NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 484, 1 June 1850, Page 3

NELSON.

i[Fr.oia our own Correspondent.]

Nelsoa, May 16, 1850,

The Lady Nugent has brought a considerable accession to our population. Her arrival is very opportune. There was a great scarcity of labour in the settlement. One of our farmers in Richmond told me the other day, that iv that village alone} there was roam for at least twenty-addi-i tionalfiirin labourers Our agriculturists were getting anxious. There is a pros-, pect of good markets for our surplus ■produce; and if we can have help we will' bring a mtich larger quantity of laud into ■cultivation this se.ison.

Mr. Tolleniaohe's intended residence here, though ouly for a season, is hailed as a good orneu for the future. He holds hy far the largest portion of our Absentee lands, and is disposed to set a good example to those of his elms, to act liberally in the affair of leases. .

Our leading men Have tried hard to! get up an agitation about the Trusteeship of the Nelson Funds, but tliey have failed, through their own petty exclusiveness. They confined the elective Franchise within much too narrow limits. None «ould vote save the Original Resident Land Purchasers. And now that the Directors cannot, or will not, give up the management of these Funds; the exclusive gentry are half angry because we, the non resident original land purchasers, won't assist them in kicking up a dust. Why should we ? The Directors are as able and trustworthy as the forty Rendent Originals to fill that office, along with our very worthy fellow colonist, Mr. Stephens; and because the forty, elected the two Nominees, therefore the will of the Nelson' Settlement, about Nominees is; evident! ! What in the world does the "lying Stationer" mean ?) I see I have omitted the / in the adjective, but let it stand, it will do as well as it is.) Messrs. I Munro, and Cautley's election by the forty is about as great a proof in point, as is the Editor of the Spectator's idea that his paper represents Wellington, because the Govermeut Officials and Nominees, are his chief subscribers. ,

(From the Nelson Examiner, May 18.,)

Since the ownership of laud in this settlement has been definitively fixed by the re-selections and other late arrangements, we have been asked more than once whether or not it was the intention of the New Zealand Company's Agents to issue any more complete and formal conveyances • than the land-orders and scrip under which the land "lids' been hitherto selected and held, and which create only what the lawyers call an equitable title, instead of the full legal one of which every owner of land ought to be possessed. We are glad to be enabled to inform our readers, on the best authority, that within a very few weeks the purchasers of land in all the Company's settlements will receive their final conveyances. The seal, necessary for their execution was sent out by the Mooltan, which was followed by instructions in the Monarch, which will enable the Company's Agents at once to issue the desired grants. The only cause of delay consists in the necessity of obtaining the confirmation by Sir George Grey of the appointment of the parties nominated by the Company in the different settlements to execute these documents; and this, we understand v.'as applied for. by the Principal Agent by. the first mail to Auckland after receipt of the instructions, a reply to which may be expected by return in a week or two. As J.IIO niuues of the parties appointed

bail already been assented to by Lord way, and the Governor's consent is only a inatter ofibrm required by the Act of 1 arliainent, his Excellency's sanction is a matter of certainty. Some anxiety has, we understand, existed among derivative purchasers, as to whether conveyances in such cases would be made directly to them, or whether they would be made to the original holder of the land-order, who would have in turn to execute a conveyance to the subordinate purchaser from himself. In some instances, where the land lias passed'through several hands, this would be attended with considerable expense; and in all such cases with more expense than if the conveyance was made direct to the final purchaser. We are glad to learn it is the intention of the Company's Ageuti, wherever required to do so, to issue the conveyance direct to the derivative pur-chaser—-a course which, as the Act of Parliament gives the holders of the seal full power to disputed titles, and make their conveyances valid and final, seems to us to be Tree from all objection, and likely to effect a considerable saving of expense to the purchasers of land, particularly those on a small scale, if ally derivative purchaser, however, should wish to be indulged in the cost of intermediate conveyance, by having the grant made to the original holder under whom he purchased, he would no doubt be accommodated.

We are informed also (which it will be satisfactory to purchasers to know,) that the fees charged for the grants will be the smallest amount which will cover the bare cost of their preparation and endorsement of plans upon them. Full information will, we understand, be shortly given to-purchasers of the steps necessary to be taken by them to procure their grants. Makkkts.—The demand for produce of all kinds for the California market has caused a general rise iv prices, and instead of our farmers finding any difficulty in effecting sales, as has sometimes been the case at this season of the wear, it is buyers who are now unable to do business. Unfonunately, from a variety of causes, cultivation was not lnueli extended last year in this settlement, so that from this circumstance, and the augmentation of consumers by immigration, the surplus '■quantity of produce is not so great as it otherwise'would have been. From the large demand, too, which existed last year for barley, there was more of this grain grown in the late season than in any former year. Wheat may be quoted at 4s. to 4s. (id. per bushel, barley at 45., potatoes £4 a ton. These'prices are all firm. Onions for exportation have been selling at 4d. per lb., and are now difficult to be obtained at that price. Dairy produce is also high—butter Is. 2d. per lb., cheese Is. The retail prices of butchers' meat are unchanged—beef and mutton sd. a lb.. .pork 4d.—but a decline would take place.if beasts could be more readily driven in from their pastures, and a road to the Wairau is in tliis, as well as in many other respects, an important object to us. Altogether, the prospects of agriculture in New Zealand have not for a long period been so as at the present moment.