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tor with the natives, who under the command of Rauparaha and 
Rangihaiata opposed the colonization in the Wairau , they lost a 
number of their best men — it has steadily gained ground; and 
when upon a closer exploration of the country, coal, copper-ore, 
chrome-ore, plumbago and gold were discovered, the fame of Nelson 
was at once established as being the principal mineral- country of 
New Zealand. In 1802 the province numbered about 10,000 in- 
habitants, 5000 of whom reside in the town and its vicinity. The 
town lies close by the foot of the mountains, being built upon a 
kind of alluvial delta, which is formed by the confluence of two 
small streams, named the Maitai and Brookstreet creek, extending 
also up their valleys, and along the ranges of hills lining the har- 
bour. On account of its beautiful site and its delightful climate, 
Nelson is justly considered one of the most pleasant places of so- 
journ in New Zealand. The impression made by the snug little 
cottages, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is an extremely cheer- 
ful one. As the rows of houses in the principal streets are already 
closing up more and more, and larger buildings are growing up, 
the place gradually improves in city-like appearance. On the 
26 th August 1859 the laying of the corner-stones to new Govern- 
ment buildings took place with all due solemnity, and on that 
occasion I was honored by the inhabitants with the office of laying 
the corner-stone to an edifice designed for the noble purposes of 
art and science, to the Nelson Institute. Certainly a most cheering 
and memorable epoch in the history of the development of the young 
colony, when the enterprising pioneers, — after the toils and la- 
bours of their first settling down had succeeded, after their houses 
had been roofed over, and fields and meadows put in due order, 
— now direct their attention also to the nobler purposes of life, 
to the nursing of the blossoms and fruits of our civilization , of art 
and science! The Protestant Church is situated upon a command- 
ing elevation in the centre of the town. There are two bridges across 
the Matai river, a suspension -bridge and a wooden -bridge ; and 
Nelson can even boast of a rail -road, the first constructed upon 
New Zealand soil. It is the work of the Dun Mountain company, 
