LAKE WAKATIP.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 402, 25 November 1876, Page 3

LAKE WAKATIP.

(From our own correspondent.)' KoTember 20th, Notwithstanding the tremendous crush of evils pointed out as the fate of ratepayers in Counties, the people here seem to be preparing steadily and determinedly to go on with the election of the requisite members of a County Council. I\o one seems for a moment to be in hysterics through over zeal with Centralists or Aoolitiomsts It seems to be accepted here as a phase of. the inevitable that the General Government should take us as they found ur. As regards our revenues from Wdßte iands, there is no denying the evident injustice of the position, neither can it ba denied that we were placed iu that position by the Provincial rulers, who are tr-e first to throw the faots in our face as an evil of our new love. We, of Lakeland, are not without hope that the General Government may vet show us—with other Gohlfields—some" ehudow of fair play, when it is made evident, as I have no ctouoc Goldfiokls members will endeavor to make it, that honesty ro the Gold-fi.-lds 13 the beat policy, to tho couutrj. la your issue of tue-ith inst., 1 read an able art ; cle on our Dew financial position, and tiie above remarks are the *um total of my gleaminga as to the feelings of our people oil the subject, . xceptiug that I have hc-ard soma few persons, after reading the adicle, speaking as though they swallowed it whole. Perhaps i may be pardoned if I say I dou't. believe it to be a whit more dependable than the onesided figures ot'D. Eeid itsq., which placed alongside of the statement made by James Macaudrew to the Convention, to the efiec; that OtH»*'B revenues auimounted to over £1,000,000 per annum, would be ssomeihing no plain uian can understand. But the fact of no one being able to understand finanoa seems to bo as common in Parliament as out of it; so, after all, Mr. Reid's figures may be correct, as far as they go. One question agitates us, namely s what is to become of all tho Progress Cornnittees now that Coun'-y Councils are to be elected. Sui h mining hamlets, or centre?, as Skippers and Macetown are to elect a legally constituted representative, pledged to serve theai faithfully in placing their reaL requirements before the Council. How far this, will ha thought an improvement by the volunteers progress men, whose occupation, like that of Othello, is gone, remains ro be seen, and may lead to civil war yet, as quiet as thing* are.

By the way, why did not Mr .Super Macandrew include Presidents of Miners' Associations in his invitation to Convention? May be his Honor would explain. There is little new to report in mining, specially, but generally progress is being made as well as can be expected under tha circumstances, both at Skippers and if acetown. The adverse circumstances I refer to are the want of roads. It is certain that reefs may lie till doomsday unexplored or undeveloped unless roads, dray roads, ara made. Bat I trust that tha £IOO, more or less, which out of laud revenLe will fall to the County of Lakeland, by viitue of infallible promise, may grow and increase at such necessary rate as may make it sufficient to the achievements desired, after paying the small charge of £i 500, which we are informed our Council is to cost us. Mr R. Beethani, who has acted as-Resi-dent Magistrate and Goldtields Warden iu this district for the last thirteen years, has left us for other lands .and duties, taking with him the respect of all, and the good wishes of a large majority. Mr. Beetham'a evident endeavors to do good often won hearts which were, by the exercise o~ hia other and leas pleasant duties, far estranged from him—which fact may account, to some extent, for his keeping his thorny seat so long, and to so pleasant an issue. We have experienced strange weather hi this district for spring; but, taking it altogether, it has not been very bad either for crops or for stock. Our shearing is commencing. Ido not know how prices will run, but, in a place where sheds are small, I suppose thy will vary considerably.