A VISED TO NELSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 277, 22 November 1877, Page 2

A VISED TO NELSON.

A correspondent of the Wellington Argus who recently paid a flying visit to Nelson gives the following {description of his trio Occasionally, it will be seen, he draws a little on ms imagination: —

The one thoroughfare afc the port is the Haven-road, which runs parallel with the beach, and bears a striking resemblance to Lambton Quay. The buildinga are of wood and he beneath the cutting of a hill. In one direction thia road leads past comfortable villas almost bidden with vines and creepers and opens out into one of the prettiest retreats imaginable. Smiling homesteads, large residences, in the demesnes of well-to-do people, orchards and meadows, the trees with their mantle of foliage being quite a relieving spectacle. The vitality of the vegetable kingdom here is remarkable, and with everything in bloom it is the picture of Arcadia with the aromatic fragrance of Sharon livery householder appears to be a vinegrower, and the trellis-work of creepers on the house fronts and verandahs has a pleasing effect. The prevalence of English trees and birds shows how favorable the climate is to their thriving. In proximity to the landing public baths are being constructed— among the rocks being the present resort of bathers— but the enclosure in question is of such mean dimensions that it will be practically useless for swimming purposes. With sufficient timber in it to build a wharf it is so confined that a person diving in at one end or side runs a risk of coming full butt against the other with his head. I learned that the Government are the generous donors of this public boon, and in my opinion they are simply perpetuating their niggardliness by a useless monument. It was originally proposed to float a company to build fch ese baths, but the idea fell through, and the Nelsonites are the sufferers. Although only six o'clock all wero anxious to get to town which is situated about a mile and a half from the port; and there was the alternative of riding or walking— half-a-dozen vehicles being out at this early hour. One could nofc but be struck by the well-dressed, soberlooking Jehus who ply for hire in hackney carriages, hansoms, and open broughams— a matter in which they are long before Wellington. Nest to Christchurch they possess the best horses and vehicles in the colony and the fares are extremely moderate. I mention this because cabmen are a much abused class— they are made notorious for putting on the screw and demanding more than their legal fare, but there are exceptions to every rule, and Nelson charioteers are an exception. What we are preparing to introduce, bleepy Hollow has been in possession of for years-street tramwaya. The line runs from the port to the town, and notwithstanding the opposition against it, in the matter of superior vehicle^ it is liberally patronised The cars, which turn out about nine o'clock in the morning, are perhaps smaller than an ordinary omnibus, and ply afc regular intervals. In many respects Nelson will compare favorably with the Empire City. Hotels are numerous, and here I will relate a simple incident to elucidate the childlike innocence of the barmaids. Accepting the invitation of a friend, we entered one of these publichouses, and hock and aoda was called for The barmaid eyed my friend incredulously, and on the request being repeated betrayed her ignorance by stating that she had never heard of hock before. Where public houses abound churches are also well represented, and the places of worship which came under our notice were neat wooden edifices with rustic surroundings. Snugly embowered in the shade of poplars, willows, and gums, they were fittingly surrounded by Uhe symbols of peace and contentment. Christ Church almost hidden in foliage on a mound, has a very romantic appearance, and it is approached from one of the principal thoroughfares, by flights ofjsfceps wide as the street itself, a miniature of the famons steps of Malta. Nelson has the repute of being quiet —it has none of the din and squalor of larger cities, no babel of voices or bustle of commercial activity, but, unpretending as an English village, it is content to have its own I way. A timber-laden bullock-dray, primitive i as in the days of Abraham, a goat in shafts and a more civilised steed— a bicycle— with a youth on it going for milk were to oe met with. Everybody is known to everybody, and with a due sense of importance among them, Ered Main reminds his neighbors by means of a large placard outside his shop door that he is the King of the Professors," and shaves I for threepence. A feature in Nelson is the hop gardens, and through the kindness of Mr Thomas Harley, one of the largest hopgrowers in the district, I wag afforded an opportunity of going over the plantations, lhey abound in the outskirts of the town and are rendered conspicuous by the forests of bare poles. Being a hop-producing country, brewing is also naturally a big industry there being three large breweries— Messrs Harley and Sons' Raglan Brewery, Messrs bharp and Little's Kent Brewery, and Messrs Hooper and Dodaon'a Brewery— all of which 1

do a large export trade, manufacturing only with hops of local Igrowth— the fuel consumed being Hobarton antnraciate coal and coke. The manufactories are extensive, and the beer produced i 3 generally considered to be of superior quality.