an improvement on the' existing state of the law. Before the charge had been uttered half an hour there was clear proof afforded that one of the prisoners was also of the Judge's opinion, he being extremely desirous to say something in his own defence. He was being tried for an assault, and, being unrepresented by counsel, conducted the cross-examination of the witnesses in his own person, and it was done something in this way : — " Didn't yer come into the bedroom ?"— Witness : " No, I hadn't time ; you hit me on the head with the axe as soon as I got to the door." — Prisoner : " You're telling lies, yer know yer be. I was a standing there quietly when yer " — Judge : " Prisoner, you can only ask questions; you must not make a statement." — Prisoner: "Yer sent up to fetch somebody out, and when she wouldn't come yer coined to fetch her, yer know yer did."'-- Judge : " Prisoner, I must again remind you that you are not to state now what took place; you must do nothing more than put questions to the witness." — Prisoner : " What's the good o' me asking questions when he only tells lies, and I mustn't say nothink.'' Eeally we must get this Act in force aa soon as possible for the benefit of those gentlemen who hit other gentlemen on the head with axes when they are annoyed by them Their evidence will be sometimes worth listening to, even if it should not, be altogether reliable. The past week not having been very productive of matter for comment I am driven to relate a true story that reached my ears a day or two ago. It seems to point to the fact that, ntowithstanding the influx of single girls under the immigration policy, the young ladies who condescend to co k our dinners and make our beds are in reality mistresses of the situation to such an extent that if their inclinations run counter to those of their employers they must either have their own way or be defeated by stratagem. The scene is a sitting room in Nelson, the hour about seven p.m. Mistress of the house (afc least nominally so) addresses her husband in tones of distress : — "Here's a pretty state of things, Harry. I can't go with you this evening to Mr — s s, because Mary< Ann has made up her ; mind to go into town, and it will never do to leave the children in the house by themselves." Harry (passionately); " Confound the servants, what are they paid for ? You must go with me, and Mary Ann must stay at home." 'He goes on reading the evening paper. Mistress (doubtfully) : " Well, I'll see about it, but I don't know how ifc'a to be managed." A few minutes pass, when " Harry," who has continued the perusal of his paper, exclaims joyfully " All right I'll managelt, ring the bell for tea." This is done, and while- Mary Ann is engaged in laying the table " Harry " exclaims " Here's a pretty go, a lunatic escaped from the Asylum last night, and is still afc large, with nothing but his shirt on. . There's no knowing what part of the town he may be in." He looks over his paper at Mary Ann, and sees that the little piece of information has done its work. After tea the mistress went to the kitchen and said, " You can go out now Mary Ann, but don't be late in coming home." Mary Ann—" Please 'm I'd rather not, I'm afraid of that man master was reading about." The mistress returned to her husband, regarding him with, a look

of admiration, which seemed to say that in her opinion the Duke of Wellington as a strategist was a fool to him, and quietly remarked " We'll start as soon taa you're ready Harry. Mary Ann vdoesnot want.t6 go out now.'' . \ Matrimonial advertisements have been appearing in the papers lately, whether or not issued in good faith I am not in a position to say, but this I can assert, that none of. them have equalled in pathos the following from the Irish Times of a recent date s — "Matrimony. — -A mother suffering from a mortal disease, and longing to see her two daughters' suitably married before she leaves this world, wishes to meet two gentlemen; respectable parentage, minimum income £100, age under 40. Girls are good-humored, trained housekeepers, very handsome (advertiser can guarantee this), .'ages 22 and 19,' eldest; very sensible, youngest a little flighty, fortunes £300 each. Enclose carte, &c— Address T 72, office of this paper." Our local advertisers have nofcyet equalled this. F.