NELSON.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 1, 6 January 1860, Page 3

NELSON.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. J January 2, 18G0. One ship of war has just left, and another is shortly expected in this port. This looks well. If we are to he invaded by the French, the Russians, or by any other nation which the alarmists may conjure up, ships of war must meet ships of war, or it will be a queer case. The annual tea meetings, examinations, and prize-givings of the schools, including the college, have just taken place ; and if we may judge by the favourable reports, the next generation will be decidedly clever. Classics and mathematics, mechanics and elocution, drawing and music, and the modern tongues, will be generally spread among our population. As it is only a ride of a day and a-half from Nelson to the Wairau (I still like the name, and cannot conceive why it was altered), frequent visits between the two provinces may be expected. The road is pretty good, and pedestrians may accomplish the journey there and back, and see the sights of your province all in a week.

Our Savings Bank is in a fair way of starting—the Vice President has been chosen—the best means of investing the funds discussed—a sub-committee formed to make by-laws. This, in connection with the Building Society recently started, are the most favourable features of the present social position of Nelson. The bonus for money in the latter society increases every monthly meeting. Things in general are very dull here—but we have been a little enlivened by cricket matches and a sacred concert.

There is a little contradiction among the constituted critics here regarding the latter. The selections were from the Messiah and Creation —a difficult task, especially when unaided by good instrumental music. A piano, in a large lofty room (constructed without any regard to sound), is surely not a fitting accompaniment to some score or so of voices—some of the loudest and most powerful kind. One of the afore-named critics administers a severe rebuke on the want of discipline among the performers, and gives a lecture on that same subject. In fact it blows hot and cold, knocks down aud picks you up, almost in the twinkling of an eye. There has been very, little business doiug at the Police Court lately —a good sign. It were to bo wished that the same could be said of the Small Debt and District Courts. \Vc arc, I believe, to have a libel case in the next sitting of the Supreme Court, and another communication on a decision by the same judge, has been rejected as libellous. This is mentioned, that you may “ beware the bear.”

The old Takaka correspondent has left his “ dormitory and commenced his correspondence.” He blows away in his usual trumpet style. It is quite refreshing these dull hot days: he is the boy to turn specks into nuggets. The steamers go to the Waitapu now, aud the “ harbours ” of that place and Motupipi are to be laid down with buoys. A powerful steam mill, for meal and timber, will shortly be in full play at the Takaka.

There is nothing new from the Collingwood diggings. This fine weather induces work—the more work, the less scribbling. The town used to be taken by storm by the lengthy productions of “ our,” “a,” and “another,” “ Correspondent.” All is silent now, except a stray leaf now and then, which, like its numerous predecessors, relates to anything but what it pretends — i. c., gold and gold-fields. There has been some wrangling and jangling between cur doughty millers “ stout and strong,” about lowering the price of flour when there was none on hand. One called in as an ally his agent, some man who “ swings a big stick,” and who, having served on both sides, and knew the seeretsof both camps, ought to be up to a thing or two. So “ fast and furious ” grew the strife, that it was likely to emulate the dance of the cutty-sark’d witches in “ Tam o’ Shanter,” till the editorial clock struck twelve, and the band was driven away to fight out their battle in the extra limits of the paper, where each has to pay his own piper. Our town has been quite gay to-day (Jan. 2), music playing —banners flying. The Oddfellows paraded the town —went to church —dined in the hall—Mr. Mackay, with his usual joviality, filled the chair, and, as the phrase is, everything passed off with the utmost conviviality. The Tasmanian Maid took off her quantum of passengers to Motueka, where the game of cricket was played between the Nelson Club and the Motueka boys : the latter bore off the palm.