THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 391, 15 October 1869, Page 2

THE LAKES.

(t'UO.U Ol'R OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Queenstown, October 12. The rights of women, ” I don’t mean such strong minded females as Mrs. Dr. so a ad so, or Mrs. Barrister so and so, in both of these professions there are many objections to the presence of women. In the one case, there is a want of nerve, and the fair disciple of Esculapius might be overcome by a fainting fit, just at the very moment when she mostly required all her senses ; and in the next, what jury of enlightened Englishmen could re sist the earnest appeal of a fascinating Baristeress, especially when reduced to tears. It would be even difficult for the strong hearted Judge to sum up against her client; nor can I bring my mind to look upon with favor the substitution of women for men in the more ordinary occupations of daily life. or to the extension of the franchise to that interesting portion of humanity. My grounds of objection are, that, fiom the moment such is the case, there will be no more peace for the masculine gender, John Stuart Mill may be a.‘capital authority in matters of political economy, but his ideas on the matter of “ female voting ” are wide of the mark, and

opposed to the .general entertained notions of connubial felicity. In the gutting up a Bazaar in aid of a church woman reigns prominent, there she is in her proper sphere, and without success " r ould be questionable. Her smiles and blandishments and nice Qittle ways would draw the money o'v.it of the pockets of the veriest mister in creation, if he only suffered himself to be present at one of these displays. The bazaar held at the Town Hall here on Wednesday and Thursday last was a most unqualified success, an\d the Church of England building'fund will be augmented by a trifle over good and lawful coin of the realm} , The proceeds of the bazaar and auction amounted to 18H., and the disposal hf some very handsome flags, the gift of Mrs. Captain Williams and Mrs. Archer will make up the sum mentioned. It was an admirably arranged ' affair. There were three stalls tor the sale of nondescript articles, many of which were really very valuab e, while the good taste with which they were displayed, so as to attract the attention of purchasers, demonstrated most unmistakably that in this instance the fair sex wei e moving in their own proper < mbit. A fourth stall was devoted to ments, where smiles, tea, sugarplums were distributed ad ÜbitTCm at very moderate prices. A fifth stall was devoted to poultry, presided over by Mr Warden Beetham, who sold fowls (both live and dead), rabbits, geese, clucks, &c., to eager buyers A sixth stall was a post-oflice, at which Mrs. Coffey did duty as postmistress, assisted by sundry young ladies as letter-carriers, who delivered written missives to gentlemen, at the rate of Is. for postage payable upon delivery. I was shown the commits of a great number of these epistles, and, to tell the truth, the majority of diem talked a'out “ soft nothings,” which plainly proved to me that the thoughts of a great many of the young ladies of Queenstown were devoted to others but themselves. The dark green fo'iage of the magnificent shrubs from up the lake, with which the halt was decorated, presented a pleasing contrast with the bright colors of the of the stalls. Best ons -f c.imatis, now in full bloom, ■ ispersecl here and there among the foliage or wound round projections that would otherwise have bee • unsightly, gave an artistic finish to the whole affair. For | decorative purpores the native shrubs i are unrivaled ; in fact, they are an i ornament anywhere,, and as they easily | transplant during the winter season, I they might be successfully introduced into many of your gardens about the Lhinstan.

The affairs of the Hospital appear to progress satisfactorily, and the present low pries of supplies enables the Committee to considerably reduce the cost of maintenance. The b -st firewood (broad-leaf) is supplied at \l. 7s. G.l. per cord ; beef, sid. p i pound ; m uto i, 3id ; milk, Id. per quart; and bread, 7d. the four-pound loaf. The contract tor the supply of rations was taken by Me srs. Whittingham, Brothers, at greatly reduc'd rates, and the same was the case for stores and furniture by Messrs llallenstcin and Co

An excellent n >vi ne tt to p it in end end to abominable practice of tippling so much in vogue in goldfields townships lias Ren initiated, and pr anises to be attended with considerable success. The movement is directed solely against the use of ai dent spirits. Tin system pursued is thus : Mr. .1. W. Robertson, who initiated the movement, carries in his pocket a ook in which (here is a form of agreement to the eft’ ct that anyone subscribing his name thereto agrees to forfeit, the sum of 1 1, should he partake of spirituous liquors. In the a seuce of a voluntary acknow edgmuut, two witnesses are sufficient to <stablish a conviction. As each per-on deposits his 1/. at the time of signing, there is no difficulty in enforcing the penalty. In several instances, and I can vouch from personal observation, the movement has been attended with the most bento' sults. Mr. Robertson’s go >dis well worth following by pub inspirited individuals who desire to r-ffieve society from the baneful effects of ardent spirits. 1 may as wcdl mention that the “ pubs” no need to take alarm at the movement, as i r does not interfere with their takings, wine and beer being merely substituted for spirits.

I paid a visit to the Church of England the other- d ry, for the purpose of inspecting the recent improvements to that building 1 must say tint the Committee deserve the thunks of every member of the Church for their exertions in providing such a handsome place of worship, it is, without doub% one of the prettiest churches out of Dunedin. The races are to come off on the 13th and 14t.h of January next. The Committe appear- to be determined to adhere to their old days of meeting. It seems, however,to me that it would be better for them to accommodate their meet with that of the Kunstan and so ensure a good field and attendance of visitors

The refreshing rain which fell on Sunday evening last has had a very beneficial effect upon vegetation. It was a great pity that the showers were not heavier. lam afraid that we are about to experience a very dry season, and if we suffer up here from drought the effects down country will be more severely felt.