The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1878.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 252, 31 October 1878, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1878.

There appears to have been a little scene in the House last night. Major Atkinson, on the motion for the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, reviewed the session, and stated what there was no necessity for stating, as it is patent to all the colony, namely, that the Government had failed to keep any of their many promises. The Ministry of late have withdrawn, so oiany of their principal measures upon such very slight provocation that we were beginning to think that they rather prided themselves upon their good nature in giving way, and took some little delight in each failure to keep a promise, so that it rather surprises us to find that Sir George lost his temper when Major Atkinson called attention to the fact that faith had scarcely been kept by the Government with the people. It is nevertheless true that the Premier did to some extent forget himself, and that he spat his venom pretty freely all round, bringing within its range the Governor, the Legislative Council, the late Premier, his colleagues, and his friends Of course if there had been a word of truth in the charges thus freely cast about, Sir George, who has all the necessary papers at his disposal, would have brought them before the House and proved .them long ago, but as he did not do this we may look upon his last night's ebullition of temper as the spiteful utterances of an irascible old gentleman, who is irritated and annoyed at finding what very little use he had made of the immense power that was placed in his hands, and by which he might have made for himself a name had he only been capable of wielding it honestly and straightforwardly. With to-day's issue we publish a supplement containing the President's address at the opening of the Diocesau Synod of Nelson, and a variety of interesting reading matter. We very much regret to learn that Mr Ashcroft, who has been the manager of the Nelson railway since the time it was opened, is about to be removed to Wellington. Our regret is of course for our own sakes, an the new appointment is a considerable promotion, and therefore Mr Ashcroft is to be congratulated upon it. We cannot, however, but feel that what is to be Wellington's and Mr Ashcroft's gain will be Nelson's loss. It will be seen by our telegrams that the Government have already begun to take action upon the recommendation of the Select Committee that the police officers should not be allowed to remain too long in one place, Inspector Atcheson, of Wellington, having received instructions to remove to Nelson. To what place Inspector Kiely is to be ordered has not yet been made known. An inquest on the late fire in Bridge-street was held at the Trafalgar Hotel this afternoon, and resulted as usual in an open verdict. A shed belonging to Mr Harper near the Police Station took fire this afternoon just as we were going to press, and the bells being rung, the usual alarm was created. The j v dicious use of the hose speedily extinguished the flames. There will be an evangelistic service by members of the V.M.C.A. at the Woo 4 Sunday school this evening at 7-30.

At the Magistrates' Court this morning, before H. C. Danitell and 11. E. Curtis, Estjs., J.tT.F.; Mary Ann White, a domestic servant at M'Gee's Hotel, was charged by Mrs George, a lodger, with the larceny of a diamond ring. Mr Bunny appeared for the proseeutrix, and Mr Fell for the defendant. At the close of Mrs George's evidence, which we hold over until the case is completed, Mr Fell said that he was placed in a difficult position, as he was unable to cross examine, as he had had but half an hour's notice, the summons having only been issued between nine and ten in the morning. So far as he could judge, the defendant, who to all appearances was a most respectable young girl, had a perfectly good defence, but as be had not had time to get up the case, he must ask for au adjournment until to-morrow.— Mr Bunny objected lo so long au adjournment-, on tlie ground that Mrs "George was to leave at 11 a.m. to-morrow for Wellington, where she had important business.— Mr Fell replied that that was not entitled to a moment's consideration. The matter was one of almost life and death to his client, who was charged with a most serious crime, and he did not think that twenty-four hours was any too much to ask for to enable him to prepare his defence.— The Bench granted the adjournment, defendant to find bail, herself in £20, and one surety iv a like amount. Ax ordination wHI be held at Christ Church at 11 o'clock to-morrow morning by the Bishop of the Diocese, when the Rev. W. A. Whyte will be admitted to priest's orders. We {Post) learn that a copper-mining excitement is manifesting itself. The locality is Nelsou province. The D'Urville Island Company have awakened the energies of others to resume searches in old localities ; and again the Dun Mountain, that enormous mass of various minerals ; Aniseed Valley, and, adjacent to that mountain, Wangamoa and Croixelles harbor, on the eastern shores of Blind Bay, are all spoken of as containing copper iv " promising " quantity. A number of Wellington people are going over to visit these localities this week. Some go to-day and others will follow. We hope they may be successful, but in speculating in such precarious concerns, especially where not a little money has been already expended, as in the case of the Duu Mountain, it will do no harm to recommend a little caution and prudence. The N. Z. Times says :— " Few people are aware how largely wool represents the wealth and trade of the colony. Wool-growers are a quiet class, and their importance in the state is apt to be overlooked. A fall of Id. per Ib. in the price of wool, estimating the value of wool, at Is per Ib. all found, represents a loss to the settlers of nearly £300,000 of their income. Oup last advices report a rail of 2d, equal to over half a million, if all New Zealand wool was sold at the depreciated value. These figures show distinctly that in New Zealand the pastoral interests are very important."