NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume V, Issue 449, 30 January 1850, Page 3

NELSON.

[From the " Nelson Examiner," Jan. 12.] Loss "of the Edward Stanley.— We have the unpleasant duty of recording the loss of another ofthe coasting craft of the colony. The Edward Stanley, a smart little schooner of 22 tons, left Wanganui for Nelson on Thursday, the 3d instant, in ballast, with a crew of four hands and three passengers; namely, J. Nixon, Esq., of Nelson, Mr. G. Taylor, who also formerly resided here, and Mr. Duncan, of Wanganui. When off the Croixelles, on Friday afternoon, about ten miles from the shore, the wind at the time blowing very strong-from W.N.W., the vessel was struck by ( a heavy sea, which threw her on her beam ends, and shifted her ballast. .It was immediately seen by those on board that there was no chance of the vessel righting, as she immediately began to settle down, and the only possibility of escape was by a small dingy, which the vessel carried. The little boat was therefore'instautly launched, but being driven under the mast as it layover the, side, she filled with water. The boat had then to be drawn up the side of the sinking vessel, aiid launched a second time; fortunately with better success. Five of the persons ou board now stowed themselves in the bottom of the boat, and the captain took his place at the stern with one paddle, aud one of the men at the bow with the other. The object of this was to keep the bow of the boat to the wind, and lot her drift before it, as auy change from this position must, iv such a sea, havo led to her being immediately swamped, and the destruction of the lives of the whole party. For about four hours the boat was in this most help less position, those who were sitting iv the bottom employing themselves in bailing out the water with their hats, as it came rushing over the gunwales. At last, by the aid of the wind and the set of the tide, tho boat fortunately drifted into Croixelles harbour, where, on reaching smoother water, tha crew were able to put her about, and pull for the shore, but it was oven then necessary for tho captain to hold his blue shirt over the stern, to prevent her being swamped by the waves. On reaching tlie shore, tho natives acted with the utmost kindnbss towards' the party, and as the schooner Calhenne was

there about to load with timber, she was chartered to bring all hands to Nelson, whore they arrived', on Sunday morning last. From the suddenness with which the accident occurred, and tho rapidity with wliich tho vessel filled, (she went down almost instantly after tiie bout left her,) not a single thing w.is saved by any one on board but the clothes they had on at tho time. A subscription has boen opene.l for providing the crow with a few articles of clothing iv lieu of thoso which they lost, and also to make a small present to the .Maories for the kindness .shown by them. The Edward Stanley Wiis the properly of Messrs. Taylor and Watt, of Wanganui. TiVuxcH-—A fine little schooner of 25 tons, named the Rapid, was launched this morning from Freeman's yard. She is built with a spacious floor, almost like a barge, to allow of the stowage'of wool, it is calculated that she will carry between sixty and seventy bales, and yet only draw three feet of water. She "is therefore admirably adapted for going into the Wairau, or any similar river.— lbid. Exro iits —The exports of our .produce during the last months of the year, were very satisfactory. Tlie To'rrington, a large brig, loaded for Sydney with 3 tous of bale lashing,' 1 ton-of flax, 10,000 feet of timber, 60 sheep-skins, 2,000 bushels of barley, and 74 bales of wool; the Return took to Port Victoria (the intended Canterbury settlement,) 35,000 feet of timber, 21 • sides of ; bacon, 4 boxes ■of lard, 16' hams, 10 casks of pork, and 2 hhds. of beer; and the Maria Josephine, to Wellington, 4 tons of flour, 6 casks of ale, 40 bags of barley, 10 bags of. oats, 10 bales of wool, and 2 cases of furniture ; besides other shipments in small vessels to the coast. The barley taken by the Torrington was the last shipment for the season made to the order of Tooth and Company, of Sydney, and which will make the quantity obtained by them in this settlement about 19,000 bushels ; for this 3s. 6d. a" bushel has been paid. The sample has we understand, given great satisfaction, and we have the testimony of our Taranaki friends, that finer grain is not produced in England. ..The wool grown in the Wairau will, we suppose, be chiefly sent to Wellington this but there will nevertheless be a quantity shipped in Nelson. The Comet is now taking some on board, and on her next trip down, in about six weeks time, will probably again load back with wool. This double freight is a heavy loss to the growers, and it will be a great benefit to them when arrangements can be made by which the wool can be stored, pressed, and shipped on .this side of the Straits. We hope .that we shall soon see the export of timber greatly increased from Nelson. A powerful saw-mill has for some time been erecting by Mr. Martin, and when it is completed—and it is expected to be at work within a fortnight— such a stock will soon be got up as to induce vessels to come here to load, depending, as they will then be able, that a cargo may always be obtained. In the article of flax, too, we hope something will soon be done, as there is a gentleman here making preparations to dress flax on a large scale.— lbid, Jamiary . 5. The Weather.— Although the month of December is a critical one for the farmers in New Zealand, during the past one the weather has been such as to afford general satisfaction. A few showers of rain early in the month served to freshen the corn, and give turnips a start, and now that harvesting has commenced, we suppose that but little rain will be desired until the crops are got in, Still a good shower, we think; would not be amiss, if it was only to lay the dust. A good quantity of barley and oats have been already cut, as reaping was commenced at Ranzau, by the Messrs Kei - ling, a fortnight since, but the wheat-will scarcely be ripe for the better part of another month. The crops of wheat are admitted to be on the whole the finest the settlement has ever produced, and though some of the barley will be light, from having been late sown, there is some again which has done remarkably well. If the crops are saved well, there will no where be auy causa of complaint, but on the contrary, much to be grateful for.— lbid.

Opening of the Presbyterivn ' Church.—On Sunday last, the Presbt-! terian Church, in Nelson, was opened for public worship. The Rev. T. D. Nicholson preached in the forenoon and after noon, and the Rev. S. Ironside in the evening. The services were numerously attended ; at the forenoon service there was, at least, 360 persons present; and the collection taken amounted to the sum of £13 10s. The collections of the day amounted to the handsome sum of £23. Ou Monday evening, a very interesting meeting was held in the Church, when addresses were delivered by several speakers, and various pieces of sacred music wero sung on the occasion with much taste and spirit. - The proceeds of this meeting realised the sum of £7.— Ibid, December 29.

The Comet has made another successful run of twelve days from Sydney, and brought 660 sheep and nino horses. Cap tain Cork, with his acoustomed good fortune, lost only five or six tho voyage.-— Hid..