THE CABLE CELEBRATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 44, 17 February 1876, Page 2

THE CABLE CELEBRATION.

"We have been requested to give publication to the following correspondence between the Mayor and the Superintendent: — City Council Chamber, Nelson, 10th February, 1876. Sir— ln accordance with a resolution pissed at (i Bpe.ial mef ting of the City Council held this morning. I have the honor to pgnin addre*s you npon th-' subject of the opening of the submarine telegraph between this colony aud Australia.

The Premier has intimated that a Minister would attend if a suitable celebration is provided by the citizens, and any such demonstration will require a subsidy ia ail of priva'e subscriptions. The City Council are unanimously of opinion that the event should in some way be marked by a public holiday, but unfortunßtely the funds of ihe Corporation are not at present in a very fl uris'iing condition. Moreover it is considered that the opening of telegraphic communication with Europe is a matter not only of Provincial, but of colonial importance.

I have therefore the honor to enquire whether the Provincial Government will p aea a small sum (say .£100) at the disposal of the Mayor and C-unc.llors, as a conti'ution towards the expense of any such celebration. I have, &c, Joseph II Levien, Mayor. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. Eupsrintenrient's Office, Nehon, 16th February, 1876.

Sin— l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of you>- letter of this date, asking whether the Provincial Government will pace a small cum Cay .£100) at tbe disposal of iho Mayor and Councillors as a contribution towards the expense of celebrating the opening of the submarine telegraph between this colony and Australia.

I beg le-ve to refer you in reply to the following resolution -which was passed unanimously b« the Provincial Council during thrir last session: — "Thnt in the opinion of this Council no expenditure under the item ' General Contingencies,' should be incurred for fetes, mteriainments or celebrations."

Ah hough this resolution is not legally binding upon the Proviaciil Government, it will, I think, be acknowledged that they would not be justified in appropriating tlie public funds ma manner dirt ctly contrary to the unanimous wish of the Provincial Council, whose special function it is to coatrol tlut appropriation. I have, &c, Oswald Curtis, Superintendent. His Worship the Major, Nelßon.