The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1181.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 218, 13 September 1881, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1181.

Tub railway traffic return* for the four weeks ending the 23rd July, hava been published, from which wo find that the receipts on tbe Nelson line ngain show a falling oft as compared with the corresponding period of last year, only a trifle certainly, some £Is, but still there is a decrease where the reverse should be the case, and what makes it more noteworthy is the fact that this is the only line in the coloDy which shows a falling off, every other railway exhibiting an increase in the returns. Ths receipts are for July 1881, £598, while for 1880 they were £611. Two hundred and forty three fewer passengers and 137 less tons of goods were oonveyid on the line, the difference in the receipts being as stated. We caanot help thinking that the line is not boing worked to the greatest advantage, otherwise we should not see the timber for the Collingwood bridge, which is cut close to tbe Bellgrove tennisus of the railway, bting brought in by the road, while the wheels of the truck* are rusting for want of use. The total receipts from all tbe lines for the pariod named were £62,214 against £51 ,887 for tbe correspoßdiag four weeks of 1880, while tbe tetal for the ex pired four months of the current iDancialyear was £283.447 against £265,081 for 1880. The total receipts for the current year oh the Nelson line were £2676, being £%i mora than for 1880. On the great southern line and its branches 120,002 passeagere, 76,850 tons of goods, and 33,000 live stock were «onveyed during the month, tie receipts therefrom being £45,462 against £88,790 for tbe corresponding period of 1180. The Auckland section (139 miles) stands second on the list with £5,445, and the Wanganui section (115 miles) third with £3046. The expenses of all tbe lines for tbe current year amount to 5593 per cent of the total revenue. Last year the percentage was 64»1, showing that a considerable improTcrceat has taken place in the general management. Sjiveral complaints having bees mad* with regard to the gran.iig of a new "bottle license " in the town, we have beea looking up the matter, and are somewhat surprised — as will also be many of our readers — to find that, in the «veut of the present Licensing Bill becoming 'aw, there will be an end to the granting in Nelson of what are commonly but erroneously know as "bottle licenses," for this reason, that, as a matter of fact, there is no aucb license know* U the law in the Provincial District of Nelson. In Otago " bottle licenses " are granted for the sale of liquor " in bottles properly corked and capsuled,'" but in Nelson the only license at all corresponding to the " bottle license" is a license " for the sale of liquors not to be consumed on the premises," which is a totally different thing to a '"bottle license," as under it a licensee can sell threepennyworth of beer or a pennyworth of gin to be consumed off the premises. There is a proviso in the new Licensing Bill to the effect that " bottle licenses" may continue to be granted in districts where they now exist ; but, as we have shown, no such license is known to the Nelson Provincial District, the term " bottle license " not even being mentioned in any of the Act*. Under these circumstances we would recommend those who are interested in the matter to take some steps at onco, if it be not already too late, to endeavor to secure some special provision being inserted ia the Act to meet the case of Nelson. With regard to the license recently granted, we learn that no opposition of any kind was offered, and it being shown that the applicant was of good character, had given the aotice requested by law, and had executed a lease of promises in a locality sufficiently remote from any other holder of a similar license the grant was made. There ia some difference between tho present case and that of Mr Thompson. The lattir's premises were within a stone's throw of Mr Hounsell's and there was & num-rouely signed petition against the license beiug granted presented to the Bench and soppertsd fey «obqsql,

Tb«re was no objection whatever to Mr Thompson on the Bcore of character, but the iteacla, which waa tben Bora< ; »bat differently fnmpoged, refused the iicenss becanae the r»'etni«es were so near to ai; existing bottle iiecßie holder and therefore uunecss»»ry for tho public accommodation. The Bench apparently recognised the principle of local option to a certain extent, and as the public had raised a good ground of objection it whs allowed. In the last case, however, the public made no sign, and the Bench might fairly assume that whilst fetich & license miph't b« c&nfeidered unnecessary in ona locality it was not so regarded in anofchar. However, unless some special proviso can be inserted in the Licensing Bill before it finally passed, one and all of these licenses for the sale of liquor " not to be consumed on the premises " will come to an end with the term for which theytiaye been granted, and the liquor traffic in ftelioh will tnuß, to the grt'At inconvenience of the public, be confined exclusively to the pubJlvans an( j wholesale an iuqueat waa held at the Hospital yeslernay afternoon on the body of John Kruse, wh'- died there on Sunday. Mr P. Kelling, of Raceau, said that the deceased was in his employ, and on the Srd instant after finishing his work was grooming nis bwn horse prior to going out for a rido. Shortly after the witness passed him he heard a sound as of a blow, and on going back to the stable he found tr.e deceased lying on the ground with hia head eat. A doctor was sent for, but >>ome delay occurred, and it was not Until 24 honrß had elapesd that he succeeded in securing tha services of Dr Duff from Stoke, who at once ordered him to be sent to the Hospital, whither he was removed on the 4th instant. For three days he appear«d to be doing well, when inflammation of the brain set in and ended in death. The jury found a verdict accordingly. Tub new firm of Warner Clarkson & Co. will open their establi?hbent at the Hall of Commerce to-borrow, when a fine display of spring goods will be on view. Thb concert given at Motueka last night by the members of tho Nelson Wesleyan Church choir was a thorough success in every way, the church being crowded in every part, while the performances were such as to evoke enthusiastic expressions of approval from the delighted audience Nearly 70 eicuraionists took advantngo of the opportunity afforded by the Lady Barkly's special trip to pay a visit to the picturesque village of Motueka, where they were received most hospitably by the Rev. Mr Hoskins and numerous friends, who had luncheon provided for them, and did all .in their power to render their stay there an enjoyable one. The steamer left after the concert and arrived in Nelson shortly after midnight, everyona on board having been df lighted with their trip and with tho hearty reception accorded to th«m by tkeir hospitable hosts " over the Bay." Mabamb Lotti Wilmot leatur«d at the Theatm last night when thtre was again but a limited attendance, although the lector*, wfcich was principally on tit subjaat of temperance, and the comforts of homa lifo, was given in aid of th« building fund of the Port Public Hall. A. hearty rcU of thanks was accorded by acclamation to the •loquent leetcrsis. Aif alarm of fire was sounded shortly after 9 o'clock this morning, and, owing to the strong sooth west that was blowing, created some little excitement. Fortunately it waa nothing worse than a chimney on fire at Mrs Clark's house in Bridge Street, and the Brigade, who muPtered quickly, had little difficulty io extinguishing the flames. In connection with >he Brigade we way state that Mr Cooksey has beeu appointed collector, and will shortly wait on the citizens to learn how much they are willing to contribute towards the support of the very useful corps of which he is the representative.