The Arrow Observer AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. ARROWTOWN, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1872.

Lake County Press, Issue 43, 29 March 1872, Page 2

The Arrow Observer AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. ARROWTOWN, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1872.

We have to acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of a parcel of Parliamentary papers by Wednesday’s mail. A petition has this week been handed round for signature, praying the Superinintendent to have the track to the EightMile, via Arrow River, constructed before winter sets in. By Tuesday’s coach two old residents took their departure from the district, viz., Mr T. Hislop, of Cardrona Creek, and Mr John Dohey, of Queenstown. We believe the latter proceeds to Sydney, and Mr Hislop to the Cape diamond fields. As a proof of the remunerative character of some of the claims in the vicinity of the Arrow River, we may mention an instance which came to our ears last week. A share in a claim was sold for £8 10s, it not being thought much of; for the first week’s work the lucky purchaser realised the handsome dividend of £2l. A meeting of the Arrow Improvement Committee was held in the Library Hall on Wednesday. The principal business ! was the consideration of a letter from the Secretary for Works, authorising the Committee to expend the sum of 80/ on the Brackens track. It was resolved that two members of the Committee should meet some of the residents there, inspect the track, call for tenders, and proceed with the work immediately. The land mania in the Wakatip district appears to be dying out. We understand that the sale of agricultural land on the shores of Lake Wakatip (late Messrs Whites’ run) was a failure—not a single section being sold. We may take this as showing that the lease system is more to the liking of the people of this district than that of direct purchase. At the sale of allotments in this town on Wednesday, about half-a-dozen were sold, only one realising more than the upset price. In accordance with notice, a meeting of householders was held in the school-room on Monday evening. The attendance was limited. Mr M'Dougall occupied the chair, and read report of the retiring Committee, from which it appeared that up to the close of last year, a sum of 24/ 17s fid was due; but this sura was likely to be met by the exertions of one or two gentlemen of the late Committee. The following gentlemen were elected a Committee for present year:—Messrs Watson, M'Dougall, J. A. Miller, Dixon, Field, Brown, Elam, Paterson and Ferguson, Messrs M'Dougall, Field and Brown were elected Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer ) respectively, and the Commit tee adjourned till that night week.

'I he business at the R.M. Court ou Monday was very light, owing principally to both the legal gentlemen being engaged in the District Court, Queenstown, where some important suits were dealt with. The Wellington Post of the 15th inst. says:—A rumor has gained ground today to the. effect that Ministers advise his Excellency to dissolve Parliament, ’n order that the opinion of the people may be fully expressed on more than one important topic of the day. We merely give the rumor as such, and as a contingent event that is the subject of conversation in well-informed circles. On Sunday morning last this town had a very narrow escape from being the scene of an extensive conflagration. The present appearance of Mr Goldston’s store sufficiently indicates that but for the occurence being discovered in the nick of time a fire of a serious nature would have been the result. It seems that the lime being used in the construction of Air Pritchard’s new warehouse was piled up against Mr Goldston’s premises. During Saturday night or Sunday morning a stream of water had found its way under the bags, and the lime becoming “ slacked” ultimately ignited the boards. When Mr Goldston dsscovered the fire—about six o’clock on Sunday morning—the flame was shooting through the roof in a column fully ten feet high, apparently caused by the gas generated. Fortunately a supply of water was at hand, and a timely application put an end to the danger. We believe the damage will not exceed £2O. By the courtesy of Mr Fulck, Postmaster at Queenstown, we are enabled to publish the following list of unclaimed letters lying in his office up to end of last month: —Alex. Airth ; C. A. Boden, Thomas Brooks, James Booth, H. Berger; Berry Cass, Alex. Cannan, W. J. Coates, H. E. Campbell, James Chapman, Abraham Cass, J. Cowan, Kwen Cameron, Geo. Cunney ; Patrick Donovan ; D. Forsyth ; P. Gostwick, P. Grieves, H. A. Gordon ; Alfred S George, John Gordon, Percy Cost wick ; T. R. Hackett, Messrs Harrison and Bowstead, John D. Hunter, Thomas Hall j A. Johnston, Benjamin Joy; Thos. Kennan, Miss Kerr; J. D. Leice, John Lewis; N. Marks and L. Lazard, Nathaniel Marks, William Mills, George Moss, Thos. Morton, Mr Mitcherlich ; Joseph Nankerras; Jas. M'Donald, Philip M'Carthy; Jas. Price; Denis Quinlan, R. Quin, Denis R. Quinlan ; K. Robbins ; P. Sheiidan, Peter Sbapper, Israel Shaw, L. Smith, J Small; D. Weaver, Albert Webster, Henry Wagner ; James Young (2); M. Williams, Henry Williams (2).