Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 145, 20 June 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1881.

. Jk their anxiety to get through the work of the session it would appear that the House of Representatives are scarcely giving to the subjects that come before them that amount of consideration which their importance "deserves. "We are specially referring now to the amendment proposed by Sir W. IFox, and .carried, by a majority of 34 to 19, Uuhstituting an elective for a nominated bench of Licensing Commissioners, aproTision which we cannot but think is likely to produce effects the exact opposite of those anticipated by the apostle of teetotalism, to whom it owes its origin. In the event of an election of four or more Commissioners— we have not yet been informed what is to be the number— the probability is that a very large proportion of the ratepayers would take but little interest in the matter. Two sections of the community, however, would enter tpori the struggle with considerable zest, the one representing what, for want of a better term, may be described as the beer interest, the other the Good Templars, and the chanced are that the former being the stronger would prevail, greatly, no doubt, to the disgust, and possibly L very much to the disappointment of Sir, William Fox and those

who voted with him. Imagine the election of a Licensing Committee taking place— and there is no reason why it should not do sc — immediately after that of a member or members of tbe House of when party strife, with all the ill feelings it engenders, is at' its height. Is it to be supposed that the Fame party feeling would not be introduced into the election of the Committee, who would thus be appointed to a very important office, not because they were specially fitted for it, but for reasons quite apart from those which should— and winch Sir W. "Fox evidently considers would—influence the ratepayers on such an occasion. The mistake made on Friday night appears to us to be a very grave one, and we are glad to find that, with the exception of Mr Shephard, the whole of the Nelson members voted against it. Seeing that only flve-eigbths of the members were present at the division, it would scarcely be too much to ask that the clause might be re-Considered in Committee with a view to replacing in the Bill the original proposition in lieu of that which has been so injudiciously substituted for it. A match for £100 a side, which is exciting a good deal of interest, is to come off on the Wakar.nnka course on Thursday next between Mr J. Bolton's bay mare Half Caste, carrying 9 stone, and Mr Blower's grey gelding Septimus, with 7 stone up, distance two miles. Both horses have sirice the Queen's Birthday meeting received every \ ossible preparation, Mr Bolton's mare uader the care of R. Bright, who has been retained to pilot her, nnd Septimus, who is looking the picture of heath, at the hands of Jem Caning. Should the course be in decent condition the race should be au excellent one and will no doubt attract a large number of sportsmen and others to the scene. On the j following day another match, for £26 a side, will be run between Half Caste and Mr Blower's Doncaster, both carry iug the same weights as w< re allotted to them in the race for tbe Ladies' Purse at the Wakapuaka meeting. The distance will be I£- miles. A presentation of a handsome gold pencil case was made on Saturday afternoon to Mr H Halliday by his fellow employes in the Post and Telegraph office on the occasion of his removal to Wellington. Mr Crtsawcll, who actfd as sp kesman, referred to the kindly feeling existing between Mr Halliday and all hi 3 brother officers, and expressed the esteem in which they held him. Mr Halliday returned his sincere j thanks in a few well chosen words. To-day being tho anniversary of Her Majtsly's accession to the throne, the customary service was held at Christ Church this morning. In connection with the same eV3nt a prayer meeting will be held at the Masonic Hall this eveuiDg. Mr McArtney writes to say that he is not the " licensed plumber" referred to by Mr Aitken in his letter to the City Council. We understand that Madame Summerhayes has at the request of several residents in Nelson decided to give another series of pianoforte recitals at the Harmonic Hall, in which) as announced in our advertising columns, she will be assisted by friends and pupils. We have no doubt these recitals will meet with the encouragement they deserve, the low price charged for admission bringing it within the power of all to attend. The opening di bate of the Winter Evening Debating Association will take place to-mor-row evening. In consequence of the Patea not arriving until this morning, Mr Mubin has been ob liged to postpone the sale of the live stock by her until to-morrow.