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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 654, 8 November 1851, Page 3

We understand the Lady Nugent is lying outside the entrance of Nelson harbour, under peculiar circumstances. It seems tnat on his recent visit to Lyttleton, Capt. Parsons, the commander of the vessel, was appointed Harbour Master of that Port by Mr. Godley, having received the Governor-in-Chief’s instructions to appoint some person to that office. The first act of the new Harbour Master was to leave his office and the harbour at Lyttelton to take care of itself, and to proceed in the Lady Nugent to Nelson ; his last, so far as we are informed, has been to leave his vessel to take care of itself (handing the command over to the first mate) and to return to Lyttelton in the Mary, a small coasting vessel. But it appears the crew would not consent to be dealt with in this summary manner, and, alleging that they signed articles to Captain Parsons, re-

fused to recognize any other commander of the vessel, and struck work. For this offence they have been sentenced by the Resident Magistrate at Nelson to hard labour on the roads, and the vessel remains under charge of the first and third mates and the cook. In the mean time, Sir George Grey hearing the new Harbour Master had deserted his post has, we understand, refused to confirm the appointment. It is reported that the office was promised to Capt. Parsons by Mr. Godley on his arrival in New Zealand, in reward, we suppose, for having brought “ John Godley and his fortune * to the scene of his colonizing exertions; and under various pretexts he has prevented the appointment being filled up ; for though, as a Canterbury settler, Mr. Godley has signed memorials to the Governor complaining of the neglect of the Government in not appointing a Harbour Master at Lvttelton, as Agent of the Association and Resident Magistrate, he has “ expressed himself so strongly against the propriety or necessity of so doing,” as to induce the Governor not to make the appointment. In the mean time, it is said, the Canterbury settlers are not greatly pleased by Mr. Godley’s appointing a stranger, instead of a settler, to the new office.

* Csesarem vehis et fortunam ejus.