NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, March 9.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 483, 20 March 1850, Page 3

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, March 9.]

The Berkshire. — The survey which has been held on the barque Berkshire (which lately went on shore by improperly attempting to enter our harbour after the tide had began to ebb), shows, we understand, that the vessel had not sustained that amount of damage which it was supposed she had taken. The whole of the ballast having been discharged, and the roasts and yards of the barque struck, she was laid on the bank on Fifeshire Island, where she underwent a very minute survey. The report, we believe, shows, that the principal injury the vessel received was the straining of several of the knee , and starting some of the bolts — a few stencheons were also bent and broken, and the keel amidships damaged and much shaken. By making good the bolts and knees, strengthening the keel, and caulking the vessel, it is believed she may proceed to another port, where, by being taken into dock, or put upon a slip, she may readily be thoroughly repaired.

The Roads. — We stated a few weeks since that a subscription had been commenced for the purpose of putting the Waimea Road into a tolerable state of repair before the commencement of winter, and we are glad to say that nearly every person whose assistance has been solicited, has most readily contributed to this most important object. We learn vow that Major Richmond has received authority from the Governor-in-Chief to expend a further sum of money on the roads generally »_>s<L ttfat he proposes on the part' of the Government to contribute an amount equal to that subscribed by the inhabitants for the repair of. the roads in any particular district. This timely assistance of the Government wiU| we hope, enable the Wairaea road to be thoroughly metalled throughout before the wet weather sets in, as well as to effect some very necessary repairs in other districts — such as the Wakapuaka, the Motueka, and the upper Waimea. An urgent necessity exists also for opening the road through the swamp leading to Appleby and the Waimea river ; for, as the , whole of the land near fhe lower fords on that river is now taken and fenced in, persons proceeding to Waimea West a«d the Motueka, cannot cross below the junction of the Waiiti and Wairoa, which takes them four or five miles out of their way. In the Big Wood, too, leading to the Wairau, the expenditure of « few pounds is much needed, as there are one or two places which cannot, besot oxer, without endangering the legs of horses. We would suggest therefore, to persons interested in the repair of the roads in any district, to commence a subscription among themselves, and then apply to Major Richmond for an equivalent amount. We are vey glad to welcome back by the brig our former excellent pilot, Cross, who has resigned the appointment he held in Auckland to return to his old post at Nelson. At the time Mr.. Cross was taken from us, we strongly censured the conduct of the Governor in removing so competent an officer from our port, by the allurement of a higher salary at the seat of Government, but we are now bound in justice to Sir George Grey to say, that the prompt manner in which he has attended to our own and Mr. Cross's wishes, that he might again become the pilot of Nelson, entitles his Excellency to every praise. We believe, however, that the little time afforded to Cross to get on board the brig by jhe Authorities in Auckland {who viewed bi& removal with no particular favour) he had to incur considerable pecuniary sacrifice.