NELSON.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1672, 26 April 1862, Page 3

NELSON.

The Nelson press, as might naturally have been expected, is engaged in discussing the question of "Separation." The mere commercial or material interests of the two islands are admitted to be not so diverse as they are customerily assumed. In mineral, in pastural, and in agricultural productions, they are admitted to be upon a par, while the advanced mercantile position of Otago, and its consequent increased customs revenue, is stated to have equalised the difference which hitherto existed in the larger amount of revenue raised by the Northern island. The possibly ultimate failure of the working of Sir George Grey's native policy, and the return to a state of chronic disturbance, or uneasy quiet, and the consequent expenses entailed therebv, is, in the opinion of the Nelson Examiner, the only ground on which the cry for separation can be fairly urged and maintained. If such be the case we can hardly see how the assertion with which our contemporary sets out, " that of all the public questions which will occupy the attention of the General Assembly at its next session, the one of the most general interest is that of the proposed separation of the Colony of New Zealand into two independent colonies; one to embrace the Northern Island, the other the Middle and Southern Islands," can be persevered in. If the "ist of this question fairly rests on the ultimate success or failure of the peaceful incorporation of the two races under one law —present action in a matter, the merits of which depend on that result, would be, to say the least, unfairly and arbitrarilly prejudging the case. At a public meetiug it was determined to purchase by subscription, a peal of bells for Nelson. The estimated cost is £358 for a peal of six bells, weighing 36 cwt, with a strong oak frame for hanging them, delivered on board ship in London. The firing for the Champion Belt of New Zealand and other Government prizes, was concluded on the 12th the highest number of points scored were—Mr. S. Hoult of the Wakefield Volunteers, 39, and Mr. W. H. West of the Nelson City Company, 30. Permanent Building Society.—Under this name a third Building Society has been started in Nelson, which promises to exceed its predecessors in the number of shareholders, while it is to run out more speedilly than either of them. Already there are about 1,400 shareholders, the shares being of £2O each, with monthlv payments of three shillings. The shares are to be realised by auction, their upset price being £l. It is intimated that the shares will be paid in full at the end of five years, thus realizing £2O for each £9 of subscription.