NELSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 444, 4 February 1857, Page 11

NELSON.

By the Oliver Tjang we have Nelson papers of the 21st and 24th ult., and by the Mary Thomson (by private hand) a copy of the Nelson Examiner of the 28th. The Examiner ventilates the postal question in an able leading- article. It thinks Mr. Se.well's scheme clumsy, and that of the Government somewhat complex. For instance :-—

■" For the Ne\y Zealand steamer, he proposes three.routes; the first, that■ taken by the Zingari at present; the second the same, except that Auckland is sub tituted for Manukau. ; the third we need not describe, except that it runs backwards and forwards, and dances about among the central settlements and the southern ones in .a.complex;way,:which reminds a fanciful reader of some old country dance or cotillion, where you cross oyer-and-set to one of the couple oppr>site, "then face about and set to the other, then back again and pouseite with your own partner, then make a sinuous course through -them all in chain, dcs dames, or some such mystery, till you find yourself, at last in the place you originally started from. But to say truth, We believe this steam-dance, with its coquetting advances and retreats to and from the different ports, is only a contrivance to enable the New.Zealand boat to .leave the English letters at each port, and call again at each to take back their answers to Auckland. Otago, however, it seems would fare but hardly even under this Terpsichorean arrangement ; as the Steamer would leave a day or two after its arrival, without giving time for answering by its return."

Thus all the objects sought to be obtained are stated, and justly, we thinkto be incompatible, except at such expenditure as New Zealand cannot afford. The Canterbury and Wellington suggestions are objectionable to Nelson, because the interests of that province are neglected thereby; and Mr. Fitz Gerald's ; proposal is preferred, on the whole, with the . small amendment that Auckland should be made the first port of' call, instead of Manukau, and that the interests of the East coast settlements should be consulted by a call at Napier. The Examiner concludes by praise of the comprehensive and liberal spirit in which the Government of New Zealand is conducting the business. A narrative of a dejeuner on board the Oliver Lang on Satu day the 24th ult. is given in the Examiner of the 28th. It appears to have been an extensive and splendid affair, a large party of both ladies and gentlemen being en-. gaged in it. Several speeches are reported, by Messrs. Wrey, Travers, and C.ipt. Muudle, containing many allusions to Mr. James Smith and his manner of stimulating the prosperity of New Zealand.

A letter in the same paper from a Mr. James Me Gregor, who has been prospecting for gold up the valley of the. Aorere, seems to say that fair wages may be obtained by diggers in. that quarter. He asserts that an extensive goldfisld exists in that region but doss not encour ;ge the idea that the precious metal can be easily obtained. No doubt every item of export will be of-advantage to Nelson, as to any other place, but we are sorry to hear of more prospecting in that province. . .Suerejvle Cotjet.—Mr. Travers has favoured us with the following letter relating^ to the absence of the Puisne Judge, and his inability to attend the Circuit Court at Nelson. It does not appear what steps the Chief Justice intends to take upon the,occasion, or whether any at all. T3ut the Government appears to have done its duty in pointing out to Mr. Stephen the necessity, or suggesting the propriety of his attending in the pla-e of the Puisne Judge till better arrangements, if unfortunately necessary, could be made.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 14th January, 1857. ■"■Sib, —In reply to your letter of the 26th ultimo to his Excellency the Governor, relative to Mr. Justice Wakefield having been prevented by ill health from holding sittings of the Supreme Court at Nelson, I am dii-ected by the Colonial Secretary to state that the Government had, previously to the receipt of your letter, directed the attention of Mr. Justice Stephen to this circumstance, and had pointed out the loss and inconvenience to suitors, and hardship to prisoners awaiting trial, which was thereby sustained.

I am further directed to inform you that it was, consequently, intimated to his Honor, as the Government was most anxious that no delay should occur in this matter, it was desirable that he should proceed to perform the duties of the Puisne Judge in the south. W. Gisborne, Under Secretary. Wm. Thos. Locke Travers, Esq., M.H-U., Nelson. Sale of Oil.—Messrs. Alfred Fell & Co. sold on Wednesday last, by auction : Oil, ex Desdemona, black fish 4s. 6d., sperm 5&- 6d. to 6s. 6d. per gallon. A few tons for shipment, per Oliver Lang, realized £65 per tun. Land Sale.—The sale of land at Richmond, on Thursday last, caused some interest, and attncteda large number of people. The upset price, however, being higher than anticipated, only eight or nine lots were disposed of, at prices varying from 18s. 6d. to 255. per foot frontage to the main road. Messrs. Fell & Co. were the Auctioneers, and they inform, us that the result" of the sale is about £1,000.