THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, January 8, 1853.

Journals become more necessary as men become more equal and individualism more to be feared. It would be to underrate, their importance to suppose that they serve only to secure liberty : they maintain civilization.

D« . TocauiviLLß. Of Democracy in America, Vol. ▼„ p. S3O.

People are beginning to wonder how itis that the Governor-in Chief has not yet received the Constitutional Act, and the Instructions which would necessarily accompany it. The Bill received the Royal assent on the 30th of June, and more than two months must have been suffered to elapse, and the Colonial Secretary had not found time to forward Sir George Grey the Act and the Instructions. As the dissolution of Parliament followed immediately the breaking up of the House, Ministers weie no doubt for a while more anxious about their seats, and the return of their friends and supporters, than considering the practical working of acolonial constitution— for the general election was the die upon which the fate of live Derby Cabinet rested. After considering all these things however, there yet seems to be no sufficient reason why the delay should have been so long, and we are beginning to suspect that other causes beside those we have named may have been operating. It is not impossible, we think, but that a new Governor may be sent out to bring the Constitution into operation, and we should not be surprised to hear of the arrival of Sir George Grey's successor, with the Constitutional Act and his Instructions in his pocket. Whether this c 'iijecture proves true or not, we believe that Sir George Grey will not much longer be continued governor of New Zealand, for the term of his appointment is long passed, and his Excellency is understood to have expressed a wish to be recalled. Although under our Constitution the Governor of the colony will possess none of the despotic powers wielded by hia predecessors, but will be compelled to govern by a ministry responsible to the country, ii will still be of importance that the representative of our monarch shall be a man of enlightened and liberal views, and if Sir J. Pakington sends us a Governor who will properly understand his mission, and the true position of the colony, we shall owe him a double debt of gratitude.

The brig Spray, which arrived direct from Melbourne on Wednesday last, has brought back to New Zealand a large number of persons who had previously left the colony to try their fortunes at the gold fields, together with some other passengers who are new to the colony. Among the returned gold diggers there are some, we understand, who have been among the favourites of Fortune, while there are others to whom gold digging has been only a very soiry business.

From all we can learn of the state of the population in Victoria, there are many who would be glad to leave that colony for one where a healthful employment and good wages could be ensured to them, but unfortunately they have not the means to enable them to get away, while there are others who would flock readily to New Zealand to invest their hard earned gains in land, if small allotments were offered for sale at reasonable prices. It is to be deplored that at this junctnre the Legislative Assembly of New Zealand is not sitting, for we believe it would be competent for that body to devise measures which would augment considerably the population of this colony, without inflicting any wrong upon our neighbours.

We have received Auckland papers to the 15th, and Wellington papers to the 22nd of December. The former are devoted chiefly to considering the prospects of their gold fields, which are beginning to promise to be remunerative. An extract from the Cross will be found in another column. We are unable to notice further the contents of these papers this week.

The Spray has brought us the cargo of the Invincible, which, instead of sailing direct for New Zealand, as was advertised, called at Melbourne, where she is now offered for sale. This deviation from her originally intended route has been of serious consequence to the merchants for

whom she had cargo, ihe delivery of which has been delayed to them in consequence for at least two months.

Earthquake. — A severe shock of an earthquake was felt on Saturday evening lasr, about.half past ejght o'clock. The vibration of the earth was considerable, and lasted for several seconds ; the shock apparently coming from the N. E. During the subsequent thirty-six hours several lighter shocks were felt, but none of them had the force of the first. The only damage done by this earthquake (which is the most severe we have experienced since the shocks of October, 1848), was the shaking down of the top of a chimney of the house belonging to S. Stephens, Esq., in the Rewaka.

St, Mary's School. — The third annual meeting of St. Mary's School was held at the Catholic Station, in Nelson, on Tuesday last. The examiners were the Honourable C. A. Dillion, Mr. Stephens, and Mr. Travers. The first class, consisting of 15 pupils, was examined in Latin, French, grammar, geography, history, reading, writing, and arithmetic, and the examiners expressed themselves highly pleased with the progress of the children in their various branches of study. The second class, and girls' school, were examined in reading, writing, spelling, and arithmetic ; and also exhibited considerable proficiency. The readiness and precision with which the whole of the children replied to the numerous questions put to them, afforded the strongest evidence of the earnestness and attention of the teachers, and reflected the greatest credit upon the Rev. M. Garin and his assistants. After ihe examination, a tea party took place, which was numerous'y and respectably attended ; and in the evening, prizes were given to Btich of the children as had obtained the greatest number of good marks during the previous season. Some disappointment was experienced at the tea party from the insufficient provision made for so large a party, but as the attendance was much greater than was expected, no blame could justly be attached to Mr. Ross, by whom the tea had been provided, for it is well known that it is his practice on such occasions to take care that the arrangements for refieshments shall be most complete.

The Weather. — The weather, which has been of an unsettled character since the end of October, is now most unseasonable, bfring cold and inclement, and for upwards of i wo months the barometer has never risen to the point which indicates continuous fine weather. The crops have derived great advantage from the showery character of the season, but if this is much further prolonged the consequence will be serious. The harvest will be late — the wheat is expected not to be ready before the middle of February, and the crops of all kinds will be heavy. The Copper Mine. — Workmen are now engaged, under the direction of W. L. Wrey, Esq., in opening the copper mine near the Dun Mountain, and Mr. Dobson, an Engineer, is engaged in surveying the intervening country between the mountain and the town of Nelson, with a view to determine the best line of road. The lode of copper has been traced for about 250 yards, and has been found to he from six to eight feet in thickness, samples of which, as large as could be carried by two men, were brought into town on Saturday last. There is little reason to fear but that the prospect of working this mine will readily induce capitalists to form a company for the purpose, as has been proposed, for although we are not yet in a condition to state what yield of copper the ore will give, it is believed by every person who has seen it to be exceedingly rich ; and considering that the mine is only about eight miles from our harbour, and the proximity of excellent coal, it is quite clear that the smelted metal will be able to be shipped from our port with great advantage; and the probability is that the undertaking will prove most profitable to the shareholders, and be of the utmost importance to the settlement generally.

Town Clock. — During the visit which Sir George Grey paid to Nelson, in November, 1851, his Excellency promised us a town clock, to be placed in the steeple of the church. As nearly fourteen months havej since elapsed, and the clock has not been heard of, it has been suggested to us that the matter may have slipped from his Excellency's memory, and that it ia more than probable the clock has never been ordered. This we cannot bring ' ourselves to believe, as his Excellency was furnished at his own request with the necessary dimensions, so that we imagine the delay which has taken place to have arisen in executing the order, and we hope soon to see the clock arrive.

New Flour Mill.— The Wind Mill which has been erected by Mr. Bush at the bottom of Trafalgar Street, was worked for the first time on Saturday last. The building and machinery is most substantial and complete, and beside its utility, the mill is really, from its admirable structure, an ornament to the town.

Markets. — Fine flour may be quoted at £22 a ton, but there are holders who are asking £24. There is but little of last years' crop of grain now remaining in the settlement, the prices for which are almost nominal.