The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday, Nov. 25, 1865.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 269, 25 November 1865, Page 2

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday, Nov. 25, 1865.

We omit our usual leading article to give our readers the following abstract report taken from the 4 Otago Daily Times' : "A deputation from the miners of the Arrow district accompanied by Mr Vincent Pyke, Goldfields Secretary ; and Mr Haughton, M.P.C., waited on his Honor the Superintendent and presented the following address, which was read by Mr Schernikow To his Honor Thos Dick, Esq., Superintendent of the Province of Otago. Si Fi —We, the members of the committee elected by the miners of the district beg to express to your Honor the gratitude we feel for the manner in which you complied with the most prominent requirements which we had the privilege of laying before you on the occasion of your recent visit. The reinstatement of Mr Warden Lowther Broad affords the greatest satisfaction to the miners, and they will not easily forget the obligations they are placed under to your Honor and the Executive Government on this account. We sincerely hope that neither your Honor nor the Government will attach the slightest weight to anything that may appeas in the columus of the local journal, which does not, and never has, represented the wishes and feelings of the miners here; on the contrary, we believe that the * Wakatip Mail' has generally been the organ of a clique, who have used it as a vehicle for the outpouring of personal spite. We hope that ere long a new journal will be started in this district, which, ignoring abusive personal attacks, will faithfully represent the wants and feelings of the miners. We well know the difficulties with which the Government has to contend, but we venture to hope that your Honor will be able to place a reasonable sum on the Estimates for the repair of the Twelve-mile track, and forming a track from the township to the Big Beach, Arrow River. In conclusion, whilst again thanking you for the attention you have given to our wants, we beg to repeat our sincere wishes that so impartial and honest a Superintendent may long be spared to rule over us. We have the honor to be, Your Honor's Most obedient servants, O. Mackin, John A. Miller, Charles Hay, Rttche Youno, John Qutn, John Williams. Arrow River, Nov 15." We caunot spare the space to repeat the leading article given by us referring to Mr Bboad'6 conduct at the late nomination in this town, but will allow th,' above to have its own weight, especially as we give his Honor the credit of seeing the drift of it; but, on the

principle of returning good for evil, we remind his Honor of an omission in the address, to the effect that Mr Broad did not canvass for it, and that although he is a particular friend of Mr HaughtoS and has the interest of the Arrow district at heart, he never takes any part in its politics. ♦ We are informed the petition to His Honor the Superintendent for the creation of Queenstown into a municipality goes down by this morning's post. A supplementary list has to be filled up yet of those in tavor of th« movementThe objectors, it is also stated only number four. If they would contrast what they have to pay under a voluntary rate—or what they should pay —with the sums that would be otherwise demanded from them by a municipality, none should have the slightest hesitation in making a choice. The Town Committee are pursuing a wise course, and we are glad to see them going in for an endowment. The list to be completed is the Frankton one. An advertisement appears in another column informing those interested to apply for their licenses. The advertisement should have been inserted by the authorities before this date, but unless in the case of any new licenses being required this omission wi»l not affect applicants, as present holders of publican's licenses need only send down within twenty days from the 12ih December ensuing their annual lincense fee of 30/ for a ten o'clock night license. Persons who object to the renewal of any license must obtain a summons. The last licenses taken out were quarterly, but under the terms of the Act they complete the year 1865, as all existing licenses were recognised. Wine and spirit bottle licenses, billiard-tables, and amusement hall licenses, will however require to be examined into and put in order. The Act is very imperative. We are glad to give currency to a statement that will be acceptable to those interested in the Upper Shotover district. A gentleman accustomed to erect bridges over the reaches of the interior of California has visited the district, and he is [prepared to throw over the Shotover at Packers Point a wire suspension bridge upon l.beral conditions. We believe these consist in one-third of the cost being paid by Government; the contribution, including approaches, not to exceed 500/. The bridge to carry fifty tons and accommodate dray traffic. The builders to have a toll fixed both by the Government and tbe wishes of the inhabitants for three years certain. Messrs Wright Millet have been busily employed in laying out the Skipper's track. The great object has been to make 200/ go as far as it could. They report wretched weather, having had to lay down several times to escape the force of the gales. The 200/ will only admit of the repair of the old track. What can be done by mutual combination of the miners will be done,

and about 400/ worth of work accomplished. Yesterday evening, about seven o'clock, the inhabitants of this town were startled by the sound of the fire-bell. The cause of alarm was a chimney, belonging to the Criterion Hotel, having caught fire. The members of the Fire Brigade and a number of other people were quickly on the spot. Fortunately, several casks of water were at hand, within a few feet of the chimney and the fire was put out before it could spread. Had it not been for the wet weather experienced yesterday the consequences, however might have been very severe; and it is really a serious matter that should be looked to. ihese dirty, sooty, neglected chimneys ought not to be continually alarming the townspeople and endangering property.

Mr Edward Bowler, a much respected settler, residing on the Inch Clutha, or Island Moljneux district, was, on Monday last (says the 'Bruce Herald') unfortunately drowned in a lagoon situated upon his own property. From the evidence adduced, the facts were as follows: The deceased had, with seveal of his servants, proceeded to the lagoon to wash a few sheep, which job they appear to have accomplished. Mr Bowler, the unfortunate man, taking upon himself to wash the last sheep, and having done so, expressed his intention of swimming across the lagoon, supposed about 40 or 50 yards in width. Having taken off his waistcoat and boots, was about to enter, when he was asked by one of his workmen, named Jones, if he could swim. He replied in the affirmative, stating he could, but was not a first-rate hand. He then walked into the lagoon some short distance and began to swim, being anxiously watched by several of his workmen. When about twenty yards from the opposite bank he was noticed to be gradually sinking, and suddenly disappear. He was seen to rise once to the surface, and heard to shout for assistance. Unfortunately, no boat, rope, or necessary appliances were at hand, to enable them to render timely aid, and unfortunately the four persons witnessing this sad scene were unable to swim. About two hours after the body was discovered in about eleven feet of water, and the same day an inquest was held by l)r t Gibson Smith, Esq., Coroner, when a verdict of «Accidentally Drowned while bathing' was returned. The Canterbury 1 Press' of the 15th states " Prosser and M'Glashan were at the head of the poll on Saturday night, but that returns from other places had not been received."

The 'Evening Star' remarks, in a leading article 1 11 It is an old saying, that promises are as easily broken as pie-crusts. But there is a description of promise which appears to be made with the deliberate intention of after-violation, and that is the hustings promise. • • * Take some of the Otago representatives, for instances. What elastic consciences they must have! The members of the Assembly, and those of the Provincial Council are, some of them, perfect models of inconsistency. There is the member for Queenstown, as yet a neophyte in Provincial legislation, who, as a Go'.dfields member of the House of Representative at Wellington, betrayed his constituents beautifully. What could be more easy than the manner in wlich he deserted his colleagues and kotoedthe Weld-Richardson Ministry ? How deliciously he did the part of the Ministerial spy, and attended the private meetings of his colleagues only to betray them to the Government! And then again how nobly he held by his hustings declaration in favor of Separation—only that he committed the trifling mistake of opposing it on every opportunity, and supporting the taxation policy of Mr Weld's Cabinet. Now we are told by the quidnuncs that Mr Haughton has pironetted again, and, with a 'here you are !' became afresh a Separationist. We don't doubt it. Mr Haughton's principles may be called india-rubber principles—they will stretch either way. Wellington Mr Weld gave a pull on them; in Otago the wholesome fear of his constituents hauls them in another direction. We shall b e curious to see the part this accomplished politician will take in the approaching Separation debate in the Council." News from the West Coast continues favorable. A rush had set in to a place called Okantu, about 70 miles south of Hokitika. Accounts from Bruce Bay are encouraging, and many parties are doing first-rate there. One party obtained 73 ounces and another 43 ounces of gold in a week. A clever scientific officer in the English army, Major Palliser, has for some time been engaged in experimenting with cannon of various kinds, and he has at last ascertained that he can, at a very small expense, renew all the old condemned cast-iron guns by boring out a certain thickness of metal from their interior and supplying its place with a carefully manufactured tube of wrouffht-iron. There are said to be thousands of such guns all over England and the British dominions, and which have cost the Government some n illions sterling, aud it is proposed instead of constantly making new and expensive cannon to renovate these old ones, which can literally be made " better than new," at least better than they ever were when new. A saving of millions can be effected by this means, and the Government would be put iD possession of an immense quantity of cannon, of a kind nearly as durable as those of the newest construction, and at a mere fraction of their cost.

The ' Register' says"MrEdwards,butcher, of Hindley-street, has introduced a new article of diet in the shape of sausages made from the hind quarters of the kangaroo. Judging from the taste, it seems not improbable that if they can be made in sufficient quantities they will be used occasionally as a substitute for other kinds of meat. It is well known that the kangaroo abounds in some parts of the colony, and if they can be made available for food during the present scarcity of meat it will be a very great desideratum. As yet Mr Edwards has only made a few for his own use, but he, no doubt, as well as other members would be willing to repeat the experiment if they saw a likelihood of its being appreciated by the public." The private letters from the West Coast reaching this place while representing a prosperous state of affairs, yet advise people who are making a living to remain, and great stress is laid upon the unhealthy climate of Hokitika. At Bruce Bay this does not apply, but still the expense of living is enormous; few can subsist under 31. per week. Amongst the importations by the Star of the Evening, from Dunedin, was one of a rather novel character, viz., several cases of cats. In all, we believe there were upwards of fifty of these interesting animals on board, their owner relying on meeting eager purchasers in a land where rats are so plentiful, and cats have hither, to been so scarce.—Hokitika ' Leader.' We understand that it is the intention of Messrs Cobb and Co to drive the mail, which leaves town this morning (14th inst), over the saddle to the Teremakau. Two or three wagons have already passed through—'Press.' The 4 Southern Cross' says" The Thames Flax Company's machinery is in working order, and so far worked satisfactorily; it only now remains to put the flax through the mill. At present, Mr Higgs, the manager of the company, is in treaty with the natives to bring in the raw material, when the enterprise will be tested. The gentlemen connected with the mill are confident that they can produce an article of commerce which will prove that this product of the country will result in a fruitful staple of trade* and that this long-debated object has been effected." It is stated by the Melbourne 1 Leader' that the Free Trade system of granting publicans' licenses is a failure, and that it has multiplied inferior houses, gambling dens, and drunkenness.