NELSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 360, 23 October 1858, Page 6

NELSON.

From Nelson we learn that a coal seara had been discovered near the town, and active steps were being taken to have it properly worked. Dr. Monro was entertained at a public dinner, in consideration of his services to the Province, and in getting it relieved of a portion of the New Zealand Company's debt.

Our Gold Fields. — The news from the diggings continue pretty favourable. The number of diggers at work at the Aorere is variously estimated at from 160 to 300; and a considerable quantity of gold came over by the steamer, on Wednesday, 160 ounces being purchased by one Nel?on firm on the following morning. This lot of gold, which was obtained in the neighbourhood of the Rocky River, contains some thirty or forty nuggets, weighing from £to f of an ounce each ; and altogether it is one of the finest samples of gold that we have yet seen in Nelson. — Sept. 11. Collingwood, 14th September, 1858. The weather has for some time past been very v nfavourable for digging operations ; still, notwithstanding this and our reduced population, the yield of gold has been good. It appears, from the Customs returns, that nearly 1000 ounces were shipped from here last month ; of course, some went privately as well. Now this was {procured by a digging population, including natives, of from 350 to 400. The general opinion is, that there will be a large population in the neighbourhood of Rocky River next summer, as many parties have done well there. Clark's party of three got upwards of 30 ounces last week, although stopped by the rain. Three natives left for "Wellington, via Nelson, with five pounds weight of gold in their possession, which they obtained in about three weeks at Rocky River. Wash bourne has started a sluicing party at the Quartz Ranges, and is doing very well ; they have brought the water a considerable distance to the site of their operations in Maori gu"y.