The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 214, 31 August 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 1876.

A more general expression of indignation we do not remember ever to have heard than that called forth by Sir Julius Vogel's announcement that, in the middle cf as important a session of the Assembly as has yet taken place, he had tendered his resignation for the purposo of accepting — or, perhaps, seizing would be the more correct word — the office of Agent-General. It is remembered now, if it had been forgotten before, that the question of abolition was first raised by the Premier in one of his petulant moods, and in a moment of anger and annoyance; people call to mind how he absented himself from the colony during last session, when the seed that he had hastily thrown down had grown into a plant, which required the most careful attention and tender handling to bring it to periection ; and now they witness with anger and contempt his shameless desertion of the cause in which he professed to take so active and keen an interest. Had he waited until the close of the present session, or at least until something had been determined upon with regard to the local government measures, comparatively little would have been said of his acceptance of the office on which the public have for some time past believed he had set his heart, but thia throwing up the reins and deserting his colleagues when iv their great difficulties is more than even the blindest of his worshippers can regard with complacency, and it is not to be wondered at that men in all positions, and of every shade of opinion are crying shame on him. The question of the necessity or otherwise of retaining an Agent- General's office is sure now to crop up and to be discussed with greater vigor than ever, and it is quite possible that Sir Julius Vogel's last act may be the means of bringing about its abolition, thus effecting a saving to the country of several thousands a year. It would indeed bea righteous judgment upon him, if, after having thrown up his high position as Premier of the colony, and forfeited the esteem of his erstwhile admirers, the chair in which he fondly hoped to seat himself so comfortably were to be kicked from under him, he himself having supplied the motive power,

A case of considerable importance was argued before his Honor the District Judge this morning, in which Mr Pierson of Suburban North sued the Road Board for damages occasioned to his property by. the Eiliiag up of a certain ditch. The details are ' uninteresting, but the decision will be highly important, as the question involves not only the rights of Road Boards, but the individual liabilities of the members, tho defendants in the present instance being sued in their private capacities. The Motueka Highway Board and the Provincial Government appear to be at loggerheads regarding certain promises alleged to have been made by the Provincial Secretary to the Secretary to the Board, which not only remain unfulfilled, but are actually repudiated by him who is said to have made them. The minutes of the last meeting, which appear elsewhere, will - probably be read by none except those immediately interested, so that in order that such a gem may not be lost we publish by itself a resolution formally passed by the Board. Itls as follows:— " Resolved, That the Board finds from experience that no verbal arrangement made with the Provincial Government can be relied on." Evidently the Mo-tuui-a Highway Board has not a high opinion of the veracity of the ■•* Provincial Government."