NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, June 22.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 516, 13 July 1850, Page 3

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, June 22.]

Blasting of the Rocks at the Entrance op Nelson Harbour. — Since we stated a few weeks ago that attempts were making to improve the entrance to our harbour, by blasting the rocks which so greatly narrowed the channel, considerable progress has been made with the work, though the season of the year for such an undertaking has .Men the worst that could be chosen. Upwtfoti of 150 feet of rock has been shattered, and partly removed, which is nearly one-half of what is sought to be achieved. This however includes far more thau what was originally contemplated, which extended only to the reef running out from Arrow Rock towards the Fifeshire Island ; but in addition Jo this, another reef will be got rid of, which will give a good passage between the Arrow Rock and the main — by which vessels may leave the harbour when otherwise they would be windbound. Besides the removal of this second reef will give more room for a vessel to beat through the original channel, which, at the narrowest part, has been ascertained by careful measurement, will exceed 500 feet in width, with the advantage of there being no hidden dangers. The work is being chiefly done by the Harbour Master and his boat's crew, assisted by a constable, the men receiving a small additional stipend for their labour ; and by proceeding in this economical manner, it is believed the whole of this important work may be effected for the insignificant sum of £100.

Accident. — A little girl, two years of age, named Devaney, lost her life on Tuesday last, by falling into the drain which carries the waste water from the Flour Mill under Bridgestreet into the Maitai river. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death," but at the same time drew the attention of the public authorities to the dangerous state of the street where the accident occurred. Laying the Foundation Stone of Christ Church. — On Wednesday last the Foundation Stone of this, the first Episcopalian Church in the town of Nelson (the service hitherto having been performed in a temporary building) was laid by the Rev. H. F. Butt, assisted by the Rev. E. Wheeler, M.A., and the Rev. T. L. Tudor. The business of the day commenced with Divine Service, after which a collection in aid of the Building Fund took place, which amounted to £25. After the ceremony of laying the stone, the company, which was both numerous and respectable, joined in singing the National Anthem. The church will be erected in the centre of Trafalgar Square, at an elevation of about forty feet above the surrounding streets, and will thus form a striking object in the middle of the town. The building will be in the form of a cross, surmounted by a spire ; the extreme length will be 100 feet, the width of the transept sixty, feet, and the width of the nave twenty-one feet. The height of the spire will be seventy-five feet. The present contract only extends we believe to sixty feet of the building, which is to be of our most durable woods, and this will cost about £500, while it will require probably £300 more to complete the work. The present subscriptions amount to £490, towards which, the Bishop gives £114, and £100 from the Church Fund. The design of the building was furnished by the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, but it has undergone some modifications. — Ibid, 29th June.