THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 622, 20 March 1874, Page 2

THE LAKES.

(FROM ora CORRESPONDENT.) Arrowtown, March 17. The Municipal elections terminated on Tuesday last, and, from what I can learn, satisfactory to all parties. The want of a municipal body for Arrowtown has long been felt, and now that,we possess one, it will be our own fault if the wants of the district are not attended to, and something accomplished for the good of all. The ■weather is anything but propitious for the usual outings, for pic-nic parties generally take place on St. Patrick’s Day. Such a succession of cold rainy weather has not been experienced at this particular time of the year before. To the farming interest it has been very disastrous. Numbers of stacks have bail to be pulled down through,the wet getting into them, and it is said that a considerable amount of wheat has been destroyed. Late crops are still out in the fields, it being impossible to get them dry enough for stacking. In mining there is a little more activity, as many claimholders who temporarily suspended operations for the harvest have set in to work again. Water is unfortunately rather short,'notwithstanding the late wet weather, the rain having apparently all been absorbed in ibe dried-up ground. Mr. M'Comick is pushing on briskly with the erection of bis suspension bridge at the Nevis Ferry, and hopes to have it completed in less than two months. This plucky venture deserves all the support the Government can give it; but unfortunately, while private enterpiise is bridging a rapid and dangerous river, nothing whatever is being done to the road leading to it. The roadway between the two ferries is in a most dangerous and disgraceful state, and from the Sandhills to the Arrow Bluff is scarcely passable, and only is so at a great waste of horseflesh. Plenty of men can now be obtained for Government works, and something should be done at once towards repairs. The loss to the public up here is something serous. What with had roads and punt charges the price of coals is consi 'erahly enhanced, and as wood is becoming a very scarce article, our winter fuel will have mostly to consist of that mineral. Mr. E. 0. Owens, the owner of the Movvcn or Arrow Ferry, is about making* considerable improvements to his punt, so that less difficulty will he expeiienccil in crossing heavy teams. The traffic across the river will he stopped for nine days, from the 30th instant, to accomplish the necessary woi ks.