The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 202, 25 August 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1879.

We publish today another letter in connection with tbe honorarium voted by the House in the last session, and would take the opportunity of saying a few words on the subject, for it appears to us that there are some who, in their desire to punish those who have offended in this matter, are rather disposed to rush into extremes. We are not going to defend those who voted the enormous sum of £210 for four weeks work, or the Government for proposing it, in fact, we regard their conduct as utterly inexcusable — even Mr Curtis' accustomed ingenuity failed him when he attempted to afford a satisfactory explanation— but before inflicting the punishmont proposed, namely, the ejectment of the offending members from tbe House, tbe electors should look at the relative positions of constituent and representative from more than one point of view. If the latter is to be regarded merely as one npon whom a favor has been conferred by the electors in enabling him to attain the object of his ambition, then we have nothing to say against the summary course proposed to be adopted, but if he is sent to Parliament to do certain work, and if lhe performs tha work with credit to himself and advantage to those he represents, then, we would ask, would his constituents be acting in their own interests iv depriving themselves of the services of such an one because he had transgressed in the matter of the hooorarium. This is the first time such a contingency bas arisen, and it is not likely to occur again, but, even if it should, the sbatp rebukes tbat have bten administered by press and people in all parts of the colony to the thirty-six who have placed so black a mark against their names in the pages of Hansard may be depended upon to produce the desired effect, and to prevent any repetition of such an act of spoliation in the future.

A number of the supporters of Mr Oswald Curtis willing to act as a Committee to secure bis return to the Assembly as one of the representatives of the city, met on Saturday evening at the Committee-room, Bridgestreet, and after transacting some preliminary business, adjourned until this evening, at half past six o'clock, as per advertisement.

We understand that a requisition inviting Mr W. Waßtney to allow himself to be nominated for the Suburbs is in course of signature, and that that gentleman has promised, if he receives sufficient assurances of support, to consent to the request. Mr Acton Adams addresses the electors at the Provincial Hall this evening. Mr Stafford breaks ground at Richmond tomorrow evening, and Mr Richmond at tbe same place on Wednesday.

Builders and others are reminded of the auction on Cross's Wharf to-morrow by Mr Mabin of the cargo of timber as per his advertisement.

Nelson is not the only district that complains of Mr Macandrew's neglect in the matter of public works. The N. Z. Times says :— "The contempt and want of consideration for Wellington displayed in all their dealings by the present Ministry is too. well known to ueed remark."

A Wellington paper says :— As a herd of cattle, numbering some 200, the property of Mr J. Gear, butcher* Lambton-quayj was being driven over the Paikakarikii Inst week, thirty of them broke ltrnac, ahd, tunning oft the toad, were precipitated down the cliff a distance of 1000 ft. On reaching the bottom scarcely a sign of life was to be seen in any one of them.

A Loudon telegram of the 50th inst, to the Post says .-The Turkish War Offlce is closed, owing to the officials having attack work. Great dissatisfae-Hbo teiis.ea among the employees, owing to their salaries having been unpaid for a considerable time, and eventually they turued oute*** masse, refusing to return to work. Tbe busiheis of the department therefore ts at _. standstill. Ll-iuibltioj}.— Being about to realise on toy stock I bave re-LTmrired the whole at prices ut|l . oU gb t to effect a speedy clearance. The stock is very large, which most of the Nelson people kuow, and one that tbe drawing room as well as the kitcben may be furnished from. This is an absolute clearing sale, and nu reasonable offer will be refused. Joh_< Ja»es, Liquidator.— Advt. RigDOld'*? hbtofeo in Afelbburne Ms i latttetitable failure. The audience indulged In uncontrollable laughter in the pathetic scenes. He was too fat.