ARROWTOWN.

Evening Star, Issue 3010, 11 October 1872, Page 2

ARROWTOWN.

October 7. Some correspondence has lately passed between the various miners’ associations of Otago in reference to a meeting of delegates, to frame suggestions to be respectfully submitted to the Government in reference to a new Goldfields Bill, and to appoint a central committee in order to insure unanimity of action when required ; also to enquire into the agricultural leasing regulations, as there is a strong feeling among the miners that lands presumably aiuif« oils. should if leased or sol'd, lie subject to a provision giving power to Wardens to authorise miners to cut races or mine for gold where des.rab e without compensation, such clause only to affect lands which may be classed as ‘-prouably auriferous.” Such an arrangement would admit of much auriferous land being utilized for agricultural purposes until required by the miner, who then would perhaps only work portions of such lands. It would do away wiih the nece.-sity which now compels the miners to oppose the extension of leases in order that they themselves may not be drawn out of the Colony. 'The result of the correspondence referred to seems likely to be that fuapeka will be selected as the place of meeting, and the time early in December. Tuapeka seems to find favor, because several associations are comparatively near it, and the Press there has ably supported the movement. ihe Arrow and Clyde committees have shewn great activity, but are not favorably situated for the bead-quarters of a central committee. The excitement in reference to the Port Darwin rush has subsided, and the action of the Provincial Government in increasing the grant for the Arrow Valley track to LIOOO tend ) to allay a great deal of dissatisfaction which was previously felt. The nant of tracks up the precipitous gorges of_ this mount ainons district, has been productive of much suffering and loss. The appointment of a resident Warden is found a valuable concession, as although Mr Beetham was justly held in the highest esteem, he was unable to attend the outlying portions of the district so often as was desirable. The patient Sharp, whose skull was fractured by a kick from a horse some few weeks back, is recovering. lam informed by a person who spoke with him yesterday that be is cheerful and able to take moderate exercise. The greatest care and skill have been exercised by Dr Douglas in this case, and it is gratifying to note that it has been so successful. Sharp thus describes the operation of trepanuing, which was done under chloroform': —“ I do not know what they did, but I felt a new man. They made a good job of it.” Speaking of sickness and accident, causes me to note one remarkable fact in connexion with the hospital here. It is that the number of patients is always kept up to about the same number. No sooner does one die, or leave, than another steps in to fill his place. Of course the majority of cases are accident*, or the results of exposure and hardship, but the law of averages asserts itself with wonderful uniformity. In the Financial Statement of Mr Gillies’, which was published here last Friday, I notice one proposal which seems to aim at giving an undue advantage to the North at the expense of the Middle Island. I allude to the capitatiou allowance for Maoris of 10s per head on the pica of their consumption of dutiable goods. Bravo Gillies ?