The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday Sept. 30, 1865.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 253, 30 September 1865, Page 2

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday Sept. 30, 1865.

THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE WAKATIP DISTRICT.

BANQUET AT QUEENSTOW*. % On Tuesday, His Honor was the guest of the inhabitants of Queenstown at a public banquet held in the Masonic Hall, the use of which had been kindly granted to the Town Committee by that respected Order. Of the banquet the least said the better. The Town Committee we are informed had spared no expense. The hour fixed fixed for sitting down was eight o'clock; but it was fully nine o'clock before the viands were on the table, and then, in such a manner as to be anythir.g but attractive. The gentlemen attending the banquet were determined, however, to be pleased, if possible, and after the first expressions of discontent were off the proceedings assumed a truly pleasant and happy shape, and a most pleasant evening was the result. David Weaver, Esq., filled the office of president, and was ably supported by Dr Douglas as croupier. The proceedings which were very lengthened, are beyond our limits to publish, and we are therefore compelled to summarise them.

After the usual loyal toasts of the " Queen and Royal Family," " His Excellency Sir George and the " Army Navy " hod been drunk and responded to, the chairman, in happy terms, proposed u The guest of the evening." This toast was very well received. Mr Dick, in replying, made a very long speech, aud graphically and amusingly described the result of his travelling experiences. He assured them it was quite a treat to visit such a pleasant districi, with so fine a climate, and that it afforded him great happiness to meet gentlemen who expressed sentiments so loyal to the province they belonged to. He took some degree of shame to himself, that he had not come among them before, but many circumstances had prevented his doiug so. Mr Dick alluded to these at some length, and trusted that they would accept his best wishes for their prosperity, which he should be glad to advance as far as it lay in his power. (Hear, hear.) The chairman had referred to him as an old colonist (cheers) but he hardly could call himslf one in the strict interpretation of the term. To be what was called a real Old Identity meant a residence of some fifteen or sixteen years. His residence in the province was only about half of this, and he was not therefore liable to be called either that, or one of the New Iniquity. He might be likened to a kind of bridge between them, and he hoped he should be successful in bridging over the passage that lay between the old and new colonists, aud thus advance the progress of the province, aud seek the common good of New Zealand, as he looked upon both classes as settlers with a common object in view. (Cheers.) Mr Dick alluded very warmly to the early exertions of Mr Rees, who, some four years ago, was discovering country, and sailing about on rafts. Had anyone then told him that he would receive so much attention on the shores of a beautiful lake, and in a magnificent climate, he would have told the man he was mad, He had. however, now reached here, and could not find words to express his wonder at the changes made—their town, this fine hall, and the population that had in these few years sprung up about Mr Rees' runs. (Cheers.) They were aware perhaps, that he had started from Dunedin, intending to make no promises. He would, however, make one promise, and that was, to impress upon the Provincial Executive many matters brought uuder his consideration. Previous to coming here, he had been, to some extent, impressed with their importance, but he would now feel no hesitation in pressing upon the Executive several matters. He could not help expressing his delight at their great forbearance under the circumstances. When he met the noblo cavalcade that had accompanied him, he was surprised and gratified. Their leader, Mr Malaghan, had thought hiii • self bound to apologise for the bad road. He had hardly expected to see such loyalty,

seeing that he had been conducted over rocks, sand, and bits of ground, by no means reflecting credit upon this road being left neglected. However, he was happy to inform them that a contract to make this road had been accepted by the Government. His Honor then turned to another which he must confess, he thought malicious feeling, as they kept impressing upon him the necessity of visiting the Shotover. (Cheers.) They urged him so mischievously, and threw out such hints, that he rniydit well tremble at the idea, He O # m should, however, be proud to accept their invitations, and inspect the road, hoping that it would not be so bad as represented. He believed from the tempting quantities of gold obtained there, and the reefs, that they deserved a good road. They were aware, however, that the Government had great difficulties to carry out their intentions. The want of information and money were two great causes. He hoped, however, to supply the Executive with most valuable information after his visit. (Cheers.) The 1 Wakatip Mail' had not ceased to make itself heard, and had continued to hammer away at the Government, he supposed, upon something like Sydney Smith's mot that a government has no soul to he saved. Still, governments no doubt deserved to get some abuse, as perhaps otherwise, they might be inclined to go to sleep. He hoped that their desire to pursue a changed course would be accepted favorably (cheers) and that his visit amongst them would lead to perhaps a better system. Mr Dick now referred to the log rolling principles of some of the members of the Provincial Council, and that that Council exercised a supervision over the money expended and thns the difficulty experienced in afterwards carrying out many necessary works. He would also desire to correct a current impression abroad to the effect that the sale of Government debentures had placed at the disposal of the Government some £28,000 or £30,000. He trusted the next mail from Europe would biing the intelligence that they had this amount to expend in necessary works. He would only be too happy to expend it, and also to escape from living from hand to month. Every district had some claim, but now, when the road from Dunedin was made to Queeustown, others would come and visit them. He hoped to come here soon agaiu, and should certainly advise all those whom he knew, and who desired a change to visit the Lake as soon as the road from Clyde was opened. (Cheers.) He was sorry to find in his inspection of the goldfields they were not so prosperous as they ought to be. The various districts seemed to have suffered from the effects of the Hokitika rush. He could hardly understand why the residents of this district should leave such a beatifully situated township and so fine a climate for the damp and wet one of the West Coast, and was sorry to see people rushing away in search of riches when, by being satisfied with a little less, they might live in peace and contentment. Their finances had been crippled ; but though unpleasant to have an empty chest, he could not but think it was teaching them a lesson. He spoke both of the Government and the public Now the crisis of the rush was upon them, and they (the Government) were endeavoring to husband every penny. By-and bye, when the flood of prosperity and reaction returned to the province, the merchants, the people and the Government would be better prepared to administer the revenues of the province, and prevent, for the future, much reckless extravagance. (Cheers.) Mr Dick further alluded to the exertions of the Government to open a road to the West Coast by way of the Wanaka, as an evidence of the desire of the Government to pursue a liberal policy. His Honor also expressed his intention to give attention to the Committee s recommendation for surveying a road to Martin's Bay. After dwelling on various other subjects, and speaking for nearly threequarters of an hour, his Honor sat down amidst loud applause. Mr Wilson Gray, in an excellent speech, pointed out the immunity of the goldfields from crime and the intelligence of the populations, and warned his Honor that they were watching every word he said. In a humorous manner, he said he might almost attribute their exemption from crime to the fact of their having, on the one hand, Scotch colonists at the head of affairs, and on the other, Irish guardians of the peace. (Laughter.) The speaker at great length, and in a happy manner, called attention to the requirements of the Goldfields. The speech was warmly received, and Mr Gray concluded by giving the toast of " Mr and Mrs Rees and family." The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and Mr Rees explained that though he had reaped no benefit from the past prosperity of the district, he hoped to share in the future progress of it. In reply to the toast of " the Wardens," preposed by Dr Douglas, Mr Broad remarked that Mr Gray had referred to the high morality of the province as resulting, in the one case, from the strong moial feelings of its Scotch founders, on the other hand, to the high state of civilisation maintained by means of an Irish police force; but he thought he might justly say that they had omitted to refer to the little lump that leavened the whole mass, as in the shape of the English colonists. But he was almost forgetting the Cymrian element represented in their chairman, and the effect and power of their ancient auguries. The speaker then dwelt at some length upon the state of the Goldfields.

Mr Hallenstein gave " the Agricultural Interest," and in an eminently practical speech, which was well received, pointed out its requirements at the hands of the Government. Messrs Yeulett, Gilmoreand Rees returned thanks, the speech of the last-named gentleman being replete with sound advice, and advocating warmly the interests of this district. Mr Manders gave the toast of the "Mining and Commercial Interests" in an address of some length, and was warmly applauded Mr Malaghan very suitably responded for the Commercial Interest, and Mr 11. Johnson for the Mining Interest. Among the other toasts given were—"The Ladies," " Queenstown, Frankton and the Arrow ; and their bond of union." The Press was, by some mistake of f hose who drew up the programme, omitted from the list before the Chairman. It was after one o'clock before the company separated.

MR. DICK AT THE SHOTOVER. His Honor left Queenstown for Skipper's and the quartz-reefs early on Tuesday morning, and was accompanied by several of the townspeople. The weather was fine and the roads in better condition than they have been during the winter. Skipper's was reached at three o'clock, and after a slight refection the party wended their way to the reefs. Here the Superintendent visited the Scandinavian Company's claim, and throughout took great interest in the inspection of the drives, dam, water-wheels, shoots, and appliances for working this rich claim. His Honor also inspected the neighboring claims, besides those of Messrs Perry and Co. Mr Dick expressed himself astonished at the appearance of the stone and the magnitude of the works. A large number of specimens were presented to his Honor by the various claimholders. At about six o'clock the cortege retraced their steps to Fisherton, where the party was well received. The races were then inspected, the "nags" turned out, and the visitors, with the residents, sat down to a repast that may really be styled sumptuous, at Fisher's Hotel. The visitors and guests, together with his Honor, expressed themselves not only pleased but astonished that at a few hours notice such tables could have been spread. Mr Grogan, of Grogan's Hotel, also rendered every assistance to promote the comfort of the visitors, and his Honor slept at this hotel. In the morning the party proceeded to Skipper's Creek, at which place an address was presented to his Honor representing the wants of the district, and the reply testified how highly the Superintendent estimated the strength and resources of this part of the district. He promised to lay their wants before the Government, and thought they had nothing' to fear for the future in receiving pioper attention. In Skipper's Creek his Honor christened Ferguson and party's celebrated works, which from time to time have been noticed in these columns. The name selected was the " Enterprise." After the christening was over, his Honor and the visitors adjourned to an al fresco lunch. Several toasts were proposed, various speeches given, and much good feeling and spontaneous heartiness characterised the proceedings. The tunnel and other claims along the route were also inspected. Maori Point was next reached, and here again the miners and inhabitants assembled to greet his Honor, who was loudly cheered upon his arrival. Soon afterwards an address was presented, which was read by Mr Goodwin. The address, besides the expression of the usual congratulatory sentiments, referred to the natural strong position of Maori Point as an important centre and a desirable selection for the Government offices, it complained of the heavy tax placed upon the inhabitants by the private bridge t«>ll, and strong reference was made to the charges levied at Arthur's Point, as all communication with Queenstown lay over that bridge. A further reference was made to the bridge at Maori Point. The necessity of a road to Skipper's was likewise dwelt upon, together with several other subjects. His Honor returned replies which seemed to give much satisfaction, and promised attention should be paid to their representations. His Honor also attended at a public luncheon. The toasts proposed were his health and that of Mr Warden Simpson. Both gentlemen returned thanks in appropriate terms —His Honor fully expressing his opinion of the district. It was, perhaps, the most practical and important enunciation by him in the district and a clear candid statement. At Welch's old accommodation house the cortege separated. The Superintendent, accompanied by Mr Broad, Mr Simpson, and Mr Sub-Inspector Percy, proceeding to the Arrow, with the intention of visiting the Twelve-mile, Altogether the visit has given considerable satisfaction throughout this portion of the Province, and it is to be hoped some good may result from it.