Correspondence.

Colonist, Issue 54, 27 April 1858, Page 2

Correspondence.

NELSON REGATTA.

j To the Editor ofthe Colonist. Sity—ln common with most of your readers I must congratulate the town of Nelson on her recent effort of getting up a regatta, and although every allowance must be made for the want of experience incident to a new undertaking, it wa« on the whole creditable to the committee.

Nelson undoubtedly possesses a most favorable harbour for displays of this sorfc^ and it is to be hoped we shall not have t6 wait a whole year before we witnessa repetition of those noble aquatic sports which characterize the Englisn man. From a desire to improve the effort which has been' made, perhaps a few suggestions might be acceptable. I would therefore recommend that some of ithe matches be rowed'in heats, especially as the course inside the Boulderbank is too limited to test the powers of the rowers, as a distance, and men rowing a pair of"oars should on no account be allowed a coxswain; such a juvenile arrangement is apt to excite one's laughter, and I hope for the' credit of the regatta it may never be permitted again, or anything else «(f so■-*-' muffish " a nature. As regards whatm your accountvvou call "dingies," proper scullers boats should be built of 27, feet length from stem to stern, .of an appropriate width; a stern post of 6 inches,; and a -7 foot stem. -One should then be able to see something like English rowing—but Ido not recommend " outriggers;" the model of the celebrated " New Shark should be the builder's guide. •■; {■', ■, Regretting, as every one must, the accident which befel the man who had charge of the starting gun, perhaps a hint for future guidance may be useful: He did not lose his arm by improperly, sponging the gun (as stated). The cause of the charge igniting was through the of serving the vent, after the piece was once discharged; unless this is done, and.properly done1 too, accidents of this nature will always occur, and are frequently fatal, especially when a man stands in a wrong position (as this man must have done) at the muzzle of the piece. I remain, &c- ■■': ■;'■ ■■,-■ , . , y ■ '-'■ ''';■-- -R;^N.T..a^:.-

To the Editor of the Colonist,

Sib,- —The Provincial Council may now be said to have fulfilled its labbura, for the session is virtually closed. As our. Provincial Legislators have simply adjourned for a ; shortjs^^n,^see whether the Governor has any message to on the refusal of the Queen to adopt the Waste Lands Act, 1856, therefore, I presume I may now enquire what has been done : during this protracted session of the Council? ~ ..

I find that our legislators have actually passed the Country Roads Amendment Act, the Nelson Improvement Act, and the Education Amendment Act, and, as smaller fry, they have passed tho Education Loan, the Debenture, the public Reserves, ,the Motupipi Public Reserves, the GoldFields -Occupation, the Dun Mountain Railway, the Cattle Branding, the Auctioneers', and the Dog Nuisance Bills; ihe Waste Lands Act I wiljt not notice, as that is now useless.

Now all this well digested legislation, which, if usual precedent be followed, will require, or what seems to be the same to our councillors, will meet with some tinkering and patching alterations in the next session, on a clause or clauses, formed not to work practically or politically well, has cost this colony what? What $0 my fellow, settlers think that this snug little incest of friendly discord has cost Nelson ? What <fo they think the conversion of Mr. Saunders to the banner of the supper party, by which we find him moving and Dr. Monro seconding a proposition to prevent discovery of available land on the West Coast, has cost us ? I mean what sum do they think has b«en paid for hearing the Doctor on one side peppered by the Miller on the other, w£th a chorus of attendant satellites in the shape of phlegmatic Domett, frivolous Mackay, economic Kelling, litigious Robinson, quiet Curtis, plain speaking Sinclair, or practical Sharp ? Will they believe that no less a . sum than ,£I2OO has been talked away by men, the majority of whom when out of doors cry aloud, but when in the Council Chamber faintly whisper for economy; men who attempt to reduce; the salary of a poor clerk at £90 per annum,' dock the signalman at the port 6d. per day,.refuse a paltry £5 to the Auditors on whom rests the verification of the provincial accounts, yet increase the salary of an assistant clerk £50 a year. Surely Nelson is old enough to begin to economise in the right direction. Let her not longer remain like a tolerably successful, though foolishly, good natured, man, who, having made a small start in the world, permits all Jiis- brothers, sisters, and cousins to fasten upon him, and live by his exertions; thus preventing from realising independence, while they continually. cry for more' assistance. "-'.■-"!;■ Why shoufcLwe maintain all our present costly machinery of Government whjch practically eflfecfr so little ? Be it remembered! speak against pffi'r ces not officers,' ford would not wish for better mon than those who at present fill our public offices :" but what I wish to contend is, of what practical use are many of them ? Should we not be a far more wealthy settlement were we governed by a Mayor, Aldermen, and common-Councilmen, all - which offices at home are partly, honorary? .; Would not, I ask, the votes of Joe Simkins and Tom Buggins, members .of the Nelson Corporation, be just as honest and as much respected as the votes of Joseph Simkins, Esq., and Thomas Buggins, Esq., members of the Provincial Council? , I say, let us like sensible and honest men, Ho away with all the frippery and nonsense incurred in aping the doings of wealthy nations.; let .us plainly ask and plainly give what is required and granted ; let us live soberly and within our means. Or if we are such pampered children, that we cannot lose sight of all the old world gaudy nonsense of our fatherland, which most of us left that we.. might better our condition, let us then go into it deeply; let us have Jeams with his fat calves and' silk stockings, his powdered wig and scarlet * coat. Let us, I say, spend our money foolishly, .. in order that we«may enjoy all the foolery from ' ' which once we fled. . . '..'.' . ■:...-• ALFRED. Nelson, April 24. - - • . ~*.-'