Local.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 155, 15 April 1859, Page 4

Local.

Lecture at the Odd Fellows' Hall.— The lecture advertised to be given.by W. L. Wrey, Esq., in connexion with the Nelson Institute, was tolerably attended on Tuesday night last. This endeavor to convey instruction, at once useful and entertaining, should he encouraged by as many volunteers as possible, to impart, and large attendances to listen. The countenance of the upper class and heads of families, as an example, should be given also. Mr. Wrey gave to his hearers a short account of geology, which merged into the interesting subject of gold, that metal of all others being the most useful and attractive. He stated that he could not be expected to go fully into geology in one lecture, neither could he enter into all the history of metals on this occasion. He, however, glanced at silver, lead, tin, and quicksilver. Mining is a most important subject to the settlers of this province, whose hopes have been so much built up with expectations of valuable deposits of various kinds, though with respect to copper and coal they have still to be realised. The lecture was throughout an interesting one, and reflected great credit upon the gentleman who gave it. So good an example, we hope, will be followed by others devoting some portion of their time and talents to the pleasure of imparting to others some of the delights of knowledge they themselves have gaiued. There are numberless subjects that immediately interest us; for instance, a lecture upon flax, and what is required of it to make it an article fit for export, would not only be heard with interest, but it might ultimately lead to the prosecution of experiments that would prove successful in making the New Zealand weed an article of utility and profit to the country. The Institute.—ln another part of this issue will be found "a paper" on discussion, that was read last week at a meeting of several members of the Nelson Institute. These have formed themselves into a class : —if it may so be called—for c the undeniable ad vantages to be derived from the discussion of. any proposed subject, by a number of persons, who are amenable to certain laws and restrictions that invest' it with sufficient form to render the proceedings vigorous without heat, animated without noise, and intellectual without plodding labour. The necessity for adopting these means for mental improvement has been well represented in the above paper by Mr. J.L. Bailey, who read it at the Institute on the opening night of the discussion, and we refer our readers to its oontents. . Appointment.—His Honor the Superintendent has been pleased to appoint James Balfour Wemyss, Esq., J.P., a member of the Executive Council of this Province. Wairatj Sepaeation.—A meeting of above forty of the Wairau settlers took place at the Court House, Beaver, on Tuesday, the 29tb ultimo. There was much discussion and argument upon the expediency of the measure, but there were some there who evidently did not feel so certain upon the necessity for it. The more urgent opinions appeared to proceed from Messrs. Jos. Ward, Goulter, Adams, and Godfrey, &c.;. the cautious arid doubtful speeches emanated from Messrs. Wemyss, C. Elliott, and the Rev. Mr. Nicholson, the latter gentleman proposing a resolution to the effect" That it is neither expedient nor politic, nor judicious to seek for separation from the Nelson province at the present time." This was opposed by an amendment by Mr. Ward, " That separation is desirable," which, after some almost angry discussion, was carried by a majority of 30 to 11. .