CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 98, 27 April 1870, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*** We are desirous of affording every reasonable facility for the discussion of public subjects; but it must be understood that we are in no way responsible for the opinions expressed by correspoudonts. To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. SATURN V. VENUS. To the Editor of the Nelsok Evening Mail, Sir — Iu yours of this eveniug you inform us that the planet Saturn was shining with such splendor yesterday as to be visible up to near 11 o'clock in the morning. If I rightly read the positions of the planets in the heaven3, Saturn, afc the time you speak of, would be below the earth, aud not only so, but as ifc scarcely ever appears larger than a star of the third magnitude, it can never be visible after suDrise, excepting iu an eclipse of the sun, its nearest possible distauce from the earth being 761,000,000 miles, its greatest distance 1,057,000,000 miles. The planet seen was Venus, which is often visible in New Zealand for hours together in full sunshine, when at its nearest; distance from the earth, which distance is only 24,293,-000 miles. Yours truly, One who loves to contemplate this graud old world of ours with all its grand surroundings. Nelson, April 25. Sir — Recent events having transpired of a very serious and painful character in connection with prospecting for gold on the several properties I have acquired, aud calculated materially to prejudice pubiic confidence, here as well as in Australia, against the mining interest generally, bufc more especially indicating the discovery I have made, as well as the honorable and legitimate mining enterprise I am engaged iu, I therefore feel it a duty which I owe to myself and those who may be hereafter interested, to afc once place before your numerous readers the most prominent features ofthe case. On or about the socond instant, I procured some gold-beariug stuff from the quartz leader I had opened on the bank of the Maitai, had it crushed at different times, aud it yielded a rery good sample of coarse goid, the whole of the fine was lost owing to the temporary process adopted not being suited for that purpose ; gold was washed oufc afc the claim by different parties. A rumour was freely circulated that some evil-di3posed digger had put the gold in. I firmly believe that the rumour was merely untrue and intended to do me harm. I trust that you will give publicity to the above, it being the opinion of intelligent citizens that the mineral resources of this district must ultimately become the mainstay of the province, it is therefore to thafc important bi'anch of industry we may look for a reaction from a retrograde state to that of progress, activity, life, and prosperity. I am, &c, James Sims.