HAMILTON.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 94, 2 December 1870, Page 3

HAMILTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) Since my last dry and windy weather has been the order of the day, and we are now suffering, or about to suffer, from a scarcity of water. Several of the larger companies are only making about half-time, with every prospect of its being further reduced unless we have rain soon.

In social matters, I have to chronicle a happy soiree which took place at the Sow bum last wee?-, in the school room, concluding with a dance, which w»s kept up with evident enjoyment to all concerned until a late hour next morning. I was pleased to observe t ,at our town was pretty well represented, and notably by Mr. Booth, who had charge- of the musical department. I hear that we are to have a tea meeting for the school children here on the 12th Decern! er, and preparatioM are already, going on. Of course I expect to be invited; and if so, J intend to deliver the speech I had prepared for the SowDum affair, but was prevented, for the simple reason that they had no speeches. I see that your old grievance—viz., the schoolmaster—has died out, and I anticipated bavins the pleasure of reviving it here, but it is also likely to die out. Our * dominie " was brought up on several charges, which could only bo imagined by an enraged father who had the happy knack of. propagat ing children who never required beating. Well, the master was let off with a caution, the verdict b.ing something similar to the " not proven " of the Scotch. And now, I must apologise to Mr. Alexander Nicholas (of Cornish Company) for not answeriug his letter last week. The fact is, my little tin-pot business was so flourishing I had no time for anything else ; but I. have had another reiapse into my old chronic state, and therefore will do the amende. But really, Mr. Nicholas, you ask too much of me; for you must be well aw r are that no correspondent can always vouch for what he may hear. But in this case it is no invention of mine, for I heard the report, and that from more than one. If report lied, then I cannot help it, and am sorry that I gave it publicity ; and if it were not for the fact that I am supposed to gi.e a fair account of mining in the district, I would give you a promise that in future, so far as regards the Cornish Co., I would be mum. And in my own behalf I must submit, in opposition to Mr. Nicholas, that I have given as fair an account of mining, &c, in the district. as ; it was possible for r.nyone to do who was personally unconnected with every transaction. When I have received information, and saw no reasonable ground for doubting its accuracy, I have taken it tor granted that it was true. But doe? Mr. Nicholas really press me for the names, and does he write with the sanction of his party? or does he merely see a chance of getting his~name in print ? And is he sincere in his invitation for. anyone to come and share his loaf? for if he. can only say that it is not a universal characteristic of his country (or any other man's). Or is it that the aforesaid loaf is sour, and not worth the fighting for? because, if it is, I am sorry for the future prosperity of Ham. ilton. And therein again report hath lied, for it is currently reported that there is plenty of payable ground. I will follow this matter further only by advising Mr. Nicholas not to ask all the people on Hamilton to believe his modest assertions, for he will assuredly fail; and also not to try my very, poor ability Against _tp £wn, io? it is no |

match." Or, if be wishes- iny little billet, I will make reasonable and easy terms.