COLLINGWOOD.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 338, 15 January 1861, Page 2

COLLINGWOOD.

[from oub own correspondent.] January 10,1861. As we are on the eve of election for Representatives, and we for the first time, are to return our own for this -district, much anxiety of course ia felt as to whom we should' send to represent our interests. From what lean iearn many diggers wil« not votiat all, some may rote for the late District Judge (if he stands), some will vote for the old Surveyor, and many will vote for the Ministerial Candidate; These are all that are mentioned at present, and whether all will come to the poll remains Wbe proved. The franchise extending to the holders of miners' rights, will cause a large number of electors for the gold district, but I much question whether the diggers will lose a day to conao and vote, especially those who are working river claims; should the weather have been wet previously and fine on the day of election many will stay at their claims. I do not suppose one, half of the diggers will voter. Thus should all the candidates come to the poll, there will not appear many votes attached to eaoh name. The diggings generally are in a heaty healthy state, since I last wrote you Cole's gully is ail but abandoned. The Collingwood Company are literally doiog nothing, I hear they have only two men shepherding their blocfr. The Nelson, Company still pushing on; 'Washbourne's diggings are being worked under composition. The small leaseholders pursuing an even tenor of work with payable proceeds. The late wet season has again acted detrimentally for the Devils' Hill Company. I hear there are several fresh applications for small blocks of land in vftripiis localities. I / J M The Pakawau coal-field 9 are being steadily worked, and are turning out » fair sample of coal; its a great drawback they have uot more capital to bring to bear upon so valuable a commodity, and one that is of the greatest importance to the province at large, I see at your uext land sale there are some blocks of land to be put up for auction, this would lead to the supposition,, that some parties are turning their atteution that way. I have no doubt were a good shaft sunk a very much better quality of coal would be obtained. Our Christmas holidays are passed and gone, and much amusement and fun were enjoyed by all „ parties, many diggers down to the Regatta and horau racing Ac.; the steeple chase was well contested all through, there was no accident of aoy kind, and all went of amicably; balls almost every evening, a theatrical performance, accompanied by Poses JPlastio^es, no occasion for the professional services of the police, the lockup deserted altogether except by its regular paid lodgers. We are rejoioed to hear that we are to have an overland postal service we can then depend upon having our letters regularly, by the bye whose fault was it that the cutter Supply sailed without the mail from Nelson this last trip ? aud another ten days must elapse now ere the letters will reach this diasriot; this is rather too much of a joke when we have only a chance even now and thei of writing or receiving communication. I guess the opponents of the Tasmauian Maid find out by this time the utility she was to the Golden Bay district. Provincial Building Society.—The first monthly meeting of this society took place at the Fleece Tavern yesterday evening, when seven £25 shares respectively realised premiums of. £3 and £3 6s. The number of shares taken iv this second Society established in Nelson (in the short space of fifteen inenths) already amounts to nealy 850. Supbeme Court.—The Court will sit this day for the dispatch of criminal busiMsv - \

T' " MR. STAFFORD. Mb. Stafford met his electors on Saturday night last at the Freemasons' Hall. The meeting being avowedly for the purpose of thanking those who had again elected him as one of their representatives, that portion of our community very largely preponderated over those of contrary or indifferent opinions. Altogether the meeting was tolerably well attended. Mr. Elliott having been installed as chairman, Mr. Stafford proceeded to review his political career from the outset, with liberal reference to his predecessors, asserting that upon entering office in 1856, there was not a man who knew what the debts of the colony were. There was the utmost difficulty experienced in perfecting the Waste Lauds Act or*lßsß, which took six or seven months Strong pleading in England, the issue being at last expedited and consummated through his presence there. The attacks of his opponents with respfct to the measures that had been effected, should be disapproved by the number of Acts that had been instituted, such as Joint Stock Companies, Personal Property, &c, &c. The disposal of the Land Fund had always been a debatable and unsatisfactory point; he had seen so many, and there were ao many, schemes on the subject that he was hardly prepared to say which was the best; for his part, however, he would give away the land, if it would be the means of encouraging settlement and subduing the wilderness, but regulations required to be entirely local. There was no greater delusion in the world than that of believing because a vote was given with the ministry, that, the term —" Oh, you're a Government man," really applied; such an idea had been very prevalent. It, however, was fast dying out; he felt persuaded that there was no such thing as an independent member, unless he were a downright fool. They had collectively to consider the constructions of principles by which the world outside would be represented in the aggregate, rather than to clioose isolated points tor needless debate upon which some men would wish to form ministerial questions. ( Here the speaker was interrupted by a question of avery indefinitecharacter from an elector.) The chairman said Mr. Stafford was not to be interrupted, and Mr. Stafford explained that he was going through facts in order to meet to some extent any explanations that might be thought necessary. Referring to the legislation on native affairs past and prospectively, Mr. Stafford said it was a question that 25 years hence would force itself on every Government. Of late proceedings, miserable as had been the conduct of the war, and with whatever feelings he should go out of office—as out he knew he should go—if it had to be repeated he should do again exactly as he had done. How false was that assertion that it was for 600 acres only that the strife was entered upon. Cold blooded murder had been committed, internecine war had raged, men had been shot down within hearing of the British sentries, and outrages and violation of the laws had occurred. Those law-breakers objected to land sales, because that stopped the native wars; but were we to think that some 50,000 savages should say "thus far shall the laws of Queen Victoria go and no farther?" Tribes came to throw down the gauntlet against us, and had murdered boys and burned the houses of those who had unhesitatingly thrown themselves into the struggle, and manfully bore their part and tendered their assistance to the measures that had been adopted by the ministry, yet they were accused of waging an unjust and unholy war. Mr. Stafford then entered iuto some details upon financial schemes since 1856. He would also remark upon a letter which had been addressed to the electors of Nelson by Mr. Fox, which was stuffed full of untruth. Mr. Fox rushed into print with random statements, he would not say knowingly or wilfully false, but in a perfectly reckless manner. He had stated that there were fortythree members, but the fact was there were only forty-one, and never more than thirty-eight present, as Messrs. Lee aud Macandrew never attended. Reference had been made to the opposition of the Southern members also, but the fact was that the whole of the Canterbury members except Crosbie Ward (who it was said would hold office when Mr. Fox came in) invariably voted with the Ministry except once. On three occasions they had made ministerial questiona,during the last session, and carried them all. During the time of that ministry ten times had ministerial questions been made and they were never beaten upon one of them. With some little exception Mr. Stafford's explanation closed here, with the remark that ill-health precluded his speaking to them as ably as they had a right to expect, and the remainder of his speech was mostly confined to Mr. Fox and his " mis>tatements," how he had upon the question of Compensation said that if those who sought compensation gave up all they had made in money and property, then the question might be considered, and not before, and how warily he had written his letter to those electors, knowing that it would be carefully scanned; it was not in the usual style of the "Voice from the gallery,'1 or the Fox-and-water specimens generally found in the Wellington Independent, &c, &c.; all of which being quite irrelevant to a constituency who wished to know the virtues of their own representatives rather than the heinousness of others with which they have nothing to do, and for whose actions they have nothing to care (except through a want of watchfulness on the part of their own), we must omit, as so much dust thrown in our eyes, and record that part which, as we before said, formed the exception, namely, abont the Compensation Bill, which Mr. Stafford Baid fell through in consequence of a technicality, strangled by the standing orders of the House, as also was the Dun Mountain Railway Bill, which Dr. Monro did get out of temper about, when opposed by Brandon. They however saw that the shortest plan would be to buy the land, and do away with the delay of ten months that would occur in obtaining approval, from England. Mr. Stafford then heartily and straightforwardly thanked them for returning him for-the last time that he should come forward, and would be happy to answer any question put to him. A long pause ensuing, the chairman said Mr. Kelling had spoken of the expenses and the large number of officials connected with the Government, perhaps Mr. Stafford would say a few words on that subject. Mr. Stafford said, that for native purposes, judges' salaries, assessors, and country post offices, one half.of the sum was expended. He was aware that the cry of too much expense was a telling one, but in his opinion it was a very contemptible one. Some remarks upon Government patronage followed. Mr. Elliott then asked if any further questions were desired to be put, but none occurring, Mr. Wells proposed, and Mr. J. Brown seconded a resolution, which expressed satisfaction with the result of the meeting, in ••explanation and refutation" of the past conduct of their member, which was declared to be carried. Mr. Stafford was highly gratified at the way in which that resolution had been responded to. It had been said that bad company had spoiled pim,but for his part he felt proud of his colleagues : yirjth such as Richmond, Whittaker ? and Weld, he should be prepared to meet any men. He propoped a vote of thanks to Mr« C. Elliott, for the efforts he had used and the proof he had given, that he would not hear them run down in their absence. The meeting, which had been a remarkably one, then broke up. New Zealand Proverbs.—He who is yaliapf in fight is apt to humble, but he who is yaliant in cultivating food will die of old age. Fuel is only sought against winter but food it required all the day long. We can search every corner of the house, bul the corner of the heart we cannot. A small roan is not to be despised, because, though small, he may be like the tough tea-tree. The grub is small, but he eats hard trees. Passing clouds can be seen, but not passing thoughts. They who give as well as take shall prosper. If a man yawns when fishing, he will catch few fish.^iJr, Arthur Thomm's Story of Nm Ze&

Rifles.—We have received the following from Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond, and publish it with pleasure, and shall be happy to announce the next instalment. Sir, —In requesting you to give publicity to the inclosed circular from the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, I will ask you to do me tho favor also to make public that. I have ordered from England a rifle of the latest invention, to be fired for by any person included in the Nelson Militia and Volunteer lists ; and that it is my intention to give a similar prize yearly, in order to encourage rifle practice in the province, aud that those enrolled in the above-nawed lists may have an opportunity of proving their efficiency as markslneu. The dak of firing and other particulars will be made known when I receive the rifle from England. I am, &c, M. Richmond. The Cliffs, Nelson, i)th January, 1861. [circular.] Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, January 3, 1861. Sir,—l have the honor to inform you, that, with a view to promoting the efficiency as marksmen, and in other respocts, of the members of the militia and volunteer corps throughout New Zetland, and as a recognition of the zeal which the settlers have displayed iv providing1 for the self-defence of the colony, the Legislature has appropriated the sum of £30() to be given as prizes to the best shots in the Militia and Volunteer corps. It is accordingly proposed that the firing for these prizes shall take place simultaneously in each Militia district on her Majesty's next birthday, and that the prize to the best shot shall be £140; the winner to receive also a champion's badge, which is to be surrendered to the best shot in succeeding years. Full particulars as to the other prizes, and also the other necessary details, wiil be communicated to you so soon as they have been finally determined on. In consideration, of tlie comparatively short time which will have elapsed since many of the Companies have beeu enrolled, it is proposed that the range for the prize firing on the 24th of May next shall be 100, 200, and 300 yards respectively. Should it be found, when results have been reported, that two or more persons have made the same number of points, the ties will be shot oft* at a range of 400 yards. To afford to the members of the several companies sufficient opportunities for practice, ninety rounds of ball cartridge per man, with a corresponding number of caps, will be issued free of charge; and any more which may be wished for will be issued at a charge of Is. 6d. per dozen for cartridges, and lg. per hundrsd for caps. This issue free of charge will apply to all members of Volunteer corps aud to all militiamen who have been on actual service since the Ist January, 1860, or whose attendance at drill has been considered regular by the officer commanding; but all persons who have been sworn as Militiamen since Ist January, 1860, are entitled to compete, though not to receive ammunition free of charge, unless they have served as before stated. For the purpose of practice, the rifles within the district uuder your command will be available to the several persons as defined above, until a further supply can be furnished from those now on the way out from England. This communication is to be read and explained to the Militia and Volunteer forces uuder your command as soon after its receipt as you may find convenient. I am, &c, E. \Y. Stafford. Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond, C.8., Commanding Militia aud Volunteers, Nelson, New Zealand. Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond has instructed Adjutant Lockett to call a board meeting, to consist of Lieutenants Kerr and Kingdon and himself, to inspect the munitions lately received, to mark the rifles and to serve them out as follows:—No. 1 Company 40; Suburban North 2; Waimea East 2; Waimea South 2 ; Waiinea West 2; Motueka2. We presume that the distribution among the members of each corps will depend upon the order in which they stand for regular attendance, aud other qualifications.