THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 364, 16 April 1869, Page 2

THE LAKES.

(FIIOiI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Akrowtown, April 12

He’s not a coming, there is weeping and lamentation in the Council Halls of Queenstown, and the Mayor and Town Clerk have clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes All hopes of entertaining the Prince are at an end ; a telegram from Wellington received on Friday last by Mr. Handers from the District member, Mr. C. E. Haughton definitely settles the question, Royalty will not honor the Lakes in the person of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh with its presence, nor is there the remotest probability of the owners of the “ Antrim ” ever enjoying the supremo satisfaction of placing their steamer temporarily under the command of the Royal sailor. This world is made up of disappointments and we must accept outs, those that can afford the time and money, can go to Dunedin and feast their eyes with a sight of H.R.H. there, while those that cannot, must remain at home and content themselves in the

best manner possible; there remains this consolation however in being disappointed, but it comes something after the fashion of sour grapes, that a groat deal of loose cash will continue to remain in the pockets of its owners and which may possibly be expended at some other time more advantageously to the interests of tho district. The little stockade on the little island in the middle of the'great Lake, about which I was telling you some time ago, as having been specially prepared as a place of safe custody for ignorant toadying M. .C’s will remain nnoccupie*, pending the visit of a real live Lord, or anyone that might palm him self as one, which of course would do all the same, then the stockade will find a tenant, in tho meantime, we must find consolation in the fact, that it is handy to have it about ono, as a certain thoughtful and thrifty wife said, when she purchased a coffin for her husband expecting his decease. The probabilities of'the Shotover being bridged seem rather remote again ; there is always a hitch oecuring somewhere or another in connexion with this ill starred undertaking : it appears that after the contractor, Mr. Aldrich and his men had explored the bush at the head of the Lake from end to end, no Totara or Black Pine trees of sufficient growth were to bo found, from which, timber of the required dimensions for building the bridge could bo cut. Mr. Aldrich has in consequence of lids, gone to Dunedin to confer the Board of Land and Works about the matter, and to endeavor to induce them to allow Red Birch to be substituted, which timber is said to be equally as enduring, I don’t pretend to be any judge of those matters, so will offer no opinion, but it is to bo hoped that those who have tho management of the business will ensure the host possible kind of timber being used. The lovers of the “ gun ” are at their wit’s end for a shot, the shooting season has commenced, the ducks have come down to the low lands in great numbers, and there is no authority for a bang? The Act for the protection of animals, says, “ no native game shall be hunted, shot, taken or killed in any part of the Colony, except during such months as the Governor shall from time to time appoint, ” but no proclamation has been issued naming the months when it shall Ip lawful to kill game, nor has any power been delegated to the Superintendent of the Province authori-

sing him to prescribe the time. The case therefore stands thus, that should anyone venture upon bagging only one single duck, lie becomes liable to all the pains and penalties prescribed by the Act; this is a sad fix for the sporting world to be in, they are upon the very horns of a dilemma and no one to relieve them, and above all things, what can bo more tantalising than to see the scores of beautiful fat ducks beady for the table, disporting themselves upon our Lakes and Lagoons cpiack quacking in different tones, “ shoot me if you dare ” surely his Excellency is in league with the ducks. The farmers, those proverbial grumbling and disatisfied individuals, who want weather and prices made especially to suit themselves, have been very lucky in getting in their crops, everything has been stacked in splendid condition, and taking into account that we have had a very dry season, the flour made in this district should be quite equal to any that can be imported from Australia or California. There is a little difficulty just now about the price of wheat, it appears that Messrs Robertson and Hallenstein will not purchase for mill account, having determined in consequence of so much jealousy and ill feeling existing amongst the store keepers to confine their operations to gristing only, leaving the market therefore open to anyone who chooses to purchase wheat and grind it into flour for themselves ; five shillings per bushel is about the present value set upon wheat, row as it takes forty eight bushels to make a Ton of flour and one shilling and three pence per bushel for grinding, any person may very easily calculate the value of a ton o! flour, I may perhaps go a little further and say that the pollard and bran will about pay for the gristing I expect the miller and his men will be inclined to grind my bones into a sack of flour for giving you this information, but as an own Correspondent is supposed to divulge all events, I claim exemption. The amount of wheat grown this season is considerably in excess of last, so there will he a deal of flour to send down country. In oats there is not such a large supply and prices will rule rather high when compared to the value of wheat, potatoes and other root crops have not been extensively grown, and there is no more than sufficient for local consumption ; taking ail things together, the farmers have experienced a very prosperous season. Labor is fortunately becoming much cheaper and what is more, better in quality, first class farming hands can now bo engaged from fifty to sixty pounds per annum, every employer has wisely I set his face against paying high wa- | ges, such a course is better for all parties, there is more employment, 1 and it is of a less desultory character, i Mining matters are exceedingly I healthy, in fact they were never betj ter even in the palmiest days of the ' Shotover and Fox’s ; considering the | population the returns must be very ; large. A number of miners from the i neighbourhood of Cromwell have been I looking about here lately, and e-press | themselves highly satisfied with the prospect of the country; additional sluicing and tunneling parties are setting in almost daily to work the high terrace banks of the Shotover, Skippers and Arrow. There are now about 120 at the Twelve-mile. Arrow, and some 40 more at Bracken’s Gully, besides a goodly number of parties are scattered up and down the before named river. The diggings up Lake Wakatip are likewise in an improving state , some sluicers from the Kawarau Gorge have set in lately, and speak highly of the chances of the locality. The miners seem everywhere clamorous for cheap bread and meat, and this they ought to have in a land where beef and mutton is growing at their very doors. The butchers and bakers have certainly made some little reduction lately, but they must come down still further or find then* places supplied by other and more deserving men. The miners about this place arc quite strong enough to get up a co-operative Store, Butchery and Bakery, the necessity for which has been much discussed of late. A first class Residence is in course of erection for our worthy pedagogue Mr M‘Hutchinson, who. will have the nicest house and garden on the goldfields, so far as a schoolmaster is concerned. Mr M : Hutchinson’s services are highly appreciated throughout the district, and I quite hold with the School Committee that “ nothing can be too good for a good man.” In religious matters, the district is well off, we support two resident clergymen, one representing the Episcopal cans, the other, the Presbyterians, and we have divine worship twice upon each Sunday ; the latter body propose erecting a Manse at Lake Hayes. Mr. A. Hamilton the Artist, is hero, engaged making water color and pencilsketch.es of places of interest; a series of six will be photographed, No. 1, is the Big Beach, Arrow River; No. 2, a rocky Scene near same place ; No. 3, Lake Hayes, taken from Mr, Cope’s farm ; No. 4, the Falls at Lake Hayes No. 5, Arrowtown ; and No. 6, a very pretty sketch of the Crown Range, and lower portion of the Arrow River Mr. Hamilton proceeds shortly to the head of Lake Wakatip, from whence we may expect to receive some beautiful pictures of the wild mountainous scenery of Now Zealand. Persons desirous of sending a neat little water j color painting of their homes to their

friends in the old country or Australia, should avail themselves of Mr. Hamilton’s services, as the visit of a first class artist is not an every day occurrence, and then his services are rarely available to the general public. Bachelder’s Diorama of the American war has been starring it through the district for the last few days, they have mot with very considerable success.