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Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 98, 6 April 1864, Page 4

The following gentlemen have been added to the local committee of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition :—J. B. Bradshaw, Esq., T. H. Brown, Esq., T. Horton, Esq., A. Lockhart, Esq., W. N. Morton, Esq., W. G. Rees, Esq,, W. C. Wright, Esq., of Queenstown ; and J. Douglas, Esq., M.D., Arrow. The sale of the Booths for the ensuing races at Arthur's Point, took place on Monday. Mr P. H. Elliot was auctioneer, and they realized for the seven, the sum of £177, a very nice amount as times are; and we should think this fact alone would open the eyes of our kind friends in Dunedin,who are so dolefully prognosticating the "cave in" of the Wakatip goldfields. We have heard a good deal about the want of management of the Wakatip Jockey Club at the last races, but it seems that the assurances given to those interested in race-horses, as to payment of " hard cash on the nail" has its effect. We think, from the number of horses arriving, and the strong muster of the racing fraternity that are showing themselves, that the Arthur's Point races will prove most successful. In our last issue we reported a case of Elston v. Elston, in which the defendant (the husband) was bound over to keep the peace to his wife, the plaintiff. It may be remembered that the defendant wasonly proved guilty of using threats, and that in the witness box he told a simple tale of a " gay Lotherio" who had invaded his house, and disturbed its humble peace. We have now to tell the sequel. As soon as Mr Beetham had bound the man over to keep the peace, the woman and her presumed paramour, disregarding all obligations, went and lived together opposite Elston's residence on the Big Beach. With that high spirit that actuate the miners when they see a wrong done, but at the same time guided by good common sense, they assembled together and though a few talked of burning down the abode of the guilty pair, they listened to better

counsel, and, as the highest punishment they could inflict, decided upon i novel but telling way of showing their feelings and sympathies. They dressed up a very faithful representation of the frail fair, and made another equally excellent one of the " gay deceiver," —so he was labelled. Both of these effigies were then elevated on poles, and were carried about amongst the miners of Big Beach, amidst cries more loud than musical. They were afterwards brought into Queenstown, and paraded several times ! throuf h the streets. Upon every suitable opportunity a few pithy remarks were made regarding the reason of the exhibition, and after a hearty volley of groans, the procession, which consisted of a large number of persons, moved on to the sound of rather rough music. The most striking demonstration was made at Bracken's Hotel, the proprietor of which gave the standard bearers refreshment, and was loudly cheered. The object sought, of publicity, has been thoroughly gained, and as a further warning we hear the images have been erected on the Beach in unpleasant proximity to the dwelling of the culprits. They are watched and guarded incessantly, and are each night lit up. Such is the vengeance of the miners upon vice and baseness, and who shall say that, with all their roughness, they do not possess keen discrimination. The following extract from the Daylesford Mercury may perhaps convey a useful hint to prospectors in the gullies and terraces of New Zealand:—"We have, on a former occasion 1 > alluded to the use of prospecting rods in trying deep ground. Another instance of their utility has just come under our notice. The Exchequer Gold Mining Company have been sinking deep ground in Wombat Park, opposite Mr Patrick M'Cormack's. On Monday the scoop brought up auriferous washdirt, in which gold was visible. The company has thus been saved from great expense and the loss of a good claim. The Duke of Wellington Company also intend adopting the same means of testing their ground." We understand that a large number of forms for Registration purposes have been filled up and forward* d through the instrumentality of the Improvement Committee to J. W. Murdoch, Esq., Hawkesbury, and if they are successful in passing the Revision Court it will be found that a large number of persons enrolled as electors both for Wakatip district and county of Hampden, will have been added to the former roll. The signing of the Registration form does not, however, place the elector upon the roll, and it will be necessary for all concerned to watch the actions of the returning officers or Revision courts. Some prospects of agricultural settlement exist at last. Mr Wright and his assistants have surveyed off about 10,000 acres in the valley of the Arrow and Shotover. Finer land could not be found, and the advantages of wood and water are abundant, without the drawbacks of swamps. It has often been asked where is the market for farm produce ? The reply is ready; agricultural industry always produces a population, and finds consumers. Witness the back and distant settlements of America. We, however, assert that, for the Scotch system of sheep farming this land is valuable beyond belief. An accident occurred on Monday at Maori Point which might have been attended with the most serious consequences. A restaurant-keeper, named Andrew Lawrenson, was lying in his tent, when a large stone dislodged by a "shot" from the road-party who are blasting on the opposite side of the river, came bursting through the roof, and struck him on the thigh, causing a severe wound. The unfortunate man was brought into Queenstown yesterday, and is now lying at the Criterion Hotel, under the care of Dr. Pelley. The weight of the missile was over seven pounds, and before it struck the sufferer, flew a distance of between four and five hundred yards. The accident is serious, but no fatal consequences are anticipated.