THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3126, 25 February 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Mount Bkngeu. —Our own correspondent writes :—That irresistible itch for scribbling, which is my chief and only failing, impels me to write, although there is little enough to relate. The weather has taken another turn, and from Siberian chill changed into tropical heat. The result is scarcity of water and tininess in mining affairs, which is compensated by extra briskness in things agricultural.—On the Lower Pomahaka a large population of Chinese has settled, their number being moderately estimated at over 500. I learn from a storekeeper of the Celestial persuasion that although little gold has been got as yet, they arc in great hopes of doing well before the season breaks up. Some will no doubt do well, but from the extremely patchy character of the ground, I strongly doubt its ability to sustain a largo population. —The river is now as low as it was at any time last winter. All the beach claims are under weigh, with every prospect of a good season.—The great sly-grog-selling cases have been decided, all the accused getting clear, thanks to the able defence of Air Taylor, solicitor, Tuapeka. A most amusing series of blunders characterised the whole affair. The informations were drawn out without specifying where the alleged offences were committed, and the Bench issued a warrant under which the private prosecutor was arrested, confined, and fined. Served him right, of course, but the proceedings were novel. The only witness besides the informer, or rather prosecutor, as the police did not prosecute, declared his disbelief in everything, and accordingly his evidence could not be received. Everybody rejoices .in the result, as the accused are all hard-working men, with large families. A deputation of Caithness men waited on me the other day with a request that I should correct my former statement as to the nativity of the informer. He is a native of Bogart, Sutherland, and not from the North side of the tlrd. I understand he lias cleared out to Southland, where his disinterested efforts on behalf of the Treasury may meet with more success. A great run upon the scares in the Fonrteon-Mile Quartz Keef has taken place, owing to some private information obtained by the speculators. The directors are to be requested at their next meeting to withdraw the shares reserved for Dunedin, and to place them in the local market. A small premium can be realised upon scrip already.—Very fow of our residents visited Tuapeka tlvi I*lll g t,Ke race weelc. The splendid programme issued by the Dunedin Club induces people to hold back for that gathering.