NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1712, 1 April 1862, Page 3

NELSON.

By the Prince Alfred we have received our usual files of Nelson papers up to the 25th instant. It is with pleasure we extract the following from the Examiner's summary of 1 2th March. The proofs of the quiet progress which the Native policy is making, has now become evident to one of the two leading journals, who, heretofore, could not see any good in it. Perhaps it may ere long become so patent, that the Southern Cross may make equally as candid an avowal of the policy's increasing success, as the Nelson, Examiner does : " As far as our present information goes, there reigns in this colony the same outward quiet which has been described for some month* past. Sir George Grey and his Ministers continue their tours and " face to face " intercourse with the natives and, as far as can be seen, the result is good. The tribes which were not engaged in direct opposition to Government have recovered, or are recovering, from their excitement, and acceptiug, but as yet with only a dubious air, the aid. of European niagistiates in organizing thei» runanga. That part of the press which sided against Governor Browne's policy is enthusiastic over the success of Sir George Grey, and will hear of no difficulties ahead. On the other hand, the colonists at large, whilst unable to take so sanguine a view, are cordial in their good wishes for his Excellency's efforts. The general impression is, that the present Native Government policy, by itself, is a most precarious basis for peace. Looking to the centuries of growth and struggle that have led to our own position as a people, the pressure of class on class and race on race of which it is a fruit, and at the entire deficiency in this sort of education which marks the Maori, it can hardly be said that hope of success exists, so much as goodwill to the attempt. A temporary excitement, alarm, or irritation, or an imperfect passing glimpse and perception of the good of order, may induce a rude people leading an untrammelled life to adopt, even eagerly, something of organization; but common experience, as well as philosophers and poets, tells how well- nigh impossible it is to maintain a height to which we are competent to aspire or even for a moment to reach." The Mail Servick.— -We extract the following from the report of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce.—" With respect to a direct steam service between Sydney and Wellington, Mr. Ward had suggested that the Government of those provinces should jaiu in a subsidy to secure such a service, the amount of which would be but small aud intimated that the General Government would be disposed to join in making up the sum required. After some discussion, the matter was referred to the consideration of a committee. A committee was also appointed to consider some alterations in the tariff proposed by the Lyttelton Chamber of Commerce, and the meeting was adjourned to the 19th ol March, to allow time for the preparation of lleports on both subjects. The following are extracts from the same paper :— The Gold Fields.— From the Gold-fields, especially those of the West Coast, the aews still continues very good, and the men who went to the latter fields from Otago still express themselves as perfectly satisfied. There is but little doubt that all steadily at.-wdrk- there are doing well, and, further ground having been

i found during the past inontb," there is every reaI son ta believe that, should there be a large ipflux f of diggers in , the next few months, sufficient: 1 ground of a. payable character will easily Be ob- ' lamed by all. The Superintendent, Provincial : Engineer,' 4 &c, a party numbering about twentyi five, have gone to. the West Coast for the pur- . pose of examining and to some extent opening , up (he country, and also of thoroughly investi- '. gating the extent and character ;of 'the (Goal i Beds of the Grey and Buller. We trust the - | conclusion arrived at. will be the removal of the I obstructive policy hitherto pursued, and that . the Gold-fields as well as the Coal-fields|will be opened up. Money spent in this way-will return the Province an annual revenue of a , similar amount to what may now be expended within a short time, or conduce to ttie .general prosperity in a large? degree than if expended on any other object. The Harvest.— The harvest now finished is not more than an average crop, and we anticipate wheat will have to be imported to supply the deficiency. Church Misssionahy Society. — A missionary meeting in connection with this society, was held at the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Friday evening, February 21, presided over by the Right Bey. the Bishop of New Zealand, The hall was crowded, and the meeting was dressed by the Chairman, the Bishops of Wel- , tington, Canterbury, Nelson, Waiapu, and Melanesia, and by Archdeacon Maunsell. The , latter gentleman, in particular, distinguished , himself by the earnestness with which he ad(lressed the meeting, in support of missions, and in endeavouring to iuduce the people of Nelson to achieve as great a success in the cause as had been obtained in other places. Some of the other speakers also gave, an interesting account of the number of churches and schools built by the natives in the Northern Island, and the progress of Christianity amongst them; and Bishop Patteson, whose address was listened to with deep attention, . gave an eloquent description of the principal islands which are included in the diocese, 'and a narrative of his personal experiences amongst t their inhabitants. A missionary hymn, sung by the Christ Church choir, concluded the . meeting which was altogether a most inler- ; esting one. Wool Ship. — The Sir George Pollock • which sailed from Nelson on Saturday, 15th ; March, took with her 1,750 bales wool, fifty toils of chrome ore from the Dun Mountain mine, 200 bullocks' hides • and calf skins, and about ■■ 4,764 ounces of gold. The total value ef which is £51,050. No other ship is loading, but one is expected to be shortly.