NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, June 25]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 827, 6 July 1853, Page 3

NELSON. [From the Nelson Examiner, June 25 ]

The demand for all kinds of produce for shipment to Victoria continues unabated, and

in addition to the vessels already chartered for Melbourne, the brig Munford, which called here on Sunday last on her way to Wellington, has also been taken ifp. The articles most in request are oats, barley, potatoes, and timber ; but others, such as butter, onions, turnips, vetches, and in short every production of the colony, is readily bought up by shippers, at prices which, a short time ago, would have been considered absurd. This, we are sorry to say, has been attended with one unfortunate result, for it has caused a number of persons who had previously agreed to dispose of their articles at the then market price, to break their engagements, and to sell to others, when the unexpected demand which has arisen caused prices to advance. This want of good faith, in the cases we refer to, is the less excusable, as in almost every instance the price originally agreed upon was considered unusu.ally high ; and we cannot sufficiently condemn this departure from that straight-forward dealing which, in the long run, is the interest of all parties. Unfortunately for those who have been disappointed, these agreements have generally been only verbal ones,' and will not admit, unless when made for articles under the value of £10, of being enforced in a court of law. But the individuals who now gain will suffer in the end, as their characters must necessarily be affected by their forfeiture of v all claim to that proud boast, that " their wordi v !» as good as their bond."

Coal.— Mr. Stoddart lias returned again from ' Pakawau, and reports more favourably on the coal field in that district. Several shafts have been sunk at different spots, and everywhere coal of most excellent quality has been found, but the seams are rather thin. It is Mr. Stoddart's opinion, however, that the field can be worked with profit. At Motupipi, Mr. Grayling is engaged on private account in further exploring the extensive field of coal known to exist in that distiict. We' hope therefore to see, either at Pakawau or Motupipi, a coal field worked in time sufficient to supply fuel for the steamer which will be leaving England for this port about this period. Mabkets. — Wheat is now selling at 9s. 6d. to 10s. per bushel; barley, 75.; oats, 7s. 6d. to Bs. Gd. The price of fine flour is £26 per ton; potatoes, M 10s. to £6. Butter brings Is. 4d. per lb. ; bacon, lOd. to Is.; cheese, lid. Beef is selling at Bd. per lb. ; mutton, 7d. ; pork, sd. The price of a 41b. loaf is Is. 2d.

The Feloxby of Norfolk Island. — The Hobart Town Courier gives a report of the trial of a prisoner at the last sittings of the Supreme Court, which is a fearful illustration, of the convict system in that island. The prisoner, Francis M'Manus, after having stood twice at the foot of the gallows, had been allowed to go out into private service at Bruni Island, when ten days afterwards he committed an atrocious and capital offence upon a female under very aggravated circumstances, for which he was again put on his trial, found guilty, and sen- , tenced to be executed. The Courier gives the following sketch of his career : — * "The prisoner, Francis M'Manus, 538, Blenheim, is one of the original convicts left at Norfolk Island by Captain Maconochie, and it was at the " Ocean Bell " where M'Manus, when under trial before his Honor Mr. Justice Purefoy, for an oflence of an aggravated character, stabbed Mr. Daniel Wholaghan, the gaoler, and nearly killed him. In consequence of this murderous attack upon an unsuspecting victim (for it is supposed that the late Mr. Wholaghan's death was accelerated in consequence of the recent landing of M'Manus upon these shores), his Pionor the Presiding J udge beforementioned sentenced the prisoner to be confined in the cells at Norfolk Island for his natural life. Ihe criminal was retained under separate treatment for a considerab'e period, but from a mistaken spirit of false humanity, or some less excusable and highly culpable neglect of the best interests of society at large, he was released fiom that durance, and invested, as we have been informed, with a power over the actions and destinies of his fellow prisoners which he unremittingly exercised in a relentless, savage, and villanous spirit. M'Manus' s oath was not only relied upon, but punishments inflicted on' his testimony. » Nay, further — it is stated that he was actually employed at the house of the Commandant, upon requisition, as a needleman. One singular freak in connection with the career of this wretched man has been vouched for as undeniably true. When being transferred fiom the old gaol at Norfolk -Island to the new one he broke away from bis keepers, and winding his arms round the gallows, embraced it fervently, sweaiing that his father, his mother, and his sister had been hung, and expressing a desire to share their awful fate. In addition to the numerous offences which be committed, and for which the severest punishments were some score or two of minor offences are recorded against him. Upon the arrival of the free police at the Island in 1847, he murderously assaulted Chief Constable Baldock, and having got Baldock's thumb in his rnoutb, he savagely retained his hold until his mouth was wrenched open with a stick. He has been included in one of the number of convicts who have recently been drafted from Norfolk Island, and silently distributed throughout the community, and from a perusal of the circumstances under which he now appeared to answer for his crimes before his God and his country, our readers will be horror-struck at finding that such a being should have been allowed to enter private service."