NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 890, 11 February 1854, Page 4

NELSON.

Bush Tires.- — For nearly three weeks past Uarge fires have been burning in the woods in the Waimea, both South and West. That in the Waimea South was kindled by a fire-stick negligently thrown under a tree after being used for lighting a pipe, and in its course it has burnt down a house belonging to Mr. Haycock, and a barn belonging to a cottier named Sharp. In Wairae& ?West a liouse has been burnt down belongingrto _M2. Newth, jun., and another to a man nams^flHj^^ At one time it threatened the hottf^^^^^Hkrf Mr. Kerr, at the village, but $ij^^^^^^^^LfortunAtely averted this calara^^^^^^^^^K te standing timber has bj^en^^^^^^^^^^^-ge -quantity of fallen nhibd^^^^^^^^^^^BjKiof service as firetp^odjj^^^^^^^^^^^^Mft^xtinguished, aJtho^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^HL not to be Jikelj^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^lUings, but the d^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Hkthe distant^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H^r consevere in to

in the French Pass, at a spot where they describe a vessel of large tonnage could lie alongside, and be loaded from the mine. The existence of this copper ore has for some time been known here, but the matter has been talked little of, from the fact that it is on native land; D'Urville's Island being now the only district in the Province to which the native title has not been extinguished. The ownership of the land being in the natives* and they refusing to dispose of it, will,' we fear, prevent the mine being worked. ! The quality of the ore is spoken well of by those who understand the nature of it, and the quantity visible to the eye is described as being very great. — Ibid, Jan. 21.

Land Salk. — On Thursday last, mnety-one lots of land were offered to competition at the Land Office. There was a large attendance of persons present, but most of the land was taken at the upset prices, and very little desire wa3 shown to compete with the parties at whose request the various lots had been put up. In a few instances, however, the bidding was spirited. Nearly all the lots sold, except a few Waitohi town allotments, and the sum realized amounted to about £2,700.— 1 bid, Jan. 28.

Native Land Purchases. — The schooner Sea Belle, bound from Wellington to Taranaki, put in here from stress of weather on- Sunday last, and to this circumstance we are indebted for a visit from Mr. M'Lean, who happened to be a passenger on board the schooner. Mr. M'Lean's arrival was expected here about this time to conclude the final arrangements with the Natives for extinguishing their title to the whole of the land held by them in this Province, except D'Urville's Island, the preliminary arrangements for which were made some months ago in Wellington, but we regret to find that urgent business demands Mr. M'Lean's presence in the North, and that he will not be able to return here until the middle of the year. This is to be regretted, as until Mr. M'Lean has arranged with the resident Natives, as to their respective shares of the purchase money, the survey of the Pelorus and Kaituna blocks cannot be proceeded with, and these valuable districts must continue locked np from settlement. Mr. M'Lean delayed his departure for a day or two to talk over the subject with such of the Natives: e>s happened to be at hand. — Ibid.