QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 12, 26 January 1870, Page 5

QUEENSTOWN.

( From our own Correspondent. ) January 24, 1870. There is little of any interest to chronicle from this district. People have recovered from the excitement occasioned by the late race meeting, and are settling down, with renewed energy, to the ordinary business

of overy-day life. lam inclined to question the policy or good sense of having the races so close upon the New Year's holidays, and think it would bo much better to have them either in conjunction with the Christmas holidays, or allow at least two months to elapse between them. However fond people may bo of some relief from business, it is quite possible to have " too much of a good thing," and I fancy the majority of the people of the Wakatip have lately experienced this truism. Harvesting operations were commenced here last week, and are being carried out with vigour. The weather is most favourable for getting in crops, and farmers are making the most of the opportunity. The wheat crop is a, magnificent one, and is expected to average at least 40 bushels to the acre. The oats are not so good, but still a plentiful yield is expected. Some

farmers complain of having a good deal of "smut" in the oat crops, which maybe partly accounted for by the seed having been split during the operation of threshing by machinery. Mr and Mrs Sutherland, late master and mistress of the school at Hamilton, have been appointed to the district school, Queenstown, and will probably commence their duties in the course of a week or two. Mr D. M. Scott, late schoolmaster at this place, has, I hear, received the appointment of master to the side school at Macetown (12-mile, Arrow). The .Rev. C. S. Ross, of Alexandra, preached at Frankton and Queenstown yesterday, in the absence of the Rev. D. Ross, who has been attending the Presbyterian Synod. He is expectod back in the course of this week. While on matters clerical, I may state that the remarks in your last issue regarding the Rev. Mr Drake's retention in the Cromwell district found a warm response in this town, where the rev. gentleman was highly thought of during his stay amongst us.

After giving two performances during the races—one for the benefit of the Wakatip Jockey Club, and one for the benefit of the School funds—the Queenstown Amvteur Dramatic Club has come to an end. Last Friday, at a meeting of the members of the Club, it was carried—- " That this Club be dissolved." Although this body has been in existence little over six months, it has contributed sums representing over £IOO to the various charities aud public bodies in the district. It is very much to be regretted that a club in which the gentlemen taking an active part therein devoted much time, trouble, and expense to the public good should be allowed to come to an end through want of support from the people. lam told that when the play was for any outside object, the house was invariably well filled, but that when the Club gave a performance to defray unavoidable expenses, the attendance barely paid the cost of getting up the night's entertainment. Hence the break ing up of a Society which has afforded many nights' enjoyment during its existence, and the absence of which none will regret more than those who discouraged the enterprising amateurs. I believe that after paying all debts clue by the Club a sum of about £ls will remain to be given to the respective objects for which the last performances were got up.