CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 232, 1 October 1870, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

o To the Ebitok of the Nelson Evejning Mail Sir — His Lordship the Bishop having announced that the meetings of the Diocesan Synod were open to the public, I presume the proceedings of that body are amenable to public criticism. Mr. Spear last uight brought forward a motion to the following effect, that, in the opinion of this Synod, the raising of funds for Church purposes by public concerts ought not to be encouraged, the intention of which was most unmistakably to couderan the efforts which have lately been made by the Christ Church Organ Committee to raise funds for carrying out a most desirable object. Now, sir, this is a matter in which I deny that the Synod or Mr. Spear has any right to interfere. About eighteen months ago a Committee was appointed at the Christ Church annual parish meeting, to devise means for procuring an organ for I the church, and the action that Committee i might think fit to take was not fettered in any way whatever. I therefore look on < the action taken by Mr. Spear as a piece of uncalled-for interference, and I am very glad to find that the good sense of the 1 Synod compelled him to withdraw his 1 highly objectionable resolution. I am, &c, E,. B. Walcot. Nelson, October 1, 1870.

To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir — I was much interested in reading your editorial remarks of Monday last, but I wish to add to them, as I think you fail to show all the sources whereby Nelson may raise itself into prosperity. I believe the Buller Valley is the true place to look to to bring prosperity to our settlement, for there are thousands upon thousands of acres of level laud, on many of which the soil is of the very best description, not to be measured by inches in depth, but by feet. Mr. Rowe's farming at the mouth | of the Matakitaki, and the splendid crops of potatoes he raises, are notorious throughout the country, and his success has set others going, and the people are now attacking the bush land and obtaining even more encouraging results than have atteuded Mr. Rowe's fern land farming. Twenty tons of potatoes to the acre are spoken of as an ordiuary crop, while oats, onions, aud cabbages are equally productive. My attention has been drawn from the mud, during my last few trips, by tbe pleasant sight of the clearings that are being made at various points adjoining tbe roac', by those whom I may call the pioneers of what I believe will be a flourishing settlement. All that is wanted is for the Government to encourage the movement, and to remove all existing impediments. A cart road from the Grip to Jacklin's would open up a country worth many Wangapekas. It is possible to drive a simple dray as far as the Owen in the present state of the road, aud a few hundreds would be sufficient to make it practicable for loads. If farming implements could be got down this valley, and if families could be transported in their drays, I believe the laud would be taken up rapidly. Flour mills are already beginning to be enquired for, as many of the diggers are thinking of growing their own wheat, while all the butter and cheese wanted on the diggings could and would be grown on the spot. Hops and barley might be cultivated, and breweries established, and the auriferous laud would furnish a little ready mouey, while the homestead was in the course of 'erection. I trust these few hurried lines ' on the eve of my departure to this district will be the means of creating more or less interest among our deserviug settlers who are now toiling and slaving for so little. Let them go back, and the labor now wasted on useless soil would there give them ample return, and trade and commerce would thus be stimulated. Yours, &c, James Grove. Foxhill, Sept. 28, 1870.