MOUNT BENGER.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2487, 4 February 1871, Page 2

MOUNT BENGER.

(FROM our own correspondent.) The hasty scribble I forwarded you, containing an account of Mr Reid’s meeting, has, 1 observe, received rather more than the usual maltreatment at the hands of the printer. This is no doubt chiefly the fault of my elegant caligraphy, still it is too bad to make me credit Mr lleid with “pathos," bathos was the word, Sir, and if you cannot lind its meaning in your edition of Webster, 1 recommend a careful study of Mr Rt id’s speeches as the best means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the thing itself. I am glad to say that in this district there has been a complete revulsion of feeling in favour of Mr Macandrew. The discovery that Mr Reid’s chief supporter was mainly instrumental in causing the sale of the Island Block, has slightly opened peoples’eyes to his true character; as he has always endeavored to throw the whole obloquy of that transaction on a perfectly innocent person. Further, it has come out that the same immaculate individual actually offered to buy the land for a certain person at a reasonable commission, guaranteeing that no opposition should be offered by any of the agricultural applicants. This promise he could no doubt have fulfilled, as three of four of his friends and himself applied for every acre in the block. It is one gbod result of our popular system of electioneering that the public often obtain information they should otherwise have had to do without.

While I am on the subject of the elections I may note the recent discomfiture of the Tunpeka Timm, by the respected chairman of Mr Macandi,ew’s local committee —Mr Charles Nicholson. The journal in question made a furious onslaught ou tips gentleman, accu ing him of being bribed, of betraying the miners, Ac., &c. Mr Nicholson placed the matter in the bauds of his solicitor, and the result was an abject apolqgy, A public attempt was made to give the apology au appearance of magnanimity, which only made it more amusing to those who knew it had been squeezed out by the threat of an action for libel. Mr Dean addresses the electors of the Horse Shoe Bend portion of the district on Tuesday evening. As there are only about half a dozen or so altogether, his audience is likely to be more select than numerous. On Wednesday evening Mr Bradshaw holds forth in the Schoolhquse, Miller’s Flat. The extraordinary inconsistency which leads this ultra-cepfralist in Wellington to become an ultra-Provincialist in Dunedin has been severely commented on. Were he opposed by any man of standing the result would be very doubtful. I have tq report a new rush on Macintyre’s Run, and about 35 miles from here. There are,. I believe, a large number of men on the ground—one estimate puts as high as 200— who are reported to be doing well. I would, however, advise miners to await further intelligence, as the same, or pearly the same, ground was rushed six years ago and abandoned for want of water. I have also heard of a “ small'rush” in the direction of Lammerlaw; but as small rushes are periodic in tha" quarter, I do not think tins ope will amount to.miwh, The Lammerlawe are the most “scorbutic"- diggings in the country. I am glad to say the Molyneux continues to fall. ’Everything looks well for a good winter in the raining sense of the word “good.” A Teviot company is bringing in a large race from the Teviot Creek, to be available for sluicing on the east bank of the river. As there is abundance of good ground' remaining untouched owing to the scarcity of water, I have no doubt their speculation will prove as successful, as it deserves.

On dit, that an action for breach of promise will shortly be sent from this district for settlement in the Supreme Court. The plaintiff is, strange to say, the gay Lothario, who is said to be a youth of some sixty summers ; the cruel fair being a widow with » large family. If the case goes on it will furnish laughter for an hour, mirth for a year, and a good joke for ever. A rather serious fire occurred at the Teviot last week, by which the residence of Mr hvans was completely destroyed. Damages, about LSOO, fully covered by insurance.