THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 285, 11 October 1867, Page 2

THE LAKES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) QUEENSTOWN, OCT. 7. The welcome rain that has fallen during the last few days, one would almost imagine, had come down in the shape of wine that " maketh the heart of man to rejoice," so jovial do our agricultural friends and the owners of gardens appear. If any other portion of the community is depressed in spirits it is not now them, and altogether they seem within the last few days to have become quite a changed class of men. Discontent and grumblings have given place to words of encouragement and congratulatory expressions, full of hope. As an agricultural district the weather is of the highest importance to us, and in this letter I have given it chief prominence because, hereafter, I may have often to allude, though probably in a curt sentence, to its state. The explanation 1 have now given will demonstrate why, on this occasion, I have dealt with the subject in a longer paragraph than usual. I might add that this rain was doubly valued owing to the warm weather that had ruled for six or seven weeks previously, and the absence of almost any rain during the winter. The growing crops are looking magnificent, and some of the larger wheat paddocks present a very cheering appearance. The change from a comparative wilderness, after leaving behind you the Morven Punt, and coming into a fresher country of hill and dale and lake, full of bright green patches of cultivation, is one that is better realised by personal experience than by any amount of written description. The contrasts are, however, so great, both in nature and scenery, in ruggedness succeeded by a quiet calm beauty, that it is almost impossible for any one who has an atom of love for the picturesque in him to regret a visit to the Lakes District, and especially at this the spring time time of year. We bear we shall have many visitors, and I understand some cottages ornee are about to be built in one or two fine positions and nooks, so as to afford accommodation for those who would like to visit the Lakes, but who are not prepared to incur the expense or the discomfort inseperablc for a family of an hotel. Our citizens having been vieing with each other in planting trees in the public park and around the lagoon it contains within its boundaries, upwards of two hundred trees have been so planted by private individuals. It is curious to observe how tastes in the matter of trees. The bluo gums, after so much talk, do not appear to be very popular, and attention seems to have been chiefly paid to European varieties. Oaks are, perhaps, the most largely planted, and then I think the weeping willow may claim precedence. However, elms, poplars, the elder, and many other kinds are well represented, and if one half take root next year the park will present a fine appearance. The Hospital Committee, on Saturday, upon the motion of Mr. Mamlers, decided upon holding a bazaar, and at the same time comprising with it what the proposer called an open-air fete. I believe the suggestion was carried unanimously in Committee, but I can vouch for one fact—it has been well received out of doors. These kind of affairs seem lately to have been very popular in Victoria, as they combine so many amusements that they please all tastes and habits and young and old. I trust, for the sake of the Institution, that the committeesone of ladies and one of gentlemen—will bo rewarded for any trouble they may incur. The time fixed is Christmas time, and I should be glad to have the pleasure of making the acquaitance—incog, of course—of many of my Dunstan readers on the occasion of its being held. Perhaps you may afterwards be attempting something of the sort, when a return visit might be made. Politics may almost be said to have slipped out of memory : at least they receive no attention. An apathetic indifferent feeling, full of disgust and tinged with bitterness, rules. This is not pleasant to witness, for it signifies anything but contentment. This is best seen the moment anyone introduces a political subject into conversation. The sneer—the brief angryoutburst follows, and then immediately, by a tacit consent, more perceptible than openly expressed, the subject is shelved in a spirit of hopelessness that tells its own tale. I do not like to see this distrust—this sinister apathy—this want of belief in the governing classes—this cynic indifference. It is not healthy, besides being very unpleasant; but there it is, and you cannot escape its effects If Mr. Mae. Andrew visits the district, and can, on behalf of his Executive and the majority in the Council who support his policy, gives the people here positive assurances of attention to their requirements, it may be my fortune to write about th 0 other side of the picture. Mr. Crceth, the Manager of the Scandinavian Company, Skipper's, has been hero the last fortnight. He speaks very highly of the mine, and brings down another cake of gold of over one hundred ouncoo. The company will clear up every fortnight, and now that all have got

water 1 Lope to be able to chronicle the receipt of many cakes of gold. Mr. Broad, 8.M., Arrow, was married, at St Mary's Cathedral, Wellington, on the 3rd inst' 1 mention this fact becausa upon the occasion the people of this [town congratulated "Mr Broad and his fair bride on the auspicious occa' don"- by telegram. A reply was received m the course of the day from Mr. and Mrs Broad, and thus the telegraph was made the medium of promptly interchanging kind feelings at the proper time and season. Now that fresh tenders are about being called for the 18C8 mail services I hope we shall have a mail three times a week. At present, if you miss Friday's post five clear days must pass away before you can write again, and six days before the post leaves. For instance, if I write to Dunedinon Saturday, sth October, the letter leaves here on the 10th, arrives in Dunedin late on Saturday, the 12th, and is delivered on the 14th; taking nine clear days (or ten days inelusive) for this letter to reach its destination. This is sufficient to show that a change is required, and comment could hardly be stronger n consequence of the strict carrying out of he Bird Protection Act the various lakes and lagoons are swarming with teal and duck and wc can promise your sportsmen some entertainment next year. It is curious to note, however, that the poor caw-caw can find no peace, and in season and out of season he is sacrificed. The consequence is that these birds are fast disappeanng. Having so much bush here the cawcaw never annoyed the fanner and this indiscriminate slaughter shows how valuable is the Bird Protection Act, for the caw-caw is a bird not easily to begot rid of, and yet it will be soon unknown amonrr us . Mining news is geneally favorable The races will take place the first week in January, immediately after the Cromwell meeting. The Queenstown Prospecting Association have determined to purchase a good boring rod, to be loaned out to miners to test ground with The Mayor (Mr. Bobertson) sits regularly now on the Bench, according to the promise he made at the time of his re-election. The cases are numerous, but possess little public interest each side generally conducting their own cases! and declining professional assistance. The Church of England Committee have decided upon effecting extensive alterations, both m the matter of interior accommodation and in the extension of the building. A chancel and* aisle, with stained-glass windows, is to be added It is to be regretted that where any sect is suffi. ciently strong it has not a minister of its own Now the Church of England is in this district quite as strong as the Presbyterians ; in fact in numbers stronger ; but it is not strong at* all in the missionary spirit. The pastors of other denominations make their congregation as it were, and build up their church ; whereas the pastor of the Church of England feels it the* correst thing to find a congregation made for him, a church established, with emoluments guarantees of income, &c. It has often struck me this is a source of weakness, especially in the colonies, and more especially in districts like yours and this. If we were a lot of niggers I am inclined to think more anxiety would bo displayed for the interest of our souls by the clergy oi the parent Church : but certainlV the doctrine of the laborer being worthy of his hire is carried to extravagant pretentions, and worldly zeal and interest is permitted, to our cost and sorrow, to over-rule the higher axiom ol ho and preach the Gospel in all hinds."