The Nelson Evneing Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 185, 5 August 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evneing Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1879.

The business of the House, it appears, is being rapidly pushed through, and there' is every probability that the end of this week, the close of the session and the demise of the present Parliament will be simultaneous or nearly so, so that a fortnight hence the colony will be in the throes of a general election, and the verdict of the country will in a little more than a month's time have been pronounced ;on the Grey administration. Many of the journals of advanced Liberal opinions are, we notice, sorely distressed lest Greyism and Liberalism should, be -;used as convertible terms in the forthcoming contest. They are anxious to see the triumph of Liberal principles, and, indeed, the general tendency of public opinion throughout the colony i3 in this direction, but they distrust the Premier, and not without reason, and this distrust is largely participated in by the people from one end of the colony to the other. There is every probability of sharp contests taking place in the large majority of the constituencies, and the result of the approaching elections will be looked forward to with an immense amount of ; interest, the more so, perhaps, that it is at present ao extremely doubtful. It will be well for those interested to bear in mind that the Land Tax Court for the hearing of appeals sits on Thursday at eleven o'clock at the Court Honse, Nelson, for the Borough of Nelson, and on Friday at the same place and hour for the County of Waimea. Those who are interested in the hop trade are requested to attend a meeting to be held atMcGee's Hotel to-morrow afternoon at half past two. , We understand that a good deal of damage was done to the railway line near Mr Stafford's by last night's rain, which washed away a quantity of ballasting, leaving the sleepers in a very shaky condition. The engine driver when coming to town this morning stopped as soon as he saw the danger ahead and most of the passengers got out and walked, and the train was taken very slowly and carefully over the damaged portion, which has been repaired during the day The Nelson Aid Society have called a public meeting, to be he held in the Masonic Hall on Friday evening next, when they will present their report of the proceedings during the past year. The chair will be taken by the Bishop of Nelson, the President of the Society, and the business will include the election of a new Committee. Times appear to be hard in Wellington both with the givers and the recipients of charitable aid. In reporting a meeting of the Benevolent Society, a local paper says:— "The number of cases requiring benevolent aid appears to be rapidly increasing in Wellington, while the subscriptions are as rapidlv decreasing. In fact we are credibly informed that the only subscription that has been sent in for some weeks past has been one for 10s." The following telegrams, characterised by Mr Rolleston as " wretched cant," passed between Rewi and the Premier on the day after the division:— " To Sir G. Grey and Mr Sheehan— Friends, salutations to you both ! News have come that you have fallen. My word is, be strong. There is a day yet to come when the fruit of your tree will be seen. Those who have not sinned («.c, who have not fought in war) cannot understand the way in which that tree will grow, but those like us who have well known the course to be followed, by which right can be obtained. This cannot be done by those who were never in the wars. Sufficient friends. Farewell to you and our works. I will not return to the works of other Governments. Let us continue to love each other — Rewi Maniapoto.— To Rewi Maniapoto — Dear Friend— Your telegram has reached me. Truly we had a fall yesterday, and things looked black, but the words of affection, spoken by a true man, cast a light around the place where they come, and carry healing with them. Your words have done this dear friend. God raises up and casts down, and we can do his work equally as well in a high position or a low one. You and I will work for God whether we stand or fall. We are old, and will work hard, for our days are short. Dear friend, we are now on our feet again. The true friend is known in the days of trouble; when your are in misfortune

mi others iestve you* he lores you most. Thus have you done to to tile, 1 will do the same to you. The sky brightens— the sun shines again. Our tree shall yet grow, and 1 beaj fruit sweet and healthful for both races. G. Grey.