NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 583, 5 March 1851, Page 3

NELSON.

[From the Nelnon Examiner, Feb. 22.] Grants from the Ciown are immediately to 1 .i L ri j • . -i , uc gucu iu me purchasers oi raiiu iu tile nelson settlement. This will be highly satisfactory information to all who are interested in the land question. We learn that the Governor has given instructions for cutting a survey line immediately between Nelson and the Wairau, by the Pelorus and Kaituna, and that Mr. Barnicoat will proceed immediately with the work. His Excellency has stated that he will take instant measures to purchase these districts of tbe natives. Address to the Governor by the Total Abstinence Society.—On Friday morning, his Excellency the Governor received a Deputation from the Total Abstinence Society, bearing the following Memorial:—

To His Excellency Sir G. Grey, &c., Sic. Sir—We, the undersigned officers and members of the Nelson Total Abstinence Society, desire to approach your Excellency with sentiments of respect and esteem. In case your Excellency should not again visit Nelson, we feel bound to express the gratification we have experienced in witnessing your efforts to promote the moral welfare of all classes of her Maiesty’s subjects in New Zealand. We would more particularly allude to the Ordinance passed by your Excellency, prohibiting the sale of spirituous liquors to the aborigines of these islands ; this we believe has been productive of much moral and social benefit to the native race, and we respectfully tender you our humble yet heartfelt thanks for your firmness in this matter. Your Excellency may rest assured that our best wishes for the happiness of yourself and Lady Grey will ever follow you. We remain, &c., J. Blick, R. Burn, B. Crisp, A. Jackson, J. Lucas, A. M’Eacheu, R. Newth. D. M‘Gregor, R. P. Outridge, J. Riley, C. Sewell. Nelson, Feb. 21, 1851. To which his Excellency returned this reply To the Officers and Members of the Total Society* jcTelson Gentlemen—l beg that you will accept my thanks for the flattering address which you have presented to me. It is very pleasing to me that you, in common with so large a portion of the community, should view with approbation the efforts which have been made to prevent the sale of spirituous liquors to the native population. Upon a perseverance in that line of policy, I believe that the future happiness of the aborigines of these islands very largely depends. It is therefore most gratifying to observe, that not only tbe European, but the native population also, have in general cheerfully obeyed, and assisted in carrying out the law in relation to this subject; and I rely with confidence upon a continuance of this feeling, in the preservation of which you will, I am sure, as far as lies in your power, continue to assist me.

Upon Lady Grey’s behalf I thank you for the kind manner in which you expressed your good feeling towards her. It was to her a cause of great disappointment that the stale of her health prevented her from visiting Nelson, in promoting the usefulness of the schools of which settlement she had hoped, whilst here, to have taken an active part. Both Lady Grey and myself will however always feel the greatest interest in the future advancement and prosperity of this settlement, from the inhabitants of v hicb we have, on various occasions, received acts of the kindest attention. G. Grey.

Nelson, Feb, 21, 1851. In tbe conversation which followed, his Excellency stated his admiration of the Society, and Hie objects it had in view, and expressed a hope that the members would persevere in their efforts, especially with regard to the youth of the settlement. His Excellency, upon it being intimated to him that the Society had hitherto met with considerable difficulty in obtaining a piece cf ground as a site for the Total Abstinence Hall, kindly promised to do what he could in the matter,

and, if possible, to supply the want, and fur. the? gave the handsome donation of £5 in aid of the erection of tbe hall. The Deputation then retired.

On Thursday afternoon, his Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Mr. Wodehouse, and the Rev. S. Ironside, visited the Wesleyan Methodist Day School, in Bridge Street. His Excellency, after inquiring the number of children attending tbe School (41), proceeded to examine them in reading and arithmetic ; and lookiug over their copy books, expressed his gratification at the proficiency attained by them in these branches of their education. His Excellency stated his intention of giving a donation towards the erection of a School Room, and leaving a sovereign to be divided among the children, took his departure, having occupied about one hour in his visit.

Dinner to F. D. Bell, Esq.—A dinner given to this gentleman on Thursday last, on flip CPREflfinn nf Lie laTinnvo rLa Xl am and Company’s agent, brought together a highly respectable and numerous body of settlers. We cannot report the proceedings this week, but will do so in our next.