COROMANDEL.—VISIT OF DR. NICHOLSON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 15.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4000, 17 June 1870, Page 3

COROMANDEL.— VISIT OF DR. NICHOLSON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) June 15.

The Provincial Secretary was here yesterday. He made a very brief visit, and. after promising to do a little for us in the way of roads, &c, he departed through the mud to Ke ven's Point, about 2 p.m. We have now the promise of the maiu road being repaired to a certain extent, but not metalled at the present unfavourable season. The track from the Tokatea is to be improved, and, "if feasible," a jetty for the landing of passengers, two- or three-plank wide, with a handrail, is to be constructed at Ke yen's Point. A sledge road is also promised at Tiki, and the proposed Tokatea tram is to be supplemented when completed. Although all this falls very far short of what ought to be done for the district, we shall be } very glad of these instalments. The Pro- ! vineial Secretary made a singular statement to a deputation which waited upon him yesterday, viz., that he "had given instruc tions some time ago for cei'tain works to be proceeded with, but those instructioxis had not been carried out." Now, this carries a very grave censure to the official meant. Whoever he rcciy be the doctor did not state ; but, of course, it is not difficult to conjecture which is the individual referred to, and he certainly ought to be called to account. If gen'ulemen in the high position of Provincial Secretary cannot got their orders carried out by subordinates, such subordinates ought to get "the sack," as they would do under similar oiroumstances had they a private, instead of a public, employer. According to the Piovinoial Secretary's statement, yesterday, this district has been for months suffering from the lack of improvements which he himself had ordered to be done aome time ago. — The intelligence from the majority of the mines here continues very satisfactory, considering the wet weather, the miserable state of the roads, the lack of adequate machinery and capital, and very many other difficulties with which the hardy miners on this field have been struggling for a long time. Of the intrinsic richness of this field no man, who has personally inspected the ground, can reasonably doubt, and I believe tiie day is not far distant when the gold returns from Coromandel will make a highly-respectable figure every week, and inspire confidence in { the minds of the public. The new Courthouse, with mining registrar's office, en- i gineer's office, post-office, &c, under one roof, is now nearly completed, and is an improvement on the old arrangements ; but. should business increase as it is calculated to do, the Court-room will be found very small, and the accommodation provided for the public very paltry. — The third of a series of penny readings came off at the schoolhouse last evening, and was very successful. The manner in which people will walk a long distance through formidable mud for amusement is astonishing. As yet no theatricals have visited us. A good company would, in all probability, do well for a short time.