The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1864.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 72, 6 January 1864, Page 4

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1864.

The question as to whether the miners are fairly represented is one which stares in the face a resident on the gold-fields, turn which way he will. Reflective men must be struck with astonishment, when they see the neglect which exists on every hand. It is seen in the inefficient administration of justice, and in the utter want of any means of access to the other parts of the Provir ce. The mining community, numbering about 24,000, yields to the Provincial revenue, by way of direct and indirect taxation, an annual sum of £155,000, and is represented in the Provincial Council by three members. The remaining portion of the populace of Otago, numbering about 30,000, yield to the revenue the sum of £99,000 annually, and are represented in the Provincial Council by thirty-two members I This unequal distribution of representation is a frightful source of injustice, and its result is seen in the heavy taxes heaped upon one portion of the community. We have enough knowledge of how things go to warrant us in stating that nothing will be conceded to them without pressure, and that of the most determined kind. It is alleged that the miners are a '* class," and to allow them sufficient political power would open the door to class legislation. We would ask if there are not abundant evidences of class taxation, and if the miners are not the heaviest paymasters? Inadequately, however, as the miners are represented in the Provincial Council, they are still worse off in the General Assembly There they have only two members. It is necessary, therefore, that additional members should be granted to the gold fields, and that their wants and wishes should be expressed in the Assembly. The petition which was lately signed in this district would not have been heard of if it had been trusted to the tender mercies of our representatives only. Forwarded to Captain Baldwin, that gentleman deserted his post in the General Assembly, and left Mr Brodie to fight the battles of the mining community alone. Fortunately, however, those who had the petition in charge took good care that no single man was depended upon, and the miners may expect that his Excellency the Governor will examine into the complaints of the petition. We cannot say that we think Captain Baldwin was justified in leaving the General Assembly so long before its close. We are of those who think that no man has a right to accept the position of a representative unless he intends thoroughly to perform its duties. The petition, however, was presented, notwithstanding the absence of the mining member, and that by the Colonial Secretary. In answer to a question by Mr. Bell, the Government intimated that they are not at present prepared to take any steps in the matter. This we are not surprised at, for the day of presentation of the petition to the House of Representatives was within four of the prorogation of the parliament. But we have good reason to believe that action will be taken during the recess by the Governor in Council. Until some steps are taken the miners must wait with patience, and in hope that their determined and constitutional mode of procedure will result in benefit to them and to the Province at large.

We have been informed that a party have just arrived in Queenstown from the head of the Lake, who nport having found payable gold about forty miles up the Rees river. Their prospect was about forty specks to the dish, of very coarse and heavy gold, some being nearly a dwt. Should this turn out correct, we shall have no doubt the duty of reporting a considerable rush to that quarter. In the meantime we give the information merely as a report at second hand. A performance is announced for Friday evening next in aid of the Wakatip Jockey Club Races. The benefit originated in the first pla(e through Mr Tom Fawcett some time ago, but has been unavoidably postponed, and is now given by the combined forces under the stage managership of Mr Carey. Several amateurs have promised to appear, and this ought to ensure a crowded house. The programme will be found in another column. The first appearance of Porter's Minstrels, at Bracken's Queen's Arms Hotel, took place on Monday evening, but owing no doubt to the inclement state of the weather, was not so numerously attended as might otherwise have been expected. These Minstrels are really first-class, and if our townsfolk wish to take advantage of the old adage, a Laugh, and grow fat," they need only pay them a visit, and we have no i doubt "Tony" will give them their heart's content. Their Negro melodies and absurdities are first-rate. The trio—" Come where my love lies dreaming," was well executed, and received with great applause. Mr Robinson sang " The bonnie hills o' Scotland" with great effect, and being encored gave "The Musketeer." He also favored the audience with the new song composed in honor of the Victorian explorers, Burke and Wills, which was received with rapturous applause, and in obedience to an encore sang "The Cameron Men." We perceive that they have announced to perform every evening. Twice this week has the alarm of "fire" frightened the inhabitants of the town from its propriety. On Monday, the scene of the disaster was Mr Nelson's library and express office, which was at one time in a very critical condition. Fortunately, the proximity of the Lake, and any number of willing hands put an end to the alarm. Last night, about 12 o'clock, a tent j belonging to the Rev. Father Duhig, situated between the two churches, was discovered to be in a blaze—Mr Jackson of the Southland camp being we believe the first to give the alarm. Mr Inspector Morton and a host of assistants speedily rushed up, and an attack was made on the blazing building. By a lucky chance, the I wind, which had been boisterous in the extreme 1 all the day, had just lulled, and the strenuous j efforts of the bystanders soon quelled the flames. I The rev. gentleman was in bed at the time, I having retired some time previously, and can i throw no light on the cause of the accident, i there being no fire in the tent at the time. It is our pleasing duty occasionally to mark the steady progressive improvements in existence in Queenstown. Some time since, we had to chronicle the advent of a chemist's shop, of no mean pretensions, in Rees-street; we now find that Beach-street, determined to keep pace with the times, is in possession of a similar establishment, and which, we are given to understand, is intended by the proprietor, Mr George, to be second to none in the town; reference to our advertising column will show he opens this day.