The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 210, 16 September 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1879.

A few figures relative to the last voting for the members of the City Council may prove interesting to our readers, and not only interesting but satisfactory, as, when compared with the number of votes recorded on previous occasions, they show that there is a growing interest taken in these elections, which at one time were allowed to pass by as lightly as though no large interests were involved. The actual number of ratepayers on the roll is 911, but this includes a considerable Bprinkliug of absentees and others who are not likely to vote, so that 507, the number of those who went to the poll, was a very fair average. The number of papers used was 830, and the actual number of votes recorded 2225. The total number of votes possessed by the 911 ratepayers on the roll is 1436, but to arrive at the actual toting power this must bo multiplied by the number of candidates to be elected, as to every one of these each ratepayer is entitled to give the whole number of votes allowed to him. Thus at the recent election there would, if every ratepayer on the roll had attended and given his full allowance of votes to three candidates, have been 4308 votes recorded. As it was, a little over half of this power was eJtercised, 2225 being the total of the votes. As we said before, the total number of voting papers used on the late occasion was 830. In 1878, when Messrs. Cross, Little, and Trask were elected, it was 701, and in 1877 when the whole of the nine Councillors were elected, it was 504, thus showing that the ratepayers are gradually becoming more and more alive to their responsibilities in the matter of choosing the men to whom is to be entrusted the management of their estate, which, what with general and special rates, and receipts from the gasworks, brings in a revenue of £12,000 a year. We hope to see still greater interest taken in these matters, and that in future the electors of a City Councillor will cease to be regarded, as it undoubtedly has been in times pastj as a joke, but that it will be looked upon as an event of some importance, in which each individual ratepayer is more or less concerned. Teleghams from the Pott, which we publish elsewhere, state that there have been more bloody scenes at Cabul, and that the Ameer has been murdered and the town sacked. It will be observed, however, that Reuter's telegrams, which are to the 14th instant, that is two days later than the Pat's specials, make no mention of this, so that it is possible the report is unfounded. Oor contemporary the Marlborough Express takes exception to a remark made by us in connection with the recent Wairau election to the effect that the number of voters who mustered from all parts of the colony to record their votes for Mr Seymour was a proof of the esteem in which that gentleman was held. It says that the proper way to put it would have been to say that so small was the esteem in which he was held by the electors of the Wairau that it was necessary to muater every person on the roll to secure his return. Our contemporary overlooks the fact that the election was virtually decided by the resident electors, and that the very sensible verdict at which they arrived was only strengthened by the increased majority accorded to the successful candidate by those who showed their appreciation of his services by travelling from such distant parts to record their votes in his favor. A lecture will be delivered in the Wesleyan Sunday school-room to-morrow evening, by the Rev. J. Hosking, who will select " Marriage " as his subject. The chair will be taken by the Rev. R. Bavin. The next meeting of the Winter evening Debating Society will take place at the All Saints' Institute to-morrow evening. The Juvenile Templars intend holding an opening meeting at the Temperance Hall tomorrow evening. A vert pleasant evening was enjoyed by all who attended the entertainment at the All Saints' Institute last night, when readings, recitations, and musical selections followed one another in rapid succession, and all were surprised to find that ten o'clock had arrived, and that the programme was at an end. It could be invidious to select any of those who gave their services for special mention when all worked so hard to ensure the success which they so undoubtedly achieved, but they may all rest assured that the fame of their performances will spread, abroad and that their next audience will be even larger than that to which they gave fluch entire satisfaction last night. The following London telegram dated 11th instant appears in the Post.— The large number of loans being floated in England by the colonial Governments and municipalities

particularly thoße of Australia and new Zealand, bas been the subject of considerable comment in the press. The Government are seriously considering the advisableness of introducing a measure in Parliament to limit ihe borrowing powers of colonial Governments and local governing bodies to an amount to be fixed in proportion to their revenue. A Duuedin telegram of Sunday says: — A. great gathering took place here-on Saturday to witness the funeral of the late Mr and Mrs Robert Wilson, their four children, and some or the other persons killed at the fire, who were claimed by [relatives or friends. These were interred in' the Southern Cemetery. The whole of the shops along the line of route were closed while the procession passed, and the firebell was tolled at intervals of a minute. The procession was headed by members of the Naval Brigade, Cadets, and Good Templars (with which bodies Frederick Wilaon was associated.) Next came several of the schoolmates of young Lawrence Wilson, then four pall-bearers, the coffin being followed by Messrs H. J. Walter, J. Patterson, and George Fenwick, the employes of the Daily Times, who were connected with the late Mr Wilson at the time of the fire, and the general public. The procession was nearly half a mile in length. Archdeacon Edwards and the Rev. Dr. Roaeby officiated at the grave. Margaret M'Carthy was buried to-day in the Catholic Cemetery. There was a considerable gathering of spectators. One new feature (says the A'. Z. Times) has cropped up at several of the elections. A number of the candidates have expressed an opinion that the new Parliament can only be regarded as a temporary one— elected simply to pass a few burning questions of reform such as redistribution of seats, triennial Parliaments, and electoral reform Bills. When this is done, it is assumed that another dissolution and another general election will take place. It may be that this course will be followed, but our own opinion is, that no matter what party may come into power, it will be a difficult thing to persuade a majority of the newly-elected members that they ought at once to surrender the position which they have won, and to march out of the haven of refuge which they have just secured, eimply in order to again exhibit their prowess against all comers in the open field. The betting may be safely said to be about ten to one against another general election within the next two years. A Press Association telegram from Dunedin says : — lt was resolved by the Education Board to-day that the salaries of all head teachers under £200 be raised £20 per annum ; that school mistresses be raised £10 per annum ; that the fixed salaries of rectors of district high schools be £375 per annum ; that the fixed salaries of male pupil teachers be increased £10 per annum ; that bonuses issued oa classification issued by the Minister be— lst class £75, 2nd £65, 3rd £55, 4th £45, sth £35, 6th £25, 7th £15 ; that sewing mistresses be granted where there are 40 pupils, and that the board maintain all schools having an average attendance of 20 pupils. The salaries of the board's officers were also raised— the secretary by £100, and the others £25 each, excepting the inspectors, who were raised at the beginning of the year. Liquidation.— Being about to realise on my stock I have re-marked the whole at prices that ought to effect a speedy clearance. The stock is very large, which most of the Nelson people know, and one that the drawing room as well as the kitchen may be furnished from. This is an absolute clearing sale, and no reasonable offer will be refused John James, Liquidator. — Advt.