LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, 6 January 1844, Page 2

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

The harvest was commenced at the Waimea on New Years-day, by Mr. Kerr, and the day following, by the Messrs. Tytler. The crops generally are very satisfactory, and although in some instances there is a deficiency of straw, the wheat is fine and heavy. The Nelson Benefit Society, established about twelve months since, held its first anniversary on New Years-day. The members, amounting to nearly ninety, assembled in the morning at the Carpenter's Arms, and from thence went in procession, with music and numerous banners, to church, where an appayiate sermon was delivered to them by the W. C. L. Reay. After service, they paraded the principal streets of the town, and returned to the club house to dine. At three o'clock, about 110 persons sat down to a most excellent dinner, the preparation of which reflected great credit on Mr. Harley. Among the guests were the Company's Agent, the County Judge, the Police Magistrate, the Rev. C. L. Reay, and several of the leading agriculturists and merchants. Dr. Renwick presided, and was opposed by C. Empson, Esq. The usual toasts were drunk, and several of the speakers expressed their satisfaction at witnessing, in to early a stage of the colony, the

establishment of an institution by the working classes, the object of which was to foster a spirit of self-reliance, and to render themselves independent of any aid but what they had created. The greatest harmony prevailed throughout the evening. On the following evening, the wives of the members met and took toa, which was followed by a dance. A native, named Piccawarro, who was at the Wairau massacre, visited the Motuaka about a fortnight since, with the intention of taking up his residence there among some friends, having, as it is understood, had a quarrel with Rauparaha. E Piko and the other Ngatiawas, believing that, if they allowed him to remain, a bad feeling might be created between themselves and the Europeans, gave him notice that, unless he left the district within four days, they would lay violent hands on him. Piccawarro considered the threat too serious to be disregarded, and left within the given period. Intelligence was received by the Police Magistrate on Tuesday, that, on the preceding day, a quarrel had taken place at Waukapuaka between some Maories, and that one had been wounded in the leg. The culprit was captured by the direction of the chief, E Mano, who, before the constables could arrive, was induced, by the intercession of the other Maories, to allow him to escape into the bush. The offender is a notorious bad character, and is known to have been guilty of many thefts. Mr. Wilson, the surgeon attending the Maories, visited the wounded man, and found the bone of his leg fractured. A man named Newport was brought before a bench of magistrates on Thursday, charged by the Company's Agent with removing the soil from an unsold acre in the Haven Road to the opposite side of the road, where a wharf is being erected by Messrs. Beit. Mr. Fox stated to the beach that there appeared to be a very general opinion that all land which did not belong to resident proprietors was common property, and that any person was at liberty to do with it what he pleased. In the present instance, no permission had been asked, although a hundred tons of soil had been taken from the hill side. His object was to show that property could not be treated in this manner. On the parties who bad employed the man engaging that the offence should not be repeated, a nominal fine was inflicted. On Friday, W. Murray, and T. Warburton, landlords of the Caledonian Inn and Lord Collingwood public houses, were convicted each in the penalty of £5, for having their houses open (at unreasonable hours on Tuesday morning last. j^*A man named Pearman, whose wife is nurse || the Company's depot, compelled her, by reJpgated ill-usage, to request the Immigration Agent, on Sunday last, that he might not be allowed any longer to remain with her. When desired to leave the premises, he seized a knife, and threatened the life of any person who attempted to remove him. Subsequently, a warrant was procured, but having a loaded gun, he barricaded the door, and swore he would shoot the first person that entered. On Monday, two of the constables entered the adjoining rooms, and, as the partition which divides them does not reach the roof, they were able to threaten him with being himself fired on if he attempted to point his gun at another constable who was about to assail the door. Finding further resistance useless, he then surrendered. He has since been brought up before the Police Magistrate, and was remanded until Monday next.

South America. — For the sake of those of our friends in this and the neighbouring colonies who may be disposed to think that tney would better their condition by a removal to any of the South American republics, we make the following extract from a letter received from Mr. Wigmore, a gentleman who some months ago sailed from this place for England in the Bristolian, by way of Valparaiso : — " I arrived a few days ago, after a passage of 44 days, 14 days from Juan Fernandes. It is eternally blowing and raining in this place. This is no ■ harbour, but an open bay, similar to Table Bay (Cape of Good Hope), the ships rolling and the sea breaking clean over them ; altogether it is what you may call a damned hole, up to your knees in mud; you cannot take a shirt on shore without being overhauled by the Customs. Land sells here at £10 per acre. . 10 per cent, of all your stock and crops goes to the priests, who do nothing but stick up Virgin Maries in every corner, where they expect you to go on your knees, or take off your hat at least, and give some money. Wages for labourers are 1 rial, (6d.) per day. These fellows live on 3d. worth of bread and a halfpenny worth of onions per day, fare which would not exactly suit John Bull. The duty on spirits is the same as in Sydney, and on all goods 30 per cent, ad valorem. The hills around Port Nicholson are flats compared to those of this place ; here they are perpendicular, and it is rare to see the face of the sun once a week at this season of the year. Provisions are much dearer than at Auckland, with the exception of beef, which is only 2i d. ptr lb. Tea is 7s. per lb., soft sugar Bd., cabbages 6d. per head, flour 1 ls.per cwt. The emigrants , who came in this vessel are very much dissatisfied, and wish they were back in N^w Zealand, which is upon the whole the best country I have seen yet." — We quite agree with Mr. Wigmore in the latter remark, that New Zea- 1 land is in most respects preferable to all other • countries; and we doubt not that all those who, in the impatience of the first moment of disappointment, abandon it for any, we do not care which of the neighbouring colonies or countries, will have cause to regret it. No man need suffer . -want in New Zealand, and we know that th© Ame cannot be said of any of the other colonies. The hardships suffered m them are extreme; health, comfort and happiness, are in maay instances at once sacrificed. — Southern Cross.