THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 431, 22 July 1870, Page 3

THE LAKES.

(from our own correspondent.) The Municipal Elections are, of courso, tne leading feature of excitement, the success of the Municipality being a mfttter in which every good townsmen, nr rather citizen, is interested. The nominations fop the Mayoralty took place at the Town Hall on Saturrfty, last, when everybody present seemed anxious as to who were the candidates for the highest honour which one citizen can confer upon another. It was generally expected that Messrs Hallenstein (the previous mayor), Mallaghan, and Betts, would be nominated, as overtures had been made to each of those gentleman to allow themselves to be placed in nomination for the office of mayor. Both of the latter, however, declined, pleading business engagements; but I am of opinion that the trhe cause was, it would be unwise to change the occupant of the Mayoral Chair every twelve months when worthily filled. Consequently it was deemed advisable that Mr. Hallenstein should hold office another year. Declining to come forward was a graceful act on the part of Mr. Mallaghan, who, having held office as Councillor ever since the first formation has claims t the Mayoralty. Mr. Mallaghbn will undoubtedly be elected upon the next occasion, if public opinion upon the subject is to lie taken as a guide. Mr. B. Hallenstein was duly nominated and seconded; as also was Mr. James ilftclarn. The latter gentleman was only brought forward at the last moment apparently for no other purpose than to get up an opposition, or a little fun, as -ome present designated it. There is of course no question but that Mr. Hallenstein will be elected mayor. The local improvements completed and in course of construction during the last twelve months have been upon a liberal scale, and, when present contracts are finished, there will be no unmade streets left in the town. The new road to the One mile from the extremity of Beach Street is an immense improvement and as soon as the removal of a large rock is completed there will be a splendid promenade and drive along the shores of the Lake, such as no New Zealand City can boast of. The rock referred to is not only difficult of removal, but, through a squabble amongst the contractors, has got into “chancery.” It has already been the subject of one, and will again be so of another suit in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. If the contractors make nothing out of it, the mining agents will. This must be a Godsend to those ‘quasie’ legal gentlemen, who, for want of litigation lately, must almost have got out of practice.

The coming election for the House of Representatives and Provincial Council is a subject but little talked about, and I fancy there will be great difficulty in securing local representatives, as those most capable of filling offices decline on the grounds of business engagements. However somebody must go, and even let it be a personal sacrifice on their parts, those best fitted to become our representatives are in duty bound to abide by the wishs of the many. Those who can sing and wont sing must be made to sing, they who possess Ike abilty to do good to others, were not so endowed by nature that they should only benefit themselves. It is most desirable that we should possess local representatves, men whose interests are bound up in the district and whos success is its success or “ vice versa." Let people like this do ever so much good for themselves they cannot help benefiting their constituents at the sametime and, we have such magnificent prospects before us it would be a thousand pities to mar them for want of good representatives. We often hear leading business men say always they have the interests of the district at heart and all they do is for its good, their own being of secondary consideration, or rather, that by doing good to others they hope to do good for themaelVeS. The time will soon come when'we may make a practical test of their [liberality, and see how much they will sacrifice for the good of their neighbours. The weather is a phenomena in which I expect you are much interested. To tell the truth, I am much afraid that the river will not go down much this year. A very hard frost has certainly set in, but it is questionable if it will last long. Another there is a very great deal of snow upon the ranges, which cannot fail to keep the lake pretty full, and, could you but obtain a glimpsojof the great dividing range, 1 am sure you would be of my opinion. The spring will; without doubt, be a wet one, and) although the dredgers and beachworkers may tot do well, tho ground sluicers will most likely enjoy an unprecedented season of prosperity. Mining operations on the Shot' Over are rather at a stand-still just now, on account of frost; not that the workings are frozen Up, but it is impossible to get timber out of the various bushes to secure the ground. The tunnelling companies employ a great deal of labor in packing timber, and this

work cannot be proceeded with unless in mild weather. - Three dredging machines are in course of construction on the Shotover. The Nil Desperandum Company are building theirs at Arthur’s Point, and intend taking it up as far uS the Sand-hills by a rather novel process in use on Canadian rivers. The modus operandi is to fit the vessel with two paddle-wheels, like a steam-bout) but attached to a moveable shaft; so that they can be depressed, elevated, or entirely lifted out of the water. A long warp line is securely fixed some distance a-head on shore. This, in its turn is attached to a powerful winch on board the vessel. The fact of heaving on the rope, or rather holding the vessel against the current, gives motion to the paddle-wheels, which materially assist to forge the vessel a-head. Messrs. M‘Kay, the builders of the Nil Desperandum dredge, are confident that their vessel will, by these novel means, successfully stem the current of the Shotover. I must say that, with these gentlemen, nothing seems impossible. They succeeded in bringing the Victoria steamer up over the falls at Fronkton. placing her safely on Lake Wakatip from the Kawarau river. They now propose to raise the Wakatip Steamer from her three years’ submersion in ten fathoms of water in Queenstown Bay. With men of this enterprising stamp among us, the district cannot help going a-head.