THE ARROW.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 88, 2 March 1864, Page 4

THE ARROW.

(from our own correspondent.) March 1, 1864. Ihe numerous water-wheels on the Arrow River are now all in full work again, the last fall of rain providentially causing no delay to mining operations, and all things propitious, the result of many months' speculative labor will now soon be brought to an issue. Claimholders on the river express a strong confidence in the richness of their claims, and very few shares have been disposed of for some time past except under pressing emergencies. New ground has been taken up near the junction of the Eight-Mile Creek and Arrow River, for the purpose of carrying out some extensive sluicing works. At Bracken's Gully, things generally are reported as quiet, the majority of the miners making very fair wages, and showing no disposition to leave the district. No news of any importance has been received here during the last few days from the Cardrona Creek, the influx of new comers has already stopped, and the population at present throughout the Creek probably not exceeding 300 men. At the head of the Roaring Meg stream, about forty men are at work but the yield of gold there is inconsiderable. News from the Twelve-Mile diggings show that the auriferous resources of that district are in all probability only yet commencing to be developed. Gold has been found in spots hitherto considered barren, and in quantities sufficient to warrant the supposition that remunerative employment might be found there by a much larger population than the present one. On the summit of the highest ranges in that neighborhood, now free from there usual covering of snow, gold has been found

in "payable quantities, and easily worked. I have heard from reliable authority that parties at present holdir.g ground on these ranges, which from its position can only be worked by cradles, are making remarkably good wages ; in several instances having obtained six pounds weight of gold from a single paddock. The hills from which the gold is obtained are described as made hills, and presenting none of the appearances of out-crop-ping reefs similar to the ranges in this locality. The scattered parties of diggers lately at Work on the various small creeks running into the Lake Wanaka are reported to have nearly all departed, being unable to find gold enough to remunerate them, and laboring also under the disadvantages of inadequate supplies of provisions Experienced miners, however, who have visited the Lake, still express an opinion that a properly organised prospecting party equipped with all necessaries for a six months' tour would find gold in payable quantities, and meet with sufficient inducement to make a lengthened sojourn there; birds and fish being abundant, timber plentiful, and the gold, when obtained, easily worked. The Queenstown and Arthur's Point Cricket Clubs have declined to accept the challenge of the Arrow Cricket Club, to play a match against a united eleven of the two Clubs, but each express their willingness to play a match singly with the Arrow men. A match between the Arthur's Point and Arrow Cricket Clubs will probably be played shortly, and the Queenstown Club state that they will be ready in about a month to meet their Arrow friends once more.

A rather novel mode of serving a summons occurred here a few days ago. A man named Fenton having got at loggerheads with his mate, used some abusive language, for which his mate summoned him to appear at the •Arrow Court, and the usual document was handed to the bailiff for service on him. Fenton, however, getting word of the matter, on seeing the bailiff approach him at once bolted off at the top of his speed, and the enemy followed; an exciting chase took across the flat near the police camp, Fenton heading straight for the river, which on reaching, he without hesitation plunged into, and crossed safely to the other side. The bailiff's zeal for the public service was not sufficient, however, to induce him to take a cold bath so suddenly, but picking up a stone he wrapped the paper around it and throwing it across the stream at the man on the other side, shouted out to him "to consider himself served." Whether the runaway will chose to take the same view of the matter seems somewhat doubtful.

FIRE BRIGADE MEETING.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Queenstown was held at Johnson's Theatre Royal, on Monday evening last, to receive a Progress report from the Committee appointed to draw up a constitution for a Fire Brigade. Mr Gordon was elected to the chair. The following report was handed in:— Your Committee, elected by the inhabitants of Queenstown, to bring up a report for the formation of a Fire Brigade, met on Wednesday evening, 17th inst, at the Commercial Hotel. Present —Messrs Weaver (chair), Carey, Prince, Chamberlain, Atkins, Welsh and Malaghan. It was resolved that a Fire Brigade, to be called the " Queenstown Fire Brigade," should be established ; and that the Fire Brigade be managed by the following officers:—One captain, one lieutenant, a treasurer, a secretary and a committee of seven—five to form a quorum. All officers to be ex officio members. (Signed) D. Weaver, Chairman. The Chairman said they had enrolled up to the present date sixty members, and from the names that had been given in he thought they might congratulate themselves and the town upon the success that had attended their efforts. The report was then received and adopted. Mr Bracken and others addressed the meeting upon various matters connected with fire brigades. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers and it was resolved that they should be elected for a period of three months, subject to re-election. Messrs Bracken, Bell, Arndt, Webster, Carey and Chamberlain were duly proposed and seconded for the office of captaincy. Mr Bracken, though willing to assist, thought they might find some one better qualified (no, no) and he would retire at once. (No no.) Mr Carey would like to have his name withdrawn in favor of Mr Bell, and hoped all would resign in his favor, as he was a practical man, and acquainted with fire brigades. (Hear.) A member, if not too late, would like to propose the chairman (Mr Gordon). Mr Gordon declined, on grounds of being a business man and often away, and, moreover, knew nothing of fire brigades. Messrs Chamberlain, Arndt and Webster then withdrew their names, and Mr Bracken

again repeated his determination to retire, but the meeting would not accept it. Mr Bell thought that a man like Mr Bracken who was accustomed to discipline and drilling men, was the best person to elect, and he should be happy to act under him and assist him as far as he could. (Hear, hear.) Finally, after a friendly passage of words between the friends of the two candidates, Mr Bracken was allowed to retire, and Mr Bell was therefore elected as the captain of the first Queenstown Fire Brigade. Mr Bell, in returning thanks for the confidence placed in him, said he would do all he could, but that would be very little. It was the members who would have to do all that was to be done, and he must therefore look to them to assist him in his now position (cheers). Messrs Bracken, Horn and Welsh were then proposed for the post of lieutenant, but before going to a poll Mr Welsh withdrew his name, with the consent of the members. Mr Bracken was then almost unanimously elected. The members then decided that the Brigade should also have a sergeant, for which post Messrs Horn, Chamberlain and Hughes were proposed, and a poll declared Mr Horn to be elected by a majority of 11 votes. An irregular discussion ensued regarding the appointment of two extra sergeants, in which Messrs Webster and Chamberlain took the leading part. Mr Chamberlain said, suppose a fire broke out at one end of the town, and then at the other, and in the middle, then they would, of course, require three sergeants. A Voice —" He's a of a fellow for fires." The subject then dropped, a resolution to the effect that there should be only one sergeant, being carried. Mr Manders was proposed as secretary, and though strongly pressed, declined to act, as he was already secretary to two public bodies, but would be happy to assist the movement in any other way. Mr Chamberlain was eventually elected as secretary. Several gentlemen were proposed for the office of treasurer, but on the suggestion of the chairman it was decided to elect one of the bank agents. Messrs Lockhart, Brown and Horton were then nominated, and the result was 23 votes for Mr Brown, 10 for Mr Lockhart, and 7 for Mr Horton. The following gentlemen were elected for the committee, out of 15 nominated:—Messrs Malaghan, Weaver, Carey, Gordon, J. T. Croft, M'Larn, and Welsh. (A tie having ensued between Messrs Welsh and Mr S. A. Wood, the latter gentleman retired in favor of the former.) A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the business of the meeting. *

POLICE COURT, QUEENSTOWN.

(Before Richmond Beetham, Esq., R.M.) Monday, 29 th February. Drunk.—John Bailey, for the privilege of getting drunk, was accommodated with night quartersa nd ordered to pay 10s. for the use of the same. Illegal Possession of Property.—George Brigdon, charged with having possession of a cradle, the property of one Alexander M'Gilvary, at Moonlight Creek, was discharged, no evidence being produced as to the identity of the worthless piece of furniture, valued at ss. The time of the court was thus frittered away to suit the spleen of a foolish man. Two witnesses were also brought down over a very bad road. Tuesday, Ist March. A Neighbor's Squabble.—E. Coutanche was charged with trespassing upon an allotment, the property of Thomas Buxton, contrary to the Ordinance. After examination, and calling in Mr Wright, the surveyor, the encroachment was found to be only two inches. The defendant was ordered to remove his fence from said two inches so trespassed upon. Sergeant Naden charged George Clements with killing sheep at his slaughteryard, Queenstown, without having given due notice to the Slaughterhouse Inspector. Adjourned to Friday, for the purpose of enabling the magistrate to obtain the Act. civil cases. Bracken v. Fox.—£lo; promissory note. Verdict by default. Cook v. Wood.—Charge for horse-feed, £2 Bs. Verdict for 245., and 20s. costs. Wood v. Cook.—£l6 10s., balance of account. Dismissed, the items and amount of account exceeding jurisdiction of the court. M'Carthy v. Roche.—£l7 195., for cash lent and ale supplied. Settled out of court. Coleman v. Fletcher.—£7 10s., an I 0 U. Vercict by consent. Shepherd v. Fletcher.—£l2 10s., a promissory note. Verdict by consent. Roche v. M'Carthy—Board and kegs, £ll lis. 3d. Settled out of court. Cassius v. Black—£7 15s, balance of a guarantee given for £lO. Case dismissed without prejudice. Black v. M'Combe and party—£2 4s. Bd. for provisions. Judgment for £1 16s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

We extract the following from the Daily lelegraphAttempted Robbery of the Bank of New South Wales.—Dunedin, Feb. 25th, 4 a.m. We have just learned that a man, having been seen by the police in the act of leaving the Bank of New South Wales by one of the windows, was pursued by Constable Stokes, captured, and is now in custody. His name is Walsh." King, the Pugilist, "at Home."—A good story is current respecting King, the pugilist, and the " host" of Hassocks' Gate Inn, where he resided during his training. It appears that a day or two previous to the encounter withHeenan, King, during his "play-hours' from training—the 'ruling passion' being strong in him —induced 4 mine host' to have a set-to in the parlour, the host to do all the hitting, the great pugilist stipulating not to return it, but only to parry the blows. Warming at his work, 4 mine host' let fall his blows both fast and furious. " Now," said King, who was standing with his back close to the wall of the loom, ' hit me full in the face.' Quick as thought the request was responded to, and with equal quickness did King avoid the blow by shitting his head, when the knuckles of the worthy host went with such tremendous force against the wall that the sponge was immediately thrown up. Indeed, so serious was the injury sustained, that mine host was compelled to seek surgical aid in Brighton, and there is every probability of his retaining a lasting momento of the visit of the great pugilist to his house.—Surrey Standard. Betting Extraordinary at Auckland.— We take the following paragraph from the Daily Southern Cross of the 3rd FebruaryA well known medical gentleman, in the service of Her Majesty afloat, recently made a bet with a lady for six dozen pairs of gloves, that he would pull a pair of oars in a boat against four ladies. The bet was taken up. On the day appointed, our boating Esculapius appeared at the start prepared to win, but on seeing the four ladies in the boat he declined the contest, and paid forfeit. The four young ladies pulled out a few strokes and returned to Wynyard Pier, but could not induce the shy challenger to risk his reputation, and he left amidst the cheers of the assembled boatmen." Volunteer Militiamen.—The Taranaki Herald, of the 6th inst., says:—"Just as we were going to press a ship was signalled, and proved to be the Gresham, 965 tons, Captain Bayley, from Melbourne, with 420 military settlers on board for this place. The officer in command is Lieut. Pennyfather. Lieuts. Sifton and Koadey ara also on board. The Gresham left Melbourne on the 30th ult., and has been therefore 14 days oui. She reports that the Brilliant with 118 more men was to leave two days later. Intense Heat—Sunday last was the most suffocatingly hot day that we had this summer. We are informed by a gentleman who paid particular attention to thermometer, that at eight o'clock in the morning it stood at 84- in the shade, and at half-past nine it had risen to 86*. At half-past eleven, it stood at 98'. The thermometer was then placed in the sun, when it lose to 137% where it remained for about two hours. Towards evening, the atmosphere became somewhat cooler, and about ten at night there was a light and cool breeze for a short time, but throughout the greater part of the night the heat continued very oppressive. lllawara Mercury.