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Lake County Press, Issue 46, 19 April 1872, Page 2

We are in the throes of another political eruption, but this time the symptoms are of a mild character, and unlikely to convulse the framework of our society to its very foundations. Four gentlemen, viz., Messrs. Hallen stein, Manders, Innks, and M‘ Bride, arc in the field as candidates for the two vacant seats assigned to the Lakes District in the Provincial Council. The first-named gentleman has been so recently before the public as the successful candidate at the late election for the General Assembly that it is almost unnecessary to do more than announce the fact of his present candidature. His claims on the district formed on that occasion a subject for favorable comment in these columns, and the remarks will apply equally well to the office he is now seeking. We think Mr Hallknstein has done right in endeavoring to strengthen the political status already gained by him as a member of the House of Representatives, and consequent extension of his sphere of public usefulness, by the course he has adopted in coming forward for a position iu both Legislatures. As the public are not likely to reverse a judgment on his qualifications so recently given, his return may be considered as certain. Mr. Manders is a Queenstown resident, and as Mr. Hallenstein is one also, this fact will, we think, greatly impede his success in the competition for the remaining seat. An effort will, and ought to be, made to secure for this portion of the Lakes District a local man as its representative; anti Mr Innes in coming forward gives us a chance of effecting this desirable arrangement. A large and influential requisition has been presented to him ; and his past services in an unofficial capacity, in forwarding the various small wants of the community, added to his ability, point out that his election to the Provincial Council, as it would afford larger opportunities, would also hi- utilised by him with increased advantage to the district. Of Mr. M‘Hride we know but little, and must therefore dismiss briefly. He is not far wrong in stating that a thorough regeneration in affairs social and political is a necessity of the present day ; but whether he is competent to effect such regeneration or not, having nothing but his address to goby, we are unable to say. Electors will bear in mind that the nomination takes place to-morrow, 20thinstaut, and the poll will be taken on Wednesday next, 24th instant.

The Maoris at the Thames ate reported to take much interest in the Scottish Volunteer Corps there, or “ soldiers in petticoats,” as they term them. The New Zealand Herald complains of the rat pest in Auckland. “ The town and country alike,” it says, “ are overrun by these di-gust ing vermin.” Among the candidates for the representation of Waikouaiti district in the Assembly is Sir David Monro, for many years Speaker of the House. The local paper speaks highly of Sir David, and ujges the electors to return him. At 'I imam, lately, a man named Reilly was kilted during the launching of a surfboat. It is said th>- unfortunate man was the discoverer of the Dunstan goldfield, which at the time was known as the “ Hartley and Reilly rush.” Late telegrams state that Cyrus Haley, recently tried for arson and attempted murder, has been convict- d of the latter crime, and sentenced to penal servitude for life. An evening paper in Auckland, where prisoner was tried, published a verbatim report of . his address to the jury, and sold 3200 copies. We understand that Mr Manders had an excellent meeting at the British Lion Theatre, Queenstown, on Tuesdav evening, and after a lengthy address and questioning a unanimous vote of confidence was carried in his favor. Mr Manders addresses the electors here to morrow in the Library Hall, ~ I HE Grey River A tv? «,s is authoritatively informed that af present much miseiy exists on the Inangahua Goldfield—large bodies of men having rushed there without anv prospect of employment There are nearly three thousand men there “ waiting for something to turn up,” The Illustrated N. Z Herald for this month contains a portrait of Sir He reules Robinson, the new y appoint- d (inventor of New South Wales ; several sketches of Australian scenery; engravings of Mawhera Quay, Gn yinouth, after the recent gri at floods, the site "f the Richmond Quay, Greymouth, now the bed of the river ; and the Auckland annual regatta,3oth January 1872. * We learn from the Cromwell Argus that a young man at one time well known in this district was drowned in the Hawea River last Saturday evening. '1 he unfortunate man—by name Joseph Edmonds, n, and at one time driver of the coach from Clyde to this district—was leading a pack horse over the river, which, it is supposed, dragged him oP the animal lie Was riding, and in the darkness of night he was carried away by the current. At the 'liraaru Races, held on the I Oth instant, a charge of one slid ing was made for admission of pi destriaus to the racecourse. Ihe scale of charges for horsemen and vehie.es was a sliding one, and went as high ns five shillings. The I’imaru Gazette gives as a reason for this novel innovation that “ the stewards were determined that, as fur as lay in their power nothing should he wanting to make the races a decided success. They thereforemade this charge m order to cover all ex peases of the meeting.” '1 he following public notification ap pears in the columns <>f the Tuapeka Times: — ll At a meeting of the Nun, Run, and Sun tribes of Cltin.se, held at the Chinese En pire Hot 1 on Monday, the Blh instant, Mr Wong On iu the chair, it was proposed, du.y seconded, and unanimously carried, Ist.—‘That active measures be at once commenced for the erection of a Clubhouse in Dunedin, for the reception of their countrymen o i their arrival from China.’ 2nd.— ‘ That the contribution towards this object be not less bl for each subscriber.’— Wong On, Chaimim ; Chin ah Sum, Secretary.” The Tuapeka Times , referring to this announcement, says 2oo£ has been already collect- d for this object. A RATHER singular accident took place at the City of L n lou mine, Thames, a shirt time since. While Mr Hicks, the manager, was coming up the shaft, and ha-1 teached a distance up the ladder, about ten feet from tn b-tt to, ahe ivy weight was heard descenuing. Quck as lightning, .Mr Hicks grasped the la der with a firmer hold, and had no so-air done so than he received a tremendous blow on the chest, which severely injured him, but still did not cause him lo lose his grasp. On descending to the bottom, it was found that the cause of the accident was a large dog (since dead), winch in the emus ■ of bis wanderings above mad-- a mist.-ke and wandered below. Mr Hicks’ injuries were examined and found so sevi re as to ticcesuite his being confined to iiis bed for some time to come. Some mouths ago, we referred to the Arrow Public Library as being one of the most successful iiistbutionseverestablished in the district, and we have much pleasure in returning to the subject. By a glance at the Report, published elsewhere, it will be found that its success has been such that the late Committee have ventured to announce that the Library “ is complete, tor some time at least,” and recommend the reduction of the annual subscription to ten shillings. In making this suggestion, we believe the Committee were entirely guided by the view of extending its usefulness. Many can afford ten shillings when they could not a pound—indeed, there are lew who cannot adoni the smaller sum; and bitter value lor (heir m i.ey could not expect in anything. The long, dark nights of winter are c.o e upon us, when reading wiil be the chief solaceof many otherwise lonely houis. ’To miners away in the hill.- and guides the Library ought to he a great boon, ami we hope before long that nm a party of them will he found that cannot j r- duee at least one subscriber to tne institution The manner in which the gentlemen under whn.-e hands the J.ibiary sprung up ana ha» been fostered have worked for it is of I itself sufficient to demand the moat liberal 'rapport.