QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 93, 22 August 1871, Page 3

QUEENSTOWN.

{From our otm Correspondent,) August IS. An unusually large number of people here are at present suffering from infhienza ; but we are not singular in this respect, as, judging from the newspapers, this appears to be the case all over the Province. The weather during the past week has been extraordinarily changeable, even for Otago weather. We have experienced rain, hard frosts, snow, aed the most lovely of Spring days, with the thermometer at about 70° in the shade ; and all these have been jumbled up as though the programme for each day had been drawn at hazard from a lottery-box. No doubt to this variation much of the sickness flying about may be attributed, the balance probably owing its origin to the insufferable effluvia arising from the numerous pigsties, and filthy back-slums, to be found in our otherwise clean town.

There is some talk of a new quartz-roof having been discovered by Mr Bridge, but the locality is at present a secret; though it is understood to be somewhere in the neighborhood of "Moke" Lake. The seat for Lake Ward in the Town Council was again fought for on Saturday last. Mr T. G. Botts, who had represented the Ward for two years before, and had distinguished himself by his independent and consistent action whilst in the Council, again came forward, He was opposed by Mr D. Powell. Though the contest was expected to be very equal, the result of the polling shewed the large majority of 14 for Mr Betts.

Since then the Council held the first meeting of tlio present Municipal year, and got through a large amount of business, Councillor Manders as usual bringing forward resolutions by tho dozen. No doubt for the public weal, he proposed tho reduction of the Town Clerk's salary, that official having been in receipt of tho handsome sum of £35 per annum, with the usual percentage on rates collected. This is now reduced to £25, Councillor Manders' plea being the smallnoss of the estimated income for the present year, though I am informed this will exceed that of last year, owing to the Government having neglected to pay the subsidy due, and the increased number of ratepayers. It is whispered that Cr. Manders had intended to resign his honourable position, and become a candidate for the £35, had the present Town Clerk seen fit to rcaign.

Last week, another batch of 100 Chinamen arrived in Queenstown, and have distributed themselves throughout the district. Unless some decisive move is made at once towards stopping the continued influx of " Johns," I fear a large number of our European miners will leave the district.

Money was never before so tight in Queenstown. It is sincerely to be hoped we are now at the worst, as the system of "taking it out," though all very well in a country which produces all the necessaries of life, is decidedly unpleasant when orders have to be sent to Dunedin or Melbourne. The co-operative store, which started last week, is doing a good business, and groceries are now procurable at about two-thirds of the old prices, for casli; and somehow the cash is forthcoming, though where from must remain a mystery.