Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 195, 16 September 1878, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1878.

A meeting of the Nelson members was held in Wellington on Saturday, when messages were received from Mr Macandrew and Mr Sheehan asking them not to decide upon any course of action re the public works statement before Wednesday next, when the Government would state certain modiiicatious that they were prepared to make. It leaked out that these proposals were to consist in the main of an extension of the Hue from Eianuerton to Reef ton, which, of course, would not, without any prospect of its being carried any further within the next five years, meet the views of our representatives, who] we understand, purpose voting in a block against all the Government measures if some proposals of a more satisfactory nature are not made. Private advices state that the Government are gradually losiug their supporters, and that it is by no means improbable that they may be unable to carry their measures, in which case there will he an appeal to the country. At the Police Court this morning, before 11. C. Daniell and R. Pollock, Esqs., J J.P., Richard Bull was charged with using obscene language in the streets on Saturday night, nnd also with assaulting Constables White and Eeattie. Mr Fell appeared for defendant, on whose part he expressed great regret at the occurrence, which was entirely owing to his having taken too much to drink, and being unconscious of what he was doing. Pined 40s and costs. — John Lineham, charged with using indecent language and assaulting the police, was also fined 4os and costs. "Inquirer' asks if any of our readers can give a clear definition or express in plain words, so that plain men may understand, the true meaning of the phrase " Enlightened Public Opinion; 1 ' also, "Progress is advance in the face of difficulties." A large crowd assembled on the wharf on Saturday evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr James Blanche, ivho proceeded by the Alhainbra to Melbourne, en route to England, where, it is said, something awaits him. At a meeting of the members of the Naval Brigade held after drill on Friday evening, a circular was read relative to a proposed Rifle Association for New Zealand on the basis of the National^ Rifle Association of England, and a Committe was formed to represent the Brigade at a meeting which will shortly be called by the Officer Commanding the District to consider the whole question. The Secretary announced that be had sent a sympathetic letter to Mr John Robinson, expressing the regret of the Brigade at the irreparable loss he had sustained by the death of his son, a member of the Company, who was recently lost from the schooner Mary Ogilvie on the passage between Wellington and Wanganui. A special meeting of the Fire Brigade is called for to-morrow evening. The monthly meeting of the Permanent Building Society will bo held this evening. The Port Darwin line is down to the north of the Alice Springs. To this must be attributed the absence of European telegrams from to-day's issue.; We understand that Mr W. Stallard of the Panama Hotel has just completed an extensive addition to his premises by erecting a spacious billiard room, in which will be found one of Alcock's full-size billiard tables replete with all necessary accessories, under the immediate supervision of the proprietor. The room will be open to night to the public. Dr. Hodgkinson never misses au opportunity of mourning over the decay and death of provincial institutions. As an example of the frightful results which had followed the abolition policy, he said that the House of Representatives " had degenerated into something between a parish vestry and a large board of works." " The House has been sitting for seven weeks," exclaimed Mr Pyke, in his speech on the Land Tax Bill, " but up to the present has not hatched anything. I do not know whether the eggs are addled or not." "I am of opinion that luxuries should be taxed," said Mr Swanson, " and if any man can tell me there is a greater luxury than a good income, I should like to hear him." There appears to have beeii unusual excitement over the Municipal elections in Christchurch and Wellington. A telegram from the former place says:—" The scene at the declaration of the poll last night was one of indescribable confusion. The mob howled at the returning officer, who could not be heard. When Gapes, who polled thirteen hundred votes, got on to the fence to return thanks, he had the honor rather t iken off. by some one who threw a quantity of flour in his eyes, nearly blinding him, and knocking him off the fence. Wilson, the second highest on the poll, was carried over to the hotel by the crowd, amid cries of " Cabbage for ever." There is great feeling manifested at this election, and Councillors Ratcliffe, Jameson, Rudenclau, Pratt, and Bickerton have resigned rather than sit at the same table. It is also said that Gapes and Ayers will resign, but this is doubtful. There will probably be a municipal block such as was never before known here." In reporting the declaration of the poll at Wellington the New Zealander says:— There was some of the larrikin element present, and a good deal of flour was scattered from the roof of the building on the heads of people. One well-known gentleman, while waiting to record his vote, was hit on the face with a flour pellet, and another gentleman received a blow between his shoulders from a large paper of flour. Rotten eggs were sought for byjone individual at an adjoining hotel,jbut the landlord promptly ordered him out.