THE LAKE DISTRICT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 222, 27 July 1866, Page 2

THE LAKE DISTRICT.

Queenstown. 23rd July. Things are almost stationery as to mining operations. The farmers are almost the only people who can rejoice in the alternate epochs or periods'of frost and thaw that so rapidly succeed one another. The frosts are, to them, periods of threshing, and the thaws are greedily taken advantage of to plough up new ground. As to the gold workers, they are sadly put about, and I don't know when the district will again send a tolerable escort, for we can do nothing in getting machinery into play with such weather/besides it dela- i works of all kinds. Speaking of the farming interest, I have to note great activity. This splendid class of settlers are rapidly making progress ; every day applications are pouring in, and even ground on the celebrated Crown Range is being taken up for pastorale purposes. The road to the Dunstanu now attracting the attention of agriculturists. Those who prophetised a speedy cessation of applications for farms have prophetised in vain. The demand is steady, and the fat, rich lands under the Remarkable Mountains, stretching to the Lake, are looked at with longiifg eves, At present these fat lands, with thirty feet of clay to work upon, and sloping gradually to the shores of the Lake Wakatip, are part and parcel of a sheep run; but, I hear, the Provincial Council will be memorialised should the Otago Land Act pass in its present form the General Assembly, to declare this tract a Hundred. The 'stone of land sit*lenient is now rolling, and it will be hard to stop it; from the West Coast and even Victoria, we are receiving an accession of population. People are looking to the advantages of situation, capabilities of soil, and a future ; in that

future the goldfields are not defended upon as the chief main-stay. At the beautiful Lake Hays we shall, thanks to some enterprising cultivators, have a magnificent garden for recreation purposes. A matter almost kindred with tin's, i., the progress the Acclimatisation Society is making, they have received universal support. I believe, the object in view is the benefit of the whole district, and not one special portion of it. though they do hold their meetings at Queenstown. I notice that they have elected five country members, out of twelve on the Committee, and the Society seems to be moving altogether in the right direction; I learn from their Secretary that they have applied for reserves, and opened communication with various kindred societies and also with some private individuals. Funds, lam told, are freely obtainable. I presume, you are furnished with, or will be furnished with the circular of the Society, which explains the objects in view. Ido not, therefore, think it necessary to dwell, in this letter, upon the subject further, though before dismissing it I may remark, that the members seem to have taken up the subject earnestly, and not as a new- ■\ fangled subject. You, Dunstan, Cromwell, "and Manuherikia, people should be able to do something; if" p;">;>!e tip Lore try to give you fishing and shooting and relaxation, should you not lend a helping hand? I am told the Society here will gladly assist you in any efforts you may make. Should the sa'mon return to the Plenty (Tasmania), ova will be obtainable for ■rivers running into the Lake, and then you might, one of these days, have salmon fishing in the mighty Molyneux. The Municipal Elections are the chief topics of discussion at Queenstown. The inhabitants of that town are making themselves very active. For the office of Mayor, Messrs Fuller and Robertson are candidates, the former helongs to the Scandinavian Company, and his supporters advocate his election upon being a man of business, of progress, and a future resident, likely to do much gocd to the town of Queenstown and to the district generally. The friends of Mr Robertson appeal to his successful career as a man of business, as one who has an immense stake interest in the district, and to the Tact of his being an old resident in the district, added to all this advocacy, we have the weighing of the personal qualifications of the candidate and some other matters which would he out of place in my letter. The absence of Mr Robertson will necessarily depress his party to some extent j but the election will L\. ariose, one, I he.r, probably not a majority of more than three or four, on one side or the i other, the contest was proceeding most amicably and in an honorable manner. The Ancient Order of Forresters had a * grand Supper the other evening, in their fine room at Burn's Victoria Hotel. Each member or brother of the Order, had the privilege to introduce a guest free. I had not the honor of an invitation, but I can assert, from all 1 hear, that a most pleasurcab'e evening was spent, that the supper was an excellent one, that peace ■and harmony prevailed, and last but not least, that the toast of the Dunstan people was drank with effcetvv cik-tr;? lor theladies,andc(Tectivelyresponded to by ( Mr Edwards of that town. The local news- , paper is ominously silent to-day, upon the , vmbject, people say its Editor praised at * flie festive board, the order, the gathering, ■ and the hospitality shown, when returning t thanks on behalf of the Press. It certainly • seems strange, and I mention the fact, as , the Foresters are strong in the district, , and it has given rise to very free comments. The caterer was the well-known , Mr. !St. Omer. Ihe Government have, after requesting , the opinion of the people of Queenstown J about having the jetty, never answered the j letter written in reply. It is perhaps an error or an act of forgetfulness, but the other day when at Queenstown, I heard ] the matter frequently mentioned. It was ] contended that not only had the Covern- , ment been incourteous, but it was some- : thing approaching to an insult, for the , purpose of provoking a quarrel. Evidently the article in the Wakatip Mail favoring , annexation to Southland has placed us at great disadvantage at head quarters. But 5 why the public should be made to suffer , for such an editorial, " we" is another ; matter which must claim attention sooner. ,