THE LAKES,

Dunstan Times, Issue 445, 28 October 1870, Page 2

THE LAKES,

(from OUR OWM CORRESPONDENT.) Queenstown, October 25. We are to have another trial of the Trout, and, in the course of a fortnight, Mr. Howara, the Curator of the Southland Acclimatization Society, will arrive at Queenstown with a supply ofyonng fish. The Corporation anxious for the welfare of the district, have resolved to make a third effort to preserve the little strangers, and it is to be hope I that they will this time bo successful I fancy myself that the best way to dispose of the trout would bo to put them into some suitable place and let them take their chance. Waters are stocked this way in Europe, an * the same should hold good here. It is quite possible that, throughoutN: w Zealand, these expensive and rare fish have been killed by kindness. Farming operations are exceedingly and in all probability the cultivators of the soil wib experience a mostprosperous season. I think the high price of of oats is mainly attributable to the want of enterprise of'the butiness people here, who were afraid to purchase at the beginning of the season, or rather they would not buy at prices unless there was the probability of a very large profit. It has been argued by business people that farmers could produce crops here as cheaply as at the Taierior Tokomairiro, but such is impossible. The climate and land is inferior, wages are higher, and as to the costs of living—groceries, s ops, and hardware are dearer here than in any other part of the Province ; and to provide a remedy for this evil it is propo ed to start a co-operative store and to adopt measures to bring the produce of the farmer into direct contact with the consumer, instead of the middle men making all the profits. Thi is being done in Southland by a society at Riverton, which promises to prove a success The timbermonopoly and the flourmonopoly will soo be at an end. The oidy monopoly th*m left will be the storekeeping monopoly, or rather the keeping up of the old prices by the business people. A very old Queenstown resident, Mr. Dohey has sold out of his premises, which have been purchased by Mr. B. Hallenstein, the Mayor of this place. Mr. Dohery ho suffered very much Intel}-, and his medic i atten ant has peremptorily ordered a change You must not suppose that the worthy Mayor intends embarking in Public House keeping. He is a staunch advocate of temperance. The Union Hotel will be raised to the ground and its place supplied b} a handsome stone store. The stone era has already commenced here, a two storey stone building for a butcher shop ready in progress. Three brickmakcrs liave started also a lime-burner, at Bob’s (Jove. A saw-mill has been started at Skipper’s Creek, and another mill, where planing, turning, a foundry and machine shop combined is about to be established bv Messrs. J W. Robertson and Company at Queens- ! town. This enterprising firm are also proceeding to bull! a large schooner for the trade of Lake W akaMp, to sail on its own account when possible, otherwise to be taken in tow by their steamer the Antrim. Asa rule there is generally a fair wind down the Lake hut not up. AttheArrowmining operations are pretty lively, and the owners of water races are doing exceedingly well. John Chinaman is assembling in force, and the cry is “still they come.” It would be better that the numbers of Europeans and Chinese should be more evenly balanced. Too many Chinese will be as bad as too few. The farms and gardens about this quarter are looking splendid. Considerable attention has of late been paid to the latter, and fruit and vegetables, fortable use will, after this, be both plentiful and cheap. Lake Hayes will be a charming spot this summer, and well worthy of a visit. Mr. W. J, Barry of Cromwell sold off the stock and effects of Mr. Blair, at the Shotover Ferry Hotel, on Saturday last. The prices realised were highly satisfactory and the sale admirably conducted. The new host Mr. Joseph Limbrick takes possession on Wednesday first. Mr. Blair leaves for the old country. He is an old resident on the goldfiel s both here and in Victoria and well known to most Ararat rn i Pleasadt Creek miners.