LAKE WAKATIPU.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 833, 31 March 1885, Page 3

LAKE WAKATIPU.

(from our own correspondent.) Queenstown, March 30. There is nothing very sensational this week in mining circles. Water for sluicing purposes continues in some localities very scarce. However, before the close of this week we shall be able to ascertain some facts, as there will be a large influx of miners for the Easter holidays, and to witness the Volunteer Review. Mentioning the Review reminds me of an important item. Besides Volunteers, we shall have numerous visitors. The arrangements ai'e stated to be as complete as circumstances permit. No doubt something may be omitted or not provided for, but any hitch will be speedily overcome. It is not necessary in full to specify the details, and the particulars already published afford a rough guide to events. There will be plenty of sleeping accommodation for visitors apart from Volunteers, but these will have to fare somewhat more roughly. They will have to crowd a little together, but then campaigning is not by any means a bed of feathers arrangement. All must accept the will for the deed. The announcement that the Invercargill Band do not intend to enter the lists for the band contest has been "thankfully" received by the band here, who again no doubt will aspire to a premier position. At any rate it should be an encouragement to the Arrow and Cromwell Bands to show '.'. their facings." The Invercargill Band will, however, at intervals play some of its repertoire of music. All now depends upon the weather for a success, and the enjoyment of a pleasant holiday season. The Hon. the Minister of Mines (accompanied by his staff), Mr Pyke, M.H.R., and the special reporter of the Dunedin Times, arrived here by the 11 p.m. steamer on Thursday night. On Friday Mr Larnach went up to Skippers and the Shotover generally. The weather was anything but favorable as it blew very strongly from the west. On Saturday it was worse for it blew stronger still. It was anything but a pleasure journey. The Minister inspected a good deal of mining property and mines, besides he had a host of things both in and outside of his department brought under his notice. That outside of his own was a request to bring them under the notice of his colleagues. It would be impossible in a lew sentences to satisfactorily give even a resume' of what was done and what was seen. Such reports are generally looked upon as garbled ones. They want the whole of the plums out of the pudding and not half of them. It is therefore best to state generally that the result of the visit is likely to produce good returns, and that the miners and others have discovered that the newly-created Minister of Mines is not exactly a square peg in a round hole. He showed a large knowledge of goldmining matters, and stated that the Government were inclined to treat the Goldfields in a more liberal spirit and encourage gold mining as a permanent industry. I stated in these letters some time ago, when the appointment of Mr Larnach was not favorably received, that he would eventually be found a good M inister. Mr Larnach's experience of mining matters dates from New South Wales and Victoria when the gold rushes were on. This was probably one thing that tended to the selection. The other undoubtedly was his being a good business man and able financier. These latter qualifications may lead to happy results for the special interests under his charge. The great "V. P." looks as hearty and full of bonhomie as ever. The journey to Skippers was "too good" a thing for him. He had been there often enough. He is just travelling with the Minister so as to reach his own district, and on the way to it see old friends. He is by no means coaching Mr Larnach—that gentleman ia able to paddle his

own canoe—but advice may often be sought, and a special subject that crops up lie discussed. As former Provincial Secretary of Otago Gold--11 J.ds and as Warden of them Mr Pyke's views in matters affecting them must always be of value. „ ~ . . Mr Crawford, Inspector of Machinery, is visiting all parts of the district prior to sending in his amiual report for the year ending this month. , Two tourists have been very ill at Emharclts Hotel. One. a youuj,' gentleman from England, when ascending Ben Lomond met with an accident, the result of which was concussion of the brain. Despite the nnremittiucc cn-e of !>r Douglas and a consultation with \)v Donaldson, he died early yesterday morning. Mrs Eichardt and the whole staff nursed him gently and with sympathy. He had made himself liked. His friends are in a good position of life. He was of a delicate constitution, and came out for the benefit of his health. The privileges connected with the Volunteer affair realized near £3O, which satisfactory result will give the Demonstration Committee some £l2O to deal with. The iMountaineer Hotel nee Prince of Wales Hotel is rapidly approaching completion. It is an ornament to the town, and properly managed a good business could be done in it by an enterprising landlord, and especially during the summer months. Nothing has been spared to render it a first-class building.