QUEENSTOWN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume VI, Issue 304, 8 September 1875, Page 6

QUEENSTOWN.

[from our own correspondent.] September 1, 1875. As spring approaches, the weather is becoming more changeable, and promises a favorable season to our farmers. The time? are very dull, and press heavily on our business people. It is verydifficuit to say how many of them will bo able to bear up against the pressure such a state of things naturally brings about. The Good Templars have materially damaged hotel investments, and rendered property of this description almost valueless. They have done this in two ways. By stopping drinking themselves, they are gradually creating such a change of public sentiment that nobblerising is no longer popular even with those who have not joined, so, that the whole community are now very moderate drinkers. Good reports still come from the reefs. Southberg's party have struck splendid stone in a six-foot reef, and prospecting is earnestly commenced on the high level at Arthur's Point; There is no doubt that as soon as the completion of the railways releases we will have improved times. Beyond issuing a prospectus, there has not been anything heard lately of the Wakatipu Times. Most of the Queenstown correspondents charge us with that kind of energy called flash-in-the-pan, and I fear there is some truth in the charge. I still think, however, that this company will not deserve the imputation. A young woman called "Wakatip Kate" has been arrested for concealment of birth. The child has not been found. It is feared that the worst is to be expected. She was a servant at Morrison's Hotel, Arthur's Point. On medical examination all the evidences of birth were apparent. The police are searching'for the body, and she is being remanded from day to day in order to enable them to complete the evidence. Our commonage is again being over-run with sheep. What is called the great cattle country is thus rendered useless for the purpose of depasturing cattle. Somehow the sheep know the movements of the Ranger, and remove themselves before his visit." The settlers are thus driven to keep a portion of the common clear for their cattle with dogs.. The dogs, however, are somehow getting poisoned. This whole question of free grass re quires a change of system in its management. We have some 160,000 acres useless to anyone bat the trespassers, and the country is giving them 4 £Booo worth per annum for nothing, —sheep, as is well known, rendering it unfit for cattle pasture. Our whole population is about 2000. I hear it is mooted to get the greater portion of these runs leased, leaving sufficient for cattle, and have the rent ■used for making dray roads to Skippers and Moke Creek by the Seven-Mile. It is a proposition requiring consideration, however. It seems on the whole a great hardship that these runs should return no rent, and it is certain that these roads would be of great service in opening up the resources of the district. 1 see the agitation on the Kerin lease has been so far successful. The Miners' Association at Arrowtown deserve great credit for the stand they have taken. 6ur Amateur, Dramatic Club are to make their debut in Paul Pry. The grant of the Lake Islands was made under such conditions as prevent the Corporation leasing for more than three years. This decreases their present value. Such a tenure will effectually stop all improvements by-the. tenants, and reduce the rental considerably. It is very difficult to see the reason for thus curtailing the power of.Corporations. To. make them really useful, they ought to have as much power in their own domain as the central government has in federal affairs. Danger of abuse there is none. There is of course a. little danger from inexperience, but as. the people get knowledge in municipal government they may be trusted to carry it out. Safety lies in mistakes affecting the general and individual pocket. I must say our Corporations on the whole are working well, and are of great public importance ; ■and the greater the powers they receive, the more ambitious will the thoughtful and edu- j eated members of a community be to take a part in local self-government. The Act au T thorising our Corporation to. borrow £BOOO is passed. This scheme has, from the inexperience of the members, cost us a few hundreds more than the water is worth, but the knowledge and training our public men have received will make them more cautious in ■future transactions, and will eventually be well worth the money. I attended a meeting of Corporation last week when a very important question affecting local interests was under debate, and I must say the discussion was well and temperately carried on, and reflects credit on both sides. .The Mayor, Mr Betts, makes an excellent chairman, and possesses just the amount of firmness required.