THE WEEK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 62, 4 March 1876, Page 4

THE WEEK

"Ii you can manage to make anything like a lively 'Week' of it tomorrow you won't do amiss." So remarked a friend to me last night, and all I eonld say in reply was — " I wish you had to write it instead of me." However, he did not offer to do so, and consequently I must depend upon myself to get out ot the difficulty as best I may. That the task is a difficult one I must admit, for seven days more barren of events such as I like to discourse upon, I do not remember having had to deal with before. But the public is a hard taskmaster, and, scraw or no straw, bricks must be forthcoming. Undfer such circumstances, it is not to be wondered at if the article produced is occasionally of an inferior character. If I were a servile worshipper of Sir Julius Yogel, and Ijeld a pen that was always overflowing with his praises, and only required to be run along the paper to leave behind a long trail of what is vulgarly called " slobber," it would be a different matter altogether, for that ■would be easy indeed, but greatly as I admire his ability, and indebted, as I am willing to admit, is the colony to him for all he has done for it, I don't care to besmear with the butter of adulation a man who* I am sure, is far too sensible to care for that sort of thing. But I have yet another reason for refraining from such a course, even if I were in other respects disposed to adopt it. To tell the truth, a little bird has been whispering in my ear a piece of information which has rather soured mj temper, and set my back up against the Premier and his fellow Ministers. It is to the effect that, in spite of all promises, and in spite of all consideration of what is due to Nelson, and of what is calculated to promote her welfare, we are to be done out of the extension of our little railway to the port. At present it is but a rumor, but I have reason to believe that I am well informed, and so, notwithstanding the dearth of matter on which to comment, and the consequent disposition to clutch even at a passing straw, I must defer until some more auspicious occasion the penning of a complimentary column to Sir Julius.

I am fully aware that I have no right whatever to remark upon a case that is occupying the attention of a Court of Law, and in view of all the penalties that might be imposed upon me if I' ventured to do so I certainly shall not attempt it now, but I think that without expressing any opinion whatever upon it, I may safely repeat an extract from a letter recently addressed by the late Provincial Engineer to the Superintendent. Having asserted that he had faithfully fulfilled all the duties imposed upon him m his official capacity, he goes ou to say : — "~ " That, too, under an admittedly vicious regime, as, on the one hand, having inefficient and dishonest ignorant loafers in conduct of the work, utterly unworthy of employment in a public capacity, unreliable, holding irresponsible charge of £50,000 worth of work on .the S.W. Coast, sowing the public funds broadcast amongst contractors (some of whom are now in gaol, and who, with few exceptions, were of the same caste) under the guise of trumped up extras, and false measurements." This will bear reading a second time, and may afford some food for thought, and perhaps be a subject for comment when the proceedings which brought the lettter to light are terminated. In the meantime we can, like the celebrated sailor's parrot, think a good deal though we must not say anything. Our hopgrowers' annual anxious time has come round once more, and the fields, of which there are so many in the town, and whose number is yearly increasing in the country districts, present a busy scene. This hop growing is an industry which is assuming large proportions in Nelson, and it is interesting in riding through the country to note how gradually and yet how sensibly it is growing. The acre of last year has been extended to twice the extent this year, and those who have previously not included this in their occupations have now their little patch, which is sure to be added to next season. It is to be regretted that in the agricultural census which has just been tal?en a column was not devoted to " hops," as it would be interesting to learn what is the quantity of land taken up by their cultivation, as a calculation might then be mad 6of the value of this particular industry to Nelson. I understand that a good many who had tb fill up their census papers were not content to include their hop gardens in the " other crops " column, but would insist upon stating what they were doing towards assisting the brewing trade, but, unfortunately, the information thus given will be completely thrown away, as the compilers have no authority to make use of it. It is to be hoped that this may be remedied before the next census is taken. Having very little information to give this week, I am driven to seek fur some. I waot to know why some people charged witb indictable offences are placed in the prisoner's dock while others are not. Within the last few .weeks we bave had three cases of this description in Nolsod. One of the Accused was charged with an attempt "to murder, and two with obtainiog money under false pretences. The first was pnt into the dock, and

so was one of the second, but the third was not. Wherein lies the difference? I am not saying that all three should have occupied the somewhat degrading position assigned to two of them, but I think I have a right to ask why all three were not treated alike ? The law is supposed to be no respecter of persons, but the supposition appears to be a fallacious one. My own opinion is that none should take their stand in the dock until a prima facie case, at all events, had been proved agaiust them; but if one does so, why not all ? Is it a question of social or pecuniary position ? If so, then the law is a respecter, if not of persons, of some consideration whioh it ought to ignore. Should not this be seen to ?

As individuals the people of Nelson have done well in the direction of entertaining the staff of the Cable Expedition, who have every reason to be, and I am sure are, delighted with the reoeption they have met with. Said one of them the other day, " You don't seem to go in much for public demonstrations in Nelson; indeed, from the quiet matter-of-fact way in which the cable-laying has been taken, one would think they were quiet used to it here, but for private and unostentatious hospitality, give me Nelson before any other place we have visited." And as he spoke in earnest, and aB if he was expressing the opinion of the whole staff, the people of Nelson may rest assured that pleasant remembrances of them will accompany the Hibernia and Edinburgh for some time to come. F.~