The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1874.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 283, 30 November 1874, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1874.

Tub news received by the Wallace from the Karamea is of a very satisfactory nature, although it is necessarily confined to the first impressions of the settlers after a cursory glance at the country, the sieamer having remained there but a very few hours. Early on EYi Jay mor ning the Wallace crossed the bar at three-quartera tide, there being then twelve feet of water, and she reports that no change has occurred in ibn channel since it was surveyed by Mr Cross twelve months ago, it being perfectly straight. The passengers and targo having been landed on the Govfrnment reserve on the north bank of the river, the steamer started again for Nehon without delay. It is satisfactory to learn that the new arrivals were tfpneraliy well pleased with the appearance of the country in which their new homes are to be formed. The soil is Baid to be exceedingly rich, nnd vegetation of all kiuda most luxuriant The Shetlanders particularly were delighted to flod the river literally swarming with fish of various kinds, including herring, plaice, and putiki or flatfish. Although grass has not yet found its way there, there is plenty of feed for cattle in the shape of gcrub and sow thistles, bo that a few cows for the use of the settlement will easily find n living. The timber is remaikably fine, so much so that Mr Holland, who was a passenger, has, we are informed, determined to purchase land in the neighborhood of the settlement for the purpose of erecting a sawmill. At Weatport the pioneers of the new settlement met with the one solitary digger who resides at iheKaramea, and is generally knowu as "Karamea Jack." This enterprising individual betakes himself to the wilds (or several weeks at a time in pursuit of his occupation, and when he ha 5 * obtained enough gold to justify his taking a holiday, proceeds overland to Wesiport for the purpose of enjoying himself in his own peculiar fashion. It so happened that one of these holidays whs contemporaneous with the arrival of the Wallace at Westport, and consequently the new settlers had on opportunity o( hearing him relate his experiences. He gives a most encouraging account of the district as a gold-bearing country, the only drawback to its development being, in bis opinioD, the difficulty of obtaining provisions. This will, of course, be remedied to a considerable extent by ti.e establishment of the new settlement, at which stores will be procurable, thereby obviating the necessity of travelling some 60 miles over a rough country to obtain them. The arrangements with regard to communication with the eettlement are. at present, that a steamer from Nelson should call there once a mouth, but we would suggest to the Government the desirabilitity of chartering a boat for at least one trip, whereby visitors who might wish to visit the district would have au opportunity of doiDg so with the prospect, or rather certainty, of returning to Nelson within a week or, at the outside, within a fortnight. From the reports of tbe quality and quaDtity of timber to be found there that have reached our ears we have little doubt that many of our old settlers would take a irip to this comparatively uuknown pottion of the province with a view to establishing sawmills. The steamer might proceed to Westport from Nelson direct, and leaving there at low tide arrive at Kararaea on her return to Nelson nt high tide and land her passengers. By such an arrangement little time would be he, and therefore ttio price to be paid /or her charter need not be very large, white, at the same lime, it would possess the additional advantage of allowing visitors both from Nelson and Westport to visit the new district. If they could be sure of getting away again within a reasonable time, there can tie no doubt that many would avail themselves of such an opportunity. On the whole, ihe prospects of the new settlement appear to be most encouraging, but its progress may be marred by mismanagement, and we we uld take this opportunity of once agaio calling upon the Government to placn a thoroughly efficient man in chaige. Tbe whole piovince is interested directly or indirectly in the success of the scheme, which in itself is a good and a sound one, but there must be a competent rnnu at the helm, and, further, to render success certain, the same advantages should be offered to the old settlers as are held out to the new arrivals. The ball is at their feet if tl.e Government will ouly avail themselvee of their opportunity.

$S¥obx Leaoub.— A special meeting will bt faild this main* At half -part seven.

Independent Okder op Rkchamtes.— A uitetin^of the Bud o! Promise Tent will be held at thj Temperance Hall, this evening, at fci^fht o'clock. ' Dkath by Dkowning.— A sad accident occurrtsd on Saturday morning last to ft seaman, named George Russell, belonging to the steamer Lytielton, which was lying alongside the wharf at Blenheim It appears that Russe!! was hauling in a plank from the wharf, when by some means or other it tipped up, knocking iim into the water. A rope was immediately thrown to him, but the poor fellow failed to catch it, and disappeared beneath the w ter. Up to the time of the Lyttelto i leaving on Saturday night his body hid not been recovered. Deceased was well known b th in Nelson and Marlborougk as an < arnest advocate in the cause of Good Templarism, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. Para Para Iron and Coal Company.— Th s Company was duly registered on Saturday last, and the necessary certificate issued by the Registrar. Mr James Anderson has been appointed General Manager, and the Articles of the Association nominate Messrs R. Blackwcod, P. Hanna, and A. Borthwick of Mebourne, nnd Messrs R. Levien, E, Everett, J. Walker, Jas. S. Cross, John Scott, DonaM Ross, and M. M. Webster, of Nelson, a3 Director*, until the first general meeting of the shareholders takes place, which will be at an car y date. The articles provide for the Nelson Board managing the affaire of the Company, and a first meeting of Directors was held on Saturday night for the transaction of Bime necessary business, so as to enable the works io be proceeded with. Mr Anderson's aprointment was ratifie.l, Mr Marshall appointed Mining Manager, mid Mr Webster Secretary to the Company. An adjourned meeting of Directors takes place to-night, and Mr Anderson will probably proceed to Collingwood io-morrow to initiate the works Volunteers —A rifle match took place this morning between the Nelson City Rifles and the Bruce Rifles, Otago. The following are the total scores : — Bruce Rifles, 406 ; Nel-on City Rifles, 379; thus winning by 27 points. The highest single score made by the Bruce Rifles was 52, that of the City Rifles 46. The ranges wt re 200 yards target 6x4 feet, bull' 3 eye 8 inches square, centre 2 feet square; 400 and 500 yards target 6 by fi; position any throughout; five shots at each range. The scores in full of both teams Kill be published when the scores are received from the Bruce Rifles. A return match will take place shortly. There will also be a match between the City Rifles and the Ci'y Arti lery on Wednesday morning next. Resident Magistrate's Coxjbt.— After the busr ees of the Court was over to-day, Mr BUy wished to have the advice of his Worship under the following circumstances: — He is constantly attacked when walking along the Haven Road by a sivage dog belonging to Mr Hartraann; thit at first he took but little notice of him, but that as the dog became more dangerous he took stones to drive him away; that on Saturday last, as he was opposite Mr Stafford's, he saw a female with a child in a perambulator, whom he believes to be Mrs Hartmann with her two little boys, and the dog on the helge side of her, when he requested that the dog might be controlled, but no notice was taken; that in meeting them he took the siie next to the water to avoid the dog, having previously taken in each hand a good-sized pebble in case of attack ; that immfdiately the dog turned round and ran at him, when one of the stones caused him to retreat a little space, but he dirtctly returned when the second was thrown at him. By this time the party bad proceeded some short distance and the dog lollowed him He added that yesterday Mr Lowe, the pilot, toll him (Mr Baly) that the ' brute of a dog" of Hartmann's had charge 1 one of Irs girls, and that but f r someone who was near coining to her assistance bis daughter, he believed, no doubt would have been severely bitten. The Magistrate referred to the different clauses in the Act, ani explained to the applicant that as he might ha^e to adjudicate upon the case, he declined to give advice. An information wa9 /aid against the owner of the dog.