Notes From Nelson.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 55, 5 August 1890, Page 2

Notes From Nelson.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Midland Railway.

Last Monday night, in spite of the bad weather prevailing, there was a ; monster meeting re Midland Railway in the Provincial Hall; For some time past there has been a feeling of great discontent amongst the Nelson people who thought that they were not being treated fairly in respect to their railway, and it was in answer to the Mayor’s invitation that this gathering took place. It will be remembered that the original contract was signed in 1885, therefore over five and a half years have elapsed out of the original ten allowed for the Company to complete in. This is of course, very unsatisfactory, more especially as practically nothing has been done in the way of starting at this end of the line, and it was chiefly to urge upon the Government to push matters on that the meeting was held. Mr Pitt, who is Chairman of the Railway League here, moved the first and most important resolution of the evening, which urged upon the Government “ that they should hold the Company to the strict performance of the contract, in its : integrity, and demand that the Company shall proceed with the; com ■ struction of the Belgrova extension of the line forthwith.” The motion was carried unanimously, and various other resolutions were put and carried in the course of the evening. Some very hard words were spoken.against Messrs Fell and Sclanders, and a number of questions were asked them as -to sale: ;of land etc. Mr Fell explained that settlers could on application get whatever piece of land they wanted by paying an enhanced price, which, of course is only fair, as the Company must get something oyer and above, what they paid for it. It was quite aa\ erroneous idea that the land was in any way locked up. Mr Sclanders was strongly opposed to the proposition of spending the £60,000 at this this end of the line, as provided by the contract, merely for the sake, of spending it for it would do Nelson a deal of harm, inasmuch as it would lead outsiders to look upon the place as a poverty stricken corner. After some further remarks the meeting came to an end by a number of those present enrolling themselves as members of the Leagues Copies of the various resolutions passed are to be sent to the Premier and members of the Legislature.

Farmers’ Co-Operative Association.

On Wednesday night a meeting was , held at Richmond in connection with' the forming of a Farmers’ Co-Operative Association. About 80 persons interested were in attendance and Mr Sheat occupied the chair. The Chairman in his opening remarks said what a desirable thing co-operation amongst j the farming community . is. as. < then they would, have agents in all parts, of, the world, and naturally would get a‘ fair market value for their produce. . Now it was a mere matter of speculation : in their dealings, but all this would be altered by the forming of an Association. Mr Alfred Mills, the Secretary, then proceeded to read the draft prospectus, which had been drawn up on the same lines as that of the N. Z. Farmer’s Co-Operative Association at Christchurch. The proposed capital in the prospectus. \yas to be £30,000 in 6000 shares of £5 . each, and it was thought by some that* they could start business when IGOCI shares were subscribed for. To this aw number of those present took exception, i but after a lot of discussion the motioir that. the Association start When the 1000 shares are taken, was carried by a large majority. On the motion of Mr Mills a Committee- was then appointed to carry out the business, and after some further resolutions being passed, the meeting was adjourned. Crime. One Justice has been hard at work lately over here. Oh Tuesday night a map named Belin, but better known as ope of ijtie “ bear man” wasc&hght while in the act of stOaling at ihb Nelson Hotel. It appears"that shortly after ttye proprietor of the, Mr

Cornish, had retired for the night, he fancied that he heard someone in hi* room, and not getting an answer to his query, u Who is there ?” struck a match thereby disovering the prisoner. Belin waflf harged in the Police Court with JjjH unlawfully on the premise*, the larceny of a pair of boots and numerous other article*. The Magistrate took a . very lenient view of the case and sentenced l the prisoner to a month’s imprisonment in each case, sentence* to ibe cumulative. Mr Galland, steward of the Murray, wa* subject to a most cowardly and quite unprovoked assault .at the hands of the cook of thatsteamer yesterday. The steward, it appears, had occasion to go into the cook’s galley in order to .get.some dishes, and while in the act of removing them was suddenly attacked by Melville, the cook, with an iron chopper. Mr Galland received some very nasty blows on the head with such force a* to break the handle off the instrument used. An information was laid against accused, mid he was 1 sentenced to two month’s imprison- ' ment, and also bound over to keep the peace for six months. Nelson, Ist August.