THE SUPREME COURT AGAIN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 149, 1 October 1864, Page 3

THE SUPREME COURT AGAIN.

We observe that our Queenstown friends have taken alarm at the intimation made by his honor the Superintendent to a deputation from the Dunstan, that the Judges had determined to hold the first sittings of the Supreme Court at this place. According to our contemporary the ' Wakatip Mail/ a meeting was to be held to protest against the decision of the Judges, or rather we should say, in his own words, " against the decision of the Superintendent to erect the first gaol and sittings of the Supreme Court at the Dunstan." Leaving the construction of the sentence which we have quoted out of consideration, we may say that the decision of the most central locality at which the sittings of the Supreme Court should be held was not left to the .Superintendent, and that, therefore, he is not justly chargable with favoring one district over another. The decision was left entirely in the hands of Judges Richmond and Chapman, and as they can have no political ends to serve in making the selection, we may safely assume that the Dunstan was chosen simply on account of its central position. We think this will be admitted by all—save, perhaps, our contemporary —and while we congratulate the district upon the marked distinction conferred upon it, we have also the satisfaction of knowing that by far the largest portion of the mining population will be accommodated by the first sittings of the Supreme Court being held at this place. We do not know what good purpose our contemporary proposes to serve by setting up a claim against the decision of the Judges. The people of Queenstown would be acting a wiser part were they to endeavour to obtain a circuit sitting of the Supreme Court; but to confine themselves to the easy of abusing a district for being in a central position, and therefore in receipt of a valuable privilege, is sheer folly. By no process of reasoning can it be shown that, had Queenstown been selected for the holdings of the first sittings of the Supreme Court, the largest number or even a fair proportion, would have been accommodated. Indeed, our contemporary, the ' Mail,' does not attempt this difficult task, but contents itself with generalities about the importance of the district, and the amount of gold sent down via Queenstown. We cannot say from Queenstown, because the gold which is sent nominally from that place is the produce of diggings that are miles away from it. As a commercial depot, the importance of Queenstown will always be recognised, but a diggings township it cannot be considered. We think our contemporary would do well to dismiss the idea that Queenstown is the great centre of the goldfields, and put forth some more moderate claims for consideration. Extravagant pretensions generally excite ridicule and contempt, besides having the effect of preventing a fair consideration of claims which may be absolutely just. In this position Queenstown has placed itself, and if it has had to complain of neglect, that neglect has arisen from the causes to which we have alluded. It is not for the interest of the goldfields that there should be internal dissensions. United, we have more than enough to do to hold our own against Dunedm and the centralizing spirit that would expend the largest portion of the public money on buildings in it. We should like to see the people of Queenstown prepared to join with the other towns on the goldfields, and make common cause against the Dunedin idea of expending moneys which are drawn from our pockets, upon public works in its immediate vicinity. A vigorous and united action weuld obtain for the goldfields a larger share of the revenue they so liberally contribute, and, if petty jealousies as to which is the chief town, could be got over, we have no doubt of our ultimate success in having our claims attended to. In the meantime it remains for Queentown to choose whether it will continue isolated, or abandon those extravagont claims to have all or nothing.—' Dunstan Times,' September 27.

A rumor is generally current that the Government intend to propose a reduction of 10 per cent upon all civil servants having salaries of £3OO a-year, and upwards. A very heavy fall of rain took place here yesterday between 8 o'clock and noon. The higher altitudes of the hill tops and sides of the rangds are thickly covered with snow. The reef spoken of by our Maori Point correspondent is undoubtedly very rich, and what is of more importance, the lode is clearly defined for some distance. It was found by Rosemergy and Bailey while cutting wood for a river claim on an undulating slope at Butcher's Gully, running off from Skipper's Creek. It runs some distance on the surface, and can be easily worked by tunnels taken in from the gully. Tunnel operations are progressing almost as rapidly as sluicing in this district generally, and it is a noteworthy feature that the further the tuunels are taken in the richer the hills and terraces prove to be. The Benefit in aid of the Wakatip Jockey Club, at the Commercial Hall, passed off with entire success last night. It was given by Miss Annie Hall, Mr Morris, and Company, and Mr Bracken gave the use of his room, free.

INVKRCARGILL. (from a correspondent.) Nothing very exciting has transpired since my last. The weather still remains fine, except on a Sunday when it usually rains. On Saturday the steamer Ruby went down to the Bluff to bring up the passengers aud luggage of the Arima—some 137. The arrival of this vessel has been the occasion of the present occupiers of the depot receiving notice to leave immediately, and make room for the fresh arrivals. The com ments in the columns of our newspapeis, caused by the surplus influx of immigrants at present, and the waut of any remunerative employment for them, has led to the mooting of a novel proposition by some Tasmanian paper. It proposes a system of Assisted Inter-colonial Immigration, alleging that Tasmania would be most eager to adopt such a scheme, and also to advance the necessary funds for their transhipment, and guarantee moderately lucrative employment on their arrival there. * A latter in the columns of the «Daily News' of this morning, (26th) exclaims loudly, and I might say almost justly, against Class Immigration—the chief number of immigrants lately arrived on our shores having come from one portion of Scotland (the north); and lays the charge in pretty strong language to the Superintendent. Rather an important case of assault came oft' on Thursday, at the Police Court, between one Bray, senior pilot at the Heads,, and Beer, another pilot. Bray had been subjected to some severe provocation, and at last retaliated by inflicting a terrible hammering on Beer. The court evidently viewed it as, in a great measure, justifiable—at the same time expressing an opinion that the beating was unjustifiably severe —and inflicting only 40s fine, with costs. The forthcoming elections are causing a slight stir among our townspeople, who vent their feelings in public meetings, and subsequently resolve on the drawing up of formal requisitions. Mr J. R. Davies, contractor, is spoken of as an eligible candidate. From the number of new names among the requested gentlemen, we may reasonably expect fresh energy from the incoming Council.