NELSON.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1981, 10 November 1863, Page 3

NELSON.

By the Sturt our files from this Province are to the 6th inst: —

Nelson Plumbago.-— We learn that the New Zealand Plumbago Mining Company have arranged to ship for England by the Cashmere, 50 tons of plumbago. From satisfactory in formation received respecting the value of the article in England the Company have resolved to make this shipment. We understaud that the shares are now nearly all taken up, and that but few now remain for disposal in New Zealand. This valuable mineral therefore it is expected will become a staple article of export, as 2,000 tons may be raised annually at a much lower cost than the present, provided the laying of the tramway and other working facilities to the mine are carried out as is contemplated by [ the above company. It will be very pleasant to find that each ship leaving this settlement on her homeward passage carries with her a supply of the mineral which is already popular in the other piovinces of New Zealand, judging from the quantities that have been dispatched hence for different places. — Colonist, 30th Oct.

Another Accident at the Waimea River. — Loss op Two Hohses, and Narrow Escape of Spanjer. — On Fiiday evening, October 30, Mr Spanjer's van was crossing the Waimea River at the ordinary place, just below the junction of the two parent stieams, the Wairoa and the Wai-iti, nearly opposite Air Redwood's gate, and at the ford where the late melancholy accident occurred, resulting in the drowning of Dr Sealy's son. The rirei' had been high for several days, but was then somewhat fallen. The van, which contained Mr Spanjer only, crossed the first and larger brunch of the river in safety, and was pretty well over the second. Not far from the further side of this latter stream is a large deep hole, and most unfortunately Spanjer did not give it so wide a berth as was necessary, or probably the shifting nature of the bottom may have caused part of the side to fall in. Anyhow, the wheels of the vehicle on one side went into the ho.le, and the machine immediately overturned. Spanjer at the moment leaped from bis seat, and in doing so went between the horses. These in their struggles struck him, aud he went dowu under water to a considerable depth, rather stunned but still sensible. On coming up being weak by the strokes and the submersion, be was carried down the river some little distance, bat had strength enough left to strike out for the shore. The shore, however, he states, he should not have been able to reach had not a person who provident? lly happened to be on the bank, rushed in and rescued him by dragging him out, much exhausted. Meanwhile the animals (a pair of valuable mares) encumbered with their trappings a id the vehicle, after struggling severely for a quarter of an hour were drowned. The van was also much damaged, a couple of wheels being broken and other parts of the body of the machine being also smashed in some places. Mr Span jer estimates bis loss at £120 to £140, and all who know him, and his obliging disposition, while congratulating him on his escape, will regret the heavy drain on his purse which the accident must occasion. — Ibid.

Brilliant Meteor. — Last night, about | eight o'clock, a meteor of great magnitude and I brilliancy was seen to pass the sky in an almost, horizontal direction. It shot flora a point iv' the heavens about N.N.E. and 45 degrees in height, or midway between the horizon aud the zenith. In its biilliaut flight from the point of its appearance the meteor passed to about six or eight degrees west of north, where the beautiful nucleus went out, leaving behind a long 1 luminous train like a bright serpentine line of light, that gradually declined towards the horizon, altering its wavy shape as it settled down. This line of light continued visible for an hour after the meteor itself passed across the sky. The path the meteor described, extended to upwards of 50 degrees, and over this vast splace it travelled in less than thirty seconds.— Ibid.

A Change of Fortune. — The unfortunate digger named Frederick Maiben, who lately had one of bis eyes destroyed and his face otherwise severely injured whilst blasting rock at the Lyell diggings, and who is now an inmate of the Nelson Hospital, hits received Iry last mail from England a letter announcing that by the death of a relative he has come into an income of £800 a year. Mr Maiben's father, formerly a land agent in Nelson, is the peisun who communicated this good news. — Ibid.

Fatal Accident at the Harbor. — On Saturday about noon, shortly after high water, the schooner Rapid got under weigh to float out with the tide. While a little distance off the Arrow Rock, and between the two buoys at the entrance, a man named Thomas Alexander, (familiarly known as Tom Tweedale) was enged in lashing the dingy on the deck. In doing so the rope broke in his hand, and he staggered back, his legs vStruek the rails, and he fell overboard. The vessel was in the tideway, the tide on the ebb at the time. The master, Mr Barnes, saw the poor fellow fall and called to him to strike out, at the same moment putting down the rudder to bring the ship more towards him. But Tweeddale, who it is understood could not swim, only once rose above water holding up one hand, the other it is supposed being entangled with the parted rope, and be quickly sank again and did not re-appear. A volunteer crew went out yesterday to search for the body, but without success. Tweeddale, who was a steady well conducted man, was only about 24 years of age. He was unmarried.— lbid.