Local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 8, 27 May 1863, Page 4

Local News and Notes.

The burking of the case of M'Tavish appears to have been successfully accomplished at last. In the absence of authentic information we are unable to give any full particulars of the subject, further than that the inquiry has been adjourned *ine die. This is not the last of this case, however; and we hope shortly to bring it forward again in an " improved style," for the especial benefit of the police authorities.

It seems that, after all, it is not to be a " walk over" for Mr. Moses, as that gentleman's supporters fondly anticipated. Undaunted by their previous futile efforts to obtain a " qualified" gentleman to act as candidate, the electors have pounced upon Mr. Charles Williamson, and two requisitions, most respectably and numerously signed, have been presented to him. The old stumb-ling-block seems however to be rearing its head again, and it is doubtful if, after all their trouble, the electors will be liable to get a person of any respectability to stand, owing to this "bete noir." The qualification for a vote is ridiculous and oppressive enough, but it will deserve a still harsher name if the candidates be obliged to possess a similar one. The heavy rains of Sunday night had the effect of causing a large and more violent flood in the Shotover river than has been known since December last. It began to rise about 8 o'clock, and at the time the flood was at its highest it had risen fifteen feet, and was rushing down at a fearful rate, washing away cradles and mining tools of every description, and carrying away in its furious torrent large masses of timber and even rocks. Some idea of the increase may be formed when we state that the flood was within a short distance of the Victoria Hotel. The free bridge, after quivering in a most unmistakeable manner for some time, went with a loud crash, as a heavier 4< sea" than ordinary struck her feeble timbers. Hopes were entertained that the second bridge, belonging to Pinkerton and party, which was far more substantially built, would survive the general wreck, and ropes were made fast on the different parts to steady it; but it went at last, being broken in the middle, sharing the fate of its predecessor belonging to the same party, which was washed away some time ago through a similar flood. The only means of communication now between the two banks of the river consisted of the cascade bridge higher up the stream, which from its elevated position escaped the full force of the flood. The damage done by this deplorable catastrophe is almost incalculable. Months of hard labour and thousands of pounds have been devoted to the cutting of races, in order to get at the bed of the river; and many which were just completed are now ruined and filled up with sand and debris. It will be long before the district recovers the shock.

As will be seen by an advertisement in another column, the reports concerning Mr. Manders are proved to be without foundation—that gentleman declaring his intention to contest the election to the last. By the way, what about the qualification ? Who are qualified to act as our representatives, if elected ? .