QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 157, 12 November 1872, Page 6

QUEENSTOWN.

( From our own Correspondent.) November 11. 1872. Since I last wrote, a destructive fire took place in Beach-street. Two houses—the one a store occupied by Mr W. V. Wilson, the other Mr Scully’s dwelling-house—were burnt to the ground, and Mr Scully’s family were saved with difficulty. Had it not fortunately rained on the night in question, there is every reason to believe the whole town would have gone, as the high wind scattered the sparks far and wide.

The Town Council engrosses some attention just now. The Town Clerk Mr Richardson (who has for two years filled that office,) has resigned, and purposes leaving the district shortly. Who will be elected in his stead it is hard to say, as there will probably be several applicants. Rumour, however, points to Mr P. B. Boult, a gentleman who has been in the district since its settlement, and is very generally liked. The principal streets are being properly formed, and will possibly be kerbed. As an instance of the careful way in which our Council expend the funds, I may mention the formation of Camp-street. About a fourth of the street is so situated that not more than six people traverse it in the year, with the exception of the Rev. Mr Coffey. This portion of the street-line in one place passes through a part of the Camp Reserve, lately bought by Mr Beetham, and on this there were several fine trees of six and eight years’ growth. Mr Beetham offered, if allowed, to remove his fence back, so that it would only take in ten feet of the street (GG feet wide), to plant English trees along what would be the footpath, and to remove the fence back when the trees were sufficiently grown to allow of it. One Councillor said that they “didn’t want trees in the streets” (!) —“ never heard of such a thing” (!!) The result is, Mr Beetham has been unnecessarily compelled to move his fence, and to cut down the line trees which were on the street; and the formation of the street is being continued, for what tise no one appears to know. On Thursday, the Court-house was a centre of attraction, no less than eight citizens having been summoned for allowing horses and cattle to stray. One of the cases was very amusing. In this instance, the delinquent was one of our City Councillors, —I may say, one of the smallest of our Councillors, but, nevertheless, quite a multum in parw, —aad quite a passage-at-arms took place between him and the'constable, the evidence given by each being precisely contradictory. In the end, all the unfortunate owners were tired, and we may now hope to sleep undistmbed by the bellowing of cattle and tramping of wandering horses. In mining matters, affairs arc not of the brightest. The New Channel Co. (Shotover) have nearly completed their task of turning the river. Another fortnight will pnbably see the work done, and the company wi l then have a considerable portion of the bed of this golden river dry. 1 hear Ashworth’s dredge is doing well at the Sandhills ; also Hazeel’s party. A number of miners have lek for the Roper. The late unsatisfactory accmuts from there will probably put a stop to this exodus.

Last Friday cvenimr, the Oddfelbws celebrated their anniversary by a ball ii Mr D. Powell’s new hotel. Tire affair passed off very well, and was satisfactory in every respect. On Saturday, the steamer? took numerous picnic parties up and dowi the Lake, and these must have been very enjoyable, as the weather was, for a wonder, the.