A VISIT TO NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 210, 7 September 1869, Page 2

A VISIT TO NELSON.

0 A correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, in describing a journey from Christchurch to Auckland, writes thus : — "I cannot say that there is much iu Wellington to cause a desire to exchange it for Christchurch as a place of residence. We left Welliugfcoh at 10.30 a.ra. on the 27th inst., and arrived afc Picton at 4 a.m., bufc it was perfectly dark. I did nofc go on deck to see the beauties of the place. I understand ifc to be celebrated for its oysters and want of animation. The next day, we arrived afc Nelson, and I was much struck with the beauty of the scenery all along this coast. The city of Nelson is in a charming spot, surrounded by green hills, and gives you fche idea, on a sun-shiny day, of perfect repose. The harbour is protected by a natural breakwater, called the Boulder Bank, which extends from the end of oue of the points of the hills to a considerable distance, leaving an opening of sufficient width to admit the largest vessels at high tide, and opening into a very spacious basin of calm water. There are one or two handsome streets in this city, and the hotel accommodation is very good aud reasonable. Being invited to' t%ke a seat in a buggy to visit an old friend, Mr Redwood, who lives about 12 miles out of Nelson, we rose with the lark, at 6 o'clock in the morning, and this is uo figure of speech, for after being very kindly ieceived, and having finished a much enjoyed breakfast, we started back to town, and had uot proceeded far when Mr. Redwood pointed out to us our dear old friend the English lark, soaring and singing higher and higher, until nearly out of sight, just- in the same manner as his relatives do to this day in the green fields of old England. In fact I am sure he must have fancied himself in some part of Kent or Sussex, as the country is very like some of the best parts of those counties. I had the pleasure of being introduced at Mr. Redwood's to tbe beautifu] " Manuka," and the term is Dot strained, for he is a inosfc beautiful animal, with a perfect form, a skin like satin, an eye like a diamond, and a face as expressive as a human being. Several very promising colts were trotted out for our admiration, and last, though by no meaus least, came the celebrated horse Diomedes, a large noble looking animal, with a perfect Arab head and neck — a picture of beauty, and power.