Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 143, 17 June 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1881.

A COBHESPONDENT writes to us from Wellington tinder date Wednesday last :— " The opening of Parliament with its attendant formalities has passed quietly. by and the House seems inclined to settle down to work at a much earlier period than usual. The address in reply which was about as barren as the Vice-regal speech was moved by your new member for the Suburbs of Nelson in a sort of free and easy speech, arid was eeconded by the member for Taieri in a few •well-chosen words, after which Sir G. Grey gave us the old old story. There was the fowartvod.aen gerf> the sin of the rich in gc.

quiring land, Pateiere pre-emptive rights, ' and all save the gridiron and the children, who have now grown up into^young couples who would settle on the lands hail not the wicked rich purchased them all A lively discussion followed, iu which Messrs Wakeficld, Bunny, Wallis, Hursthouse, aud others took part, the result of which was nil. You in Nelson will be pleased to hear that the Licensing Bill has passed its second reading, also the Chinese Immigration Bill. This looks like work in earnest, and though these measures are not likely to go through Committee in the same rapid manner, there is hope that they will be both passed in a few weeks. The party which hold the extreme Good Templar view of the liquor trade accept the Licensing Bill as a compromise on the much vexed question. There is little known as to the relative strength of parties^ but the general opinion is that the Government is safe for the session) mainly owing to the want of a well-organised Opposition," Thk following exiract from a letter from Takaka has been forwarded to us by Mr I Pickard.—" The Good Templars are creating quite a sensation in the District of Takaka lately. They gave an entertainment on the I3th instant in aid of the Library, whidh proved quite a success. The entertainment consisted of songs, readings, and recitations, seme of which were well rendered if we may judge by the applause which they elicited. The most remarkable piece of the evening w&b one by Mr J. Jacobsen, of Anab.au, who kindly asßitad. The Po-'t of Wednesday says :— The Address iu Reply, moved yesterday by Mr. Collins in a vigorous and effective speech, evoked a debate of somewhat .unexpected scope. The real discussion turned on the absence of all allusion on the part of the Government to any measure being contemplated for the improvement of local government. Sir Grorge Grey, in an otherwise' weak and rambling discourse, made his one point by directing attention to this omission, and Mr. Wakefield who followed him with one of his most slashing speeches, practically took up much the same attitude on this particular question, which it will be remembered, was pointedly raised by Mr. Ormond in his recent address to his constituents. Whether this triple concurrence has any practical significance or not has yet to be seen, but, at an}' rate an important debate on the whole question of local government has unexpectedly arisen, and may have very weighty results. On August 11 last the Legislative Council, ou the motion of the Hon. N. Wilson, ordered a return of all moneys paid by the colony to Sir J. Vogel from his taking office in 1869 to May, ISSO. This return was laid on the table on Wednesday, and shows the total amount, including travelling allowances, received by the late Agent-Genera! to have been £27,193. 16s Id.