ARTHUR'S POINT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 78, 7 August 1869, Page 3

ARTHUR'S POINT.

(From a Correspondent.)

July 22nd.

I suppose -that, in common with all the dwellers in incorporated towns, you have been suffering under an election. I hope to see full particulars in your valuable paper, but fear the excitement will not be comparable with that which occurred here. You are probably aware that the leading firm in the -neighbouring city of Queenstown carries on business under the style and title of Robertson and Hallenstein, and elsewhere as Hallenstein and Co It appears that Mr Robertson has well and worthily occupied the position of chief magistrate since the incorporation of the town ; but he desires to divest himself of his dignity. He appears to occupy in the estimation of the public as large a popularity as is enjoyed by your own worthy Mayor ; but it seems that in Queenstown there is more choice, or at all events more people desirous of municipal renown. You see in Queenstown, account of the proximity of the Lake Wakatipu, there is no " water scheme ;" there is no Millar, F.S.A., advocating a great Tuapeka Basin ; and though the district has not yet succeeded in eclipsing Tuapeka as a mining and agricultural centre, it, in connection with Arrowtown and Cromwell, is shaping very well in the competition, as may be seen by the returns of the Escort, from a mining point of view, and as is experienced by dwellers and visitors here in the shape of splendid bread and meat. To return to our elections. Mr. Atkins the unsuccessful candidate, is a butcher, — or flesher, as the Scotch people prefer to designate that respectable calling: There appears to be a slight idea afloat that while supplying the public at large with most excellent meat, he if anything charged them rather too highly, consequently some of his Irish supporters headed their election posters "No monopoly!" with a mild joke about steak and stake not worth recording. The candidates met their constituents at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Hallenstein, as one might suppose by his name, is a German, and as he has to think in his own language and speak in ours, he labours under a certain disadvantage ; but as men can do who really understand what they are talking about, he made out his case with great success. His competitor, Mr Atkins, then rose, and those who expected a rowdy exhibition were very much disappointed. He showed that though he had not taken any part in the Council of Queenstown since the town was incorporated, he had taken great interest in the local affairs, and in a very quiet and gentlemanly speech reminded the ratepayers of the course he had taken in the early days of the district, and that when the fire engine establishment was an affair of the most vital importance he had been one of its most prominent supporters. In concluding his speech, he referred to the remark so frequently made that there should be new blood in the representation o£ the town, and remarked that Mr Hallenstein, being a partner of Mr Robertson, and connected with him in the several industries of the district, was, as it were, his other self, and that the elec tion of Mr Hallenstein would not forward the desired result of bringing in new blood. This of course was a capital point, and brought well-deserved applause ; and he finished off by saying that the partners in the firm would probably scratch one another's backs. Some wild fencing then went on in the body of the hall, and when a lull occurred Mr Hallenstein rose and said, " I beg to assure ze ratepayers that if I am elected Mayor I zhall not scratch Mr Robertson's back !"

I regret to say that Queenstown is in no way equal to many towns I have been in in respect to pugilism. I once assisted at an election in Port Chalmers, where the principal supporters of the Mayor got at least two black eyes ; and there were several very pretty skirmishes, resulting more or less in damage. In Queenstown there was only one skirmish, and the combatants were in no way damaged, not even in character.

The contest gave great satisfaction to the rising generation. Miss Alice White, a maiden of some ten summers (allowing the summer of 1867-8 to be a summer), told me in confidence that she approved of the now Mayor, as he gave away two tins of lollies !