NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 716, 12 June 1852, Page 2

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner.]

We have this week to congratulate our fellow settlers upon a local event, w"hich we think cannot be overrated as to its probable eventual consequences. On Saturday last, his Honor the Superintendent completed,the purchase of that remaining portion of the district of Massacre Bay, which has, for some time, become so highly desirable

to us, from the late important discovery there of Coal- of the yery best quality. This Coal has been pronounced by, the most competent judges to be superior to any that has yet been discovered in the South Pacific, as having much of the character of that fine variety which is comnionly -known in England as cannel, or candle Coal ; and this is so accessible,- and appears in such alundaiice, as to be visible over a large extent of surface, by the frequent cropping out of. the seams at a variety of points. Neither is this the only value of the district, for it contains besides, Ironstone in great abundance, and also Plumbago, a mineral which, from its scarcity and usefulness, may, eventually, form an export of very considerable value. This block of land, now part of the settlement, adjoins the- northern portion of Massacre Bay, and commences at the Aorere, the extreme limits of the Company's surveys in that direction. It extends from, tlrere, along the, coast, as far as the .Sandspit and Cape Farewell, and then rounding the Cape, reaches to the southern or farthest shore of the Harbour called Te Whanganui, where it terminates at a place, called Toriri. The boundary line then' returns from thence, along the main range of the hills, until it joins the western boundary and starting point, at the mouth of the Aorere. Two small reserves only have been set apart in the present purchase, and those but for two families ; one, about two miles north of the Pakewau, and the uther at the Whanganui : as, with the exception- of these few residents, the other claimants were chiefly strangers, or residents at the Motueka, where the Natives already enjoy large and valuable reserves. With the exception of these two reserves, the whole of the Native claims to this district, have been extinguished.