THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1858.

Colonist, Issue 89, 27 August 1858, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1858.

A subject has been brought before the House of Representatives.'which furnishes us with a valuable lesson as to. the advisability of securing a central seat of Government apart from any Provincial interest. Auckland has enjoyed the reputation of being the metropolis of the colony long enough. It would bo a tedious tale to enter into the debatable question of where our central position can best be found. Much as it would advantage our own province, it is not here that, in fairness to our neighbours, it should be placed. But it is high time that a change should be made, when an Act can be passed for the benefit of Auckland, and a similar one, differing only in details of working, for the benefit of Nelson, is rejected. The House was told by Dr. Monro, as will be seen by a reference to the report which, we publish to-ciiy, " that there appeared a certain amount of inconsistency in the Government." Had he spoken out more boldly, it would, we think, have done no harm; and though no one more than ourselves admires a serene temper and courteous arguments, we like to hear things spoken of as they are. The Colonial Secretary, being forced to reply, endeavoured to sophisticate an answer, and after an attempt, at jocularity, tried to prove very conclusively that there was $6 analogy between Auckland being allowed to sell her land on credit, and Nelson being also so allowed. The length of time during which credit is to be given seems by his shewing to be the bugbear to the scheme. This pretty little spectral illusion, so happily conceived, is brought to the thinnest air by the reply of Mr. Domett ; and Dr. Monro, again reverts to this fortunate partiality of the Government to its home.. Many and various opinions are necessarily formed on the relative advantages of such a system We have, however, in this province, arrived at a conclusion, and a Bill has, as we have seen, been prepared and thrown out at the favored AucklandThis is a subject of too much importance to allow to die a quiet death, and we look forward to some future stir being made in the matter. We see by the Lyttellon Times of July 28th, that theie is a great lack of small houses in both Christchurch and Lyttelton, and the editor calls the public attention to that fact. This will no doubt lead to a demand for carpenters, &e;; and as many are leaving Nelson now, they will not unlikely find their way to our more Southern neighbours. In our last issue we called public attention to the way in which our present public works are being not done, and regret to find that inducements are likely to be held out to still further drain us of laboring men. We are at present at a comparative stand-still in building. There are a few houses, indeed, being erected, but the carpenters generally are complaining. We hope that public attenion having been now fairly called, some method will be adopted to retain our own, and induce an increase in our population. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Wednesday, August 25. Before J. Poyntku, Esq., R.M., and R. K. Newoombr, Esq., J.P. An action was brought by Mr. Fowler against Mr. Bell, for the recovery of the value of a cow and calf, under the following circumstances:—■ Mr. Alexander Ogg was called, as a witness, and stated that he had formerly had charge^ of Mr. Bell's run. Mr. Vincent Hewitt- waa: >4ifc that time in the habit of driving cattle across "-this run, and upon one- occasion lost a.cow, which" he described to him so accurately as to make him easily recognise the animal; she had two calves while on the run, one of which was by mistake branded with Mr. Bell's mark ; the cow was sold on Vincent Hewitt's account; Mr. Fowler purchased her; she was not entered in Mr. Bell's stock-book. Mr. Bell was called, who said that he knew the cow, and explained that the calf being branded in the same way as his own he considered she belonged to him, and that he did not remember Mr. Ogg telling him about Vincent Hewitt's cow. The case was adjourned for the presence of bolomon King, who was present at the time Mr. Ogg mentioned the occurrence to Mr. Bell and his son. Recce v. Hyde: In this case the plaintiff, who lost a saddle through the alleged carelessness of the defendant, was sworn, and stated : 1 hired a horse and saddle last March to go to the races; went after the races to the Plough inn; stopped there three nights and used the horse and saddle each day. but on the third morning I found my saddle changed; spoke to the defendant about it, and he said he knew the one I had was not mine; that he had got a little too much over night, and the people had helped themselves in the morning, meaning those stopping at the Turf also ; told him it was a hired saddle, and he must look for it; he afterwards told me that he had spoken to V. Hewitt, who said he thought he had changed it; on returning to Nelson, Mr. Scott told me that the saddle had been changed; was summoned, and had to pay £9 12s. 6d. Cross-examined: I and Vincent Hewitt did not take our horses out together; saw him on the Racecourse, but had not at that time heard anything about his being the person who had changed it. Defendant sworn : I was not ostler at the Turf Hotel; was barman and indoor servant; was only stopping there to oblige Mrs. Cleaver. Non-suited, as the landlord or landlady should have been the persons against whom the action was brought. Theatricals. —We are given to understand that it is the intention of the theatrical company, which arrived in the Wonga Wonga, to give an early representation next week, and that several Amateurs have kindly offered their assistance. Their late stay in Wellington has riot,' we hear, been as remunerative as the respectability of the party, and their care in mounting the pieces, deserved. New Zealand Gold.—The Return of the quantity and estimated value of gold dust exported from ISfew Zealand, during the "quarter ended the 30th June, 1858; quantity 4867 ozs. 15 dwts. 4 grs.; value, £15,878 16s. lOd. Estimated net quantity and value exported from sth April, 1857, to 31st March, 1858, quantity 14,099 ozs. 8 dwts. 15 grs.; value, £54,635 ss. 4d. Phormium Tenax.—By the TaranaM Herald, we are informed that Dr. Wilson of that province has received a series of communications from a resident in London, who has obtained a patent for a new way of preparing the native flax. Dr. Wilson called a public meeting, by advertisement, of gentlemen interested in the subject to lay the matter before then. New Zealand Flax. —In the House of Representatives, on August 16, the Chairman of the Committee of Supply reported the following resolution, which was agreed to:—" That with a view to encourage the preparation of New Zealand flax or other fibrous plants, indigenous to the colony, as an article of export, a respectful address be presented to the Governor, informing his'*Excellency that, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that some reward should be held out to persons who may prove, to the satisfaction of the Government, that they have discovered an efficient means whereby flax.or other such fibrous plants can be prepared, in such quantities and at such cost as will render it an article of general export; and that, should the Governor deem it prudent to pay, in accordance with the terms of a-notice in the Gove?%nment Gazette, of December 20, 1856, the House undertakes to make provision for the same."