THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 123, 26 May 1877, Page 2

THE WEEK.

Not very prolific of events of interest has heen the past week, nothwithstanding that one of the seven days was the anniversary ol her Majesty's birthday, which, of course, was celebrated by. one section of the community in the ordinary way, namely, by firing 21 guns. This, too, was no doubt done in every place throughout the colony which could boast of a Volunteer force; with how lamentable a result in one town we were, informed by yesterday's telegrams. We learn by experience — sometimes our own, and sometimes that of others— and one of the lessons our Volunteers hare been taught this week is the necessity of using the greatest caution in Artillery practice. I think we must be naturally a race-loving people in Nelson when the announcement that a few hacks are going to try conclusions on a certain day is sufficient to bring five or six hundred people together to witness the contests. It was not without melancholy reminiscences being awakened thereby that I was a spectator at Thursday's race meeting. In spite of myself and my previously formed determination to enjoy the day's racing, my thoughts would wander back to the good old days when the finest horses in the Australian colonies made their debut on the Nelson turf, and animals that were able to go up to Australia and beat all the cracks that could be broueht against them appeared before the public for the first, and for many successive times, on the little course at Stoke. I can easily understand how such a meeting as that of Thursday last might be thoroughly enjoyed in some new district lately peopled, where it would be regarded as the inauguration of a sport that was gradually to increase in interest and importance, but as the successor of the old Nelson races it was more painful than pleasing to more than one who was on the ground, although I am bound to say that all the arrangements were well made and carried out, and that nothing was left undone that could be done to make the out-, ing a pleasant one under the circumstances. It was nothing but the recollections of the past that detracted from the pleasure of the present. There is something that always commends itself to one's mind in a bold assertion, whether it be in the expression of a doubt or of opinion, and it so happened that I was rather pleased, although surprised, on listening to a lawyer in Court the other day, to hear him express the hope that the Bench " would use ordinary intelligence " iv adjudicating upon a case then being heard. Of course a doubt must have existed in the counsel's mind as to the probability or otherwise of such " ordinary intelligence " being brought to bear, or he would never have ventured to point out to the; Bench its un- | questionable duty, and so I submit— -as the lawyers say— that he was to be commended ! for his fearlessness. At. the same time I could not restrain the curiosity which j | prompted me to glance at the Bench and I observe how it accepted the extraordinary j j hint. The Bench smiled. Beyond that I ' | could not detect the slightest trace of a proof I that it had heard the remark. j The next time I borrow a horse from my friend Jones I shall be particularly cautious to whom and upon what authority I deliver it up. I have learned the necessity of this [ caution by recent law proceedings, and I think that the result should teach ua all to be careful in such matters if ever we become mixed up in them. This was what happened : A borrowed a horse from B, who also had another running in the neighborhood. C went to B and asked him if he had a horse to sell, as he would dispose of it for him. B said he had. and gave directions where it was to be found, whereupon C, not thoroughly understanding the instructions, gave an order to the purchaser upon A for the horse he had in his possession. Then it turned out that B had no idea of parting with that particular beast, but wanted to get nd of the other which he had in the vicinity, and being under the impression that the one sold was worth so many pounds more than it fetched, he sued A for the balance and got it, although A had acted in perfect bona fides, and had delivered the animal on the order of one whom he regarded as Bs agent. It was a hard case for A, and I could not help commiserating with him after the judgment had been given, but he bore his misfortune bravely, and with a hearty laugh replied .— "Well, we live and learn. I have learnt two things : first to be very shy of borrowing a horse ; secondly, if I should do so, never to give it up again to anybody, not even the

owner himself, unless lie brings a Magistrate's order f orat;" Who shall say tbat my friend A is to blame for the determination at which he has arrived ? ' A correspondent writes tb v me most distressfully regarding the manner iq which the English news ist placed befofe^the public in these days of telegraphing. "What with * Telegraphised News Notes,' 'Telegraph Items,' and so on," he says, "I get so confused and jumbled up that for all tbe information I can extract from them I might just as well leave them unread, besides which I should save myself a deal of bother." These condensed notes remind me of what once befel a friend of mine. We were in the bush together, and he was in charge of the tent on the day in question. Among our stores was some extract of meat, of the nature of which he was unaware, and on my returning at dinner time I found him w a terrible state of discomfort, if nofc of actual pain. On making enquiries I found that he had been taking some of this extract of meat, and ou examining the tin I discovered that in a thoughtless moment he bad calmly, disposed of about a quarter of a bullock. This waa too much "for even a bushman's digestion, and hence his trouble. Mentally, I feel after reading a column of the telegraphically condensed news of the mouth as he did bodily with the essential part of a hundred and a half of beef in his stomaoh." I am sorry for my correspondent, who must, however, endeavor- to adapt himself to the fare set before him and take it a little afc a time. • >• > ]?