The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 74, 27 March 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

In the last Gazette to hand the appoiut ment of a new batch of Justices of the Peace is notified, and amonirthem we find the name of William Henry Phillips, Esq., of Motueka. On personal grounds we have not a word to say asainst this appointment, but hitherto the rule has been strictly adhered to throughout the colony that a publican should not be placed on the Commission of the Peace. The reason for this is so obvious that it is scarcely necessary to point it out, and we can see no reason for making an exception in favor of Mr Phillips. It is generally admitted that all the rows and disturbances on a diggings, as well as in other places, are to be traced to drink, and it would certainly be most unseemly, to put it in the mildest form, that a man who in the ordiuary course of his business had been engaged during the evening in serving out liquor over his bar should in the morning be called upon in his magisterial capacity to punish the drunkard, by whose excesses he himself had profited. Mr Phillips may, for anything we know to tiie contrary, possess all the qualifications necessary for making an excellent Justice of the Peace, but so long as he holds a publican's license or is in any way directly interested in the retail liquor traffic he should not be allowed to take his seat on the Bench. It is possible that the Government have made the appointment without making themselves acquainted with Mr Phillips' private business, but as he has not yet been sworn it is not too' late to put a stop to what would be a grave public scandal. The Government have, we learn, decided to bring the District Courts Act into operation in the Provincial District of Marlborough. .Ttidjre Broad fr appointed to take charge of that district as well as Nelson, and will therefore hold Courts at Blenheim periodically. We understand that Mr Guinness, who for some years past has been Resident Magistrate and Warden at Golden Bay, has been appointed to the Resident Magistrateship of Ashburton, in the place of Mr Alexander Lc Grand Campbell, who will succeed Mr Guinness at Collingwood. A serious accident occurred at Takaka last week to Dr Wallis, who has recently taken up his residence in Golden Bay. He was thrown from his horse, and his collar bone and three rils were broken in the fall. We are iuformed that the necessary surgical operations were performed by himself, and are glad to learn that he is now progressing favorably. A meetino of the Nelson Committee in connection with the Sydney Exhibition was held yesterday afternoon in the Council Chamber, Mr Sbephard in the chair. Sir H. V. Gully apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Mayor. Letters and communications were read showing that much interest is being manifested in many of the country districts, also telegrams and a letter from the Commission in Wellington showing to what extent financially Nelson may expect their help aud the limits of the district. The Secretary reported having received copies of regulations, forms of application for space, and schedules, for distribution throughout tbe district, many of which have already been forwarded to members of the Committee. The list of intending exhibitors was increased by several promises of great interest. It was resolved that the Secretary write to the members of the Waimea County Council also to the Mayor of Westport, forwarding information of what was being done here, copies of regulations &c, and soliciting their co-operation. Mr Christopher Remnant of Ngatimoti writes to state that he was not the " C. Remnant" who was fined in the Motueka Magistrates' Court for being drunk and driving furiously, as reperled in our correspondent's letter last Friday.