WAIKAIA,

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 418, 19 December 1874, Page 2

WAIKAIA,

(From our own Correspondent,)

For weeks past, up to the 9th insfc., here aa elsewhere, the all-observing topic has been the transit of Venus. On that day would-be astronomers were prepared to make, with the appliance of smoked glass the expected observations, and lay in store traditions from the year 1874, which they might relate to their grandchildren, how they had seen a small dark spot pass over the sun, but alas ! the clerk of the weather was unpropitious, evidently in a changing mood, for though at intervals during the forenoon old sol shone out brightly, yet about noon it commenced to rain, and continued so to do the remainder of the day ; bo we were not able to see the sun at all, much less the spot on it. Speaking of the transit reminds me of a new discovery made by one of our residents here, who has Venus on the brain. He declares that for two days previous to the 9th, he saw a spot on the sun, but as this gentleman has previously made a mistake in regard to Venus, probably this was one too. About a fortnight ago after studying astronomy, and trying to see Venus through the bottom of a tumbler, which before each observation he emptied of its contents, he was returning home to his hut which is situate near the Anglo-Swiss claim. He took Venus as his guiding star, but after wandering for several hours on theranges he found himself at the place whence lie had startel, discovering to his disgust that the Venus he had been following was a lighted lamp which he had been carrying with him, and of which he was oblivious. I have very lif tie iv mining matters to relate. We expect the river to be sufficiently low to eommeiivre work after the Christmas, holilay6. There is quite a rush by our shanty keepers to be licensed to sell grog. lam informed there are three applications lodged, two for general publicans, and one for bush license. One licensed house centrally situated is required here, but oue is sufficient for the requirements of this place. It may interest certain persons who left here a short time ago to know that the pocket-book that was lost about two montha ago has been found in the rooms where it was missed, with contents all right. We have had very favourable growingweather lately, and gardens, &c, are looking well, and although they are backward on account of the late spring, the crops will apparently be good.