NELSON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 746, 31 December 1859, Page 5

NELSON.

[from a cokbesi'Ondknt;.]

Sineo my. lust we have had a kief episode of liveliness in this unusually quiet little place; it was caused by a visit from his Excellency the Governor, who came down in H.M.S. Niger, for the purpose of laying tho foundation stone of tho Nelson College. Of course, after a four years' absence, his Excellency was received with a hearty welcome; and as a matter of courso also tho visit was made tho occasion for balls, levies, dinner parties, cricket; matches, &c. By tho way, on the occasion of.the stone laying his Excellency camo out as an orator, and made a speech that rather astonished the assembled multitude. But tho speech has been printed, and your readers can judge for themselves of its merits. The Governor stayed but three or four days in Nelson, and hence he travelled overland to Picton, the capital town of the new Province. On his way ho stayed at Beaverton,the chief centre of population in the Wairau, where His Excellency was to have dined publicly—but did not—as the two political parties disagreed about the house at which the dinner was to be held. At Picton, however, a public dinner was given to the Governor, who had the same day laid the foundation stone of the first public building in the place—a Literary and Scientific Institution.

The Maories. of Motueka have recently' held a public meeting in consequence of a proclamation recently issued by the Resident Magistrates, cautioning publicans not to sell beer or spirits to the natives. At this meeting, which, although crowded, was conducted with much order, the various speakers protested loudly against the injustice of the distinction against them and their European brethren; they adopted a memorial to the Governor, praying for an alteration of the law, and they resolved that if their request was not complied with they would start a brewery for themselves. ■■'■•'

We have had an agricultural show here, which, for a first attempt, has been very successful. Apropos of agriculture,—we have had beautiful weather lately, and the recent showers of rain have tended much to improve the appearance of the crops. A good harvest is anticipated; and it is hoped that better provision for the supply of the market will be made next season: for until the arrival of the Martha from Melbourne last week there was very little flour in the place, and bread had reached the famine price of 2s. a loaf.

A volunteer rifle corps is in course of formation here; but we do things so confoundedly slow that I expect it will be a long time ere the first review is announced. .......

Mr. F. Eochfort, the surveyor, has just returned from the West Coast, where he has been surveyingl land for the Government. But having his canoe upset, and losing all his plans and instruments while ascending the river Buller, he was obliged to return to Nelson. It is rumoured that gold in payable quantities- has been found in available localities m the West Coast; but there is no definite information at present.

The papers furnish the following paragraphs : — The West Coast.—We regret to learn that the occurrence of a mishap has caused the return of Mr. J. Eochfort, the surveyor, and his party to Nelson. We understand that after surveying the country surrounding the mouth of the river Buller, Mr. Eochfort, with his two European and five native assistants, was ascending the river, and while endeavouring to drag his canoe over a fall, it broke away from them, and was hurried through a gorge by the rapid stream, and his provisions, plans, and surveying instruments (including a valuable theodolite) were lost. Fortunately, Mr. Eochforl had his field books fastened round his neck, but being without the necessary instruments the party were obliged to return to the mouth of the river, and thence by a wearisome journey along the coast, they reached Collingwood, via West Wanganui. We hear that gold has been discovered on the West Coast, but we defer giving any particulars until Mr. Rochfort's arrival in Nelson (expectd in a day or two) when he will, no doubt, with his usual courtesy, publish the result.of his explorations.—Examiner, December 21.

Floub Market.—lt is an extraordinary circumstance that a province which grows more wheat than it can consume, and which exports a considerable quantity in the course of the year, should be left at the end of the season nearly destitute of flour, and see it rise to nearly famine prices. A week ago, and the bakers in Nelson had the greatest difficulty in getting flour sufficient to make bread to supply their customers; and although a small quantity has been received , within the last few days by the Martha, from Melbourne, and the Louis and Miriam from Sydney, it was purchased at the high price of £33 to £35 per ton, and still leaves us-with barely sufficient for three weeks' consumption. The price of flour in Sydney is from £20 to £22, so that our necessity has been a source of considerable profit to the importer.— lbid. Sale of Town Land.—On Friday last, a block of land fronting Russel-street and the Britannia Heights, and late the property of Mr. G. W. Schroder, was sold by auction, by Messrs. N. EdWards & Co. The' lots fronting Russell-street realized from 12s. to 15s. a foot frontage; and the back land was sold in blocks of from five to ten acres, at from £15 to £20 an acre. The premises occupied by Mr. J. Beit on the Haven-road, and standing on half-an-acre of land, was sold for £350. Altogether the sale realized about £1,300. It is worthy of mention that this block of land is one of those offered for sale to the Government as a site for a cemetery, for which purpose, in the opinion of many persons, the land was admirably adapted.— Ibid.