THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 141, 3 September 1864, Page 2

THE SHOTOVER.

(from a correspondent.) For the last few days we have had a succession of snow showers and thaws, but in spite of this the river is lower than ever it has been known to be before, and we constantly see miners wading across it to their several dams, and catching timber rafts which are floated down for the crates, of which the dams are composed. The greater number of the owners of sluicing claims wish for more water either in their races or in the river, so as to take away their tailings which, in numerous instances, have accumulated enough either to impede their operations directly or to cause the stoppage of their works by the mandate of the Warden on the complaint of the owners of adjoining river claims

The court cases have been very numerous from the circumstance of many parties, against whom cases had been decided by the the former Warden, bringing their grievances before the new Warden in the hope of getting a more favorable decision. As a defendant has, in some instances, many miles to go to put in an appearance at the court, and, of course earns nothing during the transaction, it appears a positive hardship that the law is administered on the goldfields at so cheap a rate, as it enables a man at the cost of a few shillings to compel the attendance of industrious miners from a long distance at a specified time which is highly detrimental to their interest, considerably lessening their remunerative work for the week The track from Arthur's Point towards Maori Point is completed as far as the middle of Long Gully. The track is well laid out and very fairly completed ; but we regret to say that here all traces of a track cease with the exception of a few surveyor's marks at a distance, the reason being that the men who took some of the contracts have gone to some new rush before hardly commencing their work. This we the more regret as this very part of the new road would avoid the ascent of two hills, each some IOUO feet in height, to say nothing of the frozen ground and ice at the bottom of the Deep Creek, where several packhorses have met with violent deaths. In fact, the value of the horses which have been killed on the road between Welsh's and Skipper's would more than have paid the whole cost of a good bridle track like that commenced; to say nothing of the saving to the community from the reduced price at which provisions could have been packed up. We are glad to learn that a road surveyor has lately been up, who will, we hope, speedily re-let the contracts to men better acquainted with roads in difficult country, so that we may shortly have to report that the track of so much importance as this one, which leads to our most important mining district, and on which so much care has been displayed in its survey, will be in a fair way of being completed.

The ' Otago Mail,' of 29th, states on " unquestionable authority" that, some returned diggers from the West Coast diggings report them an utter failure. Provisions were not to be had, and the only store there had been rushed. The prospectors had left, and the whole affair was likely to prove more lamentable than any rush yet known in New Zealand. The Canterbury • Press,' of 24th ult. states that a great number ot diggers had left Christchurch for the West Coast diggings within the last few days. It says, "yesterday a party started with several pack-horses laden with necessaries for the journey, with the intention of crossing the ranges by the Teremakau pass. It is still rather early in the season to venture on the journey—heavy falls of snow may be met with for some time yet, but the thoughts of such impediments as these do not seem to enter into the head of anyone who is in search of gold." Great activity is being displayed in preparations for the forthcoming Ball at Bracken's Hotel on Monday night next; and from all we hear it is likely to prove a brilliant success. Every attention will be paid to visitors. Ladies' names are to be sent in to-day. A deputation from the Queenstown Improvement Committee waited upon Mr Patterson yesterday, at Powell's Family Hotel, and had a lengthy interview with that geutleman, on the subject of the roads, which was of a very interesting nature ; but we are compelled to hold over the report, besides police court and other matter, until our next. We learn that Mr Brodie, one of the members of the Provincial Council has arrived at the Arrow.

EXHIBITION MEETING. A public meeting of the inhabitants of the district was held in Bracken's Commercial Hall on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of receiving and hearing Mr Waymouth, the secretary of the Exhibition. K. Beetham, Esq., R.M., was elected chairman upon the motion of Messrs. Rees and Millet.

The chairman said ha regretted that the attendance was so small at the time, but as the room would soon be required for a concert they commence. It was of great importance that this goldfield should be represented, and he thought this should in some things be done independent of individual exertions. It was necessary that united action should take place to secure the effective representation of the Wakatip goldfield, and that it should take the position it was entitled to. Mr Waymouth would tell them what the other districts were doing, and that they were very active, so that it would not do for the Wakatip to occupy a second rate position after claiming to be the richest goldfield—extent taken into consideration—in the world. Before action could be taken, one of the requisites necessary was funds. They were chiefly called together to decide how these were to be obtained; they had not assembled to decide that funds should be raised—that everyone would understand was necessary—but, as he had just stated, how they were to be obtained. He hoped all those present would interest themselves in this matter and forward with their means the efforts of the committee. He had little more to say, as in a few minutes several resolutions would be submitted to them. He would now introduce to them Mr Waymouth, the secretary to the Otago committee. Mr Waymouth said he had been travelling through the country at the instigation of the central committee to ascertain what steps had been taken by the branch committees in the matter of native exhibits for the ensuing exhibition. He was also there to answer all questions that might be put to him, and he trusted that in this respect they would not be bashful. He would ask them to be energetic in the matter ; and he came to promote the co-operation of all classes for a common object. The exhibition was not a Provincial one, but a New Zealand one, and the other provinces were very earnest in the matter, and it would not do for them to be behind others, especially as the exhibition was to be held in their province. He was not going to argue whether the exhibition was premature or not; they had it before them and they should do their best to carry it through with success. He might, however, say to these who argued that it was premature, that the same argument had been urged against the National Exhibition of 1851. It could hardly, however, be premature when it was held at their own doors, and would do muck to induce emigration. Had they waited for another two or three years some of the other provinces would have claimed the honor; as it was they had stolen a march upon the others and the "projectors, who had secured for Otago the first exhibition, should he supported. He thought they were indebted to the gentlemen who effected this ; besides, it was a good starting point, and one from which they could review the progress the province had made. He might tell them that the exhibition would be no failure and that applications had been received from Europe alone, for sufficient space to establish the exhibition, but it should lather be a colonial and home, than a foreign exhibition. The speaker here entered into an account of the rise and progress of the National Exhibition of 1851, and detailed the objections that had been urged against if, stating that instead of a failure, it had proved a brilliant success, and then proceeded to read a extract from the Commissioners' address in the National Catalogue of 1862. Years hence Mr Waymouth continued, they might be making similar comparison, and probably more favorable than even those made in England. It was a new country, and ten years hence great changes would have taken place ; ten years hence this beautiful lake would be surrounded with flourishing homesteads, other trades would have sprung up, and Queenstown would probably be a great inland and prosperous town. Provincial rivalries and jealousies would have passed away, and New Zealand become really. what it had often been called, the Great Britain of the South. From what he had seen, and from what he heard of the resources of the Wakatip district, he believed it to be one of the most permanent, as well as richest districts in the province. It would be a disgrace to them, with their splendid capabilities if they did not hold their own. He was never so impressed with a district. He had been told before he left Dunedin that he might expect the best reception at the Wakatip, that it would show very likely the-best co-operation of all the up-country districts He should be sorry if these expectations were not fulfilled, and the district would certainly be the sufferer. So far, he was not disappointed; but he must urge upon them not to lose any time as the period for preparation was very short. He had before said it had plenty of resources, and its strength and value would be tested by those who had often heard of the Wakatip and would naturally look for its display in the exhibition. In conclusion, he had to say the exhibition was not designed for any one class or any one section of the community, and as in England, the artizan met the peer on a level, so it would be here in Otago, conducted on a similar principle, and he sincerely trusted they would all pull together energetically and embrace the opportunity afforded them. (Cheers.) Mr Manders, in a lengthy address, which was well recoived throughout, pointed out how each person in the district, however remote, and in whatever circumstances, could lend a helping aid that would be of value when presented in a collective form, and concluded an able and forcible speech by moving the following resolution:— " That this meeting is of opinion that it behoves the inhabitants of this district to lose no time in taking the necessary steps to secure its due representation in the forthcoming New Zealand Exhibition.''

Mr Rees had much gratification in seconding the resolution. After the addresses of the two previous speakers, with which he cordially agreed, he need not trespass upon their attention. He would, however, urge upon them to set to work at once, and do credit to themselves; they had the opportunity and plenty of materials before them. (Cheers.)

The Chairman put the resolution to the meet-j ing, which by this time had increased, and ae* clared it to be unanimously carried. < Mr Bracken had to propose a resolution whictt he would read to them and call their attention to it:— . " That in order to carry out the foregoing resolution this meeting is of opinion that subscription lists should be opened immediately, and that this meeting pledges itself to use every endeavor to carry out the objects of this and the previous resolution." They knew well enough that without money they could not send down their minerals or forward other things. They had an excellent occasion to make the district known. He had never known Queenstown halting in any movement, and now they had a noble purpose before them to show to others the specimens of the works of God and man. He was quite sure that, eventually, Queenstown and the district would supply the Dunstan and other places with products, such as timber, &c, and when the road was made this would be found the case. It would be not only to their own benefit but to the Province at large, to show the resources they possessed, and he should ask them to warmly support the resolution he had pioposed. (Cheers.) Mr Gordon, in seconding the resolution proposed by Mr Bracken, would draw their attentiod for a moment to one or two points. A previous speaker had said the Wakatip was the brightest gem Otago possessed. He truly coincided with this happy expression. They need not depend upon gold alone, for had they not copper, and everyone, he anticipated, knew what the copper mines of South Australia had done for Adelaide. (Hear, hear.) Well, copper had been found in several places. To send down copper ore, and to attract attention to it and to other things they must have money to cover expenses. Then there was timber and stones, and he anticipated also a trade in these products and the formation of new branches of industry Let them, therefore, wisely support the resolution in a practical manner (hear, heat). The resolutiou was then put and carried. Mr Manders said he had forgotten to stale that Mr Price, the photographic artist of Queenstown, had.sent for an enlarged apparatus and the best materials for taking views of Queenstown and the district for the Exhibition in an effective manner. These were always very popular with sight-seers, and if models of the vessels and yachts they had on this inland sea were also sent they would be popular. He thought Mr Price was deserving of their thanks for setting so good an example. (Cheers.) Mr Hallenstein said he had to propose a resolution, namely:—

" That the following gentlemen be authorised to collect subscriptions:—Messrs Bracken, Angus Powell, Carey, Worth, Malaghan, Ryan, Cochrane, Hallenstein, and Manders; also the banks and members of Committee." He was not prepared to make any elaborate speech to them, but he hoped they would support so good a movement. It was one of very {rreat importance, and he was nearly convinced everyone would do his best to show the district in its proper light. (Cheers.) Mr Manders apologised for rising once more. He had to propose a vote of thanks to the chair, but before doing so he desired to mention a matter that might encourage the miners to use extra exertions to forward the views of the committee. Eis Excellency Sir George Grey, one of the ablest governors that had been in the Southern Hemisphere, would open that Exhibition. Now they all knew what first impressions were. His Excellency had long desired to visit our goldfields, but had been prevented by Northern troubles. He had always shown a deep interest in the goldfields, and the miners had relied upon him as a friendly protector. (Loud cheers.) His Excellency would look in the Exhibition for instances of the resources of the various fields, and he hoped they would be able to make a good impression. He was confident they would confirm it by the warm reception that they would give the Governor when he visited them. He had to ask them to pass a vote of thanks to Mr Beetham for the able manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of chairman on the present auspicious occasion.. (Applause.) Mr Beetham returned thanks at some length, recapitulating what h'rd oeeu done, and showing how much more could yet be done. The meeting then dissolved.

The meeting advertised to have been held at Arrowtown last Thursday evening, for the purpose of deciding what action should be taken for coliectin" contributions to represent this district at the forthcoming Exhibition, did not take place, Mr Waymouth, the secretary, from some unexplained cause not being present. The attendance was not numerous; in fact, a nearly general indifference is evinced here on the matter. It is apparent that some energetic oanvassin» will be required in this locality to arouse any lively interest in the affair.

A meeting of the old members of the Queensstown Cricket Club was held at Brooke's Wakatip Hotel, on Thursday evening. The attendance was moderate. Mr Weaver was elected to the chair. The following gentlemen were elected as officers of the club for the ensuing season : W. G. Rees, president; 1). Weaver, vice-presi-dent; H. W. Bracken, hon. treasurer; A. Louttit, hon. secretary. Messrs Brookes, Lewis, Chesswas, George, Hiney, Bradshaw and Pritchard were appointed the'managing committee, five to form a quorum. Messrs Finnis, Warien and Manders were proposed as new members. It was resolved to canvass actively for new members to this health-invigorating, manly game, and the meeting adjourned for a week. Some gentlemen on Thursday, the Ist September, seemed determined to revive old associations connected with this day, but as partridges are not common in this part of the world they sought any other game they could get The weather was propitious, but the sport indifferent. The , partv went down the Lake in the Aldmga and landed at a picturesque locality. The pic-mc, all things considered, passed off very pleasantly.

We have been requested by the hon. treasurer of the Hospital, T. H. Brown, Esq., to acknowledge, with thanks, the sum of £26 12s, being the proceeds of the entertainment lately given by Mr Bracken, and in wh'ch Mr Morris largely assisted—both by out-door canvassing and mdoors—to make it a success.