Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1875.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 348, 31 December 1875, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1875.

Tns election of a member for the Suburbs, which took place yesterday and resulted in the return of Mr Eicbmond by a large majority as compared with the total number of votes polled, is possed of far more- significance than any of the other elections which have taken place or are about to take place in this part of the province. It was the first and only occasion on which the electors have been asked to decide betweenjUProvmcialist and an Abolitionist canuitlajte, and they have spoken with no uncertain sound. If any doubt had existed regarding public opinion on this question in Nelson and its immediate surroundings, it must have been dispelled yesterday. We have had enough and to spare of Provincialism, and none who pleads its cause aud desires to prop it up a little longer has a chance of representing a Nelson constituency. ' y The Stoke Eifles will fire for the choice of representatives to-morrow morning at seven o'clock. A challenge from the City Eifles Cadets to their brothers of the Artillery to a rowing match under certain conditions will be found in our advertising columns, We have received twovor three letters within the last few days^Sfitaining remonstrances which appear to us to be perfectly just and reasonable, but we have refrained from publishing them, as we had no desire to lay ourselves open to the accusation of attemptiug to influence the election tor the 1 kuburfci ty « 8^ TW to of

the complaints referred to the closing of the Provincial .Government offices for ten days. Such a thiug was never heard of before, and probably never will be again, but in the presentinatance it has to our knowledge caused a very considerable amount of inconvenience to more than one individual. The circumstances were certainly exceptional, as the Provincial Secretary and Provincial Treasurer were both busily engaged in canvassing the districts which they were desirous of representing in the House of Kepresentatives, but even such an excuse is not sufficient for the total neglect of their duties by those gentlemen for so long a period. It is not; to be wondered at if the perusal of an official notification to the eftect that the Government offices are to be closed from the 25th December , to the 3rd of January inclusive is followed by the exclamation, What do we want with a Provincial Government at all if there is nothing for them to do for ten days together? The other complaint is more of a local character, and comes from the Waimea. It is to the effect that a servant "of the* Waimea Road Board who "is supposed to act as overseer of the works in consideration of a certain yearly salary has of late devoted the greater part of his time to canvassing for one of hisj masters." With thia we have nothing whatever to do. It is a matter that rests entirely between the Board and the gentleman referred to. The sale of work at Wakefield yesterday, the proceeds of which are to^be devoted to the parsonage fund, passea* off most successfully. We have not heard what the evening's receipts were, but up to seven o'clock over £40 had been taken. The band was in attendance, and, notwithstanding that it was a wet day, the attendance, was exceedingly good. At the Eesident Magistrate's Court this morning William Glenville, whose drunken freak was reported yesterday, was charged with assaulting the police in the execution of their duty, and fined £5, or, in default, a month's imprisonment. Not having sufficient funds at his disposal to meet the re-? quirements of the law, he was handed over to Mr Shallcrass, under whose tender care he will spend fche first few weeks of the new year. The next San Francisco mail will be due at Auckland on Sunday next. The usual midnight service, commencing at eleven o'clock and terminating at midnight will be held in Christ Church this evening. There will lso be an evening service at All Sa fits commencing at 8 o'clock. A prater meeting will- be held in the Temperance Hall to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock, and in the evening a tea and public meeting. A BAiiii in connection with the Mansion of Peace Lodge of Oddfellows will be given in the Lower Wakefield schoolroom on Monday evening. The annual tea meeting in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday School will take place in the Botanical Gardens to-morrow. The nomination for, the Collingwood district took place on Wednesday last, when Mr Gibbs was returned unopposed. The bazaar at Collingwood last week in aid of the church fund was a great success, over £100 being taken, which, it is said, will leave a clear profit of £90.