NEW PUBLIC CEMETERY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 303, 14 September 1860, Page 2

NEW PUBLIC CEMETERY.

Most of our readers will remember the Cemetery question, which caused a considerable amount of discussion about the middle of last year. Not only in the Legislative Council, but also through our columns, various persons propounded the superior claims of each piece of land then offered for selection on the Wakapuaka-road; and according to their respect for the public advantage, or a less creditable desire to advocate the interest of party or .private friendships, did these advocates proceed. It is now satisfactory to us to find that the opinion we gave at the time has been fully confirmed by a competent authority; and further interested efforts are prevented by the purchase of the preferable site by the Government. / The following is THE PROVINCIAL ENGINEER'S REPORT. ' Nelson, May 28, 1860. _ t Sir—-Having been directed by his Honor the Superintendent to examine two sections of land, and to report on their com* parative. fitness for the purpose of being; converted into a public cemetery for the city of Nelson, I have the honor to inform you that I have carefully examined both sections, and beg to lay before you the following report: — 'The sections are numbered 2 and 3 respectively on the plan; No. 2 being fifty acres, and No. 3 forty-seven act;es, and both abutting on the Wakaguaka-road. ■« The distance of each, in time, from the centre of the town, is thirty minutes' moderate walking to the entrance point of No. 3, and twenty-five minutes to that of No. 2. «No. 2 may be described generally as rising from the road-level at a constantly

increasing slope towards the summits of the high hills which are behind it, and part ot which it includes; the lower portions being broken up considerably by two or three gullies, and the upper or back portion being steep and precipitous. VA road could be formed for some distance along the top of one of the narrow spurs lying between the gullies before mentioned.

'No. 3 consists generally of two undulating ridges, differing in elevation at right angles to the road, joining and forming another behind parallel with it. Behind the latter is falling ground, which again rises towards the back boundary. Altogether this section is on a lower elevation than No. 2.

, 'Comparing the two sections as to quantity of land available, 1 should imagine that the, same amount of outlay on each would lay open three-fourths 6f No. 3 and one-fourth of No. 2, much of the latter being of such a nature that it could never be made any use of at all. lOf No." 3 a considerable portion is already cleared and laid down in grass, and it has already a road formed into it at an easy gradient for about twenty chains. • The features of the land present no difficulty to the road being prolonged and carried to nearly all parts of the section. This cannot be said of No. 2.

' Of the comparative'eligibility of the two sections there can be no idoubt whatever, No. 3 being; in every respect superior, except in its greater distance from town, which, as I have before remarked, makes only a difference of five minutes' walk. • Possibly both sections may be open to the objection of being too distant, and also to another, viz., that of the Maitai river having to be crossed to reach them, which might be a source: of inconvenience occasionally during a flood, as indeed under any circumstances. .

«I may remark that I have seldom seen a piece of ground which, from its situation and natural features, offers greater facility for embellishment by planting trees and shrubs and laying out walks than No. 3; and in the event of a chapel being erected, the place where the deserted house now stands would make an excellent and commanding site for the purpose. 'I had the ground broken in two places, to the depths respectively of eight feet and six feet, in neither case meeting with any obstruction. The formation of the hills here appears to be the same as in the hills on the Port-road, viz., sandy clay mixed with gravel and stones. «I have, &c, 'JOHN BLACKETT, * Provincial Engineer. c To the Provincial Secretary, Nelson.'

The brigantine Gazelle, which arrived here on Monday last from Newcastle) brings eight days later intelligence from Australia; and we are indebted to the courtesy of Captain Wheeler for transmitting a Sydney Herald of the 23rd ultimo. Some extracts in our other columns upon the Kiandra diggings, and also upon New Zealand affairs, will be read with interest. Besides the state of the markets at Melbourne and Adelaide up to the 22nd, we likewise learn that no ministry had yet been formed Mr. Heales, Mr. Ebden, and Mr. O'Shanassy. explained that they had been obliged to abandon the attempt to form a cabinet. It is not stated who the Governor's advisers are. The Land Bill is the cause of this deadlock. The Ariel, Captain White, arrived from Taranaki on Wednesday last, having reached that port in seven days from Newcastle. We are in receipt of later news from Taranaki by this opportuuity, which brings our dates up to the Bth instant. After leaving Taranaki light winds were experienced by the Ariel. We take the present opportunity of acknowledging the courtesy of Mr. Woon, of the Taranaki Herald, in transmitting printed slips of latest events by post for our last publication.

Pride of the Isles.—Under the heading Auckland, in extracts from private letters from Raglan, in our last, it is stated:—" I requested the Master of the late schooner Pride of the Isles to call upon you, arid give you the particulars of the behaviour of the Maories at the wreck. The master's account was correct; the natives from Rangi Kahu threatened the sailors with tomahawks, and plundered the wreck. They belong to the Ngatitihanja tribe, one of the two tribes for whom Government has sent arms and ammunition to protect this district." Mr. Davidson, the master was likewise principal owner, and has, we believe, lost all by the wreck of that vessel.

Cube op Bronchitis.—The followiug simple, remedy for the cure of bronchial affections is well worth a trial. On reading it we were reminded that some twenty years ago, when we were occasionallytroubled with sore throat, we were recommended to take something, the modus operaridi of which was exactly similar to that recommended; probably it was saltpetre. However, it never tailed of curing sore throat* "A correspondent of the Morning Post says that an unfailing cure for bronchitis is the common saltpetre to be had at the oil-shop, and one half-pennyworth of which is sufficient to cure any individual. The way to take it is to suck it—a small lump at a time—and swallow itjas.it dissolves. 1'

Mr. Justice Johnston.—We copy the following from the Law Times of Bth May, 1858:—" We understand that Alexander James Johnston, Esq., of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law, has been appointed puisne Judge of New Zealand. Mr* Johnston is a member of the Northern Circuit, and has been for some years one of the reporters of the Court of Common Pleas for the Law Journal, on which journal he was one of the ablest reporters for many years."

Lecture.—We observe that a lecture, in connection with the Nelson Institute will take place on Wednesday evening next, at the Freemasons' Hall. The subject chosen for the occasion is " George Stephenson," which, in the hands of GHeppel, Esq., will doubtless ensure an attractive eveniLg's entertainment. The infrequency of girailar opportunities (for. which Nelson is discreditably remarkable) will doubtless ensure a large attendance. .

Customs.—We copy the following from *jta Government Gazette:—ln exercise of the authority in me for this purpose vested by the Customs Regulation Act, 1858,1, Thomas Gore Brown, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby declare and appoint that on and from the first day of September next, the Wharf near Green Point, Haven Road, at the Port, of Nelson, shall be deemed and taken to be a Legal Quay or Landing Place for the lading and unlading of all gooda under the Customs Regulation Act, 1858.