The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 175, 23 August 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1878.

A few weeks ago we published an abstract of a scheme proposed by Judge Thomas, of the Indian Civil Service, for dealing with the native lands. This the Judge hat? translated into the Maori language, and printed for circulation among the Natives, of whom he had seen a good deal during the Waitara meeting, at which he was present. At the same time he mentioned his scheme to Sir George Grey, who professed to be much struck with it. A few days ago he left Nelson for Wrdtara, taking with bim a number of copies of his pamphlet. On Wednesday last we received a Waitara telegram from the Tress Agency, which we did not publish as received on account of the discourteous manner in which it was expressed. We will, however, now give it in full:— "A person styling himself Judge Thomas has been distributing printed papers in Maori amongst the Natives. Rewi has refused to see him." As we know that the " person " alluded to had a perfect right to the title he assumed we omitted the first four words, which, however, will appear iv all the other papers in the colony, and will, perhaps, serve the intended purpose of castiug discredit on the gentleman alluded to. Since then we have been favored with another version of tke story, Judge Thomas having telegraphed as follows to a frieud in Nelson:—" The police will not permit me to see Rewi alone. Rewi and I are under police surveillance. What have either of us done? Kindly inform any friend careful of the liberty of the subject." We shall probably hear more of what certainly does appear a most extraordinary step for the Government to take, as, from what we know of Judge Thomas, we imagine that he is not a man to be easily turned aside from his purpose. Tim members of the Eire Brigade will meet in full uniform at the engine-house this evening at six o'clock, for the purpose of proceeding to Richmond to assist in inaugurating the newly formed local brigade. A foothall match between the Nelson and Wellington Collegians will he played in the Botanical Reserve to-morrow afternoon commencing at one o'clock, when a good game is anticipated. The Wellington lads average sixteen years, 9st4lbs in weight, and sft Gin in height; the Nelson team 15.J,' years, 9st 'jibs, and sft Gin in height. Tin: following was received by Messrs. Bunuy and Sinclair to-day, from A. J. Richmond, M.H.K., in reply to a letter written on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers Association, in reference to uniformity of the licensing fees throughout the colony : '• I have just asked officially in the House whether there is a provision in the new Licensing Bill to equalize the licensing fees throughout the colony, as it was a subject of great importance to the Licensed Victuallers Associations especially in those districts where the licensiug fees under the old Provincial Act were double in amount of those paid by some of their neighbors, who were doing a great deal more business. The Minister of .Justice replied that there was .such a provision in the new Act, which is down for second reading. Mr Wakefield has just given notice to ask when the new Bill will be brought down, aud directly it is I shall not tail to send over several copies, so that the Association can meet and forward any suggestions or amendments that they may think necessary before the Bill passes through Committee. Will you kindly inform the Association to this effect, and also add that I am watching their interests, aud will keep them informed as to the different stages of the Bill if I think it is detrimental to their interest, so that they shall have plenty of time to petition or take any other steps that they might consider necessary if the provisions of the Act is not to their liking."

An ordination will be held by his Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese at Christ Church to-morrow morning, when Mr Arthur Sedgwick will be admitted to deacon's orders. The Raphael Family will give one of their j clever entertainments at the Wakefield Choral Hall to-morrow night. Attention is called to the important auction sales to be held by Mr Mabiu tomorrow. We have much pleasure in recording another success achieved by a Nelson Collegian, a sou of Mr Arthur Atkinson, who was a pupil at that establishment, having gained an open classical and mathematical scholarship at the Clifton College, one of the best public schools in England. Mkssks Webley Brothers cloth factory and plant are, we are sorry to learn, to be sold, Mr Mabin having received instructions to put them up to auction to-morrow week. We believe that this is the oldest establishment of the kiud in New Zealand, and it is with great regret that we have to announce that it is about to pass into other bauds. Ix a discussion in the House of Representatives on " Bellamy's " Mr Fox said that he "attributed bad legislation to excitement caused by drinkiug in Bellamy's." A lady correspondent of the Auckland Herald has written an angry letter on the subject of the ladies leaving the gallery of the House of Representatives when Dr. Wallis spoke on the wrongs and aspirations of women. Evidently she herself baa very pronounced views on the subject as may be gathered from a perusal of the following sentence which occurs in her letter : — • " Words fail to say how much I bless any and every man who has the sense to see the view of woman's complete emancipation from legal bondage, which is even more necessary to man than to herself, since it would correct many vices hurtful to the former, to both indeed It is true that we read iv Genesis, ' He (the husband) shall rule over thee.' But then it clearly assumes the husband's ability to 'rule,' whereas but few men now-a-duys can rule themselves, much less another aud a better half."