Notes From Nelson.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 43, 24 June 1890, Page 2

Notes From Nelson.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

To a stranger the town presents a rather strange appearance just now on account of the large concourse of natives who have for some time, and still are, daily arriving from other places. The reason of this assembling is that a Native Land Court is now being held, Colonel Trimble presiding as Judge. The titles under dispute are for the most part those comprising land at D'Urville Island and in the Pelorus district, and it is expected that the Court will last for some fortnight or so. Yesterday, the opening day of. the Court, some queer scenes took place—here you would see two Maori friends who had not seen one another for years rubbing noses, and in another place a small audience listening to some old veteran recounting his experiences of the early days. On Wednesday the natives appeared, from the dismal howling to be heard, to be holding a tangi, but whether it was in honour of some departed dear one or the pleasure of once again meeting no one seemed to know. The visitors gave a war dance last night in a large room at an hotel, when a charge of one shilling was made, but the attendance was not sufficient, I think, to succeed in." raising the wind!" Lecture. On Tuesday evening last a lecture entitled "Comrades in Arms" was delivered by the Rev., Mk Isitfc ats

the Theatre Eoyal to aid the liquidation of the debt of the Fire Brigade Band. Lieut.-Col. Pitt the chair, opening with a few approp'fiate ' remarks and then introduced the lecturer. Mr Isitt's discourse was.,.life tened to throughout with the grealljr attention, the scene being drawn from the American War, whilst a strong choir rendered several of the "War songs in very good style. At the close of the address the Bishop of Nelson moved a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, and hoped that they would have the pleasure of listening to him again. During the evening the Fire Brigade Band gave selections from the American Military mueic, which were much appreciated by the listeners. Altogether some £l7 was netted in aid of the,funds from the lecture, a sum, though small, not to be despised. Various Items. The dancing bear is still in the town and proves a great source of attraction to the Maoris. This extraordinary animal is by no means a fool at wrestling, and the dark-skinned warriors seem to know it, for they generally give him as wide a birth as possible. A haka and war dance is advertised to be given in the Jubilee Hall on Saturday night. Dr. Greenwood, of Motueka, died on Sunday last, in his 84th year. Deceased was one of the earliest settlers in this district, having arrived in the' " Phoebe "in 1843. For .some years the Nelson Examiner was edited by him, and at one time he was Sergt.-at-Arms in the House of .Representatives. Dr Greenwood will be greatly missed by the settlers around Motueka, many of whom know from experience what a kind nature he possessed. Miss Gibson, the new mistress of the Girls' College, arrived here on Monday, and will commence her duties on July Ist.