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Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 547, 8 January 1851, Page 2

The weather, that we have had for some weeks, we might almost indeed say, months past, is, or at least ought to be, we think, a matter of congratulation for every colonist in New Zealand; but more especially so to those who are agriculturists, dairymen, and gardeners. Such seasons, we speak of the last, spring as well as summer, have, we firmly believe, been unprecedented in this colony; and in this remark we are fully borne out, we think, not only by the experience of the oldest colonist, but also by the luxuriant and abundant crops, which everywhere surround us, whether horticultural, pasture or arable. As regards the dessert and culinary departments of horticulture tho fruit has been remarkably fine, and vegetables most abundant, 'While flowers, as regards the floral deparfrpeut, have been and still are as gay, as -ffije/anu as choice, considering at least tbe young formation of the colony, che consequent recent introduction of the most rare, choice, and valuable plants and goffers, and the still more cpnsequent > ffl P oS . sl ' hility to bring them to perfection, us tlie most ardent lover of botany could desire or expect. Of the pasture .and arable--hay harvest has, we hear, been mJ ■ plentiful, the land in the valley of i ° Hutt, averaging 2 tons to tbe acre, w» the crops of grain look most pH""**} and give equal hop.es of .a tbrivwgf • prolific harvest. t ,ttlifl Passing from .these remarks about . unprecedented salubrity and fioene the weather in New Zealand during past and present season, let US Y Jiflfe* moment proceed to contrast ,tW' « renco between what the olitfMe;_■» f

now and what it is at home. Here, just at this present time is nature's gay curnival—there, nature is clothed in a 80111 bre and uninviting manner, the wind blowing as cold and as piercing as man's ingratitude. Here to now is nature clothed in all her gaudeous drapery of flowers and green leaves, and her rural life fraught with animation aud joy—there, everything is dull, cheerless, and the frost as bitter and biting as the memory of benefits forgot. Here, we have now every produce of the garden in luxuriant abundance—there such epicurean delicacies and dainties are unknown. Here, also, now our great desire is to escape from the burning and scorching heat of the noon-day sun, while at home the wish is to creep as close to the fire as possible, and muffled up in gloves, upper Benjamins, and other warm paraphernalia to expel and keep out as effectually as possible the biting and searching cold. Such is the great difference at this time of the year (Christmas) between the Northern and Southern climates and between our mother and our newly adopted- country.

Mrs. Head, t-he widow of the unfortunate man, who was accidently killed about three weeks ago from the upsetting of his bullock dray, died on Sunday last from the injury which she received upon the same occasion, and was buried yesterday. Dr. Fitzgerald has been unremitting iv his kindness and attention to her during the whole of her suffering. Four orphans are left in an almost destitute state to lament this untimely bereavement of their parents, and we hope that the feelings of a sympathising public will be enlisted in their behalf, to ameliorate their present unfortunate and really pitiable position.