OUR COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 3272, 15 August 1873, Page 3

OUR COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE.

ARROW. —Election matters, of course, are the principal topics of interest. Mr V. Pykc addressed the electors in an able and exhaustive speech on Wednesday last, a full report of which I am preparing for next mail. _ Mr Meanders appeared before ns on Saturday in spite of disadvantages arising from a fall from his horse. He was well received, and spoke with much earnestness on the present phase uf politics. Mr limes had a meeting the same night, and spoke, among other matters, as follows, re, the Kawarau Bridge : election in February 1872, said that he was an advocate for bridging the Kawaru at the punts, which he thought should bo done out of the Public Works Act, as we were entitled to some share of the heavy loans, for the repayment of which we would have to give our share. He would allow compensation to punt-owners. Contrast this with his conduct in the last session of the Provincial Council on the Kawarau bridge question, when he redeemed His pledge of advocating two bridges by advocating three, the extra one being for himself. Another previous representative —Mr Haughton —said, in January 1871 : ‘ I am no billet-seeker; I have never given a single vote that I am ashamed of, neither have I any intention to go to the North Island, as reported. I intend to settle in Otago.’ On the 29th December 1871, Mr Haughton advertises his resignation thus : ‘ The office to which I have been appointed by his Excellency’s Government, &c.’ I think the electors of the Wakatip have been sold, at least twice, during the last two elections, and if they succeed in the present election to put in a man who will sell them again, they deserve to be disfranchised. Mr Barton, when at the Arrow, did not refer so strongly to the Native policy of the Government as he did at Queenstown, or his views would not have been so favorably received. The Central Executive of the Otago Miners’ Association are exerting themselves in favor of Mr Pykc, who appears to stand well at present. Mr Innes’s high character has, however, secured him the devoted energies of a strong party, and the election will probably lie between him and Mr Pyke.—The Shotover Terrace Company has excited some attention lately, owing to a telegram which appeared in your journal from Queenstown to the effect that astonishingly rich ground had been struck iu the Company’s ground, and as it was not confirmed suspicion was aroused. It behoves the Company to act with extreme caution in reporting such matters, and I trust that they will take steps to satisfy the desire which is felt for fuller information. Tokomaikiko.— Law business would appear to he at a low ebb just now, and long may it continue so. The District Court will not hold a sitting this month. Reasons : no business.— Yesterday (Thursday) morning the thermometer, inside a dwelling house in Milton, stood at 28degs., thus indicating tdegs. of frost; while outside, at 8 s.rn., it stood at 22degs., indicating lOdegs. of frost. —Herald. Southland,— A very large area of ground will be land down in wheat in the Winton district next season. Last season’s crop turned out excellently, and first-rate prices were obtained.—The Primitive Methodists are increasing in number, wealth, and influence in Invercargill, under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr Westbrook. They purpose erecting a chapel in Don street, near the Temperance Hall, capable of accomodating a congregation of 200. Judging from the plans, the edifice will he a handsome one, and will embellish the portion of the town in which it is to be erected.— Operations on No. 1 section of the Winton and Kingston Railway were commenced a few days ago by the contractors, Messrs Watson and Co. The line, as our readers are already aware, presents no engineering difficulties, and penetrates splendid agricultural land, the greater part of which, however, is unfortunately held iu large blocks by speculators. Work has been started at the northern end of the section, where several cuttings have to be made. It is anticipated that the contract will be finished in nine or ten months. Only a few men are at present employed, and there is room for a large number of hands. It was, we believe, at onetime contemplated to change thermite, but as this would necessitate the construction of an expensive bridge over the Oreti, the intention has been abandoned.—The establishment of a new industry iu Southland is reported. An eccentric individual who, for some years past, has beep dwelling as an amateur hermit on the flax-fringed jtfitwgin of Oreti River, subsisting chiefly on rabbits, wfiije pondering one day in his solitude, was struck with the idea that the skins of the animals, which formed his staple article of food, might bo turned to profitable account He entered into negotiations with several tradesmen, and finally concluded a bargain with one more enterprising than his fellows, whereby he is receiver of from 2d to fid each for all the skins he can supply. He has embarked on a vigorous crusade against the rabbits in the Riverton Bush, and expects to receive handsome profits. The purchaser of the skins intends to .ship them to England, where, no doubt, they will find ready sale at good prices.— The survey of the Orepuki tramway is progressing favorably, in spite of the exceedingly bad wpather which has of late prevailed, and the intricate network of bush lawyers, which all familiar with New Zealand forest tracks will retain an acute recollection of. There are no engineering difficulties in the way, and the line is being surveyed in almost a straight line. Splendid timber Ims been found by the surveyor, which, when the tramway is opened, vri’ll doubtless be rendered useful and profitable to sawfillers, the tramway, and the Province. The work of surveying will, in all likelihood, be completed iu a month. The length of the present track from Riverton to Orepuki is twenty-five miles, but by the tramway the distance is only fifteen miles. Already the diggers are traversing the survey track from Lake Geo*gw. which saves them one hour’s hard travelling. T ll |p n g into consideration the natural difficulties, the rpp.te is well chosen, and the work of surveying is being puslgjd forward energetically, and reflects much credit on the surveyor. Ibid. Cahiuoktowh. Between nine and ten o’clock on Friday night a fire broke out at Camcktown, in a building known as tin; Golden Link Hotel, lately vacated by Mr Thomas Hudson, and of which our townsman, Mr C. Cole-lough, was proprietor. The building stood on the brow of the hill just at the entrace to Cax’ricktown, and the flames, fanned by a strong northerly breeze, could be seen from a great distance. The place is quite seven miles distant from Cromwell; but-as Mr Coleiough s buifibpg was almost the only one distinctly visible frnjp Mr) more-terrace in daylight, it was conjectured by a number of townspeople that the burning pile coup! bp no other the unfortunate (loldeii Link Hotel. The amvai.of Hr Alfred Short in Cromwell an hour .later set all aoahir. at rest, and conjecture became certainty, /.'h/ery vestige the building, save < a few sheets of Uoftf was in an incredibly short space

of time. The Golden Link was about to be reopened under the management of Mr Short, who had on the previous day been granted a license for the purpose. Fortunately, the house was empty, although the stock-in-trade and a costly billiard-table were actually in process of conveyance to Garrick town when the tire broke out. "Mr Colclough’s loss is a heavy one -probably not less than L 250. He had just_ succeeded, a few days previously, in getting rid of a very troublesome tenant, who had tried every possible means to prevent the lawful owner from regaining possession, and who is said to have openly threatened vengeance when he was at last compelled to leave the premises. The police have been actively endeavoring to find some clue to the origin of the disaster, but up to the time of our going to press their efforts had proved availing. There is but little room to doubt that the lire was caused by an incendiary.— Cromwell Anjv.s.