THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 433, 5 August 1870, Page 3

THE LAKES.

(from our own correspondent.) August 2. The Municipal Elections, happily for the peace of everybody, culminated in the return of Mr. Bridge, for South Ward, and Mr. Manders for Lake Ward North Ward was not contested, it being a walk-over for Mr J. Mallaghan. What we should have done this dreary winter for excitement in the absence of the Municipal elections, it is difficult to say, so notwithstanding the trouble and bother we have good cause to be thankful. The throwing open by the Government of the auriferous reserves along the Shntover and Kawarau Rivers is violently opposed, and almost all sections of the community seem unani mous that they shall remain as they are. Looking carefully into the matter, it seems a pity that some thousands of acres of land should remain unproductive, when it would grow food for hundreds. I think that these acres might be leased, leaving five or six chains nearest the river, and then leasing the remainder without the purchasing clause, or extending the period from three to ten years, no compensation to be allowed except for standing crops. In one case, a very sandy spot of two hundred acres has been applied for by Messrs. J. W. Robertson and Company. These gentlemen purpose planting the whole with gum trees. This would be of immenscadvautage the to country, and an ornament in the bargain, and it will be a thousand pities if this lease is refused. Justice must of course be done to the miner, and, no check whatever placed upon the development of the auriferous resources of the province, but still there is little doubt that by good management the interests, of the miners and agriculturists might be jointly promoted. The wreck ot the Esther Ann, from Dunedin, at the entrance to Martin's Bay, is considered as unfavorable. This vessel had on board the machinery for a new saw mill, besides several families of settlers. If the entrance ot the harbor comes to be considered dangerous by underwriters, the rates for insurance will be increased to such an extent'that few vessels will load for the new port, while trading vessels will 1 not care to call at all. The desirability ot establishing an overland mail, via the Wakatip, is now being discussed, and the Government Vill no doubt be petitioned upon the subject. 1 It is thought that a very moderate sum per annum will suffice to pay for the conveyance of the mail overland. In mining matters there is nothing particularly startling. The severe frosty weather in the high ranges has caused almost all operations to be suspended, and there are plenty of places, gp t)ip ’ Sliotover where the

sun’s, rays neverpenetrate at this season of the year. In agriculture, almost the same may be said. The frosty weather neffhjtsjbut little work being done. A very large quantity of land has been taken up on the Crown Terrace within the last fortnight. There is,.some very fair land here, hut it it has hitherto been considered at too, /great an; altitude for cultivation, and what is worse, there, is no dray road. 1 Everything will require to be sleighed or packed. Both drawbacks may, however, be easily overcome. ,‘i . i