Local News.

Colonist, Issue 73, 2 July 1858, Page 2

Local News.

DINNER TO CAPTAIN NICHOLSON,

On Wednesday evening, a very numerous and influential meetingwwars r held for the purpose of bidding farewell to Captain Nicholson, of this town. The room was- so thronged, that it was with difficulty that space enough could be found: at the dinner table. The utmost harmony prevailed, and after partaking of an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Luck, of the Trafalgar Hotel, Mr. G. Elliott, M.P.C., Chairman, who was ably seconded by G. M^Rae, Esq., M.P.C., proceeded with the usual loyal toasts, after which Dr. Renwick, M.F.C.^ in proposing the toast of "the Army and Navy," said, that he could not refrain from adverting to the present state of our possessions in India. He, as all must, was deeply grieved by the last accounts, and concluded byexpressing his hope that peace and quietness would soon return to that at present so turbulent country. W. L. Wbby, Esq., returned thanks, but felt that as there was present a gentleman who was his superior officer, it should not have been left in his hands. • -■--.. _ , r Captain Newcombe, J.P.,. in also acknowledging, the toast, said that he could hardly understand how he should be classed by Mr. Wrey as his superior officer; but bagged also to*-peturn his thanks for the manner in which the sister services had been drunk. •' v W. Wells, Esq., M.P.C.,.iri a few words gave " the Health of the Governor of New Zealand," which was warmly responded to. 0. Curtis, Esq., M.P.C., then proposed " the General Assembly," which was also duly acknowledged. The above toasts having been disposed of, Mr. Elliott, of the Nelson Examiner, gave in an excellent speech the toast of the evening. He felt, he said, he could hardly do justice to it—it was indeed a matter of regret—when friends, connected by years of mutual intercourse, had to. say farewell. It must, however, be said, arid he had now but to speak of past days. He (Mr. Elliott) had known Captain Nicholson at his residence, at his counting-house, and, he might be pardoned if he also said, on the turf. His fellow-colonists knew the interest •■■which lie took in it, and he had heen proud to share that interest with Captain Nicholson. The Captain, indeed, was not one of the oldest settlers,but he was one who had during the whole of his stay in the colony applied himself mos,t assiduously to develop its resources. He had identified himself with its interests, and'would leave with the regret of all. Combining the open hospitality of an English gentleman 'with the careful enterprise of a prosperous merchant, he had made himself so universally respected, that it needed riot his voice to asserHt, for the unanimous opinion of the colony would aver it. Mr. Elliott then gave "the Health of Captain Nicholson and family, and his speedy return to Nelson." Mr. Nicholson then, ia a few words, acknowledged the kind reception given to the toast pro-

posed by Mr. .ElT>s.j;Hc i'would- not,"he "said; "' attempt to make arrllaborate reply, but he felt he " had received a greeting which to him was unexpected ; and he returned his most sincere and " heartfelt thanks to all present. • . . . G. M'Rah, Esq.; M.P.C., Vice-Chairman of the evening, then introduced a toast he was sure all would respond to. It was " the Health of Mrs. ■ Nicholson." He could speak of her in all relations, as that of mother, as mistress of her establishment, and as wife. He would, but add, that the best ' advice, he could .give to young bachelors was to follow Captain ;Nicholson's example, and procure such a partner for life. He then gave " the Health of Mrs. Nicholson and her three sons." Mr. Adams, M.P.C., then gave " the Commercial Prosperity of the, Colony." And in giving - this toast, he would not speak. for one province ■ ■ alone, but' he t wished to include the commercial prosperity of all the.settlements of New Zealand. Captain Nicholson had arrived- at a time when there was a great; commercial stagnation. He .might, perhaps, at first have fancied that he-was - looked : ,upon as an interloper; but the zeal which he had shewn to. promote the' commercial and ' social interests of the colony deserved the warmest - thanks of the settlers. 0- Curtis, Esq:, M.P.C., then addressed the meeting, and proved the success of the colony. ' He illustrated it by .the increase of the Customs' Receipts, and hoped that the settlers might con- - gratulate themselves on future prosperity. . . Captain Scott, in a humorous speech, opened the subject'of the agricultural interest. The true .- wealth of the colony he considered came from the bowels of the earth; and with a few witty re- . marks on potatoes, he. gave "the Agricultural interest of the Colony." J. P. Home, Esq., in returning thanks for-the above toast, alluded to the- disadvantage that growers labor under from the heavy expenses attendant up;on the> conversion. ?<?f wheat into flour ; and after a few remarks, was succeeded by C. Elliott, Esq., Chairman, who gave " tho Mineral Resources of Nelson." They had not, it was true, equalled the anticipations of the residents here, and they had discouraged the capitalist* in England. He alluded especially to the Dun Mountain Copper Mine. He could himself still hold to the opinion that there was abundance of copper there. He had the testimony of his own eyes ; for he had himself found numerous specie mens of ore. Other accounts indeed differed, but he hoped that those who were disheartened were also mistaken ; and he looked forward, to the time when copj. er should be a large export from the colony. He would not, however, confine himseif to copper—there were other minerals, and valuable ones, to be found. It was not a matter of much consequence what the name of the mineral was, so that a profitable export trade was carried on.. T They possessed the native chrome. They received large quantities of gold gathered in the colony. There was also the coal formation, which, could they only get the assistance of ateam,. would, he-. felt sure, be of great importance. He hoped that one or other of the minerals which he had enume- - rated would be found in sufficient quantities tocause a great>. increase in the expenditure of capital; and that Nelson might rank, not only as , . an agricultural, but also as a mining district. Mr. Wrey, in acknowledging the toast, said? that he was placed- in an awkward position. It made it difficult for him to return thanks,- But viewing it in the light of.a public matter,,he - would state, his honest and unbiassed opinion of • the state of the mineral resources of tne settlement. He should^1 he. said, be able to.'gjye an .opinion, for he had now devoted forty years of hislife in acquiring information connected with minerals and their development. The country, he wasfree to admit, labored under natural disadvantagesIt was indeed mountainous,.but-those very mountains contained the mineral wealth. Sot only . was the Dun Mountain full of natural riches, but he believed that from Massacre Bay to Foveaux Straits there existed a rich mineral deposit. He would enumerate gold, copper, and coal asamongst the most probable^ but he had found others and equally valuable. Not only traces of, but the existence of lead and,"tin were amongst the' varieties which he had discovered. He couldnot, ■< -. as principal proprietor of the Copper mine, speak Without feeling a degree of discomfort; but he feltsu,re" that all it requirfd^svas^"- capable and attentive gentleman .at the. head of the mine.' He • hoped that Mr. Nicholson .Would take home with him a fair and not discouraging report of the mine. His own reports on the subject are still in exis- ,< • tence, and he is. still firmly of opinion that there is an abundance of ore. He however laid the fault on the present manager of the works. He felt that not only was the prosperity of the minesure, if properly treated, but that there would be a degree of credit attached to the first proposers. He was truly glad to see a gentleman from Wellington amongst the company, for he could then rely that his statements would be recorded in that province. ■ While • he- himself was manager of • the works he had opened lode after lode, and he could so little un- - derstand the present state of things, that he feared that not only was the copper gone, but that .they would soon lose the mountain itself. He hoped that if he alluded to,the subject of jsoals, the feeling of jealousy would not be attributed to him. He would, however, give it-as his opinion, that though a black material had indeed been found, coal in the true sense of the word had not. That substance which had been found, was not fit for. the use of sea going vessels, and he feared the consequences of the reports which had been sent hometo England. •■■.,. O. Curtis, Esq., rose to defend the coals from the aspersions of the previous-speaker. He found that the black material as it was called, would burn well, and that lie considered a sufficient re- - commendation. He did ,not consider that sufficient mining operations had been carried on, to speak with any degree of authority as to the quality of the coals. They had never hithertohad a trial of any but surface coals. Mr. Dodson then gave the " Pastoral Interest of Nelson," which was responded to by Mr. Stafford,',who in replying stated that it was not his wish to separate, the interests of the colony. He fully believed that a wise combination of agriculture and mining, with pastoral pursuits, , . ~ had an effect of raising the value of each. • He had often heard. of the various interests of different classes, but he considered that they should unite- , for mutual advantage. He himself had,- he could say truly, done better here than any other country he had lived in, .though, he still looked forward to> the time when lie should have a sufficiency to leave it.1 The Chairman said that he was glad to see somany ; gentlemen present "frdfn "'other' provinces. -"r He had hoard it expressed that there existed a feeling of jealousy amongst the provinces. Thishe would deny, arid hoped that oven should he be mistaken, and that;there existed any such feeling, it would soon wear out. Si earn communication he looked forward to as one of the most effectual ■ means of preventing any such feelings. He then proposed the "Success: and Prosperity of the-, other Provinces." v Mr. Duncan, of Wellington, returned thanks for the way in which the other provinces had been mentioned, and after a' few general remarks, the usual toast of "The Ladies" was given, which was replied to in a very humorous speech by O. Curtis, Esq. "The Press" was afterwards drank and acknowlegedby Mr. Elliott of the Examiner, and Mr. Crompton of the Colonist, and the meeting separated at a late hour,' after passing a most agreeable and social evening. Everything had been so arranged as to preserve ample accommodation; and the liberal manner in which the table was supplied did great credit to the worthy host, Mr. Luck, to whom we can only wish his,; own name. ' , '