THE SUPERINTENDENT AT THE WAKATIP.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 252, 27 September 1865, Page 2

THE SUPERINTENDENT AT THE WAKATIP.

His Honor arrived at the Arrow on Friday evening, and during Saturday inspected some of the mining resources of that district. In the evening he was the guest of the residents at a public dinner, the particulars of which, and his reply to a deputation that waited upon him will be found in another column. His Honor was escorted from the Hospital at Frankton, on Monday morning, to Queenstown by a numerous body of horsemen, including Mr Warden Broad and Mr Sub-in-spector Percy, as aide-de-camp, and was ably piloted through the uncertain road lying between this town and Frankton. At four o'clock, after his Honor had walked through the town, a deputation from the Town Committee waited upon him at the Court-house. A good assemblage of townspeople were also present. The address is too long for insertion in our columns; but we were pleased to notice that it laid down very correct principles, and moreover, did not seek to bind the Superintendent to any definite promises. In reply to the Address, His Honor said he felt great pleasure in meeting the Town Committee of Queenstown and learning their requirements. He should reply to the address in a formal manner now, but perhaps it would be better to talk the matters over more freely with the Committee alone, afterwards, so as to obtain more precise information. Certain matters bad been brought before him in the shape of the wants of the district, and these he would like more fully to go into afterwards. His Honor then alluded to the short time he had taken office, his desire to become acquainted with the Goldfields, the necessity of retrenching, yet encouraging the progress of the Goldfields, and then proceeded to reply, seriatim, to the various subjects brought under his notice in the address before him. The Telegraph he hoped they would have established within two months in Queenstown. After explaining one or two circumstances connected with past financial affairs, Mr Dick said the Government had communicated with Mr Sheath, Inspector of Telegraphs, who was authorised to complete the communication by stretching the wires, and he did not think they need be any longer apprehensive of further delay. With regard to the Main Trunk Road to Dunedin, they had no doubt seen that active measures had been taken to complete this, and that contracts had been taken for blasting and cutting through the Kawarau cliffs. He was well aware they were desirous of having the road opened, and trusted it would soon be completed, and the original intentions of the Government carried out. The road to Frai kton had been let, and would be commenced at an early date. He saw the address spoke of bridges in lieu of punts, but he hoped they would be content with punts at first in opening the road. Bridges were very expensive matters, and the Government at present had not the means to build them. With regard to the track to Skipper's, he hoped to visit Maori Point and that place in a day or two. His Honor then entered into particulars he had received of the obstacles presented. Ons of the memorials stated that a bridge could be made across the Shotover at a cost of £SOO. He also learnt that the inhabitants were willing to contribute £2OO. He thought the Government would favorably consider this; and at least, he might say a passable bridle track—perhaps a dray-road—-to Skipper's would be made as soon as possible. His Honor also referred to the fact of rich quartz reefs existing at Skipper's becoming known. The address seemed to him to lay particular stress in reference to a road to the West Coast via Lake Wakatip. On this matter he must remind them that the Government had not been neglectful, and that they had examined into the capabilities of Martin's Bay. Mr Dick here entered at some length into this portion of the address, and remarked that Government had already expended from £2,000 to £3,000 in testing that part of the Province. He also referred to the loss of the Pride schooner, and though he had great doubts about the practicability of this scheme and its advantages, he would remember their request, although he could hold out no promises, Had they alluded to Jackson's Bay he could have understood the feasibility of the application; but he did not think the Government would be inclined to expend so large a sum of money as was required for making a road to Martin's Bay as the information in their possession led them to believe would be required His Honor next entered into the question of a municipality for Queenstown, and pointed out the difficulties that intervened, through the passing of particular Acts, but said, should the inhabitants now desire to send in their application, they could do so under an amended Act that was passing through the Assembly. They would be able to obtain any power they desired in the usual form. If the inhabitants chose to tax themselves by municipal laws they could exercise the powers of the Ordinance. Concerning the Goldfields Leases his Honor expressed himself in ignorance of the desires of the memorialists, as the clause in the address was vague. They spoke of assessors trying the merits of leases to be granted: but the warden already did this, and if they required fresh machinery he must refer to the Act, which did not give him any powers. (His Honor here cited particulars of the Goldfields Act, and explained if he could by any means advance their views, when he knew them, he would.) Mr Dick expressed him-

self favorable to the recommendation of the Cemetery Committee, which went to support the application of the trustees of the grouud. On the School Committee subject, his Honor spoke warmly, and promised to have placed on the Estimates again the lapsed vote of £750. In reference to the management of the Wakatip Goldfields his Honor said he should be glad to assist in any measure in this direction that would meet the views of the miners and inhabitants. In the case of the flour-mill his Honor said the reference to him as a member of the Waste Lands Board was a mistake, but he should be happy to facilitate the sale of the allotments for this or other industries. Several other matters were mentioned, after which Mr Manders briefly returned thanks on behalf of the Town Committee for the reception. It was then agreed that the several questions brought before his Honor, and which we have given above, should remain open for discussion at the other meeting the members would have with him. The deputation then withdrew.

Afterwards the Queenstown Committee met the Superintendent. The subjects above mentioned were discussed at full length, and many satisfactory views and opinions enunciated. His Honor agreed to direct a re-ex-ainination of the Martin's Bay route from the Wakatip. Definite understandings were arrived at in several instances, and altogether it may be said the Superintendent had the true merits of various affairs laid before him. The question of the purchase of Arthur's Point bridge was prominently brought before his Honor, who, before giving any recommendation to purchase the same, decided to examine it on his trip to the reefs. His Honor promised to give weight to the recommendations of the Committee. This concluded the business.

Yesterday his Honor went on an excursion in the Expert steamer up the Lake. A select party, including several ladies, accompanied him, and a jolly little party, we believe, it proved. Last night his Honor was entertained by the inhabitants at a public banquet in the Masonic Hall. We are unable on the present occasion to say more than everything has passed off well, that great enthusiasm prevailed, and we believe Mr Dick is himself highly pleased.