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Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 268, 22 November 1865, Page 2

Messrs Small and party, Twelve-Mile, Lake, have discovered a copper lode a short distauce from the Lake, while out prospecting, we believe, for a quartz reef. They brought in, 011 Saturday, some quartz specimens containing metallic copper ; but, singularly, they seem to have rejected the yellow ore specimens, the presence of which valuable indication the present samples bear distinct evidence. The lode is some eight or nine feet wide, and the ore is reported to be abundant. An examination is to be made into the character of the lode—Small and party being unaware, until they reached Queenstown, that it was copper—we shall, therefore, withhold further particulars till more definite information is at hand. But the district can safely be congratulated upon possessing another copper lode in a locality easy of access, and possessing abundance of timber, lime, clay, &c.

A very numerously signed requisition requesting the Postmaster-General to accept the tender of Mr Henry Sprake, fur the conveyance of the mails to Maori Point, has been forwarded to its destination by Mr Warden Simpson. The memorial in question pays a high tribute to the integrity of Mr Sprake, and further dwells upon the fact that large sums of money and valuable letters are entrusted for conveyance by him from Skipper's to Maori Point. The petitioners pray that a public officer of the Post-office who has gained so much confidence and has exerted himself so much to please the community shall not be thrown aside if his tender should be somewhat higher than others. Our own wish is that Mr Sprake should succeed, but the flattering testimonial offered unsolicited must always prove a valuable recommendation.

Mr Warden Charles Broad, R.M., cf Hamilton's, has visited the district. Queenstown has recently had a series of visits from what may be called the " powers that be."

It appears (says the ' Press') that Canterbury having abstained from contested elections for the Superintcndency for some years back, is now to have a struggle in which more than two are to engage. Mr Moorhouse announced his intention a few days ago of again trying his fortune as a Superintendent; Mr Travers has issued an address; and an announcement by authority in to-day's 'Press' (Bth inst) brings Mr Lance's name before the electors.

The correspondent of the ' Wakouaiti Herald' writing from Dunedin, says: —" On dit, that strong pro-separation resolutions will be brought forward by the Executive, and will no doubt be carried—a most proper thing, and a step which will materially influence the forthcoming general election in this Province. I understand that the Superintendent (Mr Dick) intends offering himself for election as one of the Otago members, aud rumor also mentions Mr Mason aud Mr Moss. Major Richardson is said to be influenced by prudential considerations, and will not again woo the sweet voices of his present constituents. Mr Reynolds and Mr Yogel will probably be re. elected, as also Mr Macandrew and Mr Burns.

The Hampden correspondent of the 1 Waikouaiti Heraid" reports that the adjourned meeting of the Hampden and Otepopo Flour Mill Company was held on the evening of the 10th instant, for the purpose of hearing the Report of the Provisional Directors, who had attended a public meeting of the Otepopo settlers on the previous Wednesday. After the directors had explained that the number of shares already taken up amounted to £llBO, it was agreed that a public meeting should take place, and in the meantime the directors were to prepare a Prospectus of the Company, and have it ready to submit to the approval of that meeting. 'lhere can be no doubt that if the Company are successful in their undertaking it will be a great benefit to the surrounding districts, and it is to be hoped that those settlers who have not yet taken up shares will do so at once."

It is notified that John Dewe, Esq., has been appointed Registration Officer for the newlyformed Electoral Districts of Taieri, Bruce, C'lutha, Ournaru, Waikouaiti, Mauuherikia, Hampden and the Goidrields Boroughs, and has been instiucted to piepare the Rolls for those districts as speedily as possible.

The electoral district of Hampden is bounded on the north by Canterbury province, on the east by Canterbury province and Oamaru district, on the south by Mauuherikia district, Allen's and the province of Southland, thence by the western watershed of Lake Wakatip to Moflat's Peak, thence by a line to the ocean at Cars well's Sound, and on the west by the ocean.

We reprint the following letter from the columns of the ' Oamaru Times,' in consequence of the applicability it bears to our own case, except in the matter of hotels. Our climate is magnificent, and the Lake is bound to become yet a great resort" The salubrity of this climate is too well known to need any comment. Why is it not, therefore, resorted to by invalids and others from Dunedm and other parts of Otago in the summer s:ason ? Simply because our unenterprising citizens show no disposition to encourage visitors. We have no good family hotel, 110 lodging-houses (except on a very limited scale) and no furnished apartments to offer to strangers wishing to make a short stay in the place. Last year there were a great many applications from Dunedin physicians for accommodation for patients whom they wished to send here, but none was to be got. It would be well if those who are in a position to supply the want should this year take the initiative in the matter. Let the agents or owners of the cottages now ticketed 'to let,' furnish them and advertise at once in the Dunedin and Christchurch papers. The thing only wants a beginning. Nature has made this place suitable in every way as a seaside lesort tor the inhabitants of Canterbury as well as of Otago, and all that is required is that we should set about and aid nature in the way I have suggested. Yours, —SEA-SIDE.

The 1 Wallaroo Times,' in its summary for England, says:—"The various mines never were looking better than at present. Their productiveness is increasing, and the quality of the ore is generally improving. During the month important discoveries have been made. The Moonta Mine—the most extraordinary of all mines—is probably the richest in the world. Its produce is as remarkable for abundance as for richness. The yield increases both in quality and quantity. In the month of August the quantity forwarded to Port Wallaroo was 2,543 tons averaging per cent. Last month there were sent away 2,572 tons, containing 26£ per cent of copper. The ore raised during the past six months has averaged in quality 21 per cent. There is accumulating at grass an enormous quantity of ore, which at some future time will undergo dressing. The quantity of ore to be sent away for shipment during the present month will be about 2,500 tons. The Yelta lode was cut on Monday week at a depth of 21 fathoms; its width is about 4| feet; it contains black ore of an estimated richness of 60 per cent; but to what extent this ore forms a portion of the lode is at present problematical. At the South Wandilta operations are proceeding rather more actively than for some time past. The lode which is being worked varies in width from four to twelve inches, and produces red oxide and silver grey ore, containing from 20 to 30 per cent of copper." The ' Wallaroo Times' gives the following "We understand that some of the miners of Moonta—mostly young men—are leaving for the Hokitika diggings, New Zealand. The 1 Advertiser ' of Monday last has the following telegram : «The ' Empire' warns the public against rushing off to Hokitika.' From this it would seem that bad accounts had been received in Sydney from those diggings."

R. M. COURT, QUEENSTOWN. Monday, 20th November. (Before Richmond Beetiiam. Esq., R.M.) William Old way was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and fined 20s ; and upon another charge of resisting the police in the execution of their duty, was further mulcted in a similar sum ; or 48 hours' imprisonment in each case. Another charge against the same prisoner for using threatening language to Miss E. Langford, was not gone into, as no information had been sworn to. Sergeant Naden prosecuted, and asked for a remand upon the latter charge, which was not granted for the reason statid. The fines were paid. James Bridges appeared to answer a complaint for having illegally slaughtered cattle upon several occasions, the defendant not being in posse?sion of a license for slaaghtering cattle. Sergeant Naden prosecuted, but the case was remanded to the Arrow, as the terms of the Ordidinance specified " that the nearest court" should hold jurisdiction. EXTENDED JURISDICTION, (Before His Honor Wilson Gray, District Judge) The cases of Hall v Kirby, and Wenkheim v Cameron were, upon the application of counsel, made cases for next day. Cameron v Cochrane.—ln consequence of the informality of this summons the case was not gone into. Mr Manders appeared for plaintiff", and commented upon the irregularity that seemed to rule at Ilokitika in swearing the affidavits of delivery of summonses, and also in serving them in time. A fresh summons was ordered to bo issued free of cost. November 21. Weinkheim v. Cameron—loo? goods. The defendant did not appear, and a verdict was recorded by default. Hall v. Kirby—lOOiJ wages. Mr Bowes for plaintiff, Mr Bailey for defendant. This case occupied the attention of the Court for a length of time and was of a contradictory nature throughout. The question disputed was who was the actual contractor for blasting the Nevis cliffs. The plaintiff made out that the tender had been put in by him for defendant; that the tender was accepted; that defendant gave him 251 to pay deposit money ; that the work was commenced, and that he (plaintiff) was engaged at the prevailing rate of wages as overseer ot the work; that it was found the first tender did not pay, and the work was stopped in consequence. The plaintiff also said he was detained by defendant from 24th July to 29th Sept. on or near the works, when he received a letter to the effect that the second tender at a higher rate had not been accepted, consequently, he applied for his wages, which was refused him by defendant. The defendant denied to the Court the statement made by the plaintiff, and stated that he had not been concerned in the contract further than writing out the tender for plaintiff and rendering him other assistance. The Court dismissed the case, as it was oath against oath, though a semblance of an engage, ment had been established by plaintiff. ♦ The Cromwell correspondent of the 4 Dunstan Times' says"Farming operations are being pushed forward with much vigor. Mr W. J. Barry has, at a distance of a mile and a half from town, a farm under cultivation, the appearance of which could not possibly be but pleasing to the most fastidious. The ploughing and harrowing have been executed with much care, and the fencing is substantially erected. Mr Barry has 11 acres of oats, 2 acres of mangolds, 2 acres of parsnips and carrots, l£ acres of onions, 2 acres of turnips, and 14 acres of patatoes, and anticipates having double that extent of ground under cultivation next season. Mr Marsh, of the Bridge Hotel, has al&o a most promising farm on the banks of the Clutha, some nine miles above Cromwell. The soil is of the most desirable quality, and the enterprising cultivator may safely look forward to a magnificent yield from his many acres." An impression prevails that Mr James Paterson occupies the position of Postmaster-General. This is a mistake; that gentleman being a member of the Cabinet, but without a portfolio. The Premier (the hon Mr Stafford) fills the offices, protem, of Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster-General. —' Evening Star.' We learn from the 'Dunstan Times' that Mr Brodie has met his constituents, whom he told to look out for a Separation ist at the forthcoming general election. He thought it most desirable for the future prosperity of this Island that it should be separated from the North Island. He also told them that the goldfields had not been entirely forgotten during the last sitting of the General Assembly, and that the agricultural areas had been extended from ten to fifty acres The meeting was well attended, and a vote of confidence passed in Mr Brodie. A large mob of lambs was taken delivery of to-day in Tyne-street, by M. S. Gleeson, Esq., from Messrs Campbell and Low. The price reported is 13s 6d a head, the purchase being effected some time ago. Mr Gleeson has also bought of Messrs Calcutt and Menlove, Round Hill, a lot of 3,000 at 16s 3d each.—• Oamaru Times.'