THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 441, 30 September 1870, Page 2

THE LAKES.

(rnoii our own correspondent.) Queenstown, Sept. 26. Mr- T.L. Shephard, M P. C. for Goldfields has been amongst us for this fortnight past, and expresses his determination to become a dweller once more in the city of the Lakes. Mr. Shepherd addressed his constituents at the Town Hall on Thursday evening last, the meeting was very well atten ed, the Mayor occupying the chair, Mr. Shepherd went of course into the history of the past session, and discussed at some length on the following subjects The Gold D ity, and the motion by him for its abo ishmeut. Vote by Ballot. A Dry Dock for Port Chalmers. A Railway from Winton to Kingston. A College. The non sale of the Wakatip Runs, (in this matter Mr. Shepherd deserves the thanks of his constituents, he having opposed their sale from the first), An increase of the width of wheels to prevent cutting up of roads. Repairing roads by contract. Road Boards to be established, and permission given to the farmers to tax themselves? (I am afraid however that the farming constituents of Mr, Shepherd are not with him on this subject). Port Chalmers a Mail Station for the San Francisco lines. (In this matter Mr. Shepherd claimsto have originated the idea and not Mr. Macandrew). A Race Course Reserve for Frankton, and the ultimate attainment of that populous city to the dignity of the New Market of New Zealand. This the meeting consider was a step above their most snwT guine expectations). Boyes, Bros., Run, this, he Mr. Shepherd had succeeded in throwing open, (for which good offices Messrs. Boyes Bros, must he very thankful to Mr Shepheri), and lastly, namely, through his exertions he Mr. Shepherd had secured the representation of the Wakatip to be vested in two members, Taken as a whole Mr Shepherd’s speech was high'y satisfactory and ’f he did take ere lit to himself for doing a number of things, supposing they were in excess of what he had done, he deserves our thanks in that he has not deserted his constituents allured away by the superior attractions of Wellington or Auckland. Mr. Shepherds aim is of course a seat in the House of Representatives for the Wakatip, and to secure this he will haveahardflghtwithMr. Haughton. Public opinion seems very generally cx - pro«wd thafcournext representatives should

be local men, or at least that they be resident in Otago and besides possess some interest in the district, it is ccr ainly very absurd to bo represented by residents in Auckland, it is virtually losing one vote to Otago, and making the goldfields hero a means of increasing the representation of the North Island. The temperance movement Is making considerable progress in this district, and iho ministers of the religious bodies have set themselves vigorously to the task of lessening the evils of drunkenness. On Saturday evening last a tilt was made by the Rev. Mr. Coffeo at Baca Meetings, those, Mr Coffee desired to see abolished as they were the direct cause of more sin and wickedness than any other of our national sports. Mr. Coffee’s advocacy on the subject was very able, but he failed to carry the meeting with him, the supporters of Horse Races in the persons of Messrs. Manders, Cope and Powell defended the Races. Mr. Warden Beetham made a few very apt remarks, and although not an admirer of Races thought that the presence on the Race Course of the Rev. Gentleman on the platform would doa good deal towards ;putting a stop to many of the evil practices complained of. The Mayor Mr. Hallenstein supported Mr. Coffee, and thought betting more than legalised robbery The umetmg which lasted until nearly eleven o’clock btxdie up without coming to any definite conclusion. Mining matters are becoming brisk again all the various parties in the ranges are now at work there will be a large increase in th e ■escortreturns. There are no finds worth chronicling but all parties are doing well The new dredge at Arthurs Point is at work and reprrt says, that prospects are favorabele. The Chinese are gathering strong in the district and they are buying up claims in all directions. I am much afrai I that the presence of these interesting Mongolians will act prejudically to the interests of the district as when they outnumber the European population they the Europeans generally clear out and leave John in poss ssion of the field. This in our casewoul 1 1 e a most unfortunate contingency and be productive of unheard of injury.