NELSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 304, 26 September 1857, Page 7

NELSON.

By the mail from Auckland yesterday we learn that the Waste Lands Bill passed in the last session of the Provincial Council has been disallowed by his Excellency the Governor. The Debentures Act and all the other Acts that remained for disposal have been allowed, i The uncertainty as to the result of the finan- 1 cial scheme adopted by the General Assembly last year, and the effect its failure would have on the liabilities attaching to the land funds of the colony, as well as the possible operation of the credit system of purchase in connexion with the existence of gold-fields in this Province, are, we hear, the circumstances a consideration of which induced the General Government to come to the decision we have just announced respecting the Waste Lands Bill. — Examiner, August 16. - Our Gold Fields. — It will be seen by reference to the exports by the " Louis and Miriam," which sails to-day for Sydney, that the quantity of gold she takes from Nelson this trip is 1,713 ounces, 5 dwts., the estimated value of which is something between £6,000 and £7,000. In the meantime, the population of the town and country districts is becoming rapidly thinned by the migration across the Bay; the "Tasmanian Maid," which. started for Collingwood yesterday morning, having on board npwards of 100 passengers, some of whom we understand were new arrivals by the Adelaide Packet, which arrived just in time to cfetch the steamer. There is nnw no longer a dou}it,of the richness of the field. The majority' of. the diggers are doing well, some exceedingly well, and we do not hear of any who do not make wages. There is a rumour of the discovery of richer diggings than those of the Slate River, but, in the absence of authentic information, we refrain from stating the astounding particulars. — Ibid. The "Tasmanian Maid."— The great advantage to be derived from steam communication with the several ports of this Province is becoming daily more apparent, and cannot fail to suggest to the more careless and indifferent

person how admirably calculated thia mighty ; agent is to develop the various resources of wealth, and augment the commercial prosperity of the colony. On Thursday last our beautiful little steamer, the "Tasmanian Maid," Jeff Nelson at noon for the Wairau, steaming out of the harbour with a gracefulness and rapidity truly animating. The sun shone from the azure sky in all its meridian splendour, and the gallant craft, cleaving the placid waters of the Haven, and rushing by the Arrow Rock, was shortly seen far away in the distance, like a tiny speck upon the waters, steering direct for the Prench Pass, which she passed through in safety, and, with reduced speed, reached the mouth of the Wairau river at daylight the next morning. Having entered the river and discharged her passengers and cargo, she embarked the passengers for Nelson, and took on board 150 sheep belonging to Mr. Redwood, arrriving at Nelson on Sunday morning early, and landed the sheep in as excellent condition as when grazing on their own native plains. By steam communication with the Wairau, the long and distressing journey by land to Nelson, for cattle and sheep, is entirely obviated, and must prove extremely beneficial both to the flockowner and consumer. It is earnestly hoped that every encouragement and facility will be given to the spirited shareholders of the Steam Association, who, strenuously combating all difficulties, have succeeded in obtaining such a vessel as the "Tasmanian Maid" for Nelson ; and that no petty feeling of jealousy will cause obstacles to be thrown in the way of that which must be hailed as a boon by every well-wisher of his adopted country. — Ibid.