LOCAL STATISTICS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 107, 7 May 1864, Page 3

LOCAL STATISTICS.

We have before us two very interesting statements, one concerning the cases heard in the court at Queenstown, and the other a tabulated statement of the escort returns and revenue of this portion of the district. As " good wine needs no bush," we present them without further preface, simply remarking that to Mr Warden Beetham and Mr Goldreceiver Worthington we are indebted for them, through the offices of the Queenstown Improvement Committee. By it we find that the large number of 215 cases were heard during the month of March, and that 893 had been disposed of in nine months. On the 19th January, 21, and on Tuesday last. 13 cases claimed the attention of the Court. On an average, 15 have been heard daily? excluding criminal cases, which have averaged nearly six on days the Court has sat in the R.M. jurisdiction. These are quite irrespective of Warden's cases settled in the Court and on the field. Ihe majority of these cases are of great importance, and many of them have taken up the time of assessors and wardens for several hours, and in some instances for days. The appeal cases to the Supreme Court have been 13. From the other return, which is defective as regards the first four escorts, and then afterwards as to the Arrow returns, we find that 260,000 ounces of gold have been forwarded hence by escort. To this the Arrow escort has to be added. The amount stated, however, would give a revenue of £32,500 in gold duty alone, or just one half of the estimated revenue from this source this year. The revenue returns are equally satisfactory, for from February, 1863, to the end of April, 1864, we have contributed £7857 158. Bd. as fees, independent of the land sales, auctioneers' licences, &c. Need we say another word in support of the posi-

tion we have taken? Need we justify ourselves for the stringent remarks we have made upon the ueglect which this splendid district has received.

QUEENSTOWN FIRE BRIGADE. A meeting of the Committee was held on Monday evening, 2nd May, at Carey's Commercial Hotel. Present—Messrs. Bell, Horn, Croft, Chamberlain, and Carey. No business of importance was transacted beyond the report of the Secretary being read, and a discussion in reference to a fireengine, which the committee are very desirous of obtaining. The fire bell tolled at half-past seven, and a general muster took place at Bracken's Hotel, at eight o'clock, Captain Bell in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary read letters he had received from the Superintendent and the members for the goldfields, and copies of those he was about to forward in reply to Messrs. Brodie, Hughes and Captain Baldwin, expressing thanks for their kindness on behalf of the Brigade. He also read the copy of a letter he was about to forward—by instruction of the Committee—to the Captain of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, respecting a fire engine, &c. The secretary then reported as follows: Gentlemen, —Since the last general meeting your committee have labored under difficulties as regards a fire engine; letters were written, and a deputation appointed to ascertain about a fire engine for sale at Invercarcargill, and after many exertions your committee were given to understand that the said engine was unpurchaseable, and not suitable for this Brigade. I then—by your instructions—wrote to Melbourne. Your committee is also in communication on this subject with the Captain of the Dunedin Fire Brigade; your committee have also accepted the kind offer of Mr Pearce, who has proceeded to Victoria on business, and will ascertain all particulars respecting a fire engine, and communicate with your secretary. I trust, gentlemen, you will see at a glance that your committee are using every exertion to obtain an engine as speedily as possible. At the last general meeting, I informed you that £67 2s. had been lodged in the bank to the credit of the Brigade, that £39 13s. had been paid for various requirements, which left a balance of £27 95.; since that date your committee have paid away £9 175., leaving a balance of £l7 12s. to the credit of the Brigade. The outstanding accounts only amount to 12s. 6d. Your committee are now collecting from those who have not yet subscribed, and as yet I have not the returns. I have great pleasure in informing you that so far, no person has yet been asked for the second subscription. The amount now to the credit of the Brigade, supplemented by the collection now going on, and the £IOO which his Honor the Superintendent has been pleased to place on the estimates, and further exertion places this Brigade in a most prosperous condition, I may say second to none in the colonies, considering it has only been formed two months. We have our fire bell, hooks, ladders, buckets, axes, &c, all paid for. All we require is an engine, and this Brigade will be really efficient. Mr Carey proposed and Mr Potter seconded That the secretary's report be adopted." Carried. The secretary was then instructed to inform the meeting how many members were liable to fines and penalties. This being done, the sum of 17s 6d was levied in the "room. Mr. Croft moved—"That the night of practice be on Tuesdays, and for the present fortnightly." Seconded by Mr. Gordon and carried. Proposed by Mr Carey and seconded by Mr Bracken—"That an Accident Fund be established for the. benefit of this Brigade." Carried. Proposed by Mr Chamberlain and seconded by Mr Bracken—" That all fines and penalties levied shall go to the Accident Fund of this Brigade." Carried. Mr. Silberberg was then admitted a member. The Captain would now ask members if it would meet their approbation to have some kind of demonstration under the auspices of this Brigade. After some little discussion it was carried unanimously that a grand ball and supper should take place on the evening of our Queen's birthday, the 24th instant. The following gentlemen were then appointed stewards :—Messrs. Arndt, Pritchard, R. Louttit, Weaver, Carey, Bell, Bracken, Horn, and Croft Messrs. Croft, Gordon, and Pritchard were then appointed auditors, the roll was called, and the meeting separated. ♦ An uninformed Irishman hearing the Sphinx alluded to in company, whispered to his companion, " Who is Sphinx ?" "A monster man." " Oh !" said our Hibernian, iu order not to seem unacquainted with his family, "a Muuster man! I thought he was from Connaught,"