COLONIAL NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 October 1852, Page 4

COLONIAL NEWS.

WELLINGTON.

By the Despatch we have Wellington papers to the 6th inst. The Gazette of the Ist announces that the Government have put in force the " Act for Regulating the Carriage of Passengers in Merchant Vessels." In consequence, we understand that the Twins and Munford have been prevented sailing for Australia with passengers, both vessels being disqualified and unprepared with proper accommodations. It was high time that the provisions of the Act should be enforced, as had any accident happened and loss of life ensued, a discriminating public would have thrown all the blame on the Government, for people will go. to the Diggings, even though the mode of transit should be a "leaky tub or second-hand coffin," as the Independent dignifies the Colonial coasters. Our contemporary anticipates great hubbub among the trafficspeculators, "just as there was among the resurrection men, when the indiscretion of Messieurs Burke and Hare blew up the trade.1' These gentlemen, the speculators, will assume all the risk; but as Lord Melbourne said to a deputation who waited on him some fifteen years ago, on the subject of Emigration to New Zealand ; —" It is all very well, Gentlemen, for you to talk of running all the risk and responsibility in your own persons ; but, if you should be killed and eaten, the world will say that it was the duty of a paternal Government to have prevented you going to the Devil your own way." Our Contemporary hazards a doubt whether that is not the/destination of those bound to the Diggings. We are not ourselves admitted to the secrets of his sub-terrine Majesty, so cannot with any confidence say whether he" has had a hand in the Gold discoveries, and is now holding his Court in the neighbourhood of Mount Alex° ander. The chances are, adds the Independent, that he is; and, therefore, " thinks it an error on the safe side to bring all vessels sailing with passengers for the Diggings under the regulations of the Passenger's Act." Sir George Grey gave a Conversazione at the Wellington Athenagum on the 30th September, which was very numerously attended, the Hall being tabtefully decorated with Paintings and Engravings, and the tables covered with rare and costly books, native curiosities, and articles of virtu. On the 3rd and 4th, Wellington was visited with one of the most violent storms ever witnessed within the memory of the oldest Inhabitant—we mean, Settler. The sheltered situation of the harbour, however, prevented any serious damage to the vessels, many of which were more or less driven from their anchorages,

and one, the " Phoebe," driven upon the rocks at Kai Warra. The Independent complains that his Honor, Mr. Justice Stephen, has gone on his travels, — not for "change of air," but on ciicuit, —-without giving- to the world the pamphlet which was to contain the celebrated judgment on a recent case "in an authentic and extended form." The subject is not, however,forgotten; for a Memorial has been presented to the Governor, and the public are awaiting his Excellency's reply:

NELSON.

The Nelson Examiner of the 25th September, contains the Report of the Committee appointed to visit the district of Pakawau, and inspect the Coal fields in that vicinity. The Report is a very able one, and we gather from it that Coal exists in abundance, and of excellent quality, at a distance of only a mile and a quarter from the sea, and that there is a depth o£ water in the Pakawau stream at high tide of ten to twelve feet. The Committee" report that "no obstacles exist to the Coal being speedily and successfully worked, but advise that the first operations should be conducted in a cautious and tentative spirit." A Company has been formed at Nelson to work the Mines, an Advertisement of which appears in our impression of this day. From it, it will be seen that Messrs. Cookson, Bowler & Co., have been appointed Agents of the Company in this Settlement, and it is hoped that shares may be taken here. On this point the Examiner states that " steps are taken to induce the two Settlements nearest to ourselves and the spot where the Coal lies, to join with us in forming a company to work it. About two-thirds of the proposed Capital has already, or is about immediately to be subscribed in Nelson, and there is no doubt that the remaining shares would be taken up readily when operations are begun, if not before; but, for mnny reasons, it is desirable that the Public of Wellington and Canterbury should have an Interest in working the Pakawau mines as well as ourselves. Wellington, particularly, is interested in getting a good supply of cheap fuel without delay, for, as it is intended that the Vessels of the Australasian Pacific Mail Company shall take New Zealand in their route, a supply of good and cheap fuel in Cook's Straits, will, in all probability, determine the Company to make Wellington their Coaling depot, instead of one of the more Northern Ports." Snow, which is a rare occurrence in the midst of winter, at Nelson, has fallen heavily and covered the low' grounds, as well as the hills, in the neighbourhood of the Town. A gold fever is raging, and large parties have been out searching for the precious metal, but hitherto without success, although the indications are said to be highly encouraging. A young man, named George Simpson, returning from Canterbury to Nelson in company with a man named Berry, lost his footing in crossing the mouth of the'Waiautoa River/and being unable to swim, was drowned. The body was found the following day.