The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 185, 4 September 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1878.

If any proof were wanting of the deep interest taken by the people of Nelson in the public works proposals of the Government, it was afforded last night when, in spite of the unfavorable state of the weather, the Provincial Hall was crowded in every part by an earnest and attentive assemblage. There was uo party feeling displayed, no acrimonious speeches were delivered, but no strangers who were present— and there were many in the Hall— could fail to notice how thoroughly genuine were the people in their approval of the resolutions, and how deeply they felt the truth of the reasons that were given by the various speakers for their adoption. The chief condition under which the public works policy was accepted by the people of Nelson was clearly .shown to have been the construction of a main trunk line from one end of the island to the other, and in proof of this Mr Barnicoat made a very apt quotation from Mr Vogel's financial statement in 1870, and Mr Adams read extracts from the statements of 1873 and 1874, and the Railways Act of 1873. None who heard these, and none who read them, can question that by neglecting to carry out the intention so clearly expressed by Ministers and by the Legislature, the Government are guilty of a breach of as binding an agreement as was ever entered into. One word to our representatives. As they value their seats in the House they must labor in the cause of their constituents in this matter with all the tact and skill, all the energy and determination they possess. Never before, if we gauge rightly, as we believe we do, the feelings of the people of Nelson— and by Nelsoa we mean not only the town but the country districts— never before were they more iv earnest than on the present occasion. Nor is this to be wondered st, seeing that the Government, whose duty it is to provide for the welfare of all parts of the colony alike has come down with a deliberate proposal to' work the ruin of that particular section of the community that has settled in Nelson and Marlborough. Under these circumstances the constituencies look to their representatives to fight their battle manfully and well. There was a special meaning attached to that portion of the last resolution passed last night which required that the previous resolutions should be brought before the Assembly. The people here will not be satisfied to be told that their members waited on the Government and were either refused compliance with their request or put ofl: with specious promises. In such a case the final appeal wilt have to be made to the House, and to Hansard will the constituents look to see how their chosen champions have done battle on their behalf.