ROAD TO THE WAIROO.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 56, 1 April 1843, Page 222

ROAD TO THE WAIROO.

It has been repeatedly asserted by natives at Nelson, that a good and level path of one day's journey only, leads from the extremity of Queen Charlotte's Sound to the Wairoo. With a view of ascertaining the truth of this statement, a party who have just visited that district obtained a native as a guide, who pointed out the path in question. They were disappointed, however, to find that the Wairoo spoken of by the natives in this report, is merely an arm of the Oyerri or Pelorus, which terminates in a long valley leading to the great valley of the Wairoo. The party were prevented from pursuing their journey in this direction, but the following important point may be considered as ascertained : — that the Pelorus is connected with the Wairoo by a valley of one unbroken level, excellently adapted for a road. A Maori path at present exists, from the wood in the centre of the Wairoo plain to the head of the arm of the Pelorus just mentioned, which is travelled by the natives in about a day and a half. This creek is about two miles long, and joins the Pelorus about two miles from its head. The grand desideratum now, therefore, is discovery of a communication between Nelson and the head of the Pelorus ; an object which probably merely requires a little investigation to be proved readily attainable.

A very neat and convenient brick building has been erected near Green Point, for the accommodation of theMaories, out of the funds derived from the Native Reserves, or, more correctly speaking, out of money borrowed on account of these reserves. This is certainly a most praiseworthy proceeding, as our native friends will now have the comfort of a chimney corner on cold or wet nights, on their visits to Nelson ; instead of being exposed to the inclemency of the weather, in the wretched tents they temporarily erect. It is to the Bishop they are indebted for this considerate act. # -"

We have this week received a large amount of intelligence from all quarters — England, Bombay, Sydney, Launceston, Port Phillip, Geelong, Adelaide, Portland Bay, Auckland, and Wellington. The papers from Sydney are not so recent as those received by the Posthumous, as they are part of a mail forwarded to Wellington by the New York Packet, which sailed a few days prior to the former vessel. The arrival of the English mail prevents our noticing many colonial matters which we otherwise should ; we therefore defer them until next week.

The Phoebe, with 35 chief cabin and 33 fore cabin passengers, and 107 immigrants, arrived on Wednesday, having left Gravesend on the 15 th of November. This is the first vessel sent out by the New Zealand Company at the reduced terms of passage ; and, if we may judge from the number of passengers she has brought, the thing appears likely to answer. We may now hope to see capital and labour arrive in due relation, particularly as we learn that the accounts received of Nelson in England are highly favourable. But one death occurred on board the Phcebe, although in the early part of the voyage she encountered a month's bad weather. Some of the passengers go on to Wellington, with the intention of seeing both the Company's settlements before they determine which they shall make their future abode.

By the London papers, we learn that the Tyne, a private ship, was to have sailed for Nelson and Wellington in the middle of December, and that the Mary has been taken up by the Company, to sail early in January, on the same plan as that which has been adopted on board the Phoebe, with a slight advance, however, on the cabin fares, which are found to be too low. The Westminster, with emigrants for Auckland, sailed also for November.

The late hour at which the letter of *' A True Friend of Local Government " arrived, barely allowed time for its insertion, and not any for remark, beyond that of Cas'sius — v I am glad that my weak wcrd* Hare struck bat that much ahoir of fire from Brutus."

The Comet. — This remarkable visiter will shortly entirely disappear, its tail at present being no brighter than the Milky Way. It was first observed about the end of February, before which time it set before the sun. When at its brightest its tail*? measured about 41 degrees, and was inclined about 23 degrees from the perpendicular. At that time its tail presented a long stream of yellowish light, increasing greatly in intensity towards the nucleus. This light was not steady, but appeared in a succession of hashes, giving the tail the appearance of alternately shooting out acd contracting. It

was evidently of very inconsiderable density, as the stars shone through' it almost undimmed. The tail had the appearance of being bent upwards, an illusion probably due to atmospheric refraction. Its inclination has gradually increased, and now amounts to about 40 degrees.