From the files of The Lake Wakatip Mail

Lake County Mail, Issue 15, 3 September 1947, Page 9

From the files of The Lake Wakatip Mail

At a preliminary public meeting in the Queen’s Arms Hotel, Mr J. W. Robertson was nominated the first Mayor of Queenstown. Three candidates were nominated, and the voting was: —Robertson 14, Hallcnstein 13, Macdonnell 9. The driving of piles for the new jetty was commenced on July 21, 1866. The greatest depth of water was 27 feet. Mr Huff, Queenstown Dairy, offered the Acclimatisation Society a well-bred sow, heavy in young. The offer was declined with thanks in consequence of an ordinance entitled the Pig and Fowl Nuisance Ordinance. Mr Huff was to be informed that the society were in want of game and fowls and geese to turn out, and would gladly receive a donation in this direction. The committee was instructed to visit Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hayes ■ for the purpose of ascertaining their capabilities as breeding ponds. The amount of gold forwarded from the Wakatipu since its opening is as follows:—Queenstown, about 263,0000z; Arrow, 117,000oz; —total, 380,0000z. The gold taken from the district by private hands (estimated) was 50,0000z. The total duty paid was £53,750, The polling for the election o'f Mayor for the incorporated town of Queenstown took place on Saturday, July 21. The polling booths were in Eichardt’s Queen’s Arms Hotel, and McLaren’s Prince of Wales Hotel. The rooms used were apart altogether from the bar of the hotel. The polling went on steadily and both parties exerted themselves to the utmost. Bets were freely made, and a considerable amount of money changed hands. Though feeling was so strongly imparted, everything passed off very smoothly —almost wonderfully. At half-past four the result of the polling was declared by the returning officer, R.- Beetham, Esq., R.M., to be:—Robertson 40, Fuller 29.