THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22,1858.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 105, 22 October 1858, Page 2

THE COLONIST. NELSON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22,1858.

■ A very few days may elapse before we are gratified by the sight of one or more of th e steam vesssels that are to perform the interprovincial and inter-colonial services between our several provinces and the Australian colonies, and by tbat means with all other parts of the world. A fact of such vast importance does not require any argument to establish itself as a great boon ; and we congratulate our readers on being able to assure them that new and brighter prospects are fast opening upon this colony, arising out of the improved means of locomotion and postal communication. The knowledge that such vessels, were >on their way out from England, has given rise to efforts to provide the fuel requisite for their use; and we now find that it is not only in our own province that such a supply may be obtained, but that at Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago the same species of coal is known to exist. We are glad to find that such is the case, for if it is the fact, as has been asserted, that the species of coal we possess is " Lignite," and not true coal, and consequently a weaker fuel, the circumstance of its existence at four out of the six places of call where a fresh supply is at hana, may recompense for its want of quality, and ensure a full supply at all times. We have lately, seen a very promising speci-" men from Auckland, which is pronounced by competent judges to be almost identical with the coal raised at Pakawau, in Massacre Bay; but as yet we have little information respecting that at Canterbury or Otago, beyond the fact of its existence. The circumstance this new demand has given rise to much public and private consideration how to supply that demand. It is obvious that collieries cannot be opened or carried on without a considerable amount of capital. In a new country like* New Zealand the sum required must be more than in England, all other things being equal. The question then arises—Where is the capital to come from ? Although the subject is one of national importance, and deserving the encouragement -of the Provincial Governments by liberal grants of mineral leases, the great development must, be left to private enterprise. If we,have not capital among ourselves-to carry on works upon a scale sufficient to meet the demand, is it not a prudent step to take to have a thorough investigation made of our coal-fields, and an honest report made of their capabilities as to

quality, position, and other - incidental circumstances, so .as to enable persons-willing to embark capital to judge of, the expediency of doing s0 v • ■ : -• ■■ ■■; • ■'■-.-. .- .. ■. ■ .;.■ We know j that coal is found all through Massacre Bay, at Motupipi, and at Pakawau, and that the1 Takalta Valley is full of it; but up to this time, no sufficient estimate has been made of the capital required to open an efficient colliery there. It is neither our wish nor our interest to magnify difficulties; but on the other haud it would be quite as wrong to delude parties by holding out expectations, not sufficiently grounded upon data, that five thousand pounds will effect that which experience might prove to require more. The data required by capitalists in England, for it is there we must go for it, are, what is the probable demand, and what is the amount of capital required ? Oiir attention, in respect of demand, has almost exclusively been turned to the supply of steam vessels. To- this should be added, a further supply for domestic uses; and, if we are rightly informed, gas works might also be established, with every prospect of fair remuneration, at home, and furnish'an export to those places not possessing the material themselves. . '.■'.,, ' ■'■ ; ■'•- 'IA : X We are aware one effbrt is about being "made in the immediate neighborhood of this tdwn to open out a colliery, upon such a scale as shall fairly and honestly test its capabilities, and consequently its value; and whilst we wish every success to its promoters, we cannot refrain from suggesting still further efforts in other quarters. It is well known that very many seams of coal exist in our immediate locality ; that these seams shouli,,differ in quality, is only what is usual in all coal-fields. It is right to get at a true knowledge of pur position; the demand .is established, can we meet It ? At this moment we are in this dilemma—the demand outruns the supply. We consider that the following paragraph, extracted from the Lyttelton Times, of October 2nd, deserves more than usual attention. The Scab Disease is one<of the greatest evils which a farmer has to contend against here; and if, as we may fairly assume, that it is epizootic, we should give the greater attention to the spread of it when originated in a neighbouring province. Our farmers should exercise great caution in any purchases they may make on the runs nearest the infected country, for'the introduction of it here in the super-abundant manner in which it has visited Port Cooper would be a serious evil. The increase of scab among the sheep in this province is a matter which presses upon our attention. From whatever cause, or combination of causes, it has arisen, it exists as a distressing but undeniable fact. So much of the information which we might give as to the places in which the disease has appeared, and the circumstances .of its breaking out and spread, rest upon hearsay, and are met with flat contradiction fronvother quarters as to many of the details, so that it is impossible to draw up a reliable account. The existence of the disease to a dangerous extent is however recognised by the stbckowners themselves, as may be ;seen by an advertisement in our columns tp-day, signed by sevei'al influential names, calling a meeting on the subject at the Royal Hotel, Christchurch, on Saturday, the 9th of October, at 1 p.m.. This step we look upon as a highly proper one, and as indicating wholesome activity among the body of our sheep farmers. We beiieve that it is quite within the power of flock-masters to stop, if not the rise, at least the progress of this fell disease; and therefore we are glad to see the movement for combined action, with a reference to the legal authority which alone can enforce it. Whether it be the Scab Ordinance itself, or the manner or the means of its administration which requires improvement, can, we think, be sufficiently inquired into~and demonstrated at the proposed meeting, but the actual steps to be taken will- not so easily be decided upon there. We hope, therefore, that those skilled in the subject will previously take such measures of consultation with one another and the Government as may lead to some practical decision at the meeting, upon which early action may be taken.

Police Court. —-There is an absence of any cases to report. The attention of the police has been chiefly occupied "by the new Dog Act. On Monday the full force of the enactment came into operation, and there have been numerous seizures made, which, after being kept for the authorised time, have, except -where claimed, been destroyed, and amongst them some rather valuable dogs. We wish to call attention to the fact that in every case the law will be strictly acted upon, and it behoves those who have delayed procuring a ticket to do so at once. For the benefit of the owners a description of those taken is posted at the Courthouse and at Mr. Luck's. There is also a register kept to enable reference in case of doubt. In front of the Police Court it appears sometimes like a dog market; dogs of all sorts and colours are fastened there awaiting either their execution or freedom. - Accident on the Haven-road.—-An accident, fortunately without more serious consequences than the demolition of a gig, took place last Wednesday. As Captain Glouson's gig was standing at the Napier Wharf, the horse, from some cause or another, became res--tive,- and started off towards Nelson..' 4 lie pro-£ ceeded at a furious pace until he came to the premises of Mr. Strong, where, bringing the vehicle violently into contact with some obstacle, the gig was completely destroyed. The horse itself is, we hear, uninjured, and from there being no person in the gig, the loss can be replaced without the more severe accompaniment of personal injury. •» :, The Barque Chieftain.—This vessel ws3 brought into the harbor yesterday morning by the Tasraanian Maid. We perceive that the genial atmosphere of Nelson has developed for us a letter from one of, as he ■is particular to call attention to, " The First-Class Passengers" of this vessel. Had the word advertisement headed it, the real meaning of Mr. Boorman's communication would have been more clearly shewn. It is a palpable display of faia capabilities of defending "a worthy and estimable" client. Truly Mr. B. has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet, and we look forward to some very talented performances after such a flourish of trumpets. The intellectual feast will not, we hope, resemble that of the Barmecide :— " Goblets and dishes and but air beside." After Mr. Boorman is struck with astonishment and indignation, he'proceeds to acknowledge that he cannot prove a negative to our remarks, and also to state that the captain has

in his possession a letter which is afterwards referred to as being at the office of the agents, and which testimonial of character .is open to the inspection of the people of Nelson. We will presume, for the sake of common' sense, that a copy of this letter is alluded to once, as we cannot conceive the original being in two places at the same time. This document bears, it appears, the signatures of some of the passengers, but has riot the entire list. Out of twenty souls on board, eight are not represented by ■ signatures, one whole family of four adults and^three children, first-cabin passengers, having refused. And here, upon the -authority of that very family, we give a flat contradiction to the assertion of Mr. Boorman that they refused to sign on account of the second and third-class • passengers having been previously asked. Mr. Boorman, when he statsa facts, should do so correctly, and not garble them; for what was stated at the dinner-table 'publicly, by the head of that family, was that there were numerous reasons which he considered justified him in refusing his signature. Another of the first-class passengers also refused. Thus out of eight" adult first-class passengers only three signed. With regard to Mr. Boorman's denial of anything approaching mutiny, the following are the facts:—TheJmate^gets intoxicated ; assaults the captain, who^seeuis to have acted with moderation, although severely cut and bleeding; some of the passengers join in the affray; and thus, with blood freely flowing, the mate attempting .to incite the passengers against the" captain, ■and, failing in this, endeavoring toipersuade;, the men to express dissatisfaction at-least; the use of arms threatened, the captain cutlass in hand; the passengers enjoying a scene like an Irish wake, we are told that nothing approaching a mutiny took place. The between decks were most decidedly dirty, and as it appears that the access to the ship's stores, both provisions, sails, and oils, &c, was through the portion allotted to the, second and third-classes, we do not wonder at it. Spring- Grove Mechanics' Institute.—A lecture was delivered, as per advertisement, by D. Monro, Esq., at the Baptist Chapel, on Saturday evening last, to a considerable audience. Had it been any other than Saturday night, we presume the place would have been crowded to excess. The subject chosen was, " The Atmosphere." Considerable interest was evidenced by the whole present, as was manifest by the attention with which the learned Doctor was listened to, and the applause he was greeted with at the close of his very interesting lecture. He regretted the want of apparatus, but promised to provide some the next time he lectured, which he felt sure would add very much to the interest of the lecture. We sincerely hope that this will be but one of many lectures we shall have the pleasure of-hearing from so able a lecturer. > '