LAKE WAKATIP.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 281, 25 July 1874, Page 3

LAKE WAKATIP.

(From bur own correspondent.)

After passing through the thaw, fall,' and flood, which terminated the heavy frosts prevailing in the latter end of last month and first week of this one, \ the weather on Wednesday became clear and rarified, and a bright starry night ushered in another intense frost, which binds the surface of our district with a grasp, of iron. The flood li:is broken away our mountain tracks, and Cut off communication —except oh foot—in many places,' and •I suppose it will be' some time before these "breaks are repaired. Mr. E. Clarke, M.P.C., has been entertaining some of his constituents at Arrowtown by giving what he called a review of ihe proceedings of the late Provincial Council. His-remarks'were of a lengLhy character, and were concluded by advising the district to go. in for the count}' system, assuring them that it was useless to expect a fair return of revenue to their district under the present system. ■ He also stated that the. powers and numbers of members for Dunedin and its immediate surroundings were so great that they could always • do what they wished, in spite of country members. He advised his hearers to-use their most earnest endeavor's far. as possible—govern themselves,' in;order,to check the inordinate evils and.expenses of being governed by others.,- The meeting, which was well attended, closed with a vote of thanks, and- loud applause for the speaker, and the usual vote of confidence. Your Mr. de ,= Lautour was characterised as the noble leader of the Goldfields members, and his conduct in the questions of Gold Duty Rebate and Salary of Goldfields Secretary, were spoken of with proud saI tisfactioh.

' This district is suffering the winter of its discontent just now—it is seemingly v in bad repute in high places. The people are annoyed hecause the district has been treated with unmerited contempt iby the Government, .in taking away its Wardens, and in slighting"its works at a time when the increasing revenue pointed to the- necessity for,more attention instead.pf- less.- If this policy goes on, it will retard our progress very much. It ' is " penny wise and pound foolish. " i Surface mining is at a standstill,' but tunneling claims are able —where water can be got—to do a little. ■ Farmers are turning .manure, repairingharness for the spring campaign,, and' doing the thousand and one little things which their spare time gives them an opportunity of attending to. Gardeners are pruning, - and cleaning seeds ;" carefully examining winter fruit in" the store-rooms —those who are .lucky enough to have them—and, in soft changes, as busy as bees transplanting and root-pruning. Although our soil is poor, it keeps a great many hands busy, which would otherwise at this season of the year bo dangling idle, projecting billiard iklls, or, worse' still, wearing out the pockets of the' owner in their 'earnest endeavors to find a warm corner.