Local News and Notes.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 30, 12 August 1863, Page 4

Local News and Notes.

FOOTRACE BETWEEN COLLINS AND ARTINGSTALL. Yesterday afternoon the terrace at the back of the Camp was the point ef attraction for a large proportion of the residents of Queenstown, who were converging from all points of the compass to view the race between Collins and Artingstall, which was announced to take place that day, for £2OO. Considerable interest has been manifested for some time in this event, not only in this township, but on the Arrow, and to a certain extent among all the members of the 11 sporting" world in the district; and certainly there was a larger muster at the course than has i ever taken place yet on any similar event. I Great difference of opinion seemed to exist as to the probable chances of the two competitors, numbers of the u knowing" ones possessing the most opposite notions, and backing their man accordingly, though the favorite in betting was undoubtedly Artingstall, the Arrow champion, i numbers of whose fellow-townsmen were willing to give any odds on. It would be difficult to guess the reason of partizanship, for we cannot attribute it to mere rivalry of the two j townships, though there was plenty of this feeling exhibited; and the last race between the same parties at the Arrow, on the 23rd July, which terminated in favor of Collins, did not ; leave any impression on the minds of the uninitiated of the abilities of tffe defeated champion to win with the slight start of two yards given jon the present occasion. Be that as it may, a I verv heavy sum in the gross was laid on Artingstall, who was received with loud cheers when he made his appearance. Shortly afterwards Collins entered the ropes, and was greeted with a similar mark of confidence and The booths around supported on the : r too cross- : pieces several aspiring individuals deuiMiiiiedto obtain a full view of the pert'ormuno". which comprised the usual amount of stray d<>gs i;i the enclosure, with the same sense of their undignified position, and i he usiui .iniiuut of noisy betters, lizht-headed buveurs rolling against everything and everybody, diggers lucky and unlucky, i uud tiie uau&l turmuil of a colonial racecourse,

At last the ground being cleared by dint of much hoarse shouting and'affectionate appeals to the better feelings of the spectators—which latter we are sorry to say was productive of the least amount of good of the two means, —and the proper start being measured, the men got into position, and on the firing of the pistol, started. Collins seemed to be a little less prompt than Artingstall at the start, and the latter maintained his advantage till the last, winning by about two yards, apparently without any difficulty. On the result of the race being made generally known, remarks highly condemnatory of the defeated pedestrian were indulged in, and the majority of the Queenstown sportsmen wore a very lengthened visage, while those of the Arrow on the contrary were proportionately exulting and jubilant. As, however, the same remarks are invariably made at every similar occurrence, we refrain from giving currency to them. We must say, nevertheless, that a greater number of discontented faces we never saw on any course, though whether they have their own judgment or their man to blame, we leave to more competent judges to decide. The evening was characterised by a greater amount of tumult than we have seen for some time, and looked extremely like the first week or two of a new rush to a rich '' poor man's diggings." Money was astonishingly plentiful, and the possessors disposed of it without stint. The various hotels were extensively patronised, and what few amusements are to be obtained in the township received the fullest share of public support. Even those on the wrong side of the book seemed to forget their losses, and to beam, by reflection of the happy and exulting visages of the lucky ones.

On Thursday last a deplorable accident happened at the Island, to a man named Thomas JJaly, native of Clonmel, Tipperary, by trade a sawyer. It appears that the injured man was asleep, when the hut caught fire; and it was not till the flames had obtained a firm hold of the

place that he was awakened, his mates being absent. Seeing the impossibility of extinguishing the blaze, he endeavored to save their provisions, and what little property possessed by them ; and it was while performing this service that he received the injuries alluded to. His right hand is frightfully burned, as is his chest, and the crown of his head and the right side of the face. He was brought to town on Friday night, en route to the hospital, to which institution he was conveyed by Sergt. Bryant in the Government boat on Saturday. It is almost needless to state that, owing to the impossibility of procuring the simplest remedies to alleviate the pain, at their remote dwelling, his sufferings were intense, and we cannot help congratulating ourselves on the possession, at last, of an institution which will be the means of succouring so much misery in the district, till now scarcely known, and entirely unappreciated. A man named John Donoghue, a native of Tipperary, has been for some time missing, considerable anxiety being felt by his friends as to his fate, but whom it is now much to be feared has met his death in consequence of the late flood. When last heard of, he was "on the spree "at the Arrow. On a photographic likeness, which was lately taken by Mr. Christenson, of Queenstown, being shown to Constable Fleming, of Arthur's Point, he stated that, to the best of his knowledge, the remains of a man unknown was buried at the Big Beach, which corresponded with the description and likeness of the missing man. The mates of deceased, John M'Mahon and Wm. Gleeson had just arrived from Maori Point for the purpose of searching for the now supposed deceased. It is probable that we have not even yet learned the full extent of our losses by the fljods, as several men are still missing.