NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1401, 27 January 1860, Page 5

NELSON.

By the Lord Worsley we hare received Nelson papers to the 14th instant. State op 'J'bab?:. — The depression that has existed fur some months past still continues, although some slight improvement is preceptible. Retailers are, however, still verj cautious in their purchases, which may be said to be made " from haud to mouth," and to consist almost entirely of daily articles ofcousumption. Teas and sugars continues to meet with ready sales at fair prices; with most other goods the market is fully supplied ; and the arrival of the Gokonda during the past month has added very considerably to to the previous heavy stocks. In reviewing the past year, we may safely say it has been on the whole a very dull one. The wholesome check put upon discounts by the bank will, we trust, eventually place business on a much more satisfactory ba3is than hitherto.

The Ovebland Road to Cantebuubt. — The Provincial Secretary and Provincial Engineer have recently returned from tbeir overland trip to Canterbury ; and we learn that they consider very few difficulties exist in the way *of making the road an easy and practicable one. Since. the return of this party, it has been determined to improve the ioad through the Wairau Gorge ; and a contract for that purpose bas been given to Mr. D. M'Gregor, who wjlj start at once, with assistants, in order speedily to complete the requisite work. Habboub Light.— We understand that the Provincial Government have at last decided on sending to England for an iron lighthouse, winch is to be erected on the Boulder Bank. It will be remembered that a sum of £1500 was voted for this work during last session of the Provincial Council.

Gas, bas been obtained from the Pakawau coal, by Mr. Tattou ; it was exhibited to his Excellency the Governor when here, and he expressed a hope, with th f ealization of which we are at no distant period promised, that the city of Nelson might soon be illuminated with iU We

believe that means are now under consideration ifor securing the small amount of apparatus necessary for its' production in sufficient quantity to nightly to illuminate our city. The Short Road to Mablbohough, via the Pelorus, is now opeu for equestrians ; a party of gentlemen having arrived here on Wednesday last, who report very favourably of it, as presenting few difficulties to the traveller, while it so considerably shortens the distance between the capitals of the two provinces. The Dun Mountain Coitkb Mine has at last again acquired some vitality, the London directors having decided that the iron tramway, from the mine to the port, shall be commenced so soon as the Provincial authorities shall have conceded the necessary legal power. Tbe successful working of this mine would do more for Nelson than almost any other thing; it would employ any spare labour which we might pos* sess, while the export of chrome, and copper ore, would induce the visits of numerous vessels to our harbour, and altogether the workiug of the mine would give a siir and an amount of activity to Nelson which can hardly be calculated upon We hope, therefore, that no unnecessarily stringent clauses will be introduced into tbe billimpowerinflf the company to make the requisite tramway. West Coast Gold. — Gold has beep, found at the river Bullei un the West Coast, by Mr. Rockfort's (survey party, who report that they first saw it "lying on the «dge oF the river,'glistening in the sun, and in such a quantity as in-, duced rather a mutinous spirit aincnjj- the hands, who preferred the golden prospect?, before them to the sterner duties of surveying." In order to satisfy the incredulous, Mi. liocltfort brought to Nelson with him a sample of the gold, consisting of several coarse bright pecei. The land on which it was discovered betongs to the Maories, and Mr. Maokay, the natne interpreter, is now negotiating for its purchtsc ; in the meantime we hear of several parties vho intend testing the value of this new discovery immediately they can ensure a sufficient supply of provisions on the spot. Of the nattre of the district, Mr. Rocbfort reports that •♦ the country at the mouth of the Buller, and several of the districts north of it, offer an excellent field for a great number of agriculturists, the kncl being excellent. Again, inland among the hills, not only at the back of the Buller, but I believe as far as Wakapuhai, which is directl} contiguous to Aorere : employment after crops are put in, p>,.duiing any leisure time, at gold digging. Tbi^ I tliiuk, is the only way in which digging can be successfully carried on, until the couutry possesses communications and facilities for supplying a digging population." Accident. — We learn that as W. O. Cautloy, Esq., was last week riding to the Waiiau by the uew road, he was suddenly seized with a fit and fell from his horse insensible. The gentlemen who were accompanying him conveyed him as soon as possible to* Wilson's public-house, and one of them hastened to Nelson for medical assistance

The Harvest. — Reaping has now commenced in some parts of the Waimea, and we are glad to learn that there is every probabilty of a bountiful harvest this season. In some parts of the suburban north. district, too, the wheat crops look paitieularly fine. Should the present dry weather continue, however, fears are entertained that the crop of late potatoes wiil be in some places a light one.