Nelson.

This city is about 11 hours' sail from the last-named town. The population is close on 7,000, and although it is generally known as "Sleepy Hollow," it is a most flourishing place. The town itself has a genuine English appearance, what with hop-gardens, orchards, and cosy cottages nestled in bowers of woodbine and roses. The district around Nelson is famed for the production of cereals of all kinds. Fruits of every description are also grown in large quantities. The tourist can pass a day or two in this clean and snug-looking little city, with pleasure and profit. Nelson College, one of the best educational establishments in the colony, should engage his attention. There are several other places of interest worthy of inspection, and all particulars in connection therewith can be obtained at his hotel. Those who possess a taste for quiet rural enjoyment cannot fail to be delighted with this town. Nelson has two good newspapers, and its citizens generally are a superior class of page 90 people. The reader is, doubtless, aware of the fact that Nelson is situated in the Middle Island, and may feel somewhat surprised that we have not included it in our tour through that part of New Zealand. Well, our reason for not making mention of it in an earlier portion of this work is on account of its peculiar situation. It lies between Wellington and Hokitika, and unless the excursionist decides to take the route which is generally known as "round the ports" coming from Melbourne to Sydney, his only chance of visiting Nelson will be by adopting the plan which we have recommended, viz., from Manukau via New Plymouth.

When the tourist has "done" Nelson, he will embark again for Wellington, which is reached in 12 hours. An opportunity will be afforded him on the route of having a peep at the pretty town of Picton. As the steamer runs through the far-famed French Pass, some of the grandest coast scenery in New Zealand will also be brought under his notice. Having previously inspected the Empire City, he need not delay there, as the U.S.S. Co.'s steamers run regularly and with punctuality to Melbourne and Sydney.

In his trip over the principal places of interest in New Zealand he will have gleaned a pretty accurate knowledge of the colony, its scenery, its people, and its resources, and we feel confident that he will carry many pleasing recollections of our romantic country back to Australia, America or Europe, as the case may be, and that he will cherish the hope of being able to pay us another visit, and to make another tour of New Zealand. Under these circumstances he may exclaim as the steamer moves away from our shores,

"Farewell, but not for ever."