NOTES FROM THE WAKATIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3597, 2 September 1874, Page 2

NOTES FROM THE WAKATIP.

(From our own Correspondent) A utrust 30. The unprecedented severity of the weather has, until within the last week, placed mining in this district almost at a standstill, the last escort taking the smallest amount of gold that has been ?ent for many a winter; consequent on the stoppage of miriing, business of all sorts has been very slack, and our traders look anything but jubilant Our member, Mr Fyke, is not gaining much in the confidi nee of his constituents, and many are the growls beard on all sides at his absence from his post. Ihe new Forests Preservation Full will give satisfaction to ail but the timber merchants. Timber is dear enough in all conscience at present in the VVaUatip ; but were the wholesale slaughter of the bushes permitted much longer, I do not know what the price would reach to. The action taken by the Premier for the abolition of the .Northern Provinces mseta with almost universal apjftoval, The only

regret that thoughtful men have ia that ha could not see his way to extend the measure to those of the South Island. A strong °l‘«W Government, wifck Road Boards or Shire Councils and Municipalities, should surely be sufficient for our needs. If a dis* solution takes place on th-; question there ia no doubt but that on the goldfields he will be r»i'iu+Tf, Ba^l >0 v n teerns °dd that a population ot about 2 0,0 .0 should require nine Governments, each with its little mimic legislature.

A won by clergyman visiting a small outlying part of the district, spent two days amongst the peopl.?, besides holding a full service on the Sunday. At this service there was a congregation of about twentyfive. Aco lection being made, it resulted in the handsome sum of sixteen shillings, or abouts jveupence ba'fpenny perbead of his au■lionctf. Out of this munificent sum he was charged fourteen shillings for horse accomr modation, thus reducing the amount to about a penny per head for bis services for tho two days ; and yet they seemed anxious for another visit, hut I have not heard that he has made up his mind to do so. In the liltie Arrow township matters municipal do not seem to prosper, but they have got a new Mayor, and perhaps now they mean to work in right earnest, for hitherto they have spent most of their time quarrelling amongst themselves. The old Mayor bad a lively time of it, and had, I hear, to ask for a constable to be present at their meetings.