NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 73, 28 February 1846, Page 3

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner.]

A snort congratulatory add res? to his .Excellency the Governor on his arrival was prepared on the sailing of the Lively for Auckland, and as it was done only a few hours before the vessel sailed, there was not time to obtain a large number of signatures. This circumstance was explained to his Excellency on its presentation by Dr. Renwick, to whom the address was intrusted. His Excellency was pleased to return the following courteous reply :—: — "Gentlemen — I feel much gratified at the cordial congratulations you have offered to meupon my appointment to be Lieutenant-Gover-nor of these islands and their dependencies. " One of my most pleasing duties will be to take an early opportunity of visiting your interesting settlement, with the view of acquainting myself with its actual state and probable requirements; and of doing my utmost to give effect to her Majesty's gracious wishes for your prosperity and happiness. "G. Grey. "Government House, Auckland, " Janu.irv 22d. 1846."

January 22d, Harvest. —Harvest being now pretty well over, we are glad to be able to state that the late season,"the driest we have yet experienced in the colony, has not seriously affected the crops, except where the sowing was exceedingly late. The average crop of wheat, of which there were 900 acres in the settlement, is estimated at twenty-five bushels. The crop of barley is very good.

generally New Coaster.—Another coaster of about 25 tons, named the Ocean Queen, has been registered here during the week. She was built at Rangitoto by Mr. M'Laren, and arrived here on Saturday last. This little vessel is fitted up in a very superior style to the generality of coasters, and has the appearance of being a smart little craft.

Shipbuilding. — In addition to the three coasters just registered at this port—the Erino, the Sarah Berry, and the Ocean Queen —there are two others nearly ready for launching: one measuring about 35 tons, building by M'Kenzie, on the Haven-road, and the other about 25 tons, building by Freeman, at the Motuaka. We hear there are three others to be commenced with immediately : one, a vessel of 200 tons, and two small craft of about 30 tons each.

Coal.—The arrival of the Driver, steamer, in New Zealand will cause an instant demand for coal for fuel; and as it can be obtained at Massacre Bay with greater facility than at any other spot in the colo»y, arrangements should be forthwith made to get a quan« tity in readiness. We understand the Xj&vernor has been directing his inquiries to this subject, wishing to be informed whether a depot for the coal cannot be formed in Nelson, from which the Driver might be supplied.

Wreck of the Guide.—We stated last week that the brig Guide, which had been run on shore Wakapuakain a gale of wind on the morning of the 22d instant, would in all probability be got off and brought on to Nelson, On Thursday last, the cargo and ballast having having been discharged and the necessary temporary repairs made, she was got afloat, but almost instantly a gale of wind sprung up, and she was again driven on shore. After bumping for a couple of hours without apparently sustaining much damage, she was struck by a heavy sea which shivered her bottom from end to end. At low water it was found the damage she had received was more than was worth repairing in so old a vessel, and all idea of bringing her to Nelson was then abandoned. On stripping off the copper, which was nearly new, the decayed state of her timbers was made apparent.