QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 150, 24 September 1872, Page 6

QUEENSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) September 21. 1872. On Thursday and Saturday last concerts tfere given at Queenstown and Arrowtown, respectively, in aid of the building fund for the new Presbyterian Church at Arrowtown. The programme was almost similar at both places, and its only fault was its length. It had been decided that no " encores" should be responded to, but this judicious rule had to be broken in the cases of the ladies who respectively sang "Comin' thro' the Rye," and "Oh! ye Tears!" the audience absolutely refusing to be pacified until their favourites again came forward. At Arrowtown, a lad named Evans (about 12 years of age) made a decided hit in the convc line,—being quite ala Hilton,—and kept the audience in roars of laughter. The pecuniary results were very satisfactory, about £BO having been taken, of which sum the Arrow contributed £SO.

Talking about churches, I mentioned some time ago that a lottery had been started for the purpose of building a stone Episcopalian Church here. I see by the Lake Wakatip Mail that the vestry accepted some designs sent up on spec, by a Dunedin firm, without first consulting the wishes of the congregation, who appear to be in favour of calling for conpetitive plans, and making the choice by vote. 1 understand the vestry have since determined to adopt the latter idea, so it is to be hoped the subscriptions will pour in as before ; we may then expect to see the work commenced in the beginning of the new year. The Municipal Council are bestirring themselves. Tenders have been called, and plans and specifications prepared, for the formation of numerous streets; and other works are in contemplation. The very liberal directors of the Town Hall Company have advertised the winning numbers of the shares which were raffled amongst the holders of tickets for the concert and ball given at the opening. Shares to the value of the amount taken were to be disposed of. The amount received was £BO, and the numbers of 4 shares (at £5) are given,—equal to £2O. It seems highly improbable that £OO went in expenses, which generally average from £7 to £lO. At any rate the matter has given very general dissatisfaction.

The pioneer of the district, W. G. Rees, Esq., is up here on a visit. It is to be hoped the local authorities will not allow him to depart without some demonstration, in the shape of a ball or dinner.

It is contemplated to erect, on spec, a range of buildings to serve as photographic galleries, to meet the requirements of the numerous "artists" who are about to pay us a visit. Three are coming from Southland, one from down country, and we have three here now,—making seven in all. " May the art flourish !"

The Port Darwin Gold-fields, The Melbourne Argus publishes they ing telegrams : l Adelaide, Sent A telegram from Port Darwin, L» last night, states that an auriferous red been discovered near the Yam Creek teW station, and has been traced three I Gold is visible to the naked eye for ISO? along the reef. Ten claims have been nf out, and great excitement exists anion! prospectors. Mr Osborne, agent f 0 ? Mount Perry mine, has engaged seventy from the Moonta at £3 a week wages. Port from Port Darwin, and seven miles from telegraph line. Westcott's Adelaide J have discovered a reef, which they have A tened the Priscilla reef. It runs from points west of north to ten points east south for about three miles. The line of is well defined,'and gold is plainly seen in surface stone. No operations have as been commenced, but three miles of m have been pegged out in claims. Aboutf diggers are at present on the field. An field exists for a large population. Boft luvial and reefing parties must be well, vided with horses, drays, stores, tools I for at least six months. The rainy season & mences in about two months, and no b can possibly be done till about February the country gets frightfully boggy. Adelaide, Sept. l Private telegrams confirm the Yam Qn gold news, and the Government ha»ea! received a telegram to the same effect. Sept. 5 The Government received the foflotj telegram from the acting Government % dent atthe Northern Territory to-dai! " The Warden reports that twenty-twoqia claims have been registered adjoining m cott's. Fine stone from Kapunda cm Rich stone from Neat's claim. Several otbi reported auriferous. Kapunda party api for lease of forty acres at Pine Creek to-dai . Yam Creek, Sept. 6 Since my last telegram, Westcott's pari Priscilla reef, has found rich surface stone other parts of their acre block. Twenty-it ordinary quartz claims have been register] and several claiinholders report havino foj gold in the surface-stone. No operatig have yet been commenced, but parties energetically engaged in carting stores nn Port Darwin before rains set in. The ii shower of the season fell this morning, Dj gers are sanguine of good alluvial ground! ing found, but nothing payable has been I covered as yqt. There is a rumour of a a reef haying been discovered, but notlit authentic has as yet been received. At Pi Creek, thirty-one miles south of Westcot Creek, on the telegraph line, forty acres ground have been applied for by the Kapun prospectors. This includes the ground wli M'Lachlan got the first prospect of 5 ozs. ] Ford, the leader, has found in an old ho sunk by M'Lachlan, good prospects. 1 barque Condor arrived at Port Darwin to-ds

Port Darwin, Sept. 6. The Condor has arrived with 120 pass; gers, all of them unprovided with ston None bring with them the means of tra po\-t.

The Government must act immediately, the force here is totally inadequate to p serve order ; otherwise serious results cam but be apprehended.

All the reports from the diggings conti: favourable, and steady preparations swJii ing for work. '*»