The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1879.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 222, 30 September 1879, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1879.

The no-confidence debate, to which the colony is now looking forward with so much interest, is to open to-night, when, after Air Andrews has moved, and Mr Hurst seconded, the address in reply, Mr Hall will move the Opposition amendment. Our telegrams today state that the division is not likely to take place until the end of the week, but if the debate is prolonged until then, it will, in all probability, continue for a much longer period, for there is nothing more infectious than the speaking malady with which some of the members are affected, and it is almost as easy to say when the measles, once introduced into a coramuuily, will die out, as to predict the date at which a debate iv the House when fairly got under way will come to an end. As there can be little to say now that was not said in the last session we cannot see why the divisiou should not take place at ouce. That there will be plenty more to urge against the preseut Ministry when certain awkward questions relative to the proceedings during the late elections are aaswered there can be little doubt, but there is sure to be some little delay before these new grounds for complaint can be wrung from those who would very much prefer to keep such tbiogs dark. Lv the course of the dog killing case heard before the Resident Magistrate this morning, a witness named George Woods failed to answer to his name. Mr f ercy Adams said that the inau was iv his office a few days ago, and, on being told when the case was coming on, said that he didn't care a bit for the law aud should not stop for it. lie wished to know whether some steps could not be taken for punishing him. His Worship said that uo summary proceedings could be taken. As the man was not a resident in the town those who subpoenaed him must show that at the time of doing so they tendered to him lm exp»jnse3 for reraainiug here, and the next step would be to call upon him to show cause why he did not attend. Thi3 wasa tedious process and he thought the law in this respect required amending. If he was aa essential witueßs whose absence would materially affect the issue he was liable to a civil action for damages. Air Percy Adams replied that to sue a man of straw was a most unsatisfactory and unprofitable undertaking. We have been requested to correct an error which appeared in our Takaka correspondent's account of a presentation to a Mr

Wallace, when the number present was Btated to have been thirty instead of 130. The box office in connection with the Pinafore Opera Company was opened at Mr Stanton's this morning, and there baa already been a considerable demand for tickets. The Company will open at the Theatre Royal on Monday next, and daring their short season here the people of Nelson may look forward to enjoying a real treat. Packets of six tickets may be procured for 253. The monthly inspection of the Town and Port Volunteers will take place to-Dight at half past seven. The petition against the return of Mr C. C. Bowen, as member for Kaiapoi, in the House of Representatives, has been prepared for presentation, and contains nine clauses. Tie general averment is that the election wag not held on the roll. The gist of the whole is contained in the 7th clause, which runs as follows: «• That after said lodgment of the Baid certified roll had been made by the Returning Officer, and that upon this altered and mutilated document (not being the certified electoral roll for the said district) the polling was taken, and return declared as set forth in the sth clause of this petition." The petitioner James Oram, therefore prays that the return of the said C. C. Bowen be declared null and void. It is said that the Hinemoa's working expenses exceed by £5000 the sum voted by Parliament for that purpose, and that the Government are trying to distribute this excess in various sums under the elastic heading of contingencies. A Wangauui telegram says that the thoroughbred mare Legacy, running in a paddock at Warrengate, was struck by lightning and killed on the spot. The Thames Alvertiser says:—" The sooner Honest Farmer Fisher is relegated to his dry pastures on the plains of Canterbury the better it will be for the welfare of the Telegraph Department. We want no more square men for round holes, and cannot help thinking that his retention of office has been a serious loss to the country through the department he has so glaringly bungled since he was invited into the Cabinet. The exchange of seats on the part of Messrs Fisher, Thomson, and, shall we add, Gisborne, would be a gain to Ministers, and they are scarcely likely to allow the opportunity to pass without attempting to bring it about." Liquidation.— Being about to realise on my stock I have re-marked the whole at prices that ought to effect a speedy clearauce. 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.