HAVELOCK.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 20 January 1872, Page 11

HAVELOCK.

[FEOJI A CORRESPONDENT.] The weather has been unusually fine these last two months, and still promises to continue. The busy hum and shrill whistle of all our saw mills, by their regular and constant noise, show plainly that our main branch of industry is flourishing. Our harbour presents a lively appearance, there being several vessels loading from Messrs. Brownlee and Co., among the number we notice the fine schooners Florence, Onehunga, and Canterbury. Sometime since the General Government were petitioned by the inhabitants here to erect new offices, viz., Court-house, Postal, Telegraphic, and Customs, those at present in use being totally inadequate to supply the requirements of the district. We heard in reply that a plan to comprise all the offices in one had been ordered. A most necessary step I admit, but one that requires something more tangible to be properly admired. However, we live in hopes and trust the proper authorities will not allow the matter to escape their memory, but render the service required with the least possible delay, as in simple jifttice to the public these alterations are much needed. On mining matters I have little to communicate. Nearly all parties are economising the fine weather by working early and late. People would be surprised at the extensive works already well advanced in the Wakamarina River. The "Hit or Miss" claim is really a vast undertaking, and well carried out, more especially for men depending almost entirely on their work for subsistence. The party have been now nearly three years employed on the different workings, and several times lost all their appliances through floods, but with unremitting perseverance have commenced fresh operations by blasting a large water-race through the solid rock, and, should the fine weather continue another week, they will be amply rewarded. The next claim to the one mentioned in works

of magnitude is the " Hard Times," another memento of pluck, enterprise, and unyielding determination in those engaged to vein the hidden contents of nature. They also have turned the river from its natural course into an artificial race — some parts cut through solid rock and the remaining portion formed by means of a substantial wooden wall, well built and firmly fixed to the bed rock by large iron bolts leaded in. We earnestly wish one and all may not be disappointed. The Nelson Dredging Company's punt is rapidly approaching completion, when I hope to record the interesting news to shareholders of | lucky finds. I notice a second company have also called for tenders for the construction of another punt, thus showing the speculation is not without supporters. It seems strange among all the enterprising Bank directors that no inquiries are made relative to whether paying returns could not be derived from a branch establishment in Havelock. What with the business arising from five saw mills, shipping, diggings, tradesmen, and general J traffic from settlers in a rising and flourishing district, there can be no doubt of its ultimate success, besides being a direct boon to the public.