MOUNT BENGER.

Evening Star, Issue 3064, 13 December 1872, Page 2

MOUNT BENGER.

(from our own correspondent.) The addition of Mr Bastings’ name to the new Provincial Executive has excited a good deal of discussion among the residents in this district. The general feeling, however, appears to be satisfaction that one of the few goldfields representatives who possesses other means of subsistence than political intrigue should have been induced to come to the front. Mr Bastingi has hitherto been unfortunate enough to be associated with the knot of fanatics who make Tuapeka their headquarters, but it has long been know that he was disgusted with the proceedings of that faction. Altogether he is likely to make an excellent Goldfields Secretary, hSvingbn the smaller field of' Municipal affair? displayed administrative abilities of no moan order, and possessing, from the consistent liberality of his views on the land question the confidence of all classes resident upon the goldfields. So does not think the Honorable Mr Speaker and editor of the Brace Herald—rather an incongruous association, it appears to me. Mayna componere parvis. Only fancy. Mr Brand accepting the management of the “ Stokepogis Gazette” or the “ Little Peddlington Trumpeter.” By the way, was not Mr Gillies elected in preference to Mr Reynolds because i£&s entirely free from party bigs V We have had a spell of dry weather of, late s and although it appears at present to be rainii'| all round us, our share of the refreshing moisture is scant in the extreme. The miners are already beginning to feel a scarcity of their water supply, while the cockatoos howl ceaseless Jeremiads over their parched fields. On the contrary, the squatters are jubilant, and are taking advantage of the propitious season to push pn sheep shearing as rapidly as possible. I am informed that a co-operative store is contemplated at Roxburgh. As such experiments have invariably failed among our limited population, I presume this attempt will never get past the “ contemplated ” stage. Preparations are being made for the holidays. There are to be races on the east bank of the river at Roxburgh, ditto at Coal Creek, and athletic sports at the Bengertmiai, It is wifokturffttc that f local Jeal6flfii.es preyent. tnc holding of really good district races; as it ih] things are fast tending to every puhliq.m'liaving a private racecourse adjacent to his own bay.,' apd the payujeqt of all prizes in tipplg, A Chinese party flu the Lower Pqmabakfl arc reported to have struck good gold, their earnings being estimated at from LlO to Ll2 ppr man per week. Lucky dogs !

Tim feeling in favor of tho Waipahi railway hue continues to increase in intensity. The general query is, What arc our members doing ?