Local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 May 1863, Page 4

Local News and Notes.

Another boat accident, which might have terminated fatally, happened on Saturday last. The Victoria steamer left Kingston about 11 a.m., the Lake being at the time very rough and boisterous, and when some distance on the journey something was espied at the opposite side oi the Lake, which at first was supposed to be a log adrift. One of the passengers, however, having averred that he saw a man s arm raised for a moment, the Captain steamed over, and discovered a boat partially capsized, and a man clinging to the upper side. It appeared that he had started with the boat for Queenstown in the morning, by himself, when a squall caught her, and her ballast going over to the lee-side, she filled, and he had some difficulty in keeping his hold of the exposed part. He was picked up, and the Victoria proceeded on her voyage, when she was compelled to go into Halfway Bay for firewood, and finding that it was too rough to go out again, the Captain resolved to remain there for the night. She was shortly after joined by the Expert, which refrained from proceeding on her voyage for the same reason. The two boats arrived in Queenstown in company the next day.

An opportunity now offers itself for the inhabiants of the Lake district to obtain the redress of an evil which is palpable to the most cursory notice—we allude to our defective postal communication. Mr. Brayton, of Cobb& Co.'s Invercargill line of coaches, has stated that he will be prepared in a month from the present time, to run a conveyance from Invercargill to Kingston through in one day. By these means, if this bold enterprise meets with proper support, we shall be able to receive our European and Australian news, via the Bluff, as soon, if not before Dunedin. Any advocacy of this plan would we suparfluous —its advantages are obvious; and any means which would relieve us from our present state of dreary isolation ought to be hailed by all in this district as a most invaluable boon.

We were yesterday shown a series of photographic views of Queenstown and Fox's (the Arrow) diggings, &c, by Mr. J. P. Christcnson, of Beach-street, who has established a photographic '■ studio" in this town. We can scarcely conceive a prettier souvenir for transmission to the home country than one of these views, which can be sent through the post with perfect safety ; and the grand scenery of the Lake district, with its diversity of mountain and valley, tranquil waters and rushing cataracts, offers scope sufficient for the most indefatigable artist. Thatcher has been prolific for the last week, and has more than maintained his previous reputation, both as regards the variety and appropriateness of his " locals." Not only has the Vigilance Committee, and the meetings of our two candidates received his attention, but we heard the bellman last night announcing in his finest bass, that another subject was to be immortalized, and that the title of it was—" Cass, the Butcher, and the Contraband Calf." We have not heard it yet, but doubtless both the song and the subject will be pretty well canvassed before we have an opportunity of doing so. The unfortunate Nugget was sold on Saturday last by Mr. R. Harris, for the sum of £4lO, the sundries, &c, belonging to her, fetching £l2 16s. We understand she will be at once repaired and refitted, and again put on the berth for Kingston, or perhaps tried between this place and Frankton.

A vigorously contested foot-race of 100 yards, for £IOO, took place on the 12th inst., between Canavan and Collins, opposite the Victoria Hotel, at the Arrow. For the space of nearly 60 yards Canavan kept the lead, when Collins gradually closed up and then shot a-hcad, distancing his competitor by about a yard. The excitement was considerable on the ground, and a large sum changed hands on the occasion. It was about as smart a spin as we have had the pleasure to witness for some time.

However much "Les Rats" may be admired in a ball-room, we may safely venture to say that they are considered an abominable nuisance in Queenstown, where they are so plentiful and prolific that they would prove a sure fortune to any Chinese restaurateur, had we the u good" fortune to be blessed with the presence of a few Celestials here to act in the capacity of consumers. As, however, we do not possess that advautage, we must do our best under the circumstances, and accordingly hail with delight the establishment of an enterprising firm who have erected a rat-pit, and offer the munificent sum of 6s. a dozen for live specimens, delivered at the Diggers' Kest Hotel. We hope with this incentive, and the benevolent assistance of strychnine, combined with the tisual battues that take place every Sunday, for want of something better to do, that we shall soon be delivered of these

horrible pests, and we most piously exclaim anent he of the Diggers' Rest—"May he ever have as many as he wishes " —he's quite welcome to our share gratis, and throw the mice in into the bargain.