THE ARROW.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 105, 23 October 1863, Page 5

THE ARROW.

(Fromlbe Correspondent ofthe Wakatip Mail.) October 15tb,1863. Rain set in heavily last nig hi and hns continued until this evening, gladdening the eyes of our amateur gardeners, but making storekeepers (eel gloomy and miners sad. The work of completing the dam, on which so manv hopes are centred, is being pushed on m-HJestieiillv, in readiness for any impending flood wliich may be likely to test -the strength of its construction. Yesterday the road from Dunstan wns reported to be in excellent condition for travelling, Mr. Charles Rowley having come in from Roaring Meg to Arrow" township in three and a half hours with a heavy laden horse; rain has however given ourmail contractor another excuse to delay the arrival, of the Dunstan dhn-ik Mueb regret is expressed herr^|ar?he fate of Sergeant Gap-vet ras he^rasr' wfelfWown tothe' early residents on this goldfield, being officer in charge ofthe police here,- -"and generally well liked in the performance' of his public duties. No particular news has come in from any of, the outlying diggings except some slight minor of an expected rush to,'- sortiewhero" on the Shotover ; two or three: parties having quietly departed for that River, who ate presumed to have received good tidings. _ What's the time of day? is often an important question amongst us, and one more easily asted than answered. Among the multiplicity of clocks and watches in the public possession, it is a difficult matter to find any two indicating precisely the same time, and the variations often cause considerable perplexity. One incon- , venience results fi'Otn this in the case of parties \ wishing to obtain letters from the Post-office early, who cluster round the window grunting and growling at the. postmasters apparent delay in commencing business, without any two men in the crowd being able to decide whether it is actually ten o'clock or not. Wanting a reliable public timekeeper, I thinkit might be safely assumed that the Postmaster keeps correct time, as nearly as possible.ii being -'f-sentially necessary for the proper discharge of his duties; and without proof to be contrary, there seems no good reason wliyhis punctualilyshould be questioned. Impatient individualsmay rake up fancied grievances on this score, but amongst the general public, Mr. M ' Kean is deservedly esteemed for his courtesy and prompt attention to his duties. At a meeting of the Township Improvement Committee, held on the sth instant, a resolution was passed to the effect that tbe committee considered the opening of communication with the Shotover, by means of a passable track over the ranges, of vital importance tq the interests ofthe Township ; and a sub-committee consisting of Messrs- Richards and Melody was appointed to collect subscriptions for the purpose of clearing away the snow and cutting any sidelings that might be deemed necessary for making such track available for packers. The meeting then adjourned untili the 12th, to receive Ihe report of the sub committee, and decide on what steps should be taken to carry out this desirable result. On Monday the committee again met. Present— Dr. J. Douglas, ("chairman) E. S- Payne, (hon. sec.) and Messrs. Richmond Melody, Rout, Haughton, Eccles field, and Ings. Mr. Richmond said he had much pleasure in informing the meeting that the success of himself and colleague in collecting subscriptions for the improved Shotover track had esceeded tbeir most sanguine expectations; for although from some mischance very little publicity had been given to the proposed plan, yet the residents had subscribed most liberally. He considered it a convincing point that the public had perfect faith with the efforts of the committee to do all that was requisite for the general welfare,- he was proud to say that in a very short time Mr. Melody and him self had collected nearly -£100, which he had placed in the Union Bank to the credit of the committee. Mr. Melody said he was happy to inform the meeting that in addition to the money already received, he had been guaranteed about £ 15 by parties who were absent when the first subscriptions were collected. The inhabitants of Frankton were also in favor of the proposed plan, and had expressed their willingness to contribute to the funds ; he imagined there would be no difficulty in raising sufficient money to carry out their ideas to the satisfaction of the public. Mr. Hazle liaving previously volunteered his service to superintend the work, a sub-committee was appointed to act with him in carrying out the necessary details, and they were instructed to commence operations with as little delay as possible. A letter was read from Sergeant Lynch requesting the committee to call public attention to the. general untidy state of the streets, and to adopt some means to remedy the evil. The committee were of an unanimous opinion that some such measure was highly desirable, and condemned the general customof theinhabitants in making a common sewer and dust heap of the public thoroughfare ; at.the same time they were not in a position to recommend any very comprehensive scheme to the public, inasmuch as tliey were still waiting a reply from the Superintendent to a letter forwarded in July last, as to the sale of town allotments and the